Self propelled water ski

Abstract

A device for allowing a user to move across a body of water. This device comprises at least one ski wherein the ski contains a foot strap, sandal, or similar type device allowing the user to attach his or her feet to the ski. This ski contains a self-propelling element in the form of a fin, rotationally coupled to the ski or a frame having louvered blades rotationally coupled to the frame. As the user moves the ski forward, the fin folds up, or the blades open, allowing the ski to easily slide forward. AS the user moves the ski back, the fin rotates down, or the blades close, to catch the water and hold the ski in place allowing the user to propel himself across the water. This device may also contain a rudder, and a rudder control allowing the user to steer these skis in the water.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for allowing a user to move across a body of water, the device comprising: 
 a) at least one ski which substantially floats above water;    b) a foot holder disposed on said ski;    c) at least one self-propelling element coupled to said ski and wherein a user can be coupled to said at least one ski via said foot holder, wherein said self propelling element allows the user to propel said at least one ski in a direction desired by the user.    
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said ski has a front end and a back end and wherein said ski further comprises a rudder coupled to said back end of said at least one ski.  
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises a rudder control for controlling a direction that said ski is pointing.  
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one ski has a bottom face, a top face and a plurality of side walls.  
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one self-propelling element is coupled to a bottom face of said at least one ski.  
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one self-propelling element is in the form of a fin that is rotationally coupled to said at least one ski.  
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 6 , wherein said fin is substantially V-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one ski has a bottom face that is substantially V shaped and said fin rotates from a first position adjacent to said bottom face of said at least one ski, to a second position rotated down and away from said bottom face.  
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 8 , further comprising at least one additional fin, wherein when the user moves said at least one ski forward said fin and said at least one additional fin are in said first position and when said user moves said at least one ski backwards, said fin and said at least one additional fin is in said second position, so that said fin catches water to help the user move forward in the water.  
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one self-propelling element comprises a frame coupled to said ski and a plurality of blades rotationally coupled to said frame.  
     
     
         11 . The device as in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of blades rotate approximately 80 degrees within said frame.  
     
     
         12 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of blades rotate in unison between an open position and a closed position as said ski moves back and forth in the body of water.  
     
     
         13 . The device as in  claim 10 , wherein said frame can be alternately attached to said ski or detached from said ski.  
     
     
         14 . The device as in  claim 1 , where in said foot holder is a sandal.  
     
     
         15 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional ski.  
     
     
         16 . The device as in  claim 15 , further comprising a coupling element wherein said at least one ski and said at least one additional ski are coupled together via said coupling element.