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105-427: Pucón's location by a lake and volcano, along with its relatively stable climate, especially in summer, make it a popular destination for tourists. It offers a variety of sports and activities for tourists, including water skiing , snow skiing , backpacking , white water rafting and kayaking , horse back riding , natural hot springs , zip line rides , skydiving and guided ascents of Villarrica volcano . During

210-420: A 200 feet (61 m) wide skiing space and the water should be at least 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) deep. The towboat should stay at least 100 feet (30 m) from docks, swim areas, and the shore, and other boats should steer clear of skiers by at least 100 feet. Without proper space and visibility skiing can be extremely dangerous. Skiers should wear a life jacket regardless of swimming ability, although

315-580: A 45°. It has a smooth bottom that allows it to turn over the surface of the water. According to official 2013 Tournament Rules for 3-event competition in the United States and the Pan-Am Games, skis used in the Tricks event must be a single ski without fins, although molded rails/grooves less than 6.4 mm ( 1 ⁄ 4  in) are allowed, as are a foot pad cemented to the ski as a place for

420-424: A higher speed because the skier's feet are smaller than skis, providing less lift. A rule of thumb for barefoot water skiing speed in miles per hour is (M/10)+18=S, where M equals the skier's weight in pounds. In other words, a 175 lb (79 kg) person would have to divide 175/10, which is 17.5; then simply add 17.5+18 which equals 35.5 miles per hour (57.1 km/h). Another tool used in barefoot water skiing

525-410: A land surveyor to ensure its accuracy. The drivers boat path must be verified as well to ensure that all skiers are getting a fair pull. Every consecutive pass is harder than the pass before it. When a pass is completed, the boat is sped up by 3 kilometres per hour (2 mph) or the rope is shortened by specific increments. The rope is usually not shortened until the maximum speed has been reached for

630-562: A pair of boards as skis and a clothesline as a towrope on Lake Pepin in Lake City , Minnesota. Samuelson experimented with different positions on the skis for several days until 2 July 1923. Samuelson discovered that leaning backwards in the water with ski tips up and poking out of the water at the tip was the optimal method. His brother Ben towed him and they reached a speed of 32 kilometres per hour (20 mph). Samuelson spent 15 years performing shows and teaching water skiing to people in

735-468: A river, lake, or ocean – but calmer waters are ideal for recreational skiing. There should be a 60-metre-wide (200 ft) skiing space and the water should be at least 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 ft) deep. There must be enough space for the water skier to safely "get up", or successfully be in the upright skiing position. Skiers and their boat drivers must also have sufficient room to avoid hazards.Most Competitive skiers ski on man made ski lakes. The first

840-406: A ski rope and handle. The tow rope must be sufficiently long for maneuvering, with a recommended length of 23 metres (75 ft) (within tolerance ) although length varies widely depending on the type of water skiing and the skier's skill level. Competition requirements on rope construction have changed over the years, from "quarter-inch polypropylene rope" in 1992 to the 2003 flexibility as long as

945-402: A stabilizing fin and rubber foot bindings for safety during falls. In contrast, skis used for trick or figure waterskiing are shorter, lack fins for complete rotation capability. Competition skiing uses specifically designed towboats. Most towboats have a very small hull and a flat bottom to minimize wake. A true tournament ski boat will have a direct drive motor shaft that centers the weight in

1050-454: A steeper and more arduous detour to the 30 meter Salto de Apoquindo waterfall. Points of interest include native peumo tree forests, views of the waterfall and the 3,253 meter Cerro de Ramón mountain, and the opportunity to view condors , eagles , chimango caracaras and occasionally foxes and viscachas . This trail leads through Santiago's Parque Metropolitano, which contains the well-known Cerro San Cristóbal that rises 800 AMSL in

1155-500: A turn buoy. Their top speeds will generally be more than double the boat's speed, which means that the Pro men can reach speeds in excess of 116 kilometres per hour (72 mph) and each turn will generally generate around 4 g of force . Essentially, slalom water skiers are using their body as a lever, which allows them to withstand loads that would otherwise not be possible for the human body. Water ski jumpers use two long skis to ride over

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1260-437: A water ski jump in an attempt to travel the longest distance. In a tournament, skiers are given three attempts to hit the ramp. The winner is the skier who travels the farthest calculated distance and successfully rides away. There are no style points, simply distance. Water ski jumps have specific dimensions and the ramp height is adjustable. Skiers may choose their boat speed and ramp height, although there are maximums based

1365-521: 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. The sport requires sufficient area on a stretch of water, one or two skis, a tow boat with tow rope, two or three people (depending on local boating laws), and a personal flotation device . In addition, the skier must have adequate upper and lower body strength, muscular endurance, and good balance. There are water ski participants around

1470-703: Is a collection of one long 20 km walk and three shorter walks on various parts of the headland. The four trails pass several viewpoints – the Quebrada Chorrillos viewpoint, the Isla Grande viewpoint, the Portada Sur viewpoint and the Portal Norte viewpoint – as well as a variety of beaches. It is possible to see a wide range of local wildlife, including guanacos , kelp gulls , grey gulls and cacti . The Central Andes zone centers on

