Why has everyone given up on water-skiing and gone into wake boarding?

Question

Ok I get that wakeboarding is the latest craze, but at the last boat show I hardly saw any competition ski boats, just extremely expensive wakeboard boats. I mean these boats were priced upwards of $80k I understand a dealership would be happy to profit 35 to 40 thousand dollars on a wakeboard boat, but is there not even people out there who also have a passion for skiing anymore? I would think that people would simply stick to the old school slalom because its so much cheaper. Besides when you get good enough skiing the sport is adictive as anything.

I wonder ... Is my sport dying?

Answer 1

I can only speak for myself, but wakeboarding doesn't wear me out as quickly as water skiing.

Answer 2

well i think most people are thinking, why ski when you can wake board? they might be thinking that you can do everything that you can do on skis, on a wake board. skiing is great, but wake boarding is new and exciting so alot of people are switching to it just to try it. they might switch back sooner or later, or do both

Answer 3

I have water-skied once and wake boarded a few times so I'm not professing to be an expert here.

IMHO - it is the COOL factor of wakeboarding.  The same reason why the kids on the slopes are snowboarding instead of skiing and why kids are skateboarding in the streets instead of rollerblading.  It's all about the image.  That's why kids in OHIO wear Billabong.  That's why people in S Dakota wear Volcom...

Answer 4

Water skiing is dying somewhat.  I waterski and wake board and i think that wakeboarding is easier.  it is easier to get up wakeboarding than waterskiing.  The prices of wakeboard boats are ridiculous, but the prices of ski boats are climbing too.  waterskiing is also dying because you need almost perfect water to get good and wakeboarding you use the roller to your advantage.

(My dad and my brother both ski compettively, so they are trying to help keep the sport alive)

Answer 5

Jason, your sport is not dying. Wake boarding is like a toboagan in the winter snow. Jump on and hope you don't hit something. No braines involved. Water skiing and snow skiing. Need to think a bit. Just ask Sonny Bonno.