Why doesn't someone skimming across the surface of water sink?

Question

Why doesn't someone skimming across the surface of water sink?

Answer 1

because of momentum

Answer 2

Newton's 1st law of motion.

An object moving in a direction tends to remain moving in that direction until acted upon by a force.

Gravity works on the water skier, but then she has moved forward on the tow rope. When she lets go, she does sink.

Water has some surface tension. Enough to get the skier started while moving ahead.