Water skiing is a surface water sport in which an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation over a body of water, skimming the surface on two skis or one ski. Water skiing can take place on any type of water - such as a river, lake, or ocean - but calmer waters are ideal for recreational skiing.

Slalom, tricks and jumping are the three events of traditional water skiing that make up the oldest and most original discipline of water skiing. The slalom event is performed on one ski. Participants normally start out in deep water but can start from dry land.

Aside from being a popular recreational sport enjoyed by thousands, waterskiing is also an ever-growing competitive sport.