What to bring for a water skiing day

A water skiing day needs more than skis and swimwear. Alongside the reserved course and safety equipment, plan for wet towels, phone protection, food, cold drinks and a practical serving setup. This checklist covers the items to buy or bring for the activity, the barbecue and the arrival area. Check what the course provides before shopping, especially skis, helmets, life jackets and wetsuits, so you do not duplicate rented equipment.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Water skisqty 10
Helmetsqty 10
Life jacketsqty 10
Wetsuitsqty 10
Towelsqty 12
Waterproof phone casesqty 4
First aid kit

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 20
Coolersqty 3

Catering

Barbecuesqty 2
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Aluminum traysqty 6
Groceries
- Beef burgers - 15 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 5 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 20 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 15 pieces
- Cheddar slices - 20 slices
- Iceberg lettuce - 2 heads
- Tomatoes - 12 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 12 pieces
- Potato salad - 2 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 2 kilogram
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 500 grams
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Snack mix - 2 bags
- Apples - 15 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Brownies - 30 pieces
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Spa Blauw - 5 bottles
- Spa Rood - 3 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Lemonade - 2 bottles
- Beer - 48 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Charcoal - 2 bags
- Fire starters - 1 box
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Sunscreen SPF 30 - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tableware

Platesqty 20
Cutlery setsqty 20
Drinking glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 15
Mugsqty 15

Equipment

Kettle
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
Battery lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Spongesqty 4
Dish brushesqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Tips

Confirm the equipment package with the water ski course at least 3–5 days before the event. Check whether water skis, helmets, life jackets and wetsuits are included, and bring extra towels for each participant.
Pack one waterproof phone case per person who wants to keep a phone nearby. Add a first aid kit and keep it accessible at the arrival point rather than buried in a loaded car.
For a barbecue group, plan roughly 250–300 g of food per adult, plus bread, salads and sauces. Bring serving platters, cutting boards, a chef’s knife, barbecue tongs and aluminum trays so cooked food has a clean place to go.
Allow around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in coolers before departure and bring enough plates, cutlery and drinking glasses for the full participant list plus 10% spare.
Do not leave setup items until the last minute: tables, chairs, barbecues, extension cords, string lights, battery lamps and waste bins are easy to forget when loading cars. Pack sponges and dish brushes as well, especially if the venue has no washing-up supplies.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a water skiing day?: At minimum, plan for water skis, helmets, life jackets, wetsuits and towels. Confirm the course’s rental package 3–5 days ahead, because bringing duplicate equipment adds unnecessary transport and storage.
How many towels should I bring for water skiing?: Bring at least one towel per participant, plus 10% extra for changing, spills or unexpected weather. For 20 people, pack 22 towels and keep them in a dry, clearly marked bag.
How much food and drink do I need for a water skiing barbecue?: Allow about 250–300 g of barbecue food per adult and 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Add 10% extra plates, cutlery and glasses to cover breakage and late additions.
When should I buy and chill drinks for the event?: Buy the drinks 1–2 days before the event and chill them in coolers several hours before departure. Check the final participant list first so you can adjust quantities for dietary requirements and non-drinkers.

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