Frequently Asked Questions
Below you'll find the questions we get asked most often by prospective members. If you have any further questions, would like to learn more or are interested in joining the team, please email us at ucwaterski@gmail.com and we will be in contact with you shortly.
Please also check out our social media!!
Please also check out our social media!!
What is the UC Waterski Club?
The UC Waterski Club is a club sports organization at the University of Cincinnati. We are a competitive waterski team in the Midwest and have skied at Nationals for a consecutive ten years now! We begin practicing in the spring and continues through the summer and into our fall tournament season, which begins in early September and runs through mid-October. We are a tight-knit group, so if you're looking for a solid team, you've found your new family!
Who can join?
In order to join the UC Waterski Club, you must be a full-time student at the University of Cincinnati (including our regional campuses) and have a minimum 2.0 GPA. We accept skiers of all ability levels, from people that have never been on the water before to amateurs to competitive athletes. A majority of our members start as recreational skiers with the ambition of joining our nationally competitive team.
Can I wakeboard?
Yes, we encourage all wakeboarders to join our club as well. In addition to wakeboarding on the spring break or houseboat trips, you can also compete in the events on a wakeboard. However, we may encourage you to try 3-event skiing depending on your ability level. For instance, most tricks completed on a wakeboard are only worth a fraction of those tricks completed on a trick ski. The only exception here is with flips, which are worth the same amount as on a trick ski. The jump event is the same on a wakeboard as on jump skis, as long as you are able to land consistently.
How much does it cost?
Please email ucwaterski@gmail.com with your questions regarding dues.
Dues cover expenses associated with practice (boat gas, boat rental, coaching fees, lake membership, etc.), tournaments (entry fees, transportation, etc.), team equipment, and other miscellaneous expenses. You can choose to pay by year or by semester if you have plans to co-op or study abroad during a specific semester. Payment plans are also available if finances are ever an issue.
Dues cover expenses associated with practice (boat gas, boat rental, coaching fees, lake membership, etc.), tournaments (entry fees, transportation, etc.), team equipment, and other miscellaneous expenses. You can choose to pay by year or by semester if you have plans to co-op or study abroad during a specific semester. Payment plans are also available if finances are ever an issue.
What do I need?
Equipment: You are NOT required to have your own equipment since the team has plenty of gear available for use. However, many skiers elect to purchase their own equipment as their interest and ability levels increase. We do suggest that you bring swimwear, a towel, and some water to each practice.
USA Water Ski Membership: In order to ski with the team, you will need to purchase a USA Water Ski membership for $50. This is an annual membership that offers you insurance incase anything happens to you while you are skiing at Extreme Watersports or any other tournament ski lake. Skiers MUST have this to ski with the team. For instructions on how to obtain this membership, click here. Click on the new member section under OPTION 1. Choose under 25 active ($50). On the next screen, make sure to select the University of Cincinnati for the Club/Team and then select 3-event as the sports discipline.
USA Water Ski Membership: In order to ski with the team, you will need to purchase a USA Water Ski membership for $50. This is an annual membership that offers you insurance incase anything happens to you while you are skiing at Extreme Watersports or any other tournament ski lake. Skiers MUST have this to ski with the team. For instructions on how to obtain this membership, click here. Click on the new member section under OPTION 1. Choose under 25 active ($50). On the next screen, make sure to select the University of Cincinnati for the Club/Team and then select 3-event as the sports discipline.
How do I compete?
The team competes in collegiate tournaments throughout the fall. These tournaments are encompassed by three events: slalom, trick, and jump. At each tournament, we compete with a men's team and a women's team consisting of five men and five women in each event, respectively. These skiers make up what is known as the A-Team; their scores are used to determine team performance. Before the tournament, our team captains set the lineups for these events based on previous performance in tournaments and practices. You may be on the A-Team in one, two, or all three events depending on your ability and the team's needs. However, everybody on the team has the opportunity to compete in tournaments, even if you don't make the A-Team. These skiers compete on the B-Team, which competes in a majority of our tournaments but does not contribute to the overall score of the team. Most skiers start on the B-Team and work their way onto the A-Team. Regardless, tournaments are a fun experience for skiers of all ability levels.
Where and when does the team ski?
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Practice begins in April and continues through the end of the season in October. The team practices at Skier's Runway in Harrison, OH which is a 20 minute drive from campus. In addition, several of our members, coaches and alumni have access to lakes in the area for those looking for additional ski time.
The collegiate season begins in early September and runs though mid-October, with competitions located at sites across the Midwest. For the past 12 years, we have qualified for Nationals, which has taken us across the United States. |
What does the UC Waterski Club have to offer?
3-Event Competition Boats: The team rents multiple boats at each practice courtesy of our coaches. These boats are typically the latest model by AWSA-approved manufacturers, allowing us to stay up to date on the changing technologies.
Coaches: The team has multiple dedicated coaches that help the team in each of the three events. These coaches specialize in slalom, trick, and/or jump and are capable of working with skiers of all availability levels. Meet the coaches here.
Discounted Gear: The UC Waterski Club has partnered with No Wake Marine to offer exclusive discounts available only to members of UC Waterski. Members have the opportunity to buy new equipment from Radar Skis and HO Sports at wholesale prices.
Houseboat Trip: The team plays host to an annual houseboat trip every May to Dale Hollow Lake in southern Kentucky. In addition, this trip is held in conjunction with other ski teams from across the Midwest.
Private Practice Facility: The team practices on a private lake site 20 minutes from campus, complete with a slalom and jump course.
Spring Break Trip: Every year during the school's scheduled spring break, the team heads south to sneak in some pre-season skiing and fun. It's a great trip to get away, do some skiing, and have a great time.
Team Equipment Trailer: The team has their own equipment trailer in order to store and transport the team's equipment.
Team Suburban: The team has their own Chevy Suburban that is available to tow the team boat to any lake or river for additional practices.
Coaches: The team has multiple dedicated coaches that help the team in each of the three events. These coaches specialize in slalom, trick, and/or jump and are capable of working with skiers of all availability levels. Meet the coaches here.
Discounted Gear: The UC Waterski Club has partnered with No Wake Marine to offer exclusive discounts available only to members of UC Waterski. Members have the opportunity to buy new equipment from Radar Skis and HO Sports at wholesale prices.
Houseboat Trip: The team plays host to an annual houseboat trip every May to Dale Hollow Lake in southern Kentucky. In addition, this trip is held in conjunction with other ski teams from across the Midwest.
Private Practice Facility: The team practices on a private lake site 20 minutes from campus, complete with a slalom and jump course.
Spring Break Trip: Every year during the school's scheduled spring break, the team heads south to sneak in some pre-season skiing and fun. It's a great trip to get away, do some skiing, and have a great time.
Team Equipment Trailer: The team has their own equipment trailer in order to store and transport the team's equipment.
Team Suburban: The team has their own Chevy Suburban that is available to tow the team boat to any lake or river for additional practices.
Does the team offer scholarships?
As with other Midwest collegiate waterski teams, we as a club can not offer any waterski specific scholarships. HOWEVER, there are numerous ways our members have received financial aid in the past. The most common scholarships are those offered through the University of Cincinnati, which you can learn more by clicking here. In addition, there are several waterski-specific scholarships offered specifically for collegiate skiers. These scholarships are offered by the USA Water Ski Foundation and AWSA Midwest, both of which have a July 1 deadline every year.
How do I join the UC Waterski Club?
If you are interested in joining or would like to learn more, please email us at ucwaterski@gmail.com.
