How do I learn to ski?

[imported_John o]

I'm 50, have a very nice pontoon (175 hp. 38MPH top) and have pulled tubes with it.

Now I'm thinking I may want to learn how to ski. But haven't a clue about it. What do I need to get? 1 ski? 2 skis? What type of rope? Which is easier to learn (1 or 2). etc?

I looked here but didn't recognize (form the titles) a good "learn how" thread.

I laso have a 10 year old daughter who will want to try it once I do, so what do I need for her?

Any inputs?


(edited to add: OK I found the newbie thread. Glad it wasn't a snake. So I'll read that one and then come back here if I have further questions. Sorry for the duplication)

 

[imported_John o]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

OK read the newbie thread. Still have questions.

Is it easier to ski one ski or two my gut tells me that one would be easier as you don't have to control the two skis but my guts been wrong before.

What length of ski should I have (210 lbs 6'1").

Thanks

 

[sickwilly]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Two are much easier to get up on, and you can ski all day on two. One, once you master getting up gives you much more control, but also will work you muscles three times as much. Two skis are still fun even though you can't throw a wall of water up in the sky like a slalom ski. I would get a general set of combos, such a mid level connelly or o'brien. They will be just a hair big for your daughter, but she will be able to handle them, and you can use them too. Then, when she progesses get her a slalom ski that fits her better. The hardest part for her will be their boyancy, as she will have to get them properly positioned under her while in the water, and they will want to float up on her. She is probably better suited for a youth pair if she is on the tiny side as a 10 year old, but probably can make do.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

I agree, learn with a pair otherwise you'll get frustrated in a hurry.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

I'm no expert but I've skied behind a couple pontoons, they usually work really well. The key to learning is to not give up, getting up the first time may take a lot of tries, but it's easy once you get the feel for it.

 

[rallyart]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Your daughter will get up easier and enjoy riding more on a wakeboard than on a waterski. They have a much faster learning curve than skis and are more in the 'cool' category. It's also much easier for you at 50 as starting is easier. The faceplants are less comfortable, however, so two skis are still a good option for you. I had skied for many years and went to the wakeboard because the starts are so much less work. Now I AirChair as that is much more enjoyable to do for my wife and I.

 

[emilsr]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

I would recommend this type of ski combo: http://www.iboats.com/Body-Glove-Co...4523563--**********.493274917--view_id.730056 Skiing on 1 ski (called slalom) is for intermediate to advanced skiers; that'll come later.

The wider the tip, the easier it is to get up (which is the hardest part). Your daughter will pop up like a cork. She'll soon be of the age/size where the children's skis will be small (and thus harder to get up on) so I'd start her on the bigger skis as well. I have a set that I bought 5 or 6 years ago; for beginners there is nothing better.

Also, don't skimp on the handle/rope. Get something good (and plan on spending $50+ in the process). The cheap handles are VERY uncomfortable....not worth the savings, and they won't last long anyway.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[sickwilly]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

I ahve the youth pair of those and they do quite well. The only issue you would run into with those is if your 10 year old daughter really small and light. They will be hard for her to get in position under her for the start, as they are pretty boyant.

 

[PopsRacer]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

A regular ski rope is easy enough to learn with...

When you're learning to get up, sit in the water with your knees against your chest, your arms fully extended with the rope between your skis, and point the skis straight up to the sky...

The boat should be moving just enough to keep tension on the rope.. When you take off, do NOT get in a hurry to stand up, as a matter of fact it's easier to learn if you don't stand up straight at all... Staying squatted is much easier to learn from since you're keeping a low center of gravity, you just want to get up enough to get your butt out of the water to stop water from spraying in your face.

Keeping your legs out a little wide will help you keep your balance better... Anytime you feel like you're gonna fall, just squat back down to where your butt is just above the water... You should be able to get comfy with it within the first day, then be ready to try standing more straight up the next day out..

A good boat driver has everything to do with a good skiier. One thing you might regret is...... not doing it sooner.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Hey Pops! I recognize you from CT or TT.

Most important with skiing is to keep your arms straight at all times. Most people will pull their arms in when they think they are going to fall backwards, but it is better to raise your straight arms above your head to help prevent that. Pulling your arms in only delays the fall. Another thing that will make your first try easier, is to use a (good) pair of wooden skis, if available. They have a flat ski surface which makes starting easier and are much less tiring. And stand up a bit straighter than the person in the picture posted in the previous thread. It will prevent back fatique. A saying I like to use when teaching any type of skiing is, "your butt must be above your ankles".

You will need at least 68" skis. A commom adult size ski.

 

[Samvq1]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

When you are ready to buy skis, there is a size chart that is based on weight. You can search online and find it. Also, there are many videos available online that explain the equipment that you will need and how to ski.

 

[PopsRacer]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Hey Pops! I recognize you from CT or TT....

Maybe Both?? -lol Nice to see you here too John!!!!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

I had a good friend who found some skis at a resale shop for $5... He was a great skier.. He wanted to try the one ski deal.. My little ol boat didn't have enough ummmph to get him up so he got up on 2 and kicked one off... We would just go back and get it after he ate it... He also fell bad one day sking on one ski and broke his wrist, so be careful you can get hurt easy..

