What Is USA Water Ski?

USA Water Ski is the national governing body of organized water skiing in the United States. USA Water Ski is a member of the International Water Ski Federation (World Governing Body), the Pan American Sports Organization, and the United States Olympic Committee.

Affiliated with USA Water Ski as sport disciplines are the American Water Ski Association, American Barefoot Club, American Kneeboard Association, National Collegiate Water Ski Association, National Show Ski Association, National Water Ski Racing Association, United States Hydrofoil Association, USA Wakeboard and Water Skiers with Disabilities Association.

From the beginning, USA Water Ski has had a dual mission of promoting the growth and development of recreational water skiing and organizing and governing the sport of competitive water skiing. The largest and most active water-ski federation in the world, USA Water Ski has a paid staff of 20 persons.

Headquartered in Polk City, Fla., the staff serves 20,000 members across the country. Nearly 60 percent of USA Water Ski’s members are involved in tournament competition each year; the remainder is recreational water skiers.

USA Water Ski programs include water-ski instructor certification, learn-to-ski clinics, officials’ education, junior skiers’ development, legislative assistance, safety training and information dissemination, membership development — including affiliation of state federations and local water ski clubs — public communications and media information, industry relations, and local, national, and international competition ranging from novice to world-level tournaments.

USA Water Ski’s communications program includes publication of a seven-times-a-year magazine The Water Skier that is sent to all members and other persons with an interest in the sport and numerous educational materials addressing all aspects of water skiing.

USA Water Ski trains and maintains performance records for competitive skiers and nearly 3,000 judges, drivers, and scorers who officiate at sanctioned tournaments.

Approximately 630 local water-ski clubs throughout the United States are affiliated with USA Water Ski. The clubs provide a working base in almost any locale for development of USA Water Ski programs, and in addition, are the local organizers for nearly all water-ski competitions in the United States.