Water skiing has been around for 100 years or so. The pioneers of water skiing recognised the potential to transfer snow skiing to the water, meaning they could ‘ski’ year-round. It didn’t take long to catch on and is now a hugely popular activity

Wakeboarding on the other hand first came onto the scene in the 1980’s. Surfers looking for some fun when the waves were elusive, jumped behind ski boats with their surf boards, to surf the small waves the ski boat created. Board development followed soon after, and by the 1990’s wakeboarding became an established sport. 

If you want to give it a go yourself, there are plenty of places to water ski or wakeboard in the UK, but nothing beats warm water and sunshine. Head to a Neilson Beachclub in sunny Croatia or Greece and you’ll get to try both watersports for free as there’s a couple of tows included in the price of the holiday. 

Water skiing and wakeboarding will give you a great upper and lower body workout. You’ll be using arms and shoulders to get up out of the water and of course to hold onto the rope, while your legs and core will be constantly engaged once you’re up and going. You’ll be using muscles you didn’t know you had and will be lucky to escape without aching muscles the next day. Even though you only ski or board for short periods of time (typically 10 minutes) it’s an intensive workout!

It’s also quite a rush! Being out on the water, towed at speed behind the ski boat really gets the adrenaline pumping and focuses the mind.

You can water ski and wakeboard in seven Neilson Beachclubs, but for the best conditions we would suggest a holiday to either Retreat or Vounaki Beachclub in Greece or Alana Beachclub in Croatia.

Head out behind the ski boat in Croatia and you’ll be treated to nice flat water and a large bay with the peaks of the Paklenica National Park providing a stunning backdrop. It’s difficult to think of a better way to start the day. The Retreat Beachclub is one of our most popular locations for skiing and boarding, the wooded bay is sheltered and the turquoise water super flat. Finally, there’s Vounaki Beachclub with a large bay and smooth water most mornings.

Neilson include up to two ski tows per person per week and there is the opportunity to book more with a range of upgrade packages, giving you an additional six 15-minute tows for just £150 per person. 

All the equipment you could need is provided by Neilson. Each beachclub has a few ski boats and a choice of monoskis, slalom skis, wakeboards, wakeskates and children’s skis. You will be provided with a life vest and there’s a small selection of wetsuits for early and late season. All you need to bring is some board shorts and maybe a rash vest to wear under the life jacket. You can of course just wear your swimming stuff but board shorts are more comfortable, especially if you fall!

Learn to water ski or wakeboard on a Neilson holiday and the instructors will help you get started with some useful top tips. There will be a bit of tuition on the ski pontoon and more pointers once you’re in the water. Complete beginners usually start out on a bar that sticks out from the side of the boat. This provides stability (so, you’re less likely to fall) and means that the instructor is close to offer help and advice.

If you’re starting on the rope, it’s important that you don’t try to stand up too quickly. As the rope starts to pull, keep your arms straight and stand up slowly. Once you’re up, stand straight and always look ahead to wear you are going. If you don’t you’re likely to lose balance and fall in. If you do fall, let go of the rope (the boat will always beat you!), your life jacket will keep you afloat and the ski boat will circle round to pick you up, ready to start again.