Surf’s up, it’s pond skimming season! There’s no better way to wrap up ski season than hucking yourself across a freezing pond of water. There are multiple ways to have a successful pond skim, but either way, this event is guaranteed to be filled with laughs and fun. Whether your goal is to make it all the way to shore or appease the crowd with the gnarliest splash, here are some tips on how to successfully send it at your local pond skim this year.
As one of the most anticipated events of the season, many resorts draw quite the crowd at their end-of-season splash parties. Pond skims are judged by multiple categories. It all comes down to the contestant who sends it across the pond with the most style, the furthest distance, and the best appearance — usually a ridiculous costume.
First things first: it’s important to choose your preferred method of skimming. The options are endless, whether it’s your trusted daily driver, something more eccentric like snowblades or a mono ski, or even the crowd favorite snow bike. If your goal is to make it all the way to shore without splashing, you’ll want to find a nice, fat ski or snowboard with plenty of surface area to carry your speed all the way across. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something more maneuverable to make a splash with, snow blades can be a great option and a real crowd pleaser.
- Related: Norwegian Freeskier Completes World Record Pond Skim at Summer-Only Ski Resort Folgefonna, Norway
After choosing your preferred plank for skimming, it’s time to piece together a show-stopping costume. This is arguably the most important part of the event. The crazier the better. Costumes can range from the classic neon 80s themed onesies to superheroes sporting water wings. The more unique your outfit is, the more crowd appeal it’ll have. Think outside the box — nothing is off the table.
Now comes the actual challenge: what to do after hitting the water. Since you’ll quite literally be water skiing, it’s important not to lean too far forward. As you initially build speed towards the pond, resist the urge to speed check. Pond skims are most successful if you fully commit and send it with speed. Once you hit the water, lean back, find your sweet spot, and – hopefully – ride it out to the end.
All in all, it’s just skiing. Don’t overthink it! In fact, the more fun you’re having, the more successful you’ll be. The best part about pond skimming is that it’s meant to be ridiculous and a great way to finish out the season by combining solid and liquid H2O.
