You Too Can Learn How To Water Ski

You too can learn how to water ski. In less than an hour, without falling and without expensive water ski lessons, you can avoid the stress that many encounter while trying to water ski. Without proper preparation, it is no surprise that they have a tough time. By practicing and understanding proper form and technique, you will be able to keep your learning experience stress-free.

Proper body position is key in water skiing. Fortunately, this is something you can practice on dry land. By the time you get out on the water, your body will know what to do. First, roll your shoulders. Move them back and forth, from front to back. Now roll them all the way back and keep them in this position, which will feel as if your shoulder blades are pinching together. Next, take a deep breath, expanding your chest, and arch your back. This is the correct position for your upper body during slalom skiing.

During your practice session, hold a short bar. A cane or short broomstick will do, but a water ski handle is best. Now that your upper body position is correct, it’s time to work on your hips. Pull back with your shoulders so that your upper body is leaning back. The angle should be roughly 45 degrees.

While leaning, move your hips upward, but avoid pulling in on your arms and letting go of the correct shoulder position. The rope should be pulling through your hips. Make sure that your knees are in the right spot as well: your ankles should be slightly behind the front of your knees. You shins will angle forward over your feet a bit, as if you were crouching.

Keep practicing this position. Once you are very comfortable in this position, start working on the sitting position. The sitting position gives you control while slalom skiing. To practice it, keep the handle to the front of your knees, hold them together and place your feet out a bit wider than your hips.

Once youave practiced these postures, you will be ready to slalom water ski on the water. You will want the driver to start at a very slow speed. With the boat just moving forward, you can get the feel of the water under the ski, relaxing into the correct sitting position.

When you can hold this position comfortably, without wavering, for at least 5 seconds, then you are ready to stand up. The driver will speed up to the slowest speed that allows you to stand up. Practice moving from the sitting to the standing position, and back.

Get comfortable sitting, standing and moving on the ski, then start experimenting with movement, staying within the wake of the tow boat. You did it! You are now slalom water skiing! To really carve within the wake takes a little more practice. Start slowly and don’t take too much risk. To keep safe and in control, control your form and body position constantly.