Watercraft for moving on water

Abstract

Nautical craft for moving on water The present invention relates to a floating ski (1) of shortened shape (1), comprising a shell (14), a central cavity (16) for receiving a user's foot which extends from the start of a first cavity (3a) to a second cavity (3b). The shell comprises drain wells (5a, 5b) which open under the shell between floats (8) and into the cavity for receiving a foot. Figure for the abstract: Figure 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Nautical craft for moving on water Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nautical craft comprising a pair of floating skis or skates, each ski is composed of a rigid central part and at its ends inflatable or rigid parts and in the middle, a user's foot, allowing him to move on a stretch of water, in a standing position, in particular using one or two paddles or one or two propulsion sticks. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Patent FR3058383 describes a watertight nautical craft with sufficient buoyancy to support the weight of a user, and an attachment for a user's foot.

[0003] Patent US986979 describes a nautical craft comprising a hollow body of elongated shape, which is divided into compartments

[0004] Patent US2716246 describes a water ski comprising a wooden board on which two polystyrene floats are glued, between which there is a pivoting sole connected to a fin to steer the ski.

[0005] Patent US3027576 describes a watercraft filled with air or a material providing flotation, in which the foot support extends below the center of gravity of the craft.

[0006] Patent US3108296 describes a waterboard comprising a hollow hull made of fiber-reinforced resin and comprising a well arranged to receive a user's foot.

[0007] Patent US3750203 describes an inflatable water ski comprising a rigid keel.

[0008] Patent FR2493163 describes a pair of floats comprising two coupling bars intended to be fixed at two points on each float, in front and behind a cavity for receiving a foot, to facilitate the engagement of the feet in the cavities before dismantling these bars to make the floats independent of each other.

[0009] Patent US4915659 describes skis equipped with fins and flexible pockets, which can be used by a sailor standing on two skis and propelling himself by hand-held poles, each pole having a floating body attached to the lower end of the pole, to move on a body of water or on the ground, by sliding or walking.

[0010] The ski consists of three parts, a main part and two inflatable or rigid structures.

[0011] Each ski may be made of a rigid and lightweight material, such as a foam plastic material, which can be coated with resin and glass or carbon fibers for example, or can be made of wood.

[0012] Each ski has a cavity for receiving a user's foot, which is provided in a central upper portion of the float and which contains a foot harness such as a water ski boot.

[0013] Each ski has a cavity located at each end of the main part allowing it to receive an inflatable or rigid structure.

[0014] Each ski also has pairs of grooves and straps or fasteners extending above the grooves, on the front and rear portions of the float, which allow a user who has fallen into the water to connect the two skis by the shafts of two propulsion poles, by engaging the pole shafts in the grooves and connecting the poles to the skis by these straps or fasteners. Statement of the invention

[0015] The solutions proposed to date to enable a user standing on two floats to move on the water using hand-held stick(s) have drawbacks, particularly with regard to the morphology of each user, the weight and the transport of all the equipment.

[0016] Furthermore, floating water skis which are filled with air, whether rigid or flexible, generally have low mechanical resistance so that they deform when subjected to the weight of a user and / or to the forces applied to the skis by movements of the body of water (particularly chop or waves).

[0017] An objective of the invention is to propose a floating water ski to be propelled by stick(s) or paddle(s) which is improved and / or which remedies, at least in part, the shortcomings or disadvantages of known water skis.

[0018] An objective of the invention is to propose a semi-rigid floating nautical device to be propelled by stick(s) or paddle(s) which is improved and / or which remedies, at least in part, the shortcomings or disadvantages of known water skis.

[0019] An objective of the invention is to propose a method of manufacturing such a ski.

[0020] An objective of the invention is to provide a nautical craft comprising a pair of floating skis and one or two poles or paddles, which is improved and / or which remedies, at least in part, the shortcomings or disadvantages of known nautical devices.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shortened floating ski comprising a central part with a cavity for receiving a foot in which the shell can comprise substantially vertical drain wells. The latter open under the shell and into the cavity for receiving a foot, so as to prevent the accumulation of water in this cavity, which in particular makes it possible to increase the stability of the ski or float. The central part provides at each of the ends, a cavity at the front and another at the back.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the shell comprises a platform for placing a user's foot which forms or forms part of the bottom of the cavity for receiving a foot.

