Water Toys Get a Taste of Technology

Most water skiers will unabashedly admit that they subscribe to the bumper-sticker philosophy that proclaims: “Whoever has the most toys when he dies, wins.”

Of course, the No. 1 toy has always been the boat, a hardly inexpensive necessity. Some spend more than $30,000 on a chrome and air-brushed flat-bottom, or as little as $2,000 for a fixer-upper with a 15-year-old outboard.

When you spend as much time in the desert sun as most water skiers do, any excuse to get in the water is welcome. It used to be you took a ski and an inner tube, and when you were pulled behind a boat, it was on one or the other.

Things have changed considerably.

One firm is even working on a prototype that may change one of the axioms of water skiing: The driver in the boat decides where the skier goes.

Now being developed is a craft that the skier steers. The prototype towing device is controlled by the skier and would eliminate the need for a boat and a driver. It’s a 6-foot long, 200-pound vehicle with 40-horsepower that looks like an unmanned Jet Ski. It is controlled via a cable that also serves as the rope and ski handle. Within the handle is an accelerator and directional controls. If the skier falls, the craft circles back to the skier. Retail price is not yet available.

A look at some other wet and wild rides:

TUBES--The new version of the truck tire tube with special harnesses and often nylon covers. Easy to ride, just hang on as long as you can. Prices range from $25 to $100.

KNEEBOARDS--One of the earliest additions to the ski repertoire, these things are hard to master but big fun once you do. The skier is attached to the board by a Velcro strap that goes over the thighs so wipeouts are hard on the legs. Some come with retractable fins to facilitate hard turns (when they’re down) and spins and tricks (when they’re up). Prices range from $60 to $200.

SKI SURFBOARDS--Little surfboards (about four feet long) with adjustable straps for the feet. These are one of the newest and most popular ski devices and are closest to regular water skiing in skills and techniques required. They are more buoyant than water skis and allow you to ride the boat’s wake like a wave. Prices range from $140 to $200.

SKI SLEDS--Inflatables that go by a lot of names, these are multiperson (2 to 10) cigar-shaped vehicles that range from 4 to 17 feet in length and can bounce their straddling riders like a bucking horse. Prices range from $35 to $625.

SKI SEATS--The lazy person’s way to get wet . . . and even sip a beer at the same time, these are a pair of skis connected to a seat. Actually, you can get pretty radical and falls can be a little scary. Prices range from $250 to $300.

PARASAILS--Once reserved for vacationers in Hawaii and Mexico, a number of firms are marketing these for retail sale. It takes six people--driver, observer (in boat), flyer and three on the takeoff/landing area--for safe operation. Rigs include chute, rope and harness. Prices range from $1,000 to $1,600.