New Members

Water Ski Racing is a team sport. You can become involved in the sport as individual or as a team - but when you are racing you are part of a team. Click on the links below to find out more information, or any other special requirements.

Boat

Any boat is suitable in fiberglass or wooden construction. It must not exceed 6.5m in overall length. The boat must have sufficient buoyancy to keep afloat in any conditions.

The boat must pass a safety scrutineering on land prior to entering an event. Post race technical scrutineering may also occur to ensure that the boat & engine meets technical requirements.

All boats must be registered by the controlling State Maritime Authority and also must be registered with the controlling body of Water Ski Racing in Australia (this includes a Public Liability Cover)

The engine can be inboard or outboard. If racing in an engine class it must conform to requirements of that class.

Engine Classes include:

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Skier

Skiers can be of any age. There are skier divisions according to age.

Skiers must wear a helmet which shall be fluorescent orange.

Skiers must wear a buoyancy vest (many wear wetsuits) which is predominantly one or more of the following colours - canary, wattle, golden yellow, international orange, scarlet or bright fluorescent colours. Vests must have two straps completely encircling the body.

Skiers must be current members of Ski Racing Australia, and must have done a first aid awareness course.

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Driver

All drivers must have a current drivers license by the controlling body of water ski racing. They must have sat a license test which looks at the rules of water ski racing.

Drivers must also have a waterways license to compete in New South Wales and Queensland waters. (The Murray River is New South Wales Water)

Drivers must hold a current medical certificate and first aid awareness course.

Drivers must be over the age of 18 years.

There are two stages to the drivers license The first stage is a provisional license The next stage is a unrestricted license To gain an unrestricted license you must compete in a set number of events.

Drivers must wear a helmet

Drivers must wear a waistcoat type unaltered life jacket with leg straps. Life jackets must be equipped with collars and / or must have flotation material high on the chest to hold an unconscious person's face out of the water. The jacket is to be predominantly one or more of the following colours - canary, wattle, golden yellow, international orange, scarlet or bright fluorescent colour.

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Observer

An observer must be at least 16 years of age.

All observers must have a current observers license by the controlling body of water ski racing. They must have sat a license test which looks at the rules of water ski racing.

Observers must hold a current medical certificate and first aid awareness course.

There are two stages to the observers license The first stage is a provisional license The next stage is a unrestricted license To gain an unrestricted license you must compete in a set number of events.

Observers must wear a helmet

Observers must wear a waistcoat type unaltered life jacket with leg straps. Life jackets must be equipped with collars and / or must have flotation material high on the chest to hold an unconscious person's face out of the water. The jacket is to be predominantly one or more of the following colours - canary, wattle, golden yellow, international orange, scarlet or bright fluorescent colour.

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Ski

A coloured fluorescent orange paint or adhesive tape at least 15cm in length must be placed on the upper and lower front tip of all skiers.

Either one or two skis can be used.

Skis should be no more than 3 metres in length.

Social class skis shall be slalom type skis - no racing skis permitted.

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Rope

The skier shall provide the tow lines, preferably of polythene or polypropylene. No harness is to be used.

Minimum length of a tow line is 21 metres, including handles and skiers bridle.

Maximum length is unlimited providing safety limitation are maintained.

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Rules

The rules of water ski racing are controlled by the Australian controlling body. All competitors should be familiar with all rules. The current rule book can be downloaded 2005rules.pdf (388Kb)

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