Water Ski Buying Guide: Find the Right Ski for You
Choosing the right waterski can make all the difference between an enjoyable ride and a frustrating one. Whether you're upgrading from trainer skis or replacing an old favorite, here are the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect ski.
Ability Level
Your skill level is the most important factor in choosing a ski. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's a ski for you. The ski's width, rocker (curve), and concave (bottom shape) all influence how it handles on the water. Beginners may benefit from a wider, more forgiving ski, while advanced skiers will prefer a narrower, stiffer design for greater control and speed.
Ski Size
Ski size is closely tied to your weight and skiing style. Slalom skis are designed to stay on top of the water with more surface area, and the right size ensures you get the best performance. A longer ski provides more stability and speed, making it ideal for beginners or lighter skiers. Shorter skis allow for quicker turns but may tire you out faster, making them better for more experienced, aggressive skiers.
Ski Shapes
The shape of a waterski affects its performance. Here are some common types:
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Slalom Course Skis: Ideal for high-speed course skiing (32-36mph), these skis are thin with aggressive concaves for quick edge-to-edge transitions.
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Crossover Skis: A blend of performance and forgiveness, these skis are great for lower-speed course skiing and offer more stability for turning.
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Widebody Skis: Perfect for beginners or skiers who need extra stability. These skis are wider and easier to control, especially in rougher waters or during deep starts.
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Freeskis: Shorter, wider skis designed for tricks and jumps. These have a lower swing weight for easier maneuverability in the air.
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Combo/Trainer Skis: Wider and more stable, these skis are ideal for beginners learning to ski on a single ski.
Ski Stiffness
Ski stiffness affects its flexibility and performance. A stiffer ski provides more speed and stability at high speeds but can be less forgiving, especially in rough conditions. Softer skis are easier to ride in choppy waters, making them better for beginners or casual skiers, but they don't perform as well at higher speeds.
Water Conditions
The type of water you ski on influences your choice of ski. In calm, glassy waters or on a private lake, most skis will perform well. However, in choppy or windy conditions, a wider, more stable ski (like a crossover or widebody) will provide better control. A softer ski is also preferable for rougher waters, as it offers more forgiveness.
Trojan's Top Waterski's for the 2025 Australian Summer:
Beginner Waterski:
Radar Origin Combo: A stable platform perfect for beginner water-skiers to master the basic skills and progress onto a single ski.
Radar Session Waterski: The Session delivers effortless starts and a smooth ride with its increased surface area making crossing wakes and rough waters feel easy and stable. A great beginner/ intermediate cruiser.
Intermediate Waterski:
Radar Union Waterski: Offering extra width that allows you to ride the ski at slower speeds and improve at a rapid pace
Radar Senate Alloy : Radar's Alloy Senate is a stable yet fast ski, perfect for everything from open water turns to course action.
Ho Omni Ultra Bwf : The Omni Ultra offers a perfect blend of stability, responsiveness, and forgiveness, allowing skiers to easily transition between course skiing and smooth open water carving.
Radar Lyric: The Lyric offers an easy-turning ski designed specifically for women, with effortless stability and smooth turns between 26-34 MPH.
Advanced Waterski:
Radar Senate Graphite : A true performer in the course and on open water, this ski excels between 28-34 MPH, providing unmatched water connection for smooth, powerful turns and consistent speed.
Radar Lyric Graphite: The Graphite Lyric delivers high-performance precision with tighter turns and increased speed.
Ho Syndicate Works 02: The 2025 Syndicate Works 02 offers a perfect blend of stability, maneuverability, and tight turns, delivering a championship-level experience for skiers looking to push their limits.
Radar Vapor Pro Build: Designed for elite performance in the slalom course at 32-36 MPH, the Pro Build Vapor delivers competition-level precision with the best materials and shape for an unmatched ride.