[0023] In this case in particular, the hull may include one or more drain wells which open under the hull and into the cavity for receiving a foot, the latter may be blocked depending on the weight of the user in order to optimize flotation and increase the stability of the skis, in particular a first well opening into the cavity, in front of the platform, and a second well opening into the cavity, behind the platform.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, a shortened floating ski is proposed comprising a shell, a cavity for receiving a user's foot called a platform, and two cavities at the ends of the central part. These cavities accommodate an inflatable or rigid part adapted to the morphology and level of the user. These inflated or rigid additions are housed in these cavities located on either side of the central part and make it possible to link the three parts into one, to align them and thus form a ski. Thanks to the pressure, the walls of the inflatable parts come to fit the shape of the cavities and prevent the latter from escaping, the three parts are integral with each other.

[0025] These cavities or housing(s) are located in front of the platform where the cavity for receiving a user's foot is located and behind this same cavity.

[0026] Such horizontal cavities or housings facilitate the engagement of two inflatable parts. The user inserts the latter deflated and then inflates them one by one.

[0027] These horizontal cavities or housings thus facilitate the joining of the two inflatable parts. Despite uncontrollable movements caused to the skis by the wind and / or by movements of the surface of the body of water on which the inflatable parts are floating, in particular waves or choppy water, the three parts remain inseparable.

[0028] This facilitates stability, flotation, transport and rigidity of the assembly.

[0029] These cavities or horizontal housings also facilitate detachment when the user decides to store his equipment by simply deflating the inflatable parts.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a shortened floating ski comprising a shell, a deck, a cavity at both ends of the platform, a cavity for receiving a user's foot, and means for (temporarily) connecting the ski to a handle of a stick or a paddle, in which the connecting means comprise at least one transverse well formed in the shell, extending under the deck, and arranged to receive, with play, a (longitudinal) portion of the handle.

[0031] In other words and according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a floating ski of shortened shape, comprising a shell, a deck, a cavity at both ends of the platform, another cavity for receiving a user's foot which is located in the middle of the central part, in which the shell comprises one or more transverse wells for receiving, with play, a longitudinal portion of the handle of a stick or a paddle, which extends under the deck and opens onto the lateral faces of the shell.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a nautical craft float, of shortened shape, comprising a cavity for receiving a user's foot and means for retaining a stick or a paddle, in which the retaining means comprise at least one or more housings for a portion of the handle of the stick or paddle, of circular section, which extend(s) transversely (with reference to the longitudinal axis of the central part, under the deck, which open(s) onto two lateral faces of the hull (on the freeboards), which is (are) delimited by one or more wall(s) of the hull of the float which is (are) of sufficient diameter for the portion of the handle, and which allow(s) free movement of the handle (of the portion of the handle) inside the housing, in particular a sliding of the handle in the housing up to the housing located opposite.

[0033] This(these) well(s) or housing(s) may be located in front of the cavity for receiving a foot of the user, and / or behind this cavity.

[0034] Such transverse wells or housings facilitate the mutual engagement of two identical floats arranged side by side, with the handle(s) of one (two) stick(s) or paddle(s), by the action of a user located in the water, keeping the floats a short distance from each other, and manipulating the handle(s) to engage it (them) in two respective wells or housings of the two floats, which are kept substantially aligned by the user.

[0035] This(these) well(s) or housing(s) thus facilitate(s) the mutual (non-rigid and temporary) joining of two floats or skis by at least one or two pole handles, despite uncontrollable movements impelled to the floats by the wind and / or by movements of the surface of the body of water on which the floats float, in particular waves or chop.

[0036] This therefore makes it easier for a user located in the water to get back onto the floats or skis.

[0037] This(these) well(s) or housing(s) also facilitate(s) the detachment - the mutual disengagement - of two floats from the handle(s) of stick(s) or paddle(s), by the action of a user who has climbed onto the floats and whose feet are engaged in two cavities respectively on the floats, the user maintaining - with his feet - the floats at a short distance from each other, and manipulating the handle(s) to disengage them from the respective wells or housings of the floats which are for this purpose kept substantially aligned by the user.

[0038] Furthermore, this(these) well(s) or housing(s) which connect(s) the side walls of the hull of the float / ski, stiffen(s) the latter by forming a tube and in particular increasing its resistance to transverse forces.

