Water ski system

Abstract

A water ski system which includes two essentially identical assemblies each assembly including a buoyant ski having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front, and a back configured to float on water. Each buoyant ski includes a pivoting paddle located on the bottom surface of the buoyant ski configured to deploy in a backwards motion and retract in a forward motion against a force of water in a motion similar to cross-country skiing. The device propels a user across water when manipulated. Each buoyant ski has a foot mount and a toe of a boot pivotally affixed to the top surface of the buoyant ski.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . A water ski system comprising two essentially identical assemblies each assembly including:
 a buoyant ski having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front, and a back configured to float on water;   a pivoting paddle located on the bottom surface of the buoyant ski configured to deploy in a backwards motion and retract in a forward motion against a force of water in a motion similar to cross-country skiing;   a foot mount and a toe of a boot pivotally affixed to the top surface of at least one said buoyant ski, the boot configured to receive a foot of a user and rotate on a pivoting member able to manipulate the pivoting paddle with foot movement; and   a ski pole having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a cupping member and the proximal end having a user-handle, the cupping member configured to further propel the user across water when manipulated.   
     
     
         2 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the boot is removable from the pivoting member. 
     
     
         3 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein a heel of the boot is non-affixed to the buoyant ski allowing for the user to raise one's heels with each step approximate a normal walking motion. 
     
     
         4 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting member is configured to release when certain force-limits are exceeded to avoid injury. 
     
     
         5 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant ski further comprises a fixed-fin located on the bottom surface of the buoyant ski at the back. 
     
     
         6 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the ski pole provides resistance based on the force that is required to submerge a buoyant object. 
     
     
         7 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the ski pole is buoyant and provides a floatation device. 
     
     
         8 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the boot comprises a flexible material for form fitting the foot of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The water ski system of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible material selected from a group including silicone, rubber, plastic configured to conform to the foot of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant ski is configured to provide floatation means having sufficient buoyancy and stability to allow the user to maintain balance on a surface of the water. 
     
     
         11 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting paddle is coupled to the bottom surface of the buoyant ski on a paddle hinge that allows for backward movement to allow low friction moving forward, but remains effectively vertical when moving backwards. 
     
     
         12 . The water ski system of  claim 11 , wherein the paddle hinge is located inside the buoyant ski to reduce friction. 
     
     
         13 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the front of the buoyant ski comprises a semi-curved profile. 
     
     
         14 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant ski comprises more than one pivoting paddle. 
     
     
         15 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant ski comprises exactly one pivoting paddle. 
     
     
         16 . The water ski system of  claim 1 , wherein the heel of the boot is affixed to the buoyant ski via a heel-locking member. 
     
     
         17 . A water ski system comprising two essentially identical assemblies each assembly including:
 a buoyant ski having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front, and a back configured to float on water;   a pivoting paddle located on the bottom surface of the buoyant ski configured to deploy in a backwards motion and retract in a forward motion against a force of water in a motion similar to cross-country skiing;   a ski pole having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a cupping member and the proximal end having a user-handle, the cupping member configured to further propel the user across water when manipulated;   a foot mount and a toe of a boot pivotally affixed to the top surface of at least one said buoyant ski, the boot configured to receive a foot of a user and rotate on a pivoting member able to manipulate the pivoting paddle with foot movement;   wherein the buoyant ski further comprises a fixed-fin located on the bottom surface of the buoyant ski at the back;   wherein the front of the buoyant ski comprises a semi-curved profile;   wherein the buoyant ski is configured to provide floatation means having sufficient buoyancy and stability to allow the user to maintain balance on a surface of the water;   wherein the pivoting paddle is coupled to the bottom surface of the buoyant ski on a paddle hinge that allows for backward movement to allow low friction moving forward, but remains effectively vertical when moving backwards;   wherein the paddle hinge is located inside the buoyant ski to reduce friction;   wherein the boot comprises a flexible material for form fitting the foot of the user;   wherein a heel of the boot is non-affixed to the buoyant ski allowing for the user to raise one's heels with each step approximate a normal walking motion;   wherein the pivoting member is configured to release when certain force-limits are exceeded to avoid injury;   wherein the ski pole provides resistance based on force that is required to submerge a buoyant object; and   wherein the ski pole is buoyant and provides a floatation device.   
     
     
         18 . The water ski system of  claim 17 , further comprising a pair of buoyant skis, and a pair of ski poles; and
 wherein the water ski system is arranged as a kit.