Pond Skimming: A Guide to Pond Liners for Ski Resorts
Spring might seem like a long way away, especially when a polar vortex makes half of the country an icy scene from “The Day After Tomorrow,” but as Punxsutawney Phil will hopefully soon assure us, it’s really just around the corner. And with the season of new beginnings comes one event for which the most brazen skiers wait all year – the annual pond skim.
What Is Pond Skimming?
For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of watching your favorite Star Wars character hit a body of icy water at full force, pond skimming is essentially just that. Typically organized around the onset of spring, it’s a ski contest that involves dressing up in a costume (the more outlandish, the better), and attempting to ski across a relatively small, freezing pool of water.
While the history of pond skimming is probably about as hazy as the après-ski that ensues, it seems the ritual dates at least as far back as the early 1970s. Today, pond skimming has become somewhat of a staple of spring, with ski resorts around the world hosting annual contests and tournaments – there’s even a Pond Skimming World Cup.
Best Liners for Pond Skimming Ramps
Pond skimming is all about making a splash – on the ramp, and in the water. To create the ultimate setup, you’ll need to start with a high-quality liner durable enough to withstand both the harsh conditions of the slopes and the rowdy shenanigans of foolhardy competitors.
For more than 25 years, Americover has been supplying liners for a variety of outdoor applications, including construction projects, mud runs, summer camps and – you guessed it – pond skims. Through that experience, we’ve gained a pretty good understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Here are our top picks for the most lightweight, durable and easy-to-install liners for your next pond skimming event:
- String Reinforced Plastic Sheeting (12 and 20 mil thickness): Consists of multiple layers of polyethylene sheeting co-extruded with a layer of scrim reinforcement for maximum durability.
Shop Duraskrim Reinforced Plastic Sheeting - HDPE Geomembrane: A flexible liner used in many pond applications. This material can be custom fabricated to fit the specifications of your pond.
Shop Custom Fabricated HDPE Geomembrane Liners
How to Measure a Liner for Your Pond Skimming Pool
If you’ve made the decision to host a pond skimming competition, the last thing you want is a liner that doesn’t quite fit the perimeter of your pool. Our pond liner calculator will help you determine which size liner you need. Simply plug in the dimensions of your pond, and the calculator will provide you with the right size to order, factoring in additional space to accommodate an anchor trench.
See It: Pond Skimming Around the Nation
Having trouble envisioning what exactly we mean by costume-clad characters skimming across a makeshift pond? The daredevils in the video below should help paint the picture – and perhaps inspire your next event.