Simulation of the mechanics of water-skier motion

This paper focuses on the modelling and simulation of a planar serial five-link system resembling a headless water-skier. The water-skier is taught to water-ski by an informal gradient method. The informal gradient method determines the parameters associated with control moments applied at the joints. As an illustrative simulation, the water-skier is shown to traverse waves of varying magnitude and frequency, stand up, and compensate for varying tension in the tow line.