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A Brighter Future for Pro Waterskiing as Waterski Pro Tour partners with IWWF
International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) and Waterski Pro Tour are pleased to announce their new relationship as they unite to promote professional waterskiing.
Earlier this year the IWWF replaced the Elite Point structure that had governed professional waterskiing with an improved competitive framework developed by Waterski Pro Tour. In doing so, a unified, global tour of all IWWF-sanctioned professional waterski events was created. This tour brings together both the historic, tentpole events with the new and emerging under one banner in an effort to further capture the imagination of the growing pro waterskiing audience.
IWWF and Waterski Pro Tour have now taken the further step of officially partnering. This reflects their common goal of promoting awareness of, and engagement with, professional waterskiing globally.
Under the partnership IWWF will remain the regulators and decision-makers of the technical aspects of pro waterskiing. The Waterski Pro Tour will market pro waterskiing, foster corporate relationships and support existing and emerging pro waterski events.
“I remember the excitement of the Café de Colombia Waterski World Cup and Coors Light Waterski Tour and enjoyed watching ski legends battle each other for the gold. Today, we start a new chapter in professional waterskiing that will take our sport back into the public’s view for the new generation to enjoy.” – Jose Antonio Perez Priego, IWWF President
"I am very excited to see the IWWF and Waterski Pro Tour work hand in hand to give pro waterskiing the visibility it deserves. We are looking forward to taking the many opportunities to grow the sport we are all so passionate about." - Manon Costard, Waterski Pro Tour co-founder, IWWF Athlete Rep and current women's slalom World Champion
International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) is the world governing body of towed water sports. Founded in 1946, it is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the sole authority governing all towed water sports and has over 90 affiliated member federations worldwide.
Waterski Pro Tour was founded in 2020 with the aim of accelerating public engagement with the global sport of professional waterskiing
Connelly’s Carbon V and V – now available with Versatail
Made in the USA, the Carbon V features Skelecore, our advanced core shaping technique that reduces overall core mass, allowing the fibers of the ski to react quicker and more naturally. The V is incredibly responsive and nimble ski features a hybrid tip and V-Tech to optimize the ski connection with the water. Also made in the USA, the V features the same advanced slalom geometries and base features but with a closed cell polyurethane core. For 2022 we added VersaTail to the V and Carbon V giving skiers the ability to alter the geometry and fine tune the ski to their preferences. Both skis will include the stock, square, round tail blocks.
The Parsons Project Pineapple - Review
Introduction
The first ski from “The Parsons Project” is called the Pineapple. Ski design by Nick Parsons and composite design by Carl Denis. It is a unique ski from a unique company.
The Pineapple’s proportions and dimensions are unmistakably different. The “V” shaped tunnel is massive, and the sidewall is almost 10% thicker than any other ski. The high gloss carbon fiber finish is beautiful. The Pineapple is radical.
Unusual Turn Mechanics
The fundamental mechanics of any slalom turn requires the tail of the ski to smear (or slide ) and for the front of the ski to grip or pull to the inside. From edge change to hookup, the tail of the ski is always traveling an arc wider than the skiers' feet. Most high-end slalom skis are designed with a bias on tail slide over front end grip. When everything is in balance the skier is likely unaware that any of this is happening.
The front of the Pineapple pulls the front ski to the inside of the turn. The back of the ski is certainly sliding but the grip of the front of the ski is the dominant attribute of the Pineapple.
Off Side
The front-end grip as described above comes into play as the ski is rolled over in the turn. The more the ski is rolled to the inside the more the front of the ski grips and pulls the ski through the turn. Skiers generally have more front foot pressure, roll the ski to the inside later, and less at off side as compared to on side. With the Pineapple this results in a long flowing pre-turn followed by a very fast and sharp finish.
On Side
On Side turns on the Pineapple are very similar to the off side turns. The ski’s stability allows the skier to drive forward approaching apex. With at least a moderate amount of front foot pressure, the Pineapple carves through on side much like any other high-end ski. With more front foot pressure the front of the ski pulls under the rope very aggressively.
Skiers who push and/or attempt to force the finish of the on side turn will likely not have smooth on side turns.
Wakes to ball
The Pineapple’s stability from the second wake to the ball is the ski's second stand-out attribute. The ski offers the skier an extra stable platform to stand on. This gives the skier an additional opportunity to be in the best possible position approaching apex.
The ski runs an early line and flows out to width easily.
Ball to the wakes
The shape of this ski allows it to hold direction and generate substantial speed out of the ball. The grip created by the tunnel can also result in additional load on the rope and the skier. Skiers who can resist the temptation to add unnecessary load approaching the wakes will have the best results.
Quirks
This ski’s unusual attributes mean that many skiers will feel uncomfortable on the first ride or two. For this review, it took several rides before I was able to flow through passes as well as I expect. One day everything became smoother than the day before and now it just keeps getting better and better.
Moving forward on the ski as much as possible after each edge change and only loading the rope as much as necessary are my focuses on this ski.
Fin settings on the Pineapple are perhaps more critical than most skis
Conclusion
At the beginning of this review, I was nervous about what I had gotten into. By the end of the review period the Pineapple was one of my favorite skis.
The ski’s attributes have been ideal for me to work on my personal skiing technique. I believe skiing on the Pineapple has made me a better skier.
Learn more at https://www.tppskis.com/
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