Waterskiing is one of the most popular sports at summer camps, and it’s clear why kids are looking forward to their lessons. In addition to the joy they get from just being in the water, kids can enjoy mastering a number of challenges as they go from being beginners to learning expert tricks. While water skiing is just plain fun, kids also enjoy the following benefits every time they venture out on the water.
Learn to work together
Each water sport requires several people on board for safety reasons. However, waterskiing adds new elements to the game that make learning to work as a team fun. On each waterski boat at the camp, there is a licensed driver along with professionally certified instructors who guide the kids through lessons on spotting the skier and using hand signals to communicate. Children enjoy watching others succeed in learning new skills so much that cheers from the boat are commonly heard all the way to shore.
Discovering the rewards of patience
Mastering a new trick doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it may take several attempts before a child can stand up and hold for more than a few seconds in the water. It can even take all summer to learn a new ski trick or style. However, the expression of pure joy on a child’s face the first time he does it says it all. Learning to build an impressive repertoire of tricks one step at a time rewards children for their patience and dedication.
Develop physical strength
At first glance, water skiing looks like it only tones the lower body. However, this is a full-body sport. As children work to stand up and hold onto the rope, they work the muscles in the legs and arms, along with the core. Since an hour of water skiing burns up to 400 calories, children also improve their overall physical health and stamina. After a ski session, the kids are tired but revitalized by the thrill of flying over open water.
Show skills in competitions
The waterskiing competitions are impressive to watch and it is even more fun to participate as a competitor. Since everyone who competes knows that everyone shares a love of skiing, the competitions are friendly and personable. In fact, it is common to see older campers pass on the tips they have learned over the years to beginning skiers. Whether a child is showing off their ability to zigzag between obstacles on a slalom track or reaching new heights by scoring the longest jump, the thrill of racing adds to the fun.
At camp, children have a unique opportunity to explore new interests to discover what brings them the most joy in life. One of the great things about waterskiing is that the fun doesn’t have to end after camp, as the sport can be enjoyed anywhere water and a ski boat can safely go. For most kids who learn to water ski at camp, this recreational activity becomes more than just a one-time summer event. It becomes a lifelong passion.