Top 8 Best Cheap Water Skis
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ended, I looked back to the old video I watched where water skiing was introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1972 Munich Olympics. It was the first and only year water skiing graced the international sports event. Not many people know this, but water skiing used to be one of the original extreme sports popular among professionals; however, years after that, this sport feared extinction. The Olympics didn’t include water skiing in their roster. So eventually, people lost interest. Those days are long gone, though. Today, water skiing is gaining popularity once more as water ski beginners and enthusiasts multiply over the years. According to USA Water Ski, there are over 600 different water skiing clubs and 11,000 active members across the United States. 80% of those people actively compete in tournaments, while the remaining percentage water skis recreationally. I know there’s a reason why you’re here, and perhaps it’s because you want to try water skiing as well. But sometimes, beginners of this sport face this dilemma — water skis are just so expensive. Prices of quality skis can range from $500 to over $1,000! But don’t fret. If you’re looking for cheaper water ski alternatives priced at $300 and under, you’ve come to the right place. What makes good water skis? Did you know that water skis were invented by cutting up pine boards and strapping leather to the feet? Fast forward to today, even affordable skis are made from fiberglass, graphite, and aluminum. They’re also coated with resin layers for longevity and smoother rides. Top 8 Best Cheap Water Skis When looking for starter water skis, pay attention to the materials, their special features, and the bindings that may be included in the package. Check out these 8 water skis to help get you started on your water skiing adventure! Rave Sports Rhyme Combo Water Skis — Our Top Pick O’Brien Celebrity Combo Water Skis — Best Budget CWB Connelly Big Daddy Waterski — Best High End HO Blast Combo Skis with Adjustable Bindings — Best for Family O’Brien Jr Vortex Kids Combo Water Skis — Best for Kids Airhead Wide Body Combo Skis O’Brien Vortex Widebody Combo Water Skis RAVE Sports Pure Combo Water Skis 1. RAVE Sports Pure Combo Water Skis — Our Top Pick Specifications: Price: $229.99 Type: Combination Skis Length: 65″ (167 cm) Weight limit: >110 lbs Skill level: Beginner to Advanced Other features: Slalom toe hold On the top of this list is the brand that pioneered making inflatable water trampolines — Rave Sports. The Rhyme Combo Water Skis are just the perfect starter skis for beginners. With these skis’ wider board surfaces measured 65” or 164 cm long, you can easily get up on a plane and turn in larger curves effectively. Though they’re too wide for intermediate and aggressive skiers, beginners won’t have a hard time learning water skiing with these. They provide more balance and stability so they track well in water. The Rhyme Combo Water Skis also provide less effort when it comes to deep-water starts, so it’s also easier for the boat to lift you. They also come with comfortable and adjustable bindings for a snug and more secure fit. Finally, these skis are all-around. One of the skis can be interchangeable as a slalom because of its rear toe hold for your other foot. For the price of only $229, the Rhyme Combo Water Skis will surely make your water skiing experience worthwhile. 2. O’Brien Celebrity Combo Water Skis — Best Budget Specifications: Price: $154.59 Type: Combination Skis Length: 68″ (172 cm) Weight limit: >210 lbs Skill level: Beginner to Advanced Other features: X-7 adjustable bindings, Dual Tunnel Design, Nylon Fins, Rear toe strap If you’ve been browsing through water gear and equipment, then there’s a good chance you’ve already come across the household brand O’Brien. This company has been creating water sports products for over 50 years, from life jackets to SUPs — you name it, they have it. Because of their reputation, they’ve already gained thousands of loyal patrons globally. The O’Brien Celebrity Combo Water Skis are their most popular product for beginner to more advanced water skiers. These 68” long skis have adjustable X-7 bindings that fit men’s foot sizes 4.5-13 comfortably (although some users comment it’s hard to adjust these things). They also have side-cut bevels and dual tunnels for better control and stability. These water skis are designed with a flat rocker for seamless threading through the water and effortless deep-water starts. This saves fuel and energy on the boat as it takes a shorter time to make you come out of the water. Finally, these skis also have nylon fins for water traction and a padded rear toe plate for progressing in slalom techniques. 3. CWB Connelly Big Daddy Waterski — Best High End Specifications: Price: $232 Type: Slalom Skis Length: 69″ (175 cm) Weight limit: >220 lbs Skill level: Progressing Beginners to Intermediate Other features: Polyurethane (PU) resin core, Aluminum fin, Connelly advanced profile technology, Adjustable bindings, Rear toe strap The Connelly Big Daddy Water Ski is for progressing adult beginners who aim to improve their water skiing ability. With this slalom ski, you’d be able to learn how to make wide turns and generate big splashes of waves in no time. Larger builds won’t have a problem using this world-famous big ski because it has a weight capacity of more than 220 lbs. It has a narrow underfoot design with wide tails and fins that makes for effortless starts and smoother glides for slower speeds of 28 mph and under. Aside from that, Big Daddy can also cover 550 square inches of water surface area seamlessly. This water ski’s core is made from closed-cell polyurethane resin layered with fiberglass so it’s durable and stable. It also comes with adjustable front bindings and a slalom toe hold that will fit your other foot comfortably. There’s a spot by the aluminum drop-through fin where you … Read more