Study guides · Stuff Every Water Sports Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Water Sports merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Water Sports Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: To keep you afloat
A life jacket provides flotation so a tired or fallen skier stays above water.
Groan of the day: It is a life saver, literally float-worthy.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: The observer
The observer faces backward, watches the skier, and informs the driver of falls.
Groan of the day: The observer has your back, so keep yours straight.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To watch the skier safely
Two people are needed so one drives while the other watches the skier.
Groan of the day: Two pairs of eyes keep the fun afloat.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: A skier is in the water
The warning flag alerts nearby boats that a skier is down in the water.
Groan of the day: Flag up means back up off the throttle.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: At least 5 to 6 feet
Skiing needs water at least 1.5 to 1.8 metres deep so skis clear the bottom.
Groan of the day: Shallow water is no place to make a deep impression.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: About 200 feet wide
A wide area gives the skier and driver room to avoid hazards.
Groan of the day: Wide water means no narrow escapes.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: At least 100 feet
Keeping 100 feet away from docks, swimmers, and shore reduces collisions.
Groan of the day: Keep your distance and keep the peace.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To avoid hitting the skier
Distance prevents other boats from colliding with the skier or tow rope.
Groan of the day: Give a skier space and everyone stays in place.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: A deep-water start
Most skiers begin in deep water, crouched with skis up, waiting for the boat.
Groan of the day: Start deep and you will not be in over your head.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Crouched in a cannonball position
The skier tucks legs to chest with ski tips up, about 30 cm above water.
Groan of the day: Cannonball pose keeps the ski tips in the air and the nerves on ice.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Hit it
After saying in gear, the skier calls hit it so the driver accelerates.
Groan of the day: Say hit it and the boat will commit it.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Relaxed but fully extended
Relaxed, extended arms reduce stress on the arms while skiing.
Groan of the day: Straight arms are a stretch worth making.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Between the balls of the feet and heels
Balancing between balls of feet and heels helps the skier stay stable.
Groan of the day: Balance your feet and the ride is a treat.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: By shifting weight left or right
Shifting body weight side to side steers the skis across the water.
Groan of the day: Lean into the turn and let the wake learn.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To the side of the forward foot
On one ski, the rope goes left if right foot is forward, right if left is forward.
Groan of the day: One ski, one side, one smooth ride.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To grip at higher speeds
Gloves help hold the handle at speed and protect hands from rubbing.
Groan of the day: Gloves give the handle a hand.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: About 23 metres
A rope around 75 feet gives room to maneuver, though length varies.
Groan of the day: Long rope, long hope for a smooth ride.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Raise the warning flag
The observer raises the skier-down flag so other boats know to stay clear.
Groan of the day: Flag it and other boats will bag it, as in back off.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Obstacles
The driver keeps a steady course free of obstacles that could harm the skier.
Groan of the day: A clear course keeps the boat on course.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: 12 years old
Most locales require the observer to be at least 12 years old.
Groan of the day: Twelve is old enough to keep an eye out.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: It is easier to ski on
Calm water gives smoother skiing and better visibility than rough water.
Groan of the day: Calm water is a smooth operator.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Using two skis, one on each foot
Combo skiing means riding on two skis, one on each foot.
Groan of the day: Two skis make a combo worth trying.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Using one ski with feet front to back
Slalom uses one ski with one foot in front of the other.
Groan of the day: One ski, one line, one fine time.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To need less strength to keep them together
Connected tips and tails help a child keep the skis together with less strength.
Groan of the day: Tied together keeps the little skier together.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Generally bigger skis
Heavier skiers generally need bigger skis to support their weight.
Groan of the day: Bigger skier, bigger skis, bigger ease.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Rubber foot bindings
Rubber bindings hold feet securely but release safely during a fall.
Groan of the day: Bindings that hold are bindings that are bold.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To allow spins
No fins lets the trick ski rotate freely for spins and tricks.
Groan of the day: No fin, no spin blocker.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Teaching near the boat
The boom is a stable bar beside the boat where a beginner can learn within earshot.
Groan of the day: The boom keeps beginners close and coaches closer.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: To lessen foot injury on choppy water
Shoes reduce the speed needed and protect feet from choppy water.