1575-434: Is administered by a group of farmers. The park is home to foxes, pumas , pudús (a small kind of deer), wild ducks and condors , among many other species. A view point located at 1,550 meters altitude provides views of four nearby volcanoes: Villarrica , Quetrupillán , Lanín and Llaima . National parks in the area include Villarrica National Park , Huerquehue National Park and Villarrica National Reserve . Some of

1680-622: Is an inland city in the Antofagasta Region in the north of Chile, lying to the south of Tarapacá. It is surrounded by the Atacama Desert and lies approximately 100 km from the popular tourist town of San Pedro de Atacama . There is currently one Sendero de Chile trail in this zone, the Pukará Lasana – Puente Del Diablo trail. This trail stretches 30 km from the pukará monument, north-east of Calama, via

1785-465: Is characterized by a wide range of environments and climates for hikers , which largely results from Chile 's unusual, ribbon-like shape, which is 4,300 kilometres (2,700 miles) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 miles) wide. These range from the world's driest desert, the Atacama , in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the center, to the glaciers , fjords and lakes of Patagonia in

1890-417: Is commonly a tow ring or cleat, mounted on the boat's stern. For more dedicated skiers, a metal ski pylon is placed in the center of the boat in front of the engine to connect the skier. This pylon must be mounted securely, since a skilled slalom skier can put a considerable amount of tension on the ski rope and the pylon. As water skiing is a potentially dangerous sport, safety is important. There should be

1995-539: Is divided into two parts: the first covers 15 km between the villages of Samo Alto and San Pedro de Pichasa; the second covers 12 km from Samo Alto to the traditional village of Las Minillas. The first part offers views of the Cerro El Reloj, whose name (“Clock Hill”) comes from the laborers who used to use the sun on the mountain to tell the time, and extends north east via the El Espinal village and

2100-410: Is for toe tricks, which are done by doing wake turns and rotations with only a foot attaching them to the handle; the foot is either in the toehold part of the handle or, professionally, attached to the rope. The toehold part of the handle does not allow the skier to let go of the handle if they lose their balance and fall into the water, therefore a person in the boat is required to release the rope from

2205-630: Is found around 30 km east of the town of Curacautín, on the southern side of Lonquimay Volcano. The trail runs 18 km north west from the Conaf lodge in the Coloradito sector of the park to the Malalcahuello sector lodge. Hikers can view the region's abundant tree life including the emblematic araucaria and examples of Lenga beeches , coihues and Antarctic beeches . Chile's “Selva Valdiviana” ( Valdivian temperate rainforest ) covers

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2310-644: Is located southeast of the city of Rancagua and approximately 140 km south of Santiago. The 35 km trail runs from the park administration center to the Sector Agua de Vida, via the Sector de Ranchillo, with campsite and refreshment facilities, the Vuelta de la Guardia viewpoint, and the El Indio sector, with its nearby refuge and campsite. Points of interest include petroglyphs dating back to 1400 AD in

2415-530: Is more comfortable for the skier. In addition to the driver and the skier, a third person known as the spotter or the observer should be present. The spotter's job is to watch the skier and inform the driver if the skier falls. The spotter usually sits in a chair on the boat facing backwards to see the skier. The skier and the boat's occupants communicate using hand signals (see the Safety section below). Water skiing can take place on any type of water – such as

2520-746: Is named after Última Esperanza Sound (“Last Hope Sound”). The province contains some of Chile's most notable natural features including Torres del Paine National Park , Cerro Torre , Cerro Chaltén , the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument . There is currently one Sendero de Chile trail in this area, in Torres del Paine National Park. Torres del Paine National Park , called “the jewel of Patagonia” by Andrew Gilchrist in The Guardian newspaper,

2625-520: Is one of the largest and most important parks in Chile and the third most visited, with more than 150,000 visitors in the 12-month period from March 2012 to February 2013. It is also a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve . The Sendero de Chile trail runs 18 km from the Serrano Conaf lodge up along the western side of Lake Pehoé , via Las Carretas campsite and Mirador Pehoe lookout, ending at

2730-447: Is possible to climb it throughout the year, if weather and volcanic activity permit. During winter, the summit is completely covered by snow, and offers views of at least seven of the surrounding lakes. El Cañi, meaning “sight that transforms”, is a private protected area of 500 hectares belonging to a non-profit organization. It contains hiking trails through ancient araucarias , lengas , coigues , old volcanic craters and lagoons. It

2835-557: Is possible to go skiing or snowboarding on the slopes of Villarrica volcano or visit one of the several thermal baths scattered around the nearby Valdivian temperate rain forest . These activities are easily arranged from the city itself, which harbours several tourist offices and travel agencies. Despite its relatively small urban area, accommodation infrastructure in Pucón is well developed, ranging from backpacker hostels to luxury hotels. Chilean and international cuisine can be found in one of

2940-467: Is the barefoot boom. It provides a stable aluminum bar on the side of the boat where a short rope can be attached or the skier can grip the bar itself. The skier is within earshot of the people in the boat, providing a good platform for teaching. Once the bare footer is good enough, he/she will go behind the boat with a long rope. A beginner can wear shoes to decrease the necessary speed, lessen foot injury from choppy water, learn better technique, and master

