Water walking skis and a method for boarding them, in which each ski has an elongated body with a bow end in the form of a monohull and a stern end in the form of a twin hull. The skis can be combined with a pair of poles for balance, and binding straps for binding the skis and poles together while boarding/reboarding. The deck of each ski typically has a recessed area for foot placement, and two parallel side extensions protrude downward from the deck. The side extensions, the deck, and an underside or bottom cover together form a tunnel within the ski, the tunnel having a screen-covered first opening for admitting water and a rear opening for expelling water. Traction gates are mounted within the tunnel and spaced apart therein for permitting water flow therethrough when the ski moves forward, while preventing water flow when moving in the reverse direction.