The bigger area footprint the tyre has, the less weight per square inch, thus effectively, the less weight on the tyre, so the less penetrative force the tyre has through the water. Cheap tyres do not help and the better more expensive tyres are designed to overcome this problem with the tread pattern design.
But you also say that the drive shaft has been replaced, so the first thing for you to do is to check the wheel alignment. Your wheels may have been already sliding before your little skating expedition across the road.
