Best way to get ready for the new season?

[Fiat4Fun]

OK,
so last year, I tried to get up on one ski, after the last four years of using my combos. Many years ago, I was able to get up on one ski, behind the same boat, but that was back in 1998, and 40lbs lighter!
I even went out and got a Radar P6 ski, to help get my fat *** up.

I weigh 240, 51 years old and I have a 21' boat with a 260 HP mercrusiser, so I think the boat should be able to get me out of the water. I have no issue get others up on wake boards, skis, etc

It seem like I could not hang on to the rope long enough to get me out of the water. I watch every video out there on how to do deep water starts, and they all make it look so easy!

I am thinking I should prepare myself for the upcoming season. SO, ,is there something I can do to get ready for the season? I been snow skiing, and snowmobiling, so I am not just hanging out on the couch.

I am thinking I should take a lesson up between Portland and Seattle. Thought that might be helpful

Any advice would be appreciated?
Thanks
Bob

 

[tazrig]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

The stronger your dominant leg (the one you ski on) is the easier it will be to get up. Leg presses will help. Lower back and abdomen too. Start the season off slow getting up on 2 skis then dropping one. Then start dropping the second ski sooner and sooner until you are dropping the second ski before you fully get up. Then just start out on one ski. Also watch out for large fins in the water! :laugh:

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

I learned , was told to sit like in a chair ,lean back a little , arms straight , strong leg in back of ski, tip of ski out of water and ski at 45-60 degree angle . at 56 years can still do but not for to long as not as strong and back pains . Old 75hp Chyrsler would pull 2 out but somtimes arms felt like being pulled off and needed to get second breath as we wern't all the way up or on top of water .

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

First off, make sure your ski is correctly sized for you. At 240lbs, you should be on a 69" or larger ski, probably a 70-71". That alone will make a huge difference in getting out of the water. Second, if your boat take a long time to get you out of the hole, try starting with one foot in the ski and dragging the rear foot, which causes you to have less drag in the water. The standard deep-water start means keeping your front knee to your chest, arms extended, and ski-angle as flat to the water as possible. Finally, getting a deep-V rope handle can really help a lot in ski-control while getting up, as you can put the tip of the ski in the "V" and it will hold the ski steady until you start to plane out.

In terms of physical preparation: leg press/squats for the legs and really any back excercise (rows, t-backs, hyperextensions) will be sufficient.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

You might consider a lower pitch prop until you get the hang of getting up again.

Not trying to be a commercial, but in this off season the wife and I joined something called Koko Fit Club.

I am totally excited about the upcoming season because of it. I have fairly regularly worked out, but have not got the progress I have with this gym. I think it is because I kind of did the same stuff over and over. With Koko the machine picks what I do, the weight I have to lift and the pace. I am middle-aged and have not see these kind of results in years. Check it out.

but, back to point -- pick up a lower pitch prop from Iboats to maximally get out of the hole and build your slalom strength that way.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Getting up requires some patience each time... waiting for the boat to come out of the water and your ski to start generating lift. and you may need to try it multiple times. Can't hang onto the rope? Buy some ski gloves. They will increase your gripping power on the handle 2 - 3x.

Do pull ups. Lots of them.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Do pull ups. Lots of them.

Yup, pull-ups and seated/bent-over rows are great upper-back exercises. They will also help increase grip-stamina for holding onto the rope.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Fiat4Fun, in terms of technique you say you can't hang onto the rope long enough. What else is going on when you don't get up? Handle ripped from your hands? Get pulled over the front? Tip over before you get any forward speed? Ballooning swim trunks? Straight-legged lean-back battle with the boat?

 

[bmowers]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

First off, make sure your ski is correctly sized for you. At 240lbs, you should be on a 69" or larger ski, probably a 70-71". That alone will make a huge difference in getting out of the water. Second, if your boat take a long time to get you out of the hole, try starting with one foot in the ski and dragging the rear foot, which causes you to have less drag in the water. The standard deep-water start means keeping your front knee to your chest, arms extended, and ski-angle as flat to the water as possible. Finally, getting a deep-V rope handle can really help a lot in ski-control while getting up, as you can put the tip of the ski in the "V" and it will hold the ski steady until you start to plane out.

In terms of physical preparation: leg press/squats for the legs and really any back excercise (rows, t-backs, hyperextensions) will be sufficient.

Is this what you are calling a Deep V handle?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Is this what you are calling a Deep V handle?
View attachment 181191

It looks like it, but it's a bit difficult to see from the coiled pic. I believe the "V" section of my deep-V handle is at least 4' long. It does have the clear tubing around the rope to protect against abrasion like that rope pictured does.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Keep your legs as close as possible to your chest .. then they hit it .. hold your breath.

When the right time comes just slowly stand up.

Every Body has a sweet spot that they can Stand up and plane out.

I have drugged through the water and still stood up ..

Tell the driver up or down when you get up. .. never slow down after the hole shoot at first. just keep behind the boat and tell him up or down.

YD.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

I guess I'll be "that guy"....

Why not just lose the 40lbs? (rather than going thru all the exercise/technique crap)

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

I guess I'll be "that guy"....

Why not just lose the 40lbs? (rather than going thru all the exercise/technique crap)

What if he is 6'4", you think 240 is too heavy? I'm 6' and 215lbs, but built pretty solid (bench over 300, etc). Losing weight isn't much of an option in my case. The fact is, correct technique can get almost anyone out of the water with minimal fuss, assuming the boat has adequate power in the first place. I will say that we still don't know he length of the ski he is trying to get up on, which could be a big issue as well. I have no issues getting up on a 69" stick behind a 260HP 20' boat, but have struggled getting up on a 67" behind an underpowered boat (115 Merc on a 18' bass rig). Lots of variables still unknown in this case.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Im going by the what the OP said......The OP mentioned that he was "40 lbs lighter".....and also referred to himself as a "fat arse".

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

I understand, Bonaire, but there are plenty of "husky" guys that get up on one stick just fine if they have proper form and the right equipment. That being said, everything is better when you're at your ideal weight. Well, aside from tug-of-war, lol.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

71" P6 according to the previous thread. Wider profile ski.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

Thanks for all the feedback!

Yes, the ski is a 71" P6 that I got last year. The boat is a 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion, with 260hp Mercruiser

ME, I am the dead weight! I am 5' 10" and right now I am at 235lbs

So, it seems like the boat just rips the rope out of my hands, I don't seem to get up on plane. It is not like I tip over, or fall....
It just seems like I am not even getting close to being on plane. I have my knees tucked in, like I said, I have watched every video out there!

Based on what feedback I got, maybe I am just to weak for my size. I will try to start working out with some pull ups..... never were good at those when I was younger either....

Any other advice is appreciated...... Maybe I don't need a lesson.........

 

[skibrain]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

I'd say gloves + a slightly SLOWER start. Have the driver ease into the throttle - so moving through 5-10 mph is giving the ski time to start planing. Be patient. You'll do fine.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

How I'm getting ready for this season is buy crawling under tarp with heater plugged in beer in tow . Removing all ski's keeping all inflated tow ables inserting fishing poles where empty spaces are now and making motor sounds looking at fish finder screen with short wave on listening/watching to Kid Rock All Summer Long on laptop ,you got to love wireless intranet . Only the horse thinks I'm nuts. Fell on ice on driveway and pain of breathing laying down has me leary of sking on one .

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Best way to get ready for the new season?

OK,
I forgot to mention, that I do have gloves, as I use them for using combos, and I just got a V rope, but not sure if it's a good one. Are all of them basically the same?