Cross-country water skis

A water walking apparatus, comprising:

• a) a pair of water walking skis, each water walking ski comprising:
• i) an elongated body having a bow end in the form of a monohull and a stern end in the form of a twin hull, the elongated body further including a top deck and a recessed area for foot placement within the top deck;
• ii) two parallel side extensions which protrude downward from the top deck;
• iii) a bottom cover located beneath the top deck and between the parallel side extensions, wherein the top deck, the side extensions, and the bottom cover together form a tunnel, the tunnel including a first opening near the bow end for admitting water and a second opening near the stern end for expelling water;
• and
• iv) a plurality of traction gates spaced apart from one another and mounted within the tunnel, wherein each of the plurality of traction gates permits water flow through the tunnel from the bow end to the stern end when the ski moves forward while closing to prevent water flow when moving in the reverse direction, and wherein water cannot pass through the second opening and is contained within the tunnel when the traction gates are closed.

A method for boarding and/or reboarding a pair of water walking skis in deep water, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a water walking apparatus, the water walking apparatus comprising a pair of water walking skis and a pair of ski poles, each water walking ski comprising:
• 1) an elongated body having a bow end in the form of a monohull and a stern end in the form of a twin hull, the elongated body further including a top deck and a recessed area for foot placement within the top deck;
• 2) two parallel side extensions which protrude downward from the top deck;
• 3) a bottom cover located beneath the top deck and between the parallel side extensions, wherein the top deck, the side extensions, and the bottom cover together form a tunnel, the tunnel including a first opening near the bow end for admitting water and a second opening near the stern end for expelling water;
• and
• 4) a plurality of traction gates mounted within the tunnel, wherein each of the plurality of traction gates permits water flow through the tunnel from the bow end to the stern end when the ski moves forward while closing to prevent water flow when moving in the reverse direction, and wherein water cannot pass through the second opening and is contained within the tunnel when the traction gates are closed;
• each ski pole comprising:
• i) a shaft including a grip and a pole strap located at the top of the shaft, the pole strap including a fastener;
• and
• ii) a cylinder radially attached to the bottom of the shaft, the cylinder including a binding strap for binding the skis and poles together;
• b) gathering the skis and poles;
• c) binding the skis and poles into a raft-like unit with the binding straps;
• d) climbing aboard the raft;
• e) maneuvering to an upright position;
• f) unbinding skis and poles;
• g) stowing the binding straps;
• and
• h) using the water walking skis for efficient, self-propelled travel across the water by moving in a similar manner as cross-country snow skiing.