[0039] Each well or transverse housing can open only onto the lateral faces (left and right) of the shell / central part of the ski positioned before each end.

[0040] In this case, the insertion of the handle into a well or housing is done by a translation of the handle along the longitudinal axis of the well or housing (which is a transverse axis with reference to the float / ski), which is brought substantially into coincidence with the longitudinal axis of the handle by the user; and the extraction of the handle from the well or housing is done by a translation movement in the opposite direction.

[0041] Alternatively, each transverse well or housing may communicate with a (second) cavity opening onto the deck of the float / ski, through which the portion of the handle may be inserted into the well or housing, and may then be extracted from the well or housing. This facilitates in particular the mutual disengagement of the skis from the handle(s) of the pole(s) or paddle(s) and the gripping of the handle by the user who has climbed onto the skis and whose feet are engaged in the cavities respectively provided on the skis.

[0042] Preferably, the handle insertion and extraction cavity is sized to receive the handle with less clearance than the clearance of the handle in the well or housing.

[0043] The well(s) or housing(s), and where appropriate each associated insertion and extraction cavity, make it possible to avoid providing straps or fasteners for fixing the stick or paddle handle to the deck of the float or ski, the handling of which by the user is difficult both when the user is in the water and when he is standing on two skis. The positive buoyancy of the float or ski can make it possible to compensate for at least part of the user's weight, and can in particular compensate for a weight of the order of 25 to 150 kilograms.

[0044] The ski may further comprise an "open" boot provided in the cavity for receiving a foot, which comprises a foot strap similar to a vamp, and a heel strap of which a first end is fixed to the foot strap, irremovably, and of which a second end is fixed to the foot strap, removably, preferably by a self-gripping strip, for example a hook and loop fastener.

[0045] The foot strap and the heel strap may form a single piece onto which a hook-and-loop strip may be sewn (or otherwise attached). The foot strap and the heel strap may be made of synthetic rubber, particularly in a material based on or essentially consisting of - polychloroprene.

[0046] Each of the floats / skis of the watercraft is preferably made of a single piece which is generally rigid. Alternatively, each ski may comprise one or more deformable wall(s) delimiting one or more air-inflatable chamber(s), for example.

[0047] Each ski can for example be manufactured from resin and fiber or by molding a plastic material, such as polyurethane or polystyrene foam for example, or by machining a blank, in particular by machining a block of cellular plastic material.

[0048] In the case in particular of a float or ski or a rotomolded float / ski blank, at least part of the float may be hollow: the material forming the body of the float may delimit a closed, sealed cavity, filled with a gas, in particular filled with air, which contributes to the buoyancy of the float.

[0049] In particular when a well or housing extends into a — or along a — hollow portion of the float, the mechanical resistance of this portion can be increased.

[0050] A machined or molded float blank may be covered with a coating, for example a coating of fibers embedded in a resin.

[0051] The invention notably results in a navigation device comprising two substantially identical skis as described in the present application, in particular a navigation device further comprising two propulsion sticks each comprising a handle and a float fixed to one end of the handle, the sticks being used by a navigator standing on the skis floating on the water, to move the device by taking support on the water by means of the floats of the sticks.

[0052] Other aspects, characteristics, and advantages of the invention appear in the following description which refers to the appended figures and illustrates, without any limiting character, preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in side view, the ski with its three parts

[0054] Figures 1 and 3 schematically illustrate, in side view, the rigid or inflatable tubes which fit into the diagrams illustrated in figures 1, 5 and 6

[0055] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates, in three-quarter view, the central part of the ski

[0056] Figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrate, in top view, the ski with the two parts inserted into the cavities located at the ends

[0057] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in side view, the central part of a ski.

[0058] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates, in vertical section, the central part of a ski

[0059] Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate, in vertical section, a ski bridge. equipped with a receiving well 16 with a flat bottom 6 allowing the installation of a foot 9.

[0060] Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a platform 6 located in the central cavity 16 of the ski 1.

[0061] Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the cavities positioned at the ends of the central cavity 16.

