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Lake Frameswitch
Founded in 1976, Texas Water Ski competes as a D2 competitive club team at sanctioned collegiate water ski tournaments in our region. Texas Water Ski is one of 44 sports clubs sponsored by the UT Division of Recreational Sports and our goal is to spread the sport of water skiing.
Competition
Through USA Water Ski, the national governing body of organized water skiing and wakeboarding in the United States, Texas Water Ski competes against other collegiate teams in three-event water ski tournaments.
In the fall, we have three regular tournaments to compete against schools in our region. Texas Water Ski's annual "Fall Classic" tournament starts off the ski season in September, followed by the Bayou Classic in Louisiana. Then, we have Regionals, where the team competes to see if we can make Nationals.
Other members of the South Central Region include:
Texas A&M, Texas State, Baylor, SMU, The University of Arkansas, The University of Louisiana Monroe, and the University of Louisiana Lafayette
In the spring, the region hosts three tournaments: Polar Bear, Fleur de Ski, and Pony Express. These tournaments are more for the skiers to develop their skills and get ready for All-Stars, a competition between regions at the end of the spring.
See more below about the three events.
Practice
We practice three to four days a week at a private ski lake located in Taylor, TX called Lake Frameswitch. We love skiing at our lake because we have a slalom course set up, our jump ramp ready to go, and don't have to worry about the wake from other boats. All the equipment we need is at the lake; the team provides the boat and all equipment for active members.
All team practices are optional; there is no minimum required time commitment to stay an active member.
Visit our Join page to learn more about what it takes to become a part of the Texas Waterski Team!
The Three Events
The Three Events
Slalom
Trick
Jump
Click below to learn more about each event.
Slalom
Slalom
Slalom skiing is performed on a single, narrow water ski with one foot placed directly in front of the other. The skier must get around a set of six buoys placed on alternating sides of the boat’s path.
Slalom skiing is scored based on the number of successful buoys cleared, the boat speed, and the rope length. As the boat speed increases and the rope shortens, it becomes increasingly difficult for the skier to complete a pass and they are rewarded with more points. A skier must enter through the entrance gates, round all 6 buoys, and exit through the exit gates in order to get a complete pass.
Trick
Trick
Trick skiing is performed on a single short ski with one foot in front and the other at an angle behind it.
Trick skiers perform a series of stunts in the water such as spins and flips, which are of varying point values. The more difficult the trick, the more points it is worth. Trick skiers can either do "hand tricks" where the handle is held in the hands, or "toehold tricks" where the rope is held with one foot. Advanced trick skiers are capable of performing a wide variety of tricks on the water that require excellent balance, coordination, gymnastic ability, and precision. Although classic trick skiing is done on a specific type of trick ski, you can still get points for tricking on a wakeboard, kneeboard, or combo skis.
Jump
Jump
Jump is performed on two large, wide skis that are generally significantly taller than the skier. The skier is also required to wear a padded jumpsuit and helmet to provide protection during a fall.
It's simple: travel as far as possible. Skiers are scored on distance traveled from the end of the 5-foot tall ramp, to where they successfully land and ski away on the water. Beginners "plop", and approach the ramp head-on and ride straight over it, traveling at the same speed as the boat. As jumpers gain experience, they begin approaching the ramp at increasing distances in order to generate more speed and therefore jump a longer distance.
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