How to get up on 1 ski

[AZ HALLETT]

Took up this sport at a late age, have been doing great with 2 ski's but can not get up on 1, any pointers?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Get up one two skis...then kick off the one that doesn't have the extra spot for slalom.

Try to have the spotter get some bearings on where you leave the ski and try to get it as soon as the run is over.

 

[md-lucky]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

How big are you?

I just about can't do it. I'm 6'4" and just a little north of 250 pounds, so the boat has a hell of a time yanking me up on one. I personally think dropping a ski is the only way to go..

That said, when I do fall and I'm not ready to get in the boat, I usually have to get up on 1. The trick for me is to wait. I holar "hit it," and then just hold on. I give it several seconds before I even attempt to stand up. On 2 skis I can just pop right up and stand. On 1, I have to slowly stand. It is more of a "pull me up" rather than a "pop me up." Not sure if that makes sense, but it is the only way I've been able to do it.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Get up one two skis...then kick off the one that doesn't have the extra spot for slalom.

Try to have the spotter get some bearings on where you leave the ski and try to get it as soon as the run is over.

Lol, I think that's a little basic for being considered helpful.

If you are wanting to deep water start, here are a few tips:

Obviously we're starting with one ski here unless you want to get up on two and kick one off. With one ski, you will need to pull your knees to your chest (both feet in the bindings) and try to get at least 8" of the ski tip above the water when the boat throttles up. You will need to stay in the tucked position with your weight back until the ski begins to plane, at that point you will try and shift your weight forward (push hips forward) to help the ski plane out.

Things you might notice at first are the difficulty in keeping the single ski tip from yawing back and forth. It's natural to have this issue, but you'll get control of it eventually. Another item I found of tremendous help is a deep-V ski rope. The rope has a long V (like 3') which allows you to put the tip of the ski in the "V" and hold onto the handle. This keeps the tip straight until you get out of the water when it simply slides off when you get on plane and stand up.

There is also a method called "dragging a foot" when you do the same procedure as noted above, but you start with your back foot out of the binding and try to get up with one leg. The rear foot drags behind until you're on plane when you insert it into the rear binding.

 

[SeanT]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

My dad drags his foot in a deep water start. As the boat throttles up and the water "hardens" beneath you, it helps you keep balance and form. Once you are comfortable, slip the back foot into the "bracker" (I hesitate to call it a binding because it's not).

I'm not much of a skier, but according to my Dad who has slalomed for his entire life (he's nearly 60 now), getting up on one ski with both feet already in is relatively difficult compared to dragging your foot, and requires more strength and effort (again, this is relative. If you are strong for your size it's less of a problem.)

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Okay then, here's how you fly an airplane:

Start the engine, go full throttle, and yank back on the controls. Nevermind the other details.

Just joking with you, of course.

 

[wired1236]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Look at these

http://1hourslalom.com/video1/

http://1hourslalom.com/video2/

 

[SeanT]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best

Um, that's in response to me? Hey I'm just trying to help.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Um, that's in response to me? Hey I'm just trying to help.

Not directed to you at all, sorry for not being more clear. I was trying to help out with my first response as well.

The dragging the foot method sounds like a good idea and I will be trying it, the only way I've ever done it or seen it done is by "cheating" and kicking one off.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Having both foot in the bindings or dragging the foot is just a preference issue. I have done both, but I don't see either being easier than the other. The issue with dragging the foot being easier is probably dependent on the boat you are behind. My boat will pull just about anyone up in no time, so the need to drag a foot and reduce your drag profile isn't needed. If you have a weaker boat/heavier weight, you may be dragged longer while the boat gets on plane. This requires you to either "think skinny" by dragging the foot and sort of turning sideways to recude drag, or getting up on two skis and dropping one to alleviate the problem.

I will tell you that once you learn to deep water start with both feet in, your balance will be impecable.

 

[AZ HALLETT]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Thanks gents, I often ski with my 3 boys all in there 30's it will be great to be the first one up on 1.

Being the old man, I need some advantage

Off to the lake with mom to practice, then ill take the boys.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Might also want to look into some of the wide body skis I have heard they are great for getting up on and carve pretty well once up. The larger surface area helps with how quickly the ski starts to plane out once it is on top the side to side wash out goes away.

 

[skibrain]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Good comments above. I start with both feet in. Right Foot Forward, so put my ski to the right side of the rope when starting. It REALLY helps me to not try to line up my ski pointing straight up. I keep the tip out of the water, but point the tip to the right at about 2 O'clock. Once the boat starts to move the ski will straighten out by itself.

With the ski pointed straight, I am more likely to tip over - or get pulled out of shape in the awkward moments before planing. (I like haulnazz's comment "think skinny") Maybe this just works for me, but I did 8 or 9 deep water starts this a.m. and pointing to the side works way better.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

I still like the deep-V ski handles. They can be a pain to find, but the ease of holding the tip of the ski for amateurs on deep water starts enables you to drag as long as you want until the boat gets on plane.

 

[jkust]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

I have been skiing on all types of skis since I was young mostly behind an 85hp Bayliner. It is as simple as can be to get up on one ski even with an underpowered boat and some pretty ancient ski. I put my left foot in the front binding, ski tip up, and a when the power comes on, I take my right leg flex it down into the water and I'm up. I put the right into the rear binding when i'm up and off I go. These days I only do it every few years, but once you can do it, you can do it every time. The more power the boat has, the easier it is and the less you will need to use your right leg if at all. Like many physical things though the younger you learn, the easier it is and the more you can take the falls while learning. Good luck to you.

 

[sethjon]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

If you kick a ski you may not find it. What idiot thought a black bottom was smart?

 

[skibrain]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

Agree...black bottoms and black fin is the worst.

 

[SeanT]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

I have a set of Connellys with black bottoms. Seriously considering painting the bottom of the second ski.

 

[float my boat]

Re: How to get up on 1 ski

I had thought of making up some kind of floaty, maybe a milk jug painted orange or something like that with a weight on it that a spotter could throw out of the boat to mark the location of the dropped ski. On occasion, we have spent over a half an hour looking for the dreaded black bottomed ski.