[0062] Figures 5, 6 and 7 schematically illustrate, in top view, a ski bridge equipped with a central cavity 16 for a foot, with drain wells and wells for a handle of a propulsion stick or a paddle, according to embodiments:

[0063] [Fig.7] is the view of detail X of [Fig.6];

[0064] Figures 4 and 8 schematically illustrate two parallel floats 8 located under the hull 14 which extend from one cavity 3a to the other cavity 3b.

[0065] Figures 9 and 10 schematically illustrate a ski boot.

[0066] [Fig. 9] is a perspective view of the shoe provided in the foot-receiving cavity, and [Fig. 10] is a view of the foot and heel straps of the shoe, laid "flat".

[0067] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates, in side view, the central part of a ski with these different drain holes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] Unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly indicated, elements or organs — structurally or functionally — identical or similar, are designated by identical references in the different figures.

[0069] With reference to figures 1, 5 and 6, a floating ski 1 has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis 13, and comprises a shell 14, and a central cavity 16 delimited by two cavities located at its ends 3b and 3a

[0070] In figures 1, 2 4, 5 and 6 the front part of the ski is located on the right (of the figure) while the rear part of the ski is located on the left.

[0071] The ski has symmetry with respect to a median antero-posterior vertical plane in which the axis 13 extends.

[0072] As illustrated in figures 1 to 3 in particular, the rear part of the ski 12 is rounded and inclined towards the rear, which makes it easier for a user to get back on the skis.

[0073] The central cavity 16 is used to receive a foot (9 figures 6 and 2) of a ski user.

[0074] The shell 14 comprises two tubular wells or housings 11b, 11a which extend transversely, with reference to the axis 13 of the ski, and each serve to receive, with a clearance which can for example be of the order of approximately four or six centimeters, a longitudinal portion of the handle (marked 11a and 11b in figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) of a stick or a paddle with the aid of which the user wearing two skis can move on a body of water, when the user is in the water and wishes to temporarily connect two skis together using poles or paddles, for example in order to be able to get on the skis.

[0075] For this purpose, the user can engage the "free" end of the handle, which can be equipped with a grip and / or a wrist strap, through two respective wells of the two skis, i.e. through the two front wells 11a or the two rear wells 11b, which the user has previously substantially aligned, until two (longitudinal) portions of the handle pass through the respective shells of the two skis.

[0076] As illustrated in figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, each well 11a, 11b extends and opens onto the lateral faces of the shell 14.

[0077] Although the wells 11a and 11b may have a cross-section of various shapes, those illustrated in the figures have a circular cross-section, which is substantially constant along the longitudinal axis (200, 210 respectively) of the well except for the flared ends of the wells illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

[0078] The wells 11a and 11b are delimited by walls of the shell of substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape, which are arranged to surround a longitudinal portion of the handle, and which have a clearance with the handle allowing free movement of the handle inside each well, in particular a sliding of the handle and / or an inclination of the handle relative to a horizontal transverse axis of the ski, i.e. relative to the longitudinal axis 200, 210 of the vertical wells 11a and 11b.

[0079] The two parallel floats 8 figures 4 and 8 are located under the hull 14, they start from the end of a cavity 3a and extend to the end of the other cavity 3b. These two regular floats also pass under the central cavity are separated by four to twelve centimeters

[0080] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9, the lower part of the hull also has a longitudinal groove 17 formed by two horizontal and parallel keels 8.

[0081] In the embodiments illustrated in figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, and 9 in particular, the ski 1 further comprises two wells 5a and 5b located on the platform 6 or drain orifices opening under the shell 7a, 7b between the groove 17

[0082] The cross-sectional area of ​​the drain well(s) may be chosen to be large enough so that the emptying of the cavity for receiving a foot can be carried out very quickly when the user is not resting on his foot housed in the cavity, for example in less than two to ten seconds. Depending on the weight of a user, the platform 6 may accommodate other wells as in [Fig.l 1] (4a, 4b).

[0083] With reference to [Fig.9], the central cavity 16 comprises a shoe 18 provided on the bottom 6 of this cavity for receiving a foot.

[0084] The shoe 15, for which the bottom forms a platform or "sole" 6 on which the user can place a foot, comprises a foot strap 18 and a heel strap 19, one end 20 of which is fixed to the foot strap, in an irremovable manner, and a second end 21 of which is fixed to the foot strap, in a removable manner, by a self-gripping strip 22, 23 such as a Velcro strip.