3045-463: Is the highest peak visible from Santiago on a clear day. Mahuida municipal park is located on the southeastern edge of Santiago, where the commune of La Reina meets the foothills of the Andes. The entrance to the park is marked by a Sendero de Chile sign and the trail runs in a 5 km circuitous track. The Aguas de Ramón Natural Park is also located on the eastern edge of Santiago, slightly to

3150-469: Is the most common, but dry is possible. Water skiing typically begins with a deep-water start. The skier enters the water with their skis on or they jump in without the skis on their feet, having the skis floated to them, and put them on while in the water. Most times it can be easier to put the skis on when they are wet. Once the skier has their skis on they will be thrown a tow rope from the boat, which they position between their skis or, if on only one ski, to

3255-947: The Conquest of the Desert . The first hotel in Pucón was the Gudenschwager, established in 1923, but it was in 1934 with the establishment of Gran Hotel Pucón that tourism became a popular activity in the area. In 1940 the first road between Villarrica and Pucón was built and in the 1970s the road to Caburgua Lake was finished. According to the 2002 census carried out by the Chilean National Statistics Institute , Pucón spans an area of 1,248.5 km (482 sq mi) and has 21,107 inhabitants (10,705 men and 10,402 women). Of these, 13,837 (65.6%) lived in urban areas and 7,270 (34.4%) in rural areas . The population grew by 47% (6,751 persons) between

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3360-740: The Ralco National Reserve from the Chilean National Forest Corporation (Conaf) lodge at Quillaicahue up to the Laguna La Mula mountain lake and beyond. It can only be traversed on horseback with a local guide. It is possible to view a wide variety of local wildlife, both plant and animal, and the trail offers views of Laguna La Mula, Salto Loncotahue waterfall, the Callaqui Volcano (3,095 m.a.s.l ), Cerro Ruca Cherrube mountain and

3465-477: The Water Ski Hall of Fame . Today, Winter Haven, Florida, with its famous Chain of Lakes , remains an important city for water skiing, with several major ski schools operating there. Water skiing has developed over time. Water skiing tournaments and water skiing competitions have been organized. As an exhibition sport, water skiing was included in the 1972 Olympics . The first National Show Ski Tournament

3570-499: The conquest of Chile the Spanish founded the city of Villarrica in 1552 in the area of what is now Pucón. The Spanish carried out significant mining of gold in placer deposits around this city. However at some point in the 16th century it is presumed the gold placers were buried by lahars flowing down from nearby Villarrica Volcano . This prompted settlers to relocate the city further west at its modern location, abandoning this

3675-701: The 1,500 meter Cerro Sarnoso mountain. It is possible to view wildlife including pudús, kodkods and long-nosed caenolestids , as well as the native Valdivian rainforest. The Alerce Andino National Park is found in the southern part of the Selva Valdiviana zone, bounded by the Reloncaví Estuary on its east and south sides and the Reloncaví Sound to the west. This short trail begins at the Salto Río Chamiza waterfall near

3780-598: The 100th anniversary of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club in Sandhamn outside Stockholm in 1930. Water skiing gained international attention in the hands of famed promoter, Dick Pope, Sr. , often referred to as the "Father of American Water Skiing" and founder of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. Pope cultivated a distinct image for his theme-park, which included countless photographs of

3885-465: The 1992 and 2002 censuses. Pucón is a major centre of adventure tourism in Chile, attracting national and foreigner visitors alike. Due to its striking natural surroundings which include volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, nature reserves and hot springs, Pucón attracts tourism all year round. During the summer, popular tourist activities include hiking , rafting , horseback riding, bird watching, fishing, canopy trails, and canyoning. In winter and spring, it

3990-544: The 52nd electoral district (together with Cunco , Curarrehue , Villarrica , Loncoche , Gorbea and Toltén ). The commune is represented in the Senate by José Garcia Ruminot (National Renewal) and Eugenio Tuma Zedan (PPD) as part of the 15th senatorial constituency (Araucanía-South). Previously the area had a German school, Deutsche Schule Pucón. The main road to access Pucón is Chile Route 199 , which begins in Freire at

4095-550: The Alero Las Manos de Cerro Castillo National Monument, a cave near Cerro Castillo where it is possible to view prehistoric hand print paintings dating back approximately 6,000 years. In November, rodeo tournaments also take place in the Villa Frei and Villa Cerro Castillo sectors of the park. Última Esperanza Province is one of four provinces in the southern Chilean region of Magallanes and Antártica Chilena and

4200-656: The Andes south of the central Mediterranean zone and north of Patagonia and its Magellanic subpolar forests , centering on the Los Lagos and Los Ríos regions. The area includes several well-known lakes and volcanoes such as: Llanquihue Lake , Osorno Volcano , Todos los Santos Lake and Calbuco Volcano . The two Sendero de Chile hikes in this area are: This trail lies on the south-western edge of Puyehue National Park in Los Lagos Region . It runs between two small lakes, Toro Lake and Paraiso Lake, and on to

