In water skiing, a Trick Pass is a timed run where a skier performs as many different maneuvers as possible to earn points.
Unlike slalom skiing, which focuses on speed and turns, a trick pass focuses on technical skill, balance, and creativity.
How a Trick Pass Works
- The Time Limit: Each pass lasts exactly 20 seconds. The clock starts the moment the skier performs their first trick.
- Two Passes: A standard competition round consists of two separate passes. Usually, one pass focuses on hand-held tricks (the skier holds the handle) and the other focuses on toe-hold tricks (the skier attaches the handle to their foot).
- The Course: The skier travels down a straight path. They must complete their routine before the 20-second buzzer sounds; any tricks finished after the buzzer do not count.
- No Repeats: A skier cannot get points for the same trick twice in the same pass. They must constantly move from one unique maneuver to the next.
How Judges Score a Pass
Judges watch the pass and award points based on a pre-determined “point value” for each trick.
| Trick Type | Description |
| Surface Turns | The skier spins 180°, 360°, or more while the ski stays on the water. |
| Wake Turns | The skier uses the boat’s wake as a ramp to jump and spin in the air. |
| Flips | The skier launches off the wake and performs a full somersault. |
| Positional Tricks | The skier holds a specific, difficult pose while gliding. |
The Goal
The skier aims to “load” their 20 seconds with the highest-scoring tricks they can safely land. If a skier falls, the pass ends immediately, and they only keep the points earned up to that moment.
Simple Definition: A trick pass is a 20-second sprint where a skier performs a choreographed routine of spins, jumps, and flips to earn a total point score.