What Is Collegiate 3-Event Water Skiing?

Team

Across the United States are over 50 collegiate water ski teams. At each collegiate tournament, teams can enter up to 5 men and 5 women in each of the three events. Skiers earn team points based on how many competitors they beat. At most tournaments, teams may also field a B-team that competes the same way, but their scores don’t count toward the team score. This helps teams grow, develop skiers, and create internal competition for the top 5 spots. The best part about joining a team is that you don’t need any prior experience! Teammates will help coach you, and most teams have equipment available for skiers to use.

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3 Events

In collegiate water skiing there’s three events for athletes to compete in: slalom, trick, and jump.

Slalom

This is scored based on three factors: number of buoys skied around, speed of the boat, and length of the rope. If you run a full pass (all six buoys and both gates) you will be able to increase your speed and attempt to run the course again. Your set ends when you either miss a buoy or fall. Max speed for men: 36mph. Max speed for women: 34mph. When you achieve maximum speed you start shortening the rope by preset increments. The faster the speed and shorter the rope the harder it gets!

Trick

You can compete on one trick ski for full points or a wakeboard, two trick skis, or kneeboard for partial points. Points are pre-determined based on the level of difficulty. Boat speed and rope length varies on skiers preference. You have 20 seconds to complete your run and only get one pass for the judges to document your tricks. You decide on which tricks you do but each trick can only done once for points. Your set ends when you use up your time or fall.

Jump

Known to be the most exciting event in collegiate 3-event! Athletes are given two longer skis with modified fins, a helmet and padded jump suit. The boat pulls the skier as they compete for distance using the 5 foot jump to launch themselves. Boat speed varies from 26-32mph based on skiers skill and preference. Distance can be increased by increasing boat speed or cutting towards the ramp. In most cases you’re allowed 3 jumps or 2 falls.

Spirit

At the core of collegiate water ski is team spirit! Team have many approaches and one unified goal; cheer loud, be proud, and have an amazing time supporting their teammates! Team spirit means body paint, dance parties, chants & cheers, tunnels, signs, and themes. At NCWSA National Championships skiers are competing to get the top scores for their team, but many are also after the highly spirit award.

Tournaments

Collegiate water skiing has two seasons, Fall and Spring. The primary season is the Fall culminating at Nationals.

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Rule Book

Collegiate Nationals

Rotating across the USA, Nationals is a fun filled three day epic tournament in mid-October to cap off the fall season.

All-Stars

A team based region vs. region tournament competing for regional supremacy and the title of All-Stars Champion. Athletes from all 5 regions are chosen to represent their region at All-Stars in May.