4305-484: The Andes. These horse trails were often created by local herdsmen and settlers to drive livestock to summer pastures in the Andes and to reach remote outposts. Many of these trails are not documented in maps, lack signposts but are in principle suitable and attractive for hiking. Individual initiatives now document such trails by GPS and publish them by internet on free-access, free content, trekking wikis and forums. An informal long-distance route in Chile and Argentina

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4410-560: The Araucanía Region not the Bío Bío, despite its name). The region is famous for the araucaria tree, Chile's national tree, also known as the “monkey puzzle” or “monkey tail” tree. It is also home to the well-known tourist town of Pucón and four volcanoes: Llaima, Villarrica, Quetrupillan and Lanin. The two Sendero de Chile hikes in the region are: Popular Conguillío National Park is located approximately 70 km east of

4515-677: The Atacama Desert meets the Pacific Ocean. One popular attraction in the region is the Desierto Florido ( “Flowering Desert” ), where occasional higher-than-average rainfall in July and August can bring up to 200 kinds of desert plants into bloom between the months of September and November. The Sendero de Chile currently has one trail in this zone, the Morro de Bahía Inglesa . This trail, which translates as Bahía Inglesa Headland,

4620-472: The Chilean capital, Santiago , stretching up to Limarí in the north and down to San Fernando in the south. There are currently eight Sendero de Chile trails in this semi-arid Andean zone: Samo Alto, Orolonco, Rio Olivares, Parque Mahuida, Parque Aguas De Ramón, Sendero de las Grandes Travesías, Reserva Río Clarillo and Reserva Río Cipreses. The Samo Alto trail, located between Ovalle and Andacollo ,

4725-674: The Control Hut in the Los Pangues section of the park and runs round the north-east base of the Antuco Volcano and the south-west shore of the Laguna del Laja lake down to the lake's southernmost point. Highlights include panoramic views of the lake, the volcano and Sierra Velluda , the highest peak in Chile's Bío Bío Region . The trail can be traversed either on foot or on horseback. This 26 km trail runs north through

4830-770: The El Indio sector, views of the Cipreses Glacier and El Palomo Volcano, and the opportunity to see guanacos , condors , burrowing parrots and austrocedrus trees, also known as the Cordilleran cypress. South of the Central Andes, the Alto Bío Bío area covers the Andean surroundings of the upper Bío Bío River , Chile's second largest river, in the Bío Bío Region . The area is a center for

4935-734: The Hurtado River up to the Pichasa Natural Monument, an area of protected natural landscape. The second part runs south east and takes in the Las Tinajas pre-Columbian archeological site. The Orolonco trail is found near the towns of San Felipe, Chile and Los Andes and close to Chile Route 60 , which leads to the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores border crossing between Chile and Argentina. The trail extends 25 km from

5040-637: The Kala Uta trail. This trail stretches 26 km south from the small town of Colchane, just outside the Volcán Isluga National Park, to the village of Cariquima. The trail reaches altitudes of 3,700 meters above sea level and points of interest include the church of Achauta, dating from the start of the 20th century; historic Aymara architecture at Kalcachu, the Cariquima River and es:Nevado Cariquima volcano. Calama

5145-701: The Parque Escultórico Cementerio las Carretas (Las Carretas Cemetery Sculpture Park) to the Meseta de Jahuel viewpoint. Points of interest along the trail include the sculpture park itself, the Parque de Huasos Sahondé (Sahondé Cowboys park), the Santuario de Cristo de Rinconada de Silva, where the traditional Virgen del Carmen festival takes place, views of Cerro Orolonco and its many small waterfalls, Cerro Zaino, with its olive plantations, and

5250-696: The Pehoe Conaf lodge, and offers views of the Cordillera del Paine , Grey Glacier and Lake Pehoé. There are several other well-known hiking trails within Torres del Paine National Park, including the “W”, which leads in and out of the valleys on the south side of the Paine massif, and the “Full Circuit”, which continues on around the less-visited north side of the massif. Tourism in Chile , Regions of Chile , Geography of Chile A large network of horse trails exists and provides access to remote areas in

5355-591: The Ralco River. Two local indigenous Pehuenche communities live within the reserve: the Ralco Lepoy community and the Quepuca Ralco community. The “Andean Araucanía” area is located in Chile's Araucanía Region and includes various national parks, such as Nahuelbuta , Tolhuaca , Conguillío , Villarrica and Huerquehue , and national reserves, such as Malalcahuello-Nalcas and Alto Bío Bío (in

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5460-625: The US, each team member must be a member of USA Water Ski to compete. The first organized show occurred in 1928. The bi-annual World Show Ski Championship was inaugurated in September 2012 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Past competition included teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, and the United States. Freestyle jumping is often related to show skiing. The goal is to go off the jump, perform one of many stunts, and successfully land back on

5565-425: The United States. Samuelson went through several iterations of equipment in his quest to ski on water. His first equipment consisted of barrel staves for skis. He later tried snow skis , but finally fabricated his own design out of lumber with bindings made of strips of leather. The ski rope was made from a long window sash cord. Samuelson never patented any of his ski equipment. The first patent for water skis