[0085] As illustrated in figures 9 and 10, the foot strap 18 and the heel strap 19 form a single piece which is fixed to the bottom of the cavity 16 by two connecting members 24 integral with the strap 18.

[0086] The present invention therefore relates to a floating ski 1 of shortened shape 1, comprising a shell 14, a central cavity 16 for receiving a user's foot which extends from the start of a first cavity 3a to a second cavity 3b. The shell comprises drain wells 5a, 5b which open under the shell between the floats 8 and into the cavity for receiving a foot.

[0087] The shell comprises a platform 6 for placing a user's foot which forms or forms part of the bottom of the cavity for receiving a foot, and in which the shell comprises two drain wells 5a, 5b which open under the shell 7a, 7b and into the cavity for receiving a foot, in particular a first well 5a opening into the groove 17, in front of the platform 6, and a second well 5b opening into the groove 17, behind the platform 6.

[0088] The lower part of the hull has a median longitudinal groove 17, and the drain well(s) open(s) into this groove.

[0089] The lower part of the hull has a median longitudinal groove 17 which can provide several drain wells 7a, 4a, 7b, 4b opening into this groove.

[0090] A floating ski 1 of elongated shape 13 comprises a shell 14, a cavity 16 for receiving a user's foot which extends from the — and under the — deck, in particular a ski in which the shell comprises a transverse well 11a, 11b which extends under the deck, and opens onto the lateral faces 14 of the shell.

[0091] The shell comprises two transverse wells 11a, 11b, of substantially circular section, which can each receive a longitudinal portion of the handle of a stick or a paddle, which are delimited by walls of the shell arranged to surround the longitudinal portion of the handle, and which have play with the handle allowing free movement of the handle inside each well, in particular sliding of the handle relative to a horizontal transverse axis of the ski.

[0092] The ski comprises a transverse well 11a located in front of the center of the cavity 16 for receiving a foot of the user, in particular in front of this cavity, and a transverse well 11b located behind the center of the cavity for receiving a foot of the user, in particular behind this cavity.

[0093] A transverse shaft 11a, 11b opens onto platform 6 and through which a portion of the handle or paddle can be inserted into the well, and can be extracted from the well.

[0094] The well 11a, 11b for inserting or extracting the handle is partly formed by — or opens into — the cavity 16 for receiving a foot.

[0095] The well 11, 11b for inserting or extracting the handle extends substantially transversely to pass through the cavity 16 and join the other lateral face 14.

[0096] The well 11a, 11b for inserting or extracting the handle makes it possible to join the two lateral faces 14.

[0097] A cavity for inserting or extracting the handle is sized to receive the handle with less play than the play of the handle in the transverse well 11a, 11b.

[0098] Each well 11a, 11b, 5a, 5b and where appropriate each insertion or extraction cavity 16, 3a and 3b, is rigidly secured to one (or more) wall(s) of the shell, by overmolding for example.

[0099] The ski further comprises a boot 15 provided in the cavity 16 for receiving a foot, which comprises a foot strap 18, and a heel strap 19 of which a first end 20 is fixed to the foot strap, irremovably, and of which a second end 21 is fixed to the foot strap, removably, preferably by a self-gripping strip 22, 23, for example a hook and loop fastener.

[0100] The foot strap 18 and the heel strap 19 form a single piece.

[0101] The foot strap 18 and the heel strap 19 are made of syn rubber aesthetic, particularly in a material essentially made of polychloroprene.

[0102] The ski comprises at least one deformable wall delimiting an air-inflatable chamber.

[0103] A method of manufacturing such a ski is remarkable in that the ski or a blank of the ski is obtained by molding, in particular by rotational molding, or by machining a plastic material, in particular a cellular plastic material such as a polyurethane or polystyrene foam for example, the blank of the ski being able to be covered with a coating, for example a coating of fibers embedded in a resin.

[0104] A navigation device comprising two such identical skis is also remarkable in that the navigation device comprises two propulsion sticks each comprising a handle and a float fixed to one end of the handle, the sticks being used by a navigator standing on the skis floating on the water, to move the device by taking support on the water by means of the floats of the sticks.

