Replying to Pond Skimming Question...

So I'll be entering a pond skimming contest for the first time next weekend and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice as to how the hellll I am going to make it across. Has anyone had success?

Also, if (when) I fall in the water will it damage my skis (ARVs) or boots at all? I figure its just water, so long as I dry everything off as soon as I can it wont rust anything out. Waters just melted snow so why would it hurt them, correct?