5670-515: The beginning and end of the course that the skier must go between, and there are 6 turn buoys that the skier must navigate around in a zigzag pattern. The remainder of the buoys are for the driver to ensure the boat goes straight down the center of the course. For a tournament to be sanctioned as 'record capable' by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), the entire course must be surveyed prior to competition by

5775-424: The boat driver, and if necessary, raises the "skier down" warning flag, as required, when a skier is in the water, returning to the boat, or in some localities, the entire time the skier is out of the boat. The skier and observer should agree on a set of standard hand-signals for easy communication: stop, speed up, turn, I'm OK, skier in the water, etc. Water skiing was invented in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used

5880-741: The boat for an optimal wake shape. However, some recreational ski boats will have the motor placed in the back of the boat ( v-drive ), which creates a bigger wake. Permitted towboats used for tournament water skiing are the MasterCraft ProStar 197, MasterCraft ProStar 190, Ski Nautique 200, Malibu Response TXi, and Centurion Carbon Pro. These boats have ability to pull skiers for trick skiing, jumping, and slalom. Recreational boats can serve as water skiing platforms as well as other purposes such as cruising and fishing. Popular boat types include bowriders , deckboats, cuddy cabins , and jetboats . The towboat must be capable of maintaining

5985-399: The boat using a quick release mechanism installed on the ski pylon. A trick cannot be repeated. Each trick has a point value. A panel of five judges assesses which tricks were completed correctly and assigns that predetermined point value to each successfully completed trick. The skier with the most points wins. A barefoot water skier should use a wetsuit instead of a life jacket because

6090-433: The center of the slalom course. As the rope is shortened beyond that, the skiers are required to use the momentum generated through their turns to swing up on the side of the boat and reach out in order to get their ski around the next buoy. At these rope lengths, the skier's body is experiencing intense isometric contractions and extreme upper body torque with loads of up to 600 kg as they begin accelerating after rounding

6195-614: The center of this city. The 9.5 km trail begins on the southwest side of the hill, circles below the summit to the eastern side of the hill and then runs north to the exit in the Mirador el Sauce sector, near the Camino La Pirámide. Points of interest include the National Zoo, two public swimming pools and a funicular which dates from 1925. The Río Clarillo National Reserve lies 45 km southeast of Santiago in

6300-571: The city of Temuco and this trail runs 54 km round Llaima Volcano north from the Salto de Truful Truful waterfall to the Laguna Captren lake. It is possible to see a wide variety of wildlife in the park, including pumas , South American grey foxes , culpeos , lesser grisons , kodkods , pudús , viscachas and coypus . Birds living in the area include eagles , condors and Magellanic woodpeckers . The Malalcahuello National Reserve

6405-406: The division, based on the skier's gender and age (55 kilometres per hour (34 mph) for women and 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph) for men). In a tournament, the boat speeds up or the rope shortens until the skier fails to complete the slalom course by falling, not getting around a buoy, or missing an entrance or exit gate. A skier's score is based upon the number of successful buoys cleared,

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6510-403: The expectation that all skiers are also competent swimmers is advisable as well. Specially-designed life jackets or ski vests allow movement needed for the sport while still providing floatation for a downed or injured skier. The most common water ski injuries involve the lower legs, such as the knee, because a fall at high speed can create irregular angles of collision between the skier's body and

6615-458: The first recorded water skier in history. Samuelson was also the first ski racer, slalom skier, and the first organizer of a water ski show. Parallel to this, an avid sailor , sportsman and early adopter of water skiing, the young Swedish engineer Gunnar Ljungström (1905–1999) pioneered water skiing in slalom moves from 1929. A demonstrating behind a motorboat was made to the Swedish public at

6720-492: The heights of the altiplano , with its volcanoes and salt flats, to the end of the American continent.” It was announced that the national trail network Sendero de Chile (“Chilean Trail”) will provide signposted paths through the length of Chile covering approximately 8,500 km of trails. The trail divides the country into nine hiking zones: The ambitious plans suffered substantial setbacks and no continuous longer trail

6825-410: The history of Pucón and the vicinity of Villarrica volcano. In 1964, a lahar destroyed much of the woodlogging town of Coñaripe . A 2014 study determined that the international road just east of the Pucón Airport lies in a zone of high danger, as does the road connecting to the west with the town of Villarrica. The airport is in a low danger zone, while most of the urbanized area of the city was outside

6930-421: The indigenous Pehuenche people and currently contains two Sendero de Chile trails, as well as other important parks such as Ñuble National Reserve . The trail comprises four sections, with three shorter hikes (Los Pangues – Los Tatas, 5 km; Circuito Las Chilcas – El Torbellino, 2 km; and El Toro – Laguna del Laja, 4 km) and one longer hike (Laguna del Laja – Los Barros, 24 km). It starts from

7035-462: The intersection of the highway Ruta de la Araucanía , a section of Chile Route 5 . With respect to intercity public transit, there are bus terminals with daily service to Temuco , Villarica , Cunco , Concepción , and Santiago , with additional stops along the way. The city is also served by Pucón Airport , which can handle aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 737 jet. Water skiing Water skiing (also waterskiing or water-skiing )

