Anyone Water Ski?

[Kettle]

I did it long enough to get comfortable, and then got a wakeboard. I never wanted to put a ski on again. The only advice I have for you is join the lake norman ski club. I was a member while living in cornelius, and it was well worth the joining fee. You get time behind the best boats with people present that already know how to do what you are trying to. Plus competitions and gatherings.

[thefuzz]

If you are dropping one, don't try to put your foot into the back strap immediately.

Just let it drag toes down where the old ski was until you can hold it above the water for 10-15 seconds without losing your balance. If you get a little wobbly, stick it back into the water for a moment or two, then pick it back up after you regain your balance.

I see more people try to kick a ski off, and immediately stick the foot into the strap, and it gets them off balance.

Just take your time after the drop.

Also, if you are getting up on one ski, don't put the second foot in the back strap yet either, drag your back foot. If you have the foot in the strap on the back your ski will almost be at a 90 degree angle to the boat, and unless you have some serious horse power, and not much weight in the boat, it will drag you forever. If you take your back foot out (my right) and drag it behind as you start, you can get up much easier as the ski will plane off sooner, and you won't drown from the splash.

Yes, I skied a ton growing up, and only slalomed after about 10 years old.

[SOJA]

I've been slalom skiing and wakeboarding since I was six years old (21 now). I absolutely love it.

My advice would be to get comfortable on two skiis, then drop one of them. You want your dominate food in the back (so if you have ever skateboarded and you ride 'regular' your right foot will be in the back and if you ride 'goofy' your left foot will be) - this same principle obviously applies to wakeboarding

Dropping a ski sounds risky, but its much easier for most people than getting up with on slalom. Drop a ski, and get comfortable with the feel of only one ski.

When you do attempt to get up on one, have the driver hit ~30 mph (don't know how big you are, but I'm 6'1'' about 160 and it doesn't take that much juice to get me going), stay low and crouched with your knees bent. I've heard plenty of ways to think about the actual process of standing up, but what I does is as I start to feel the pressure of the boat tugging I start to unbend my knees. Keep the rope fairly close to your chest, as most people just let their arms hang loose and fall forward instantly.

Good luck, some learn it really quickly and others it takes awhile. However, once you get it, it's like riding a bike and you will always be able to do it.

[SOJA]

On two skis I am comfortable. One ski is a whole new ball game.

It's really not that much harder, in fact you have much more control when slaloming.

[Zod]

Getting up is harder.

[Mrs Pantherfan]

Getting up is harder.

Oh really??

[thefuzz]

Getting up is harder.

Like I said, drag your back foot. Much easier to balance and plane off.