Water skiing is one of the most popular sports at summer camps and it’s clear why kids look forward to their lessons. In addition to the joy of being on the water, kids can enjoy mastering a series of challenges as they go from beginner to 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 it fun to learn teamwork. On each water ski boat at the campground, there is a licensed driver along with professionally certified instructors who lead kids in lessons on how to spot the skier and use hand signals to communicate. The children enjoy seeing 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 tries before a child can stand up and hold it for more than a few seconds in the water. It can even take all summer to learn a new trick or style of skiing. However, the look of pure joy on a boy’s face the first time he does it says it all. Learning to build an impressive repertoire of tricks step by step rewards kids for their patience and dedication.

Strengthen physical strength
At first glance, water skiing seems like it only tones the lower body. However, this is a whole body sport. As children struggle to stand up and hold on to the rope, they exercise their leg and arm muscles, along with their core. Since an hour of water skiing burns up to 400 calories, kids also improve their overall physical health and stamina. After a ski session, kids are tired but revitalized by the thrill of open water flying.

Showing skills in competitions
Water skiing competitions are awesome to watch and it’s even more fun to participate as a competitor. Since everyone who competes knows that they all share a love of skiing, the competitions are friendly and good-natured. In fact, it’s common to see older campers pass on tips they’ve learned over the years to beginning skiers. Whether a child is showing off their ability to weave between obstacles on a slalom course or reaching new heights by landing the longest jump, the thrill of competition adds to the fun.

At camp, children have the unique opportunity to explore new interests to discover what brings them the most joy in life. One of the great things about water skiing is that the fun doesn’t have to end after camp, as this sport can be enjoyed anywhere the water and a boat with skis can safely go. For most kids who learn to water ski at camp, this recreational activity becomes more than just a one-off summer event. It becomes a lifelong passion.