7140-403: The left if right foot forward and to the right if left foot forward. In the deep-water start, the skier crouches down in the water while holding onto the ski rope; they are in a cannonball position with their legs tucked into their chest, with skis pointing towards the sky and approximately 30 cm (0.98 ft) of the ski out of the water. The skier can also perform a "dry start" by standing on

7245-444: The legs slightly bent, the skis will eventually plane out and the skier will start to glide over the water. The skier turns by shifting weight left or right. The skier's body weight should be balanced between the balls of the feet and the heels. While being towed, the skier's arms should be relaxed but still fully extended so as to reduce stress on the arms. The handle can be held vertically or horizontally, depending on whichever position

7350-415: The load they have generated on the rope can be over 600 kilograms (1,300 lb). The Trick competition has been described as the most technical of the three classic water skiing events. Trick skiing uses small, oval-shaped or oblong water skis. Beginners generally use two skis while more advanced skiers use one. The shorter, wider Trick ski has a front binding facing forward and a back binding facing at

7455-632: The main lakes near Pucón are Villarrica , Caburgua and Tinquilco . The main river is the Trancura , which is used for kayaking and rafting. There are different levels of difficulty on the river, from easy family rides through Level III rapids to more difficult rides through Level V rapids. There are several hot springs and spas in the commune of Pucón and the surrounding area, including: Palguín, Rio Blanco, Huife, Quimey-Co and Los Pozones. The nearby commune of Curarrehue also contains popular spas, including: Menetúe, San Luis, Trancura, Panqui and Ancamil. Volcanic mudflows known as lahars are common in

7560-976: The most recent being 2019 in Vichy, France. Major events include the Southern 80 (Echuca Victoria Australia), the Diamond Race (Viersel Belgium), the Catalina ski race (Long Beach CA United States), and the Bridge to Bridge (Sydney Australia). Races can have anywhere from 10 boats to 150 boats competing (grouped by engine size and age classes). Disabled water skiing uses equipment or other adaptations to allow disabled people to compete in standard 3 event skiing. Seated water skis, special handles, audio slalom gear, and other adaptations are all used for different disabilities. Hiking in Chile Hiking in Chile

7665-590: The north of Mahuida park. There are two main hikes in the Parque Aguas de Ramón: the 6.2 km circuitous Los Peumos hike and the 17.2 km circuitous Salto de Apoquindo hike. The Los Peumos trail runs from the park entrance around the edge of the Quebrada de Ramón (Ramoón Canyon) and back to the park entrance. The Salto de Apoquindo hike starts and ends on the same trail as the Los Peumos hike, but takes

7770-579: The only road access to the area. The Sendero de Chile currently lists one trail in this zone: Reserva Cerro Castillo. Lying to the south of Coyhaique and on the route of the Carretera Austral, the Cerro Castillo National Reserve is named after Cerro Castillo , its highest mountain at 2,675 meters. The trail begins in the park’s Lago Monreal sector and runs 50 km to Villa Cerro Castillo. Points of interest include

7875-673: The other foot, also called "slalom skiing" ). Generally the heavier the person, the bigger the skis will be. Length will also vary based on the type of water skiing being performed; jump skis, for example, are longer than skis used in regular straight-line recreational skiing or competitive slalom and trick skiing. A trick ski is around 40 inches long and wider than combo skis. Again the skier rides it with his or her dominant foot in front. It has no fins which allows for spins to be performed. Modern water skis have evolved from wooden barrels and snow skis to sophisticated composites of thermoplastics, aluminum, Kevlar, and carbon fiber. These materials make

7980-492: The other. Slalom skis are narrow and long, at 57–70 inches (145–178 cm) depending on the height and weight of the skier. The two forward-facing bindings vary: they can be made of rubber or thick plastic, and they can be designed more like a snow ski binding or more like a roller blade boot . Slalom skiing involves a multi-buoy course that the skier must go around in order to complete the pass. A complete slalom water ski course consists of 26 buoys. There are entrance gates at

8085-528: The park's administration center and winds 5 km south via Laguna Sargazo lagoon and the “Cathedral of Millennial Alerces”, a stand of the ancient Fitzroya or ‘’alerce’’ trees after which the park is named. The Patagonia Aysén zone covers the Aysén Region in northern Chilean Patagonia, which includes the town of Coyhaique , its capital, and the Carretera Austral highway, which provides

8190-461: The possible paths for lahars. As a commune, Pucón is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council , headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. Within the electoral divisions of Chile , Pucón is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by René Manuel García ( National Renewal ) and Fernando Meza ( Social Democrat Radical Party ) as part of

8295-614: The pre-Columbian architectural zone of Jaheul. ThisisChile.cl calls the area a “typical rural ‘’ huaso ’’ zone.” The Rio Olivares ( Olivares River ) trail runs through the Parque Río Olivares, located in the Andes due east of Santiago, and extends 27 km from the Bocatoma Río Olivares to the 200 m high Salto Grande waterfall and back again. There are several viewpoints on the hike overlooking mountains such as Cerro El Plomo , which, at 5,424 meters,