Claims

Claims

1. Floating ski (1) of shortened shape (1), comprising a shell (14), a central cavity (16) for receiving a user's foot which extends from the start of a first cavity (3a) to a second cavity (3b), characterized in that the shell comprises drain wells (5a, 5b) which open under the shell between floats (8) and into the cavity for receiving a foot (9).

2. Ski according to claim 1, in which the shell comprises a platform (6) for placing a user's foot which forms or forms part of the bottom of the cavity for receiving a foot (9), and in which the shell comprises two drain wells (5a, 5b) which open under the shell (7a, 7b) and into the cavity for receiving a foot, in particular a first well (5a) opening into a groove (17), in front of the platform (6), and a second well (5b) opening into the groove (17), behind the platform (6).

3. Ski according to claim 1 or 2 in which the lower part of the shell has a median longitudinal groove (17), and the drain well(s) open into this groove.

4. Ski according to one of claims 1 to 3 in which the lower part of the shell has a median longitudinal groove (17) which is equipped with several drain wells (7a, 4a, 7b, 4b) opening into this groove.

5. Ski (1) comprising a shell (14), a cavity (16) for receiving a foot (9) of a user which extends from a — and under a — bridge, a ski according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the shell comprises a transverse well (11a, 11b) which extends under the bridge, and opens onto the lateral faces (14) of the shell.

6. Ski according to claim 5, in which the shell comprises two transverse wells (11a, 11b), of substantially circular section, which can each receive a longitudinal portion of the handle of a stick or a paddle, which are delimited by walls of the shell arranged to surround the longitudinal portion of the handle, and which have play with the handle allowing free movement of the handle inside each well, in particular sliding of the handle relative to a horizontal transverse axis of the ski.

7. Ski according to claim 5 or 6 which comprises a transverse well (11a) located in front of the center of the cavity (16) for receiving a foot of the user, in particular in front of this cavity, and a transverse well (11b) located behind the center of the cavity for receiving a foot (9) of the user, in particular behind this cavity.

8. A ski according to claim 6 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein a transverse well (11a, 11b) opens onto the platform (6) and through which a portion of the handle or a paddle can be inserted into the well, and can be extracted from the well.

9. Ski according to claim 8, in which the well (11a, 11b) for inserting or extracting the handle is partly formed by — or opens into — the cavity (16) for receiving a foot (9).

10. Ski according to claim 8 or 9 in combination with claim 5, in which the shaft insertion or extraction well (11, 11b) extends substantially transversely to pass through the cavity (16) and join the other lateral face (14).

11. Ski according to any one of claims 8 to 10 in combination with claim 5, in which the shaft insertion or extraction well (11a, 11b) makes it possible to join the two lateral faces (14)

12. Ski according to any one of claims 8 to 11, in which a cavity for inserting or extracting the handle is sized to receive the handle with less play than the play of the handle in the transverse well (11a, 11b).

13. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which each well (11a, 11b, 5a, 5b) and where appropriate each insertion or extraction cavity (16, 3a and 3b), is rigidly secured to one (or more) wall(s) of the shell, by overmolding for example.

14. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which further comprises a boot (15) provided in the cavity (16) for receiving a foot (9), which comprises a foot strap (18), and a heel strap (19) of which a first end (20) is fixed to the foot strap, irremovably, and of which a second end (21) is fixed to the foot strap, removably, preferably by a self-gripping strip (22, 23), for example a hook and loop fastener.

15. Ski according to claim 14 in which the foot strap (18) and the heel strap (19) form a single piece.

16. Ski according to claim 14 or 15 in which the foot strap (18) and the heel strap (19) are made of synthetic rubber, in particular of a material essentially consisting of polychloroprene.

17. Ski according to any one of claims 1 to 16, which comprises at least one deformable wall delimiting an air-inflatable chamber.

18. A method of manufacturing a ski according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the ski or a blank of the ski is obtained by molding, in particular by rotational molding, or by machining a plastic material, in particular a cellular plastic material such as a polyurethane or polystyrene foam for example, the blank of the ski being able to be covered with a coating, for example a coating of fibers embedded in a resin.

19. Navigation device comprising two identical skis and conforming to any one of claims 1 to 17, as well as two propulsion sticks each comprising a handle and a float fixed to one end of the handle, the sticks being used by a navigator standing on the skis floating on the water, to move the device by taking support on the water by means of the floats of the sticks.

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