When I was way younger we used to ski at 70+ and deliberately try to wipe out the skier. First time I hit the water that fast my jacket blew apart and I had nothing left but the nylon straps and a few pieces of neoprene. Fortunately I slide so far across the water I was almost to the shore when I stopped. That's when I learned about impact rated life jackets.

hey Gary, I lost my contacts info changing emails, please forward me your number again..thanks Cary.
[email protected]

looks like someone was bored going fast and said "know lets try it with ski's" and "let's add another skiier" and so the sport was born.