8400-640: The proper speed. Speeds vary with the skier's weight, experience level, comfort level, and type of skiing. For example, a child on two skis would require speeds of 21–26 km/h (13–16 mph), whereas an adult on one ski might require as high as 58 km/h (36 mph). Barefoot skiing requires speeds of approximately 72 km/h (45 mph; 39 kn). Competition speeds have a wide range: as slow as 22 km/h (14 mph; 12 kn) up to 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn) for slalom water skiing, and approaching 190 km/h (120 mph; 100 kn) in water ski racing. The boat must be equipped with

8505-430: The rear foot; in addition, the ski must float with all bindings, fins, etc., installed. The ski's configuration allows the skier to perform both surface and air tricks in quick succession. In a tournament, skiers are given two 20-second runs during which they perform a series of their chosen tricks. In most cases, one pass is for hand tricks, which includes surface turns, rotations over the wake, and flips. The second pass

8610-409: The same specification is used "for the entire event." The handle width and diameter sizes are based on skier preference, and the handle grip is a tough rubber material. Skiers will often wear gloves to assist in holding the handle at the higher speeds as well as keep from hurting their hands. The rope and handle are anchored to the boat and played out at the stern. This anchor point on a recreation boat

8715-436: The shore or a pier; however, this type of entry is recommended for professionals only. When the skier is ready (usually acknowledged by them yelling "in gear,": followed by "hit it"), the driver accelerates the boat. As the boat accelerates and takes up the slack on the rope, the skier allows the boat to pull them out of the water by applying some muscle strength to get into an upright body position. By leaning back and keeping

8820-595: The site of Pucón. The modern settlement of Pucón was established in 1883 as a fort in the aftermath of the Occupation of Araucanía when the Chilean state subdued the native population of Araucanía Region . It was a strategically advantageous spot because of its location at entrance of the Trancura Valley , where the Argentinean army had once pursued a group of Mapuches through Mamuil Malal Pass during

8925-425: The skier's gender and age. Professional ski jumpers have a maximum boat speed of 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn). The ramp height must be between 1.5 and 1.8 m (5 and 6 ft). As a professional jumper approaches the ramp they will zigzag behind the boat in a series of cuts to generate speed and angle. When the jumper hits the ramp they will generally be going over 112 kilometres per hour (70 mph) and

9030-415: The skis not only high-performing but also sustainable, as manufacturers now use recycled materials to reduce waste and environmental impact. The incorporation of these advanced materials has led to skis that are incredibly strong, lightweight, and flexible, enhancing both performance and durability. Classic water skis are approximately 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) long and 15 centimeters (6 inches) wide, equipped with

9135-472: The skis together. Sometimes these skis can come with a handle to help balance the skier as well. Children's skis are short – usually 110–150 centimetres (45–60 in) long – reflecting the skier's smaller size. Once a person is strong enough to hold the skis together themselves there are various options depending upon their skill level and weight. Water skiers can use two skis (one on each foot, also called "combo skiing" ) or one ski (dominant foot in front of

9240-439: The south. The longest hiking trail in Chile is the informal 3,000 km (1,850 mi) Greater Patagonian Trail that was created by a non-governmental initiative. The Sendero de Chile (“Chilean Trail”) project was launched in the year 2000 by the Chilean government to celebrate the country's 2010 bicentenary of independence from Spain. It aimed to provide access to “Chile’s most awe inspiring landscapes and cultures, from

9345-470: The speed of the boat, and the length of the rope. In a tournament, skiers choose the starting boat speed and rope length (with a maximum length of 22.86 metres (75 ft)). Professional water skiers will typically start at the max speed of 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph) with a rope that has already been shortened to 13 metres (43 ft). The skier with the most buoys wins the competition. The turn buoys are positioned 11.5 metres (38 ft) away from

9450-420: The sport. Show skiing is a type of water skiing where skiers perform tricks somewhat similar to those of gymnasts while being pulled by the boat. Traditional ski show acts include pyramids, ski doubles, freestyle jumping, and swivel skiing. Show skiing is normally performed in water ski shows, with elaborate costumes, choreography, music, and an announcer. Show teams may also compete regionally or nationally. In

9555-427: The town's several restaurants and cafes. More recently, Pucón has become a major destination for second home investments and amenity migration. Villarrica is the closest volcano to Pucón and is frequently climbed from the town. Other volcanoes in the area include Mocho-Choshuenco , Quetrupillán and Lanín . Villarrica has had more than 82 eruptions since 1558, the most recent of which occurred on March 3, 2015. It

9660-584: The valley of the Clarillo River. The 10 km Sendero de Chile trail runs from the reserve's El Maitén sector to the Corral de las Yeguas sector. Points of interest include a viewpoint overlooking the Clarillo valley and stands of native cacti, soap bark trees , peumo trees and Lithraea caustica trees. It is also possible to view culpeos and South American gray foxes . The Río Cipreses Reserve

9765-696: The village of Chiu Chiu to the Puente del Diablo (“devil’s bridge”), a natural bridge stretching over the Salado River. The trail passes several tourist attractions: the Pukará Lasana ; petroglyphs dating from 3000 BC; the Laguna Inca Coya, an aquamarine lagoon considered sacred by indigenous communities; and the Puente del Diablo, stretching over a 20 meter deep canyon. This zone covers the coastal stretch of Chile's Atacama Region , where