Groan of the day: Shoes on the water keep the ouch away.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Flotation and impact absorption
The barefoot wetsuit is thicker in back, rear, and chest for flotation and impact absorption.
Groan of the day: A wetsuit that floats is worth its notes.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Performing tricks like gymnasts behind a boat
Show skiers perform gymnast-like tricks with costumes, music, and choreography.
Groan of the day: Show skiing puts the wow on the water.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Perform a stunt and land on the water
Freestyle jumpers go off a ramp, do a stunt, and land successfully.
Groan of the day: Jump, stunt, land, and the crowd goes wild.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Travel the longest distance
Jumpers ride over a ramp and the farthest successful distance wins.
Groan of the day: Distance is the point, so point for distance.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Three
Each jumper gets three attempts to hit the ramp in a tournament.
Groan of the day: Three tries to rise and shine.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Perform chosen tricks
Trick skiers perform a series of chosen tricks in two timed passes.
Groan of the day: Twenty seconds to show your tricks.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Buoys the skier must go around
A slalom course uses buoys the skier navigates in a zigzag pattern.
Groan of the day: Buoys are the dots that connect the slalom plot.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Speed increases or rope shortens
Each pass gets harder by speeding up the boat or shortening the rope.
Groan of the day: Faster or shorter, the challenge gets sportier.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: 22.86 metres
Skiers choose a starting rope length up to 22.86 metres (75 feet).
Groan of the day: Seventy-five feet is the rope to beat.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Racing around a course behind boats
Ski racers go around a set course behind boats, often at high speed.
Groan of the day: Racing skis make waves and racers make haste.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Seated skis and special handles
Seated skis, special handles, and audio slalom gear help different disabilities.
Groan of the day: Adapted gear makes the water open to all.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Boats create noise and waves
Fast boats create noise and waves that can cause beach erosion.
Groan of the day: Waves from wakes can wake up the shore.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: It increases the chance of accidents
Alcohol impairs the driver and raises the risk of accidents on the water.
Groan of the day: A sober skipper is a safer skipper.
Sources: Water skiing
Short answer: Complete the swimmer test
The swimmer test must be passed before doing the skiing requirements.
Groan of the day: Pass the test and you are set for the best.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: Move them to a cooler place and get help
Heat illness needs cooling and qualified help. The source lists heat-related illnesses under prevention, symptoms, and first-aid review with a counselor.
Groan of the day: Heat illness is no joke, so cool it.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: Cold water can shock your body suddenly
Cold-water shock is a listed hazard to review with your counselor so you can anticipate and respond to it.
Groan of the day: Cold water can take your breath away, literally.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: Use sun protection and reapply often
Sunburn is a listed illness to prevent. The source points to a video explaining what causes sunburns, so protection matters.
Groan of the day: Don't let the sun get under your skin.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: A sprain
The source lists sprain care with the RICE method, a first-aid approach for sprains.
Groan of the day: Don't let a sprain strain your day.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: They are a listed injury to prevent and treat
Blisters are among the injuries the source says to review for prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment.
Groan of the day: Don't let blisters rub you the wrong way.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: Keep the person still and get qualified help
Spinal injury is a listed condition to review. The source directs first-aid review with your counselor, so seek qualified supervision.
Groan of the day: Don't move a hurt spine, let the experts shine.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
Short answer: Head trauma can be serious and needs proper care
Concussions and head trauma are listed for prevention, symptoms, and first-aid review, so learn to recognize them and get help.
Groan of the day: Use your head, protect it instead.
Sources: Scouting America: Water Sports
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
To keep you afloat. A life jacket provides flotation so a tired or fallen skier stays above water.
Hit it. After saying in gear, the skier calls hit it so the driver accelerates.
It is easier to ski on. Calm water gives smoother skiing and better visibility than rough water.
Performing tricks like gymnasts behind a boat. Show skiers perform gymnast-like tricks with costumes, music, and choreography.
Boats create noise and waves. Fast boats create noise and waves that can cause beach erosion.
Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.
This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 21 are in the game for members.
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