Water Ramp Construction & Equipment
A water ramp is constructed by covering a structurally stable wood or steel frame with a stiff plastic, hair brush like surface, that skiers slide down, which is called an in-run. This ski-able surface was then, and is today, called “the green meanies" for its ability to leave a "road rash" on a skier/snowboarder who falls on it (much like the famous "agony of defeat" video from ABC's Wide World of Sports Introduction). The sliding surface is regularly watered down to allow skis and snowboards to slide without sticking on dry spots.
At the end of the "in-run" is the "kicker" which is a curve of the ramp upwards to provide "air time" which allows the skier/snowboarder to perform tricks in the air before landing in the water.
Pools built specifically for water ramps are larger than Olympic size to accommodate the different distances that athletes travel forward of the ramp. Water ramps are not heated and only operated during the Summer, since during the winter aerialists take their new skills onto ramps on snow.
Today water surfaces are being aerated to raise the water level with bubbles by as much as 12”. This function softens landings and lowers injuries.
Skis are reinforced to lengthen their life. The impact on the water will delaminate skis even when the water is aerated and the skis are reinforced.
Read more about this topic: Water Ramps For Freestyle Skiing And Snowboarding
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