Shop Vintage and Antique Water Skis: Collectible Retro Styles
Waterskiing as a sport has its roots in Minnesota. In 1922, an 18-year-old named Ralph Samuelson got the novel idea of being towed by a boat while he wore wooden planks attached to each foot, much like the skis an Alpine skier would use. The idea wasn’t completely far-fetched; Samuelson was already skilled at the sport of aquaplaning, which is similar to wakeboarding except that the rider stands rather than kneels on the board.