Best Beginner Water Skis: What to Look For and Why

Water skiing has changed significantly since its humble beginnings more than 100 years ago on a lake in Minnesota. The days of two curved planks of wood attached to your feet with leather straps are gone, and instead, water skis come in more shapes, styles, and sizes than ever before. But with so many options available, many first time skiers find it difficult to select the best beginner water skis.

How can you determine the best water ski for beginners? What type of skis work well for new learners? What are the different types of water skis beginners should use? Technology has brought about a water ski design to match every skill level.

Water Ski Features for Children

Water skiing is a sport for the young and old, so it is important to remember that the best beginner water skis designed for small children will not be the same style as water skis meant for grown adults.

Platform Trainers

Good skis for beginners offer the most surface area. Skis with a wider surface can float on the water easier than slim skis. As a beginner, you need that extra support to be able to glide across the water with less effort.

Plus, skis with more surface area give a skier a sense of security. You must be able to maintain your balance on the water, and a ski with a wider base provides that stability.

For example, take a look at the CWB Connelly Firecracker Kids Waterski Trainer or the O’Brien Kids Platform Trainer Waterski.

These U-shaped trainers have plenty of surface area. Either waterski has a wide, sturdy base that allows a skier to learn the basic fundamentals of skiing without focusing so much on simply staying upright in the water. Also, these platform trainers are designed for little skiers under 85 pounds.

Combo Skis

What if your tiny rider is under 85 pounds, but beyond the need for a U-shaped waterski? The answer is to move up to combo skis.

With a U-shaped waterski, the name depicts how the waterski looks. The platform is one large piece of equipment with the two skis permanently connected together, forming a “U” shape.

With combo skis, you get two separate skis and have the option of conjoining them with a stabilizer bar. A stabilizer bar helps the skis remain in the correct position. With a stabilizer bar in place, the skis are forced to stay forward and aligned.

This setup keeps a new learner steady and stable, yet offers the appearance and feel of more advanced skis.

Combo skis with stabilizer bars for children under 85 pounds, include:

O’Brien Children All-Star Trainers Kids Combo Waterskis, Green

O’Brien Kids All-Star Trainer Combo Waterskis, 46”

HO Hot Shot Trainer Skis w/Adjustable Horseshoe Bindings & Trainer Bar/Rope Floral/Black

If your rider is above 85 pounds and below 135 pounds, check out these combo skis with a stabilizer bar:

Connelly Supersport Combo Waterskis

Best Beginner Water Skis for Teens and Adults

For teens and adults learning to ski, you need skis that can support more weight. Buying longer and wider skis is often the solution.

The combo skis designed for children range in size from about 46 inches to 55 inches. Combo skis that accommodate more weight are longer in length and do not come with a stabilizer bar.

The O’Brien Vortex Widebody Combo Water Skis are 65.5 inches long. Plus, these water skis are particularly beneficial for beginners due to their wide body style.

Remember how kids need plenty of surface area when learning to ski? That goes for larger skiers, too. Skis with more surface area lift a skier out of the water, and this component is especially beneficial when new learners ski at slower speeds.

The HO Skis Blast 67-Inch Waterskiing Combo Skis with Trainer Bindings are another excellent option for beginners. These water skis are a traditional water ski shape with a tunnel bottom design. This shape and design combination is perfect for beginners, and yet, can grow with a skier as they progress and expand their skills.

Good Skis for Beginners

The best beginner water skis are very different from skis made for advanced skiers. Whether buying skis for yourself or a child, you will find the most success when you buy skis that match the skill level of the skier.

Yes, that often means you will need to buy another set of skis down the road, but the payoff is worth it. When you start off with the right set of skis, you can develop good habits and improve your abilities quicker.

Successful skiing begins with purchasing the proper skis from the get-go.