2025’s Unofficial Professional Water Ski Rankings What if every major tournament counted? RTB's unofficial rankings reveal an arguably more complete picture of who really ruled pro skiing in 2025.
The Joel Poland Effect: When World Records Become Routine Joel Poland’s reign has sparked a new kind of arms race. As rivals close the gap, he keeps raising the bar—driving a cycle of collective greatness in water skiing.
Seven 41s: Travers Grand Prix Shatters the Ceiling History was made at the 2025 Travers Grand Prix, with record-breaking runs and season titles for Freddie Winter and Jaimee Bull.
Nautique Announces the Launch of the Nautique Water Ski World Series Featuring one of the largest prize purses ever offered, the Nautique Water Ski World Series is a five stop, three-event water ski series.
Ragin’ Cajuns Capture Sixth Straight National Title, Extend Historic Streak UL Lafayette claimed its sixth consecutive NCWSA national title extending a dominant streak that now ranks as the second-longest in collegiate water ski history.
Straltsova Ends 13-Year Reign with New World Record Hanna Straltsova’s world overall record has been officially ratified by the IWWF, eclipsing the sport’s longest-standing mark by less than a third of a point.Latest Videos >
Watch: Soul of Skiing, Episode 7 | HO Sports Some people spend their lives trying to fit in. Glen Plake has spent his trying to stand out, and more importantly, to stand true.
Watch: The Most Electric Event in Water Skiing | It’s Just Skiing This isn’t your typical waterski tournament — it’s Collegiate Nationals. The energy is wild, the crowd is loud, and every skier is out there for their team. 
Watch: Records Shatter Again at Fluid | World Water Skiers Every storyline, every stop, every moment has built up to this - who will claim the top spot on the podium at the 3rd Stop of the 2025 season?Featured >
The Unsolvable Puzzle of Joel Poland at the World Championships It’s hard to reconcile the two Joels — the unstoppable force who has redefined overall skiing, and the athlete undone by the same mistakes at the same tournament.
Axel Garcia: The King of the Half Jack From pioneering new frontflip variations to topping international podiums, this French teenager is pushing trick skiing’s limits while the scorebook struggles to keep pace.
World Championships: We Countdown the 10 Closest Overall Battles in the History of the Tournament From heartbreak near misses to historic photo finishes, these overall battles represent some of the most iconic moments in water ski history.Play >
Quiz: Every Medalist at the 2023 World Championships The event is probably best remembered for the epic battle for the men's overall title, following the presumed favorites shock exit and then near miraculous comeback.
Quiz: Every Women’s Tricker to Score More than 10,000 points Three of the seven women have scored in excess of 11,000 points.
Quiz: First Skier to Reach Each 1,000 Point Milestone in Tricks The list spans every milestone from 5,000 points to this month’s pending world records above 13,000, capturing over 50 years of progress in the sport. In Case You Missed It >
Charlie Ross Makes History: Two 41-Offs, Two Tournaments, One Day First shattering Will Asher’s 22-year-old collegiate record, then dueling Nate Smith to the wire at the MasterCraft Pro — Charlie Ross made history this past weekend.
The Home Stretch: What’s Left to Play for in the 2025 Water Ski Season With four marquee events left on the calendar, season titles on the Pro Tour and Overall Tour still hang in the balance.
IWWF Awards Towboat Contract to Malibu in Long-Rumored Industry Shakeup Once thought to be scaling back its involvement in tournament skiing, Malibu Boats is now poised to tow the world’s biggest events—ending Nautique’s decade-long reign.