I need a new mantra

[Geo2008]

I read the previous threads about learning how to ski and I must say that BassBoy's mantra "Arms straight, knees bent, Arms straight knees bent" served me very well. I have now mastered getting up on two skis and now have my sights on learning how to slalom.

What would be a good mantra to remember while trying to get up and also to stay up on a slalom ski!

 

[hal2814]

Re: I need a new mantra

That's easy:
Arms straight, knees bent, don't think.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: I need a new mantra

That's easy:
Arms straight, knees bent, don't think.

Thanks, I am going to try it for the first time in a few weeks. Is there any additional advice out there that I could be thinking over before getting in the water behind the boat?

 

[MikDee]

Re: I need a new mantra

As a beginner, you might want to start off with 2 skiis instead of one, and drop one when you get going, it is much harder to get up on one ski. Plus, you want your boat to snap you up out of the water as quick as possible.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: I need a new mantra

I agree that dropping is a good way to get the feel of a slalom, but your going to need to learn to get up sooner or later. Plus when you drop you have to go back and retrieve the ski all the time and it seems to take up alot of time that could be better spent skiing. There are a NUMBER of ways to get up you have to pick one that works for you and go with it. I prefer to drag a foot and have always taught people the same way with very good success. The key to getting up on a slalom ski is to keep it straight until the boat gets going a bit. most people wash out to one side or another and fall to the side. So here is how I go about teaching to get up. get ski on, while on swim deck ease into water slack out rope, leg in ski with knee bent and LOCKED arms out all the way so your hands are right by the tip of the ski(which is out of water about 3-4") hit it keep knee bent and bent at waist so the boat is pulling the ski on top of the water, while this is happening use the other leg to kick and act like a rudder to stabilize you coming up. once the ski planes on top of the water straighten up waist, knee and insert other leg into toe plate. once going remember to lean back so there is always tension on rope also leaning back is like putting on the brakes. Once up get the feel of how quick you can turn on a slalom and how leaning back and keeping good rope tension are your friend. Also when coming back over the wake don't side slip it or the wake will roll over your ski and you will go down. Turn the ski so you are going right at the wake with the tip (lean back a bit and you wont take air off the wake) Once you get the hang of it a bit practice,practice,practice and you will get better quickly. Don't let anyone tell you you have to have a double boot to be a great skiier, Andy Mapple probably the best slalom skiier ever (look him up) always used an open rear toe plate. Good luck let us know how it goes.

 

[BF]

Re: I need a new mantra

ohwell gives good advice. I also would say don't start with 2 feet in the ski. Drag your back leg, and without thinking about it, it acts as a rudder. However, I agree with MD... I'd encourage you to drop a ski, at least a few times so that you feel what it's like to ski on 1. When you drop, don't be in a rush to get your back foot in, you should balance on the one foot well enough that you're not falling to the side. Until you get the feel for that (being on one foot for a second or two), I think it is premature to try