 

[Richeskis]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

The first thing for the 10 year old girl, make her feel comfortable. in every way possible. make sure you have a good fitting vest. I know it may be pricey, for a 10 year old who will out grow them in about a year, but the first time impression on anything is important. so spending about $10 or $20 bucks more on a good vest then a cheep fitting on is important, then if you can find a cheep wet suit, spring suit works great and some times this time of year you can find them at COSTCO. I know I will get a bunch of guys saying you don't need it, but it helps with bouncy and keeps them warm, and warm child is much easier to deal with then one complaining about "It's Cold". I started my girl when she was 5 and my son when he was 7. and they both still love to ski, my boy is now 19 and loves to wake board, as it is "COOL", like all the young kids but everyday he still does a ski run, slalom, and say he still loves the ski. It may have to do with the fact that 2 years ago he broke his femur wake boarding, he did get right back up on the board the next season. One other thing I did when I started them skiing, I had someone else drive the boat and I got in the water with them had a vest on too, to help hold them, balance them and make them feel safe, it does helps if you have another boat , seadoo around the area to pick you up when they get up and ski away and you are setting floating with no boat around you, first time did not think it completely through. I did not think they would get up so easy, had to swim to shore, it was on the river so not so far. but learned from it, have done it as of late with helper boat seadoo in the same area and took a flag with me. helps keeps you from getting ran over until you get picked up. I also used beginner skis that fit their size, once again, a few bucks extra, for your child to have a great first time experience is priceless. I have to say my garage is filled with skis and vest that don't get used now, but figure grand kids will be on there way before to long and.... back in use.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Indianapolis boat show is running now. I went Saturday and bought two sets of skis and a 75 foot rope. Both are HO Blast. One is 67" the other is 57" (both have one ski with two foot holds on it so it could be used for slalom). The guy at the show helped quite a bit.

Now comes the hard part. Getting behind the boat and getting up. Looking forward to warmer water temps.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

OK! We got the skis, got the boat, got the warmer water.

Now just to learn how to stay up. I had 4 people try it (we're all novices). Everyone got on top of the water but no one stayed up very long.

When it was my turn the driver started me too slow and put a gallon of water up my nose. After blowing that out and yelling at him for a while I felt much better. Was able to get up the last three attempts but not stay up.

We are taking the slack out ofthe rope at idle and then when the skier is ready flooring it. They seem to pop up pretty quick.

1) How do I bring speed down to a reasonable speed (WOT is about 35 with that load). I'm assuming that I have to ease back very slowly to keep tension on the line right? I may have been slowing down too fast for some riders.

2) What should the skier do when he gets out of the water to stay up?

We're going to try again this weekend if the weather cooperates. The Girl may even try.

Thanks

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Once the skier is up, slowly reduce the throttle and trim up a bit. When skiing with 2 skis, you only need to pull them 25-28mph tops. However if you go above that, it doesn't necessarily hurt anything, so you can take your time easing the speed back down. As far as the skier is concerned, they should just be standing up with their knees slightly bent and arms out in front, but elbows not locked. Most new skiers tend to bend forward at the waist their first few times out, but learn to lean back and stand up straight once they get the hang of it. Try and go out skiing early (like 7am) to avoid lots of lake traffic making waves as it's easier to ski when you aren't having to fight waves all of the time. Your knees are like shock absorbers on a car, so you can get over waves by letting your knees move up and down with the waves.

 

[skibrain]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Maybe you can describe what is happening to the skiers when they are not staying up.
Falling frontwards? falling backwards? how many seconds are they "skiing"? Some of it is skier technique. A lot of it is boat driving.

While it may require a lot of throttle to get the pontoon on plane, don't think of it as speeding up and then slowing down. If your goal is to end up at 20 mph skiing speed, ease into the throttle as much as you need to get your boat planing but as you come onto plane begin backing out so you ARRIVE at target speed. Do 0 to 20 mph, versus a 0 to 30 to 20 mph ride.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

Maybe you can describe what is happening to the skiers when they are not staying up.
Falling frontwards? falling backwards? how many seconds are they "skiing"? Some of it is skier technique. A lot of it is boat driving.

Mostly falling backwards. Went out again this last weekend. I managed to get up for 12 seconds (really quite a rush isn't it) but then bent my arms. I knew I was in trouble as I was doing it but by then it was too late. Fell backwards (I hate faceplants). One thing I did do right was not get in a big hurry to stand all the way up.

My buddy got up for 14 seconds on his good try. I was driving so didn't see how he fell.

I bought some skis for the Girl but she's just so petite that she couldn't get them under her for the start. Need smaller skis or perhaps a trainer for her. (she's about 74 pounds) Any suggestions?

We've been using the trainer bar that goes across the front of the skis. Seems to help.

While it may require a lot of throttle to get the pontoon on plane, don't think of it as speeding up and then slowing down. If your goal is to end up at 20 mph skiing speed, ease into the throttle as much as you need to get your boat planing but as you come onto plane begin backing out so you ARRIVE at target speed. Do 0 to 20 mph, versus a 0 to 30 to 20 mph ride.

I'll have to work on that. I was getting better at the end. Fortunately the boat has plenty of power to go to 2/3rd or 3/4 throttle and get them up. Just need to find the sweet spot.


So I guess at this point it's practice practice practice?

 

[skibrain]

Re: How do I learn to ski?

First of all, way to go. Glad to hear you are out there trying again. It sounds like you're getting close and with a bit more practice by skier AND driver and you should be good to go. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it is pretty easy to imagine some of what is going on. And there are about 4 or 5 things that COULD be happening all at once.

? Boat is overcoming it's own drag and coming on plane (and usually accelerates faster once it reaches planing speed).
? Skis and the skier have more drag when starting and once on plane the skis are a bit more "slippery" and don't provide as much resistance (they can tend to slide forward out from under you, causing a backward fall)
? Some boats create a stern roller wave that the skier reaches and starts to "ski down" as he is getting on top of the water.
? Driver might be backing out of the throttle and slowing the boat too quickly. The skier, now planing, gets slack in the rope (falling backward)
? Skier (as you pointed out) thinks they have to contribute to the pull of the boat and pulls in the handle by bending elbows (creating extra speed and falling backward)

I was training a new driver last week. I had them do about 10 practice starts with no skier on back.