Shoe Skis

I have started a new business making shoe skis and am hoping to grow from there. Are there skiers out there interested in this sport? It seems like wake boarding is king but there is more to life than just wake boarding.

Attached are a few designs that I am going to put on some of the skis. I currently have the grey, black & yellow design on my own personal pair. I am also attaching a picture of a pair of blanks that I have for sale. Let me know what you all think and if there is any interest! Thanks.





This design was inspired by the Forums/General Discussion/Tow Rig & Boat Combination. The Red & White 2000 Ski Nautique with matching Rig. The Ski Nautique would be white with black outlines, and the "N" would be white also.


This is the design to match my boat.

Brant,
Since shoe skis are "old school", take a look at the old 60's "Nautique" logo. It wasn't much but did have it's own letter style/font.

How do you start on shoe skis? Not making them, but skiing them? Like a deep water barefoot start?

I'm not saying that the shoe skis originated from the 70's. I was asked where my design came from. I know that shoe skis have been around a long time, we have just liked the design that Skip used.

If you don't want to worry about leaving anything in the water, then a deep water start is the best way. In show skiing, a sliding dock start is a fun way to start. I learned by straddling a trick ski.

I have a pair of Brant's style of shoe ski's! I really think that they are awsome and have enjoyed mine for many years! I have also skied on the old round on both ends (hydroflights)! Brant's are so much better speaking from personnal use! I like to dry start off the dock (which Brant taught me) and I also do the deep water start! I also learned at a very young age of around 8 or 9 to get up with the trick ski between the legs. Brant did his awsome act for the Ski Broncs National Champion team in 1991! He can do as many tricks on his shoe skies as he does on a trick ski, but faster with the shoe skies.    

Thank you Skierox and Pauly-Banana!

Here are two other designs to add to the skis. One is for the bottom like the other two that I have shown, the other is what I have on the top side of my personal skis.

I appologize for the quality of the pictures. These were drawn on a 2-D CAD system and exported as pictures.

Here are pictures and prices of the shoe skis and bindings that I am offering.


KD bindings - one size fits all. The shoe skis and pair of bindings complete are $150.00 plus shipping.



HO bindings - one size fits all. The shoe skis and pair of bindings complete are $200.00 plus shipping.


Wiley Low Wraps - size Medium. The shoe skis and pair of bindings complete are $260.00 plus shipping. (I can get different sizes if there is interest in these bindings small - X-Large)


Shoe Ski Blanks - 3/4" x 7 1/2" x 18 1/2" Blanks are sold for $50.00 plus shipping. Any added graphics will be quoted depending on number of colors and graphics you want added.

If you don't barefoot, but can waterski well, are these shoe skis easy to get up and stay up on?

You can get up on shoe skis several different ways. If you have a knee board, you can sit on the kneeboard with your feed straddling each side, and stand up shortly after take off. A saucer works very well but not too many people have one of those. I learned by straddling an old trick ski but now I deep up like a barefoot start. The skis are fairly easy to ski on but when you first ski on them they will seem a little squirrely. I think it is just because the muscles in your legs aren't use to it. The speed is approximately 22 mph so you don't have to go very fast. There are several videos on you tube showing some neat tricks if you search "shoe skiing".

Finally I have designed a Bare Foot Nautique graphic for the barefooters who are interested. The graphics would be in white and colors of their choice. I can make them with or without the feet!

Hollywood wrote: QUOTE] I would say no. A deepwater start on shoe skis is by no means easy. It is very difficult to butt glide at such a slow speed. If you cannot do a barefoot deepwater start forget about it on the shoe skis. The sliding dock start is easier on the skier but requires something out of the driver, then once you fall it's either back to the dock or a deepwater (most likely).

The deep water start is easy if you look at it differently than a barefoot start. The barefoot start, once you are planing, you can stay gliding on your rear for a while. The shoe ski deep water is a much quicker motion. You still start out with your back arched during take off (The boat should be pulling you out hard like a barefoot deep). The difference is, once you feel your body come up on plane, you immediately rock forward and stand up. There is no butt gliding in shoe skiing. The skis are too slippery and harder to get underneath you. It is definitely possible but I find it easier doing it my way. What you should feel when you rock forward is this motion will almost shoot you out of the water. The only thing the driver has to do once you stand up, is back off on the throddle so you aren't going 40 mph! My wife drives for me and I've taught many of my friends as well.

Hollywood, come to Rockford and I'll be glad to help you!

Hollywood wrote: If we don't crap the bed this year might even catch you at Nationals?

I'm almost too scared to ask! I hope this is some term that means something else?! Are you with a show team?

Looking forward to meeting many CCF's at GL. I do actually sit down and glide on my butt while shoe skiing. Works good!