Spring Break Getaways

Shed the wetsuit, smear on the sun screen, and return home a new water-skier.

Join the Discussion "What type of pre-season training programs are there for college waterski teams? Is it common for them to travel as a team to a ski school to brush up on their skills?" GLASSGOBBLER     Related Resources • Schools • From Glass to Powder • Off Season Conditioning    From Other Guides • Florida Spring Break • College Life • Financial Aid/Scholarships • Spring Break Safety  Elsewhere on the Web • National Collegiate Water Ski Association

Are you looking for an alternative to that same old run of the mill spring break package vacation where all you do is drink, party, drink, eat, sleep, and party again? Sure, that's what spring break is typically known for, but it could be more fulfilling. Why not do something productive for a change, and have some fun while you are at it?

If you are on a college water ski team looking to improve your skills to enter a few tournaments this summer, or just a beginner who wants to learn more about waterskiing or wakeboarding, consider attending a water ski or wakeboard school. There's plenty to choose from, and in warm climates.

Waterski/Wakeboard Schools For Spring Break

This is a great opportunity for college ski teams to do some training before their tournament season begins.

Do your research before you go. Make sure the school offers instruction in the discipline in which you wish to focus on. There's lots of schools offer a wide variety of instruction, usually consisting of slalom, jump, trick, wakeboarding, or barefooting. But there's some that offer just one.

Just because a pro skier's name is in the name of a water ski school does not mean that pro will be doing the teaching. If you want instruction from the pro be sure to request the pro before you get there. Many schools have on site accommodations and are close to some sort of night life, so you won't totally lose that typical spring break experience.

Warm Weather School Destinations:
Florida
California
Acapulco, Mexico
Cancun, Mexico

Vacation Destinations Offering Recreational Waterskiing

If you don't care much about improving your skills on the water, but just want to kick back and waterski recreationally, try the following destinations. Some are in tourism areas and others are more secluded. In some cases you can take your own boat and rent a lake cabin with your buddies.

Southern United States: Includes several links to lower U.S. states locations such as Florida and Texas.

International: Includes links to locations in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Mexico (Cancun and Acapulco), and Bermuda.

Pro Tournaments

Not everyone is ready to get in the water yet. There's still waterskiing action to be seen from the shore. The pro tournament season begins just about the same time as most colleges are having spring break. There are several pro tournaments in warm climates, during the spring break season. Check the schedule for more detail. This is a great chance to mingle with the pros. Most are very accessible.

Heck No, I'm Sticking to the Slopes

If you prefer the cold weather and are in denial that summer is around the corner, consider going snow skiing or snowboarding instead. A lot of the same skills used in these sports are the same skills needed for waterskiing and wakeboarding. My article, "From Glass to Powder" will explain in more detail.

What are your spring break plans? Post to the forum.