9870-401: The water skiers featured at the park. These photographs began appearing in magazines worldwide in the 1940s and 1950s, helping to bring international attention to the sport for the first time. He was also the first person to complete a jump on water skis, jumping over a wooden ramp in 1928, for a distance of 25 feet. His son, Dick Pope, Jr. , is the inventor of bare-foot skiing. Both men are in

9975-410: The water surface. Another common cause of injury is colliding with objects on or near the water, like docks. The tow boat must contain at least two people: a driver and an observer. In most locales, the observer will need to be at least 12 years of age. The driver maintains a steady course, free of obstacles to the skier. The observer continually observes the skier, relays the condition of the skier to

10080-1056: The water. The most common freestyle stunts – in order of usual progression – would be a heli (360°), a flip (forwards), a gainer (a back flip), and a möbius (back flip with 360°). Water ski racing consists of 1 or 2 skiers per boat who race around a set course behind boats set up for this type of event. It can occur in a 'circle' or lap format type racing or on river courses offering longer distances and higher speeds. Races can be timed events such as 20 minute races and up to 1 hour or on courses where race distance can be over 100 km in length. Speeds vary by classes but can reach up to 200 km/h. Boats can be inboards or outboards and are generally between 19 and 21 feet in length. Outboards are commonly 300HP and Inboards around 1,300HP (majority are turbocharged). Current format world championship racing involves men's and women's open (unrestricted), and men's and women formula 2 (limited to single rig, 300 hp outboards, as well as junior classes for under 17's. The World Championships are held every 2 years with

10185-444: The wetsuit covers more of the body in case of a fall at high speed. The wetsuit also allows the skier to do starts in the water where they lie on their back. Unlike a normal life jacket, the "barefoot wetsuit" allows the skier to glide on their back on top of the water once they reach a high enough speed. The barefoot wetsuit is generally thicker in the back, rear, and chest for flotation and impact absorption. Barefoot skiing requires

10290-716: The world, in Asia and Australia , Europe , Africa , and the Americas . In the United States alone, there are approximately 11 million water skiers and over 900 sanctioned water ski competitions every year. Australia boasts 1.3 million water skiers. There are many options for recreational or competitive water skiers. These include speed skiing, trick skiing, show skiing, slaloming, jumping, barefoot skiing and wakeski. Similar, related sports are wakeboarding , kneeboarding , discing , tubing , and sit-down hydrofoil . Water skiers can start their ski set in one of two ways: wet

10395-410: Was created by individual initiative in 2014. The 3,000 km (1,850 mi) Greater Patagonian Trail crosses five of the nine trekking zones (Central Andes, Alto Bío Bío, Andean Araucanía, Valdivian Forest, Patagonia Aysén) on a continuous route. Because the trail traverses remote areas of the Andes, lacks signposts and the infrastructure is limited, this is a challenging long-distance path. The trail

10500-510: Was created. The foundation "Sendero de Chile" focuses now on environmental education. Iquique is an important port city in the far north of Chile and is the capital of the country's Tarapacá Region . Terrain in Tarapacá includes the Pacific coast, the dry Atacama desert and the salt flats and volcanoes of the Andean altiplano. There is currently one Sendero de Chile trail in this zone,

10605-399: Was held in 1974, and the first ever National Intercollegiate Water Ski Championships were held in 1979. The Home CARE US National Water Ski Challenge, the first competition for people with disabilities, was organized ten years later. The first patented design of a water ski which included carbon fiber was that of Hani Audah at SPORT labs in 2001. Its first inclusion in tournament slalom skiing

10710-409: Was in 2003. In the United States, there are over 900 sanctioned water ski competitions each summer. Orlando , Florida is considered to be the competitive 3-event waterskiing capital of the world. Competitive water skiing consists of three events: slalom, jump, and trick. In an attempt to become as agile as possible, slalom water skiers use only one ski with feet oriented forward, one in front of

10815-534: Was in Barstow, California, built by Jack Horton in 1969. The Second built by famed water ski magnate Herb O'Brien was built in 1972 in Redmond Washington. Today there are over 384 Man made ski lakes in the US. Younger skiers generally start out on children's skis, which consist of two skis tied together at their back and front. These connections mean that less strength is necessary for the child to keep

10920-686: Was issued to Fred Waller , of Huntington, NY, on 27 October 1925, for skis he developed independently and marketed as "Dolphin Akwa-Skees." Waller's skis were constructed of kiln-dried mahogany, as were some boats at that time. Jack Andresen patented the first trick ski, a shorter, fin-less water ski, in 1940. In 1928, Don Ibsen developed his own water skis out in Bellevue, Washington, never having heard of Samuelson or Waller. In 1941, Don Ibsen founded The Olympic Water Ski Club in Seattle, Washington. It

11025-676: Was the first such club in America. Ibsen, a showman and entrepreneur, was one of the earliest manufacturers of water skis and was a leading enthusiast and promoter of the sport. In 1983, he was inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame in Winter Haven , Florida. The sport of water skiing remained an obscure activity for several years after 1922, until Samuelson performed water ski shows from Michigan to Florida. The American Water Ski Association formally acknowledged Samuelson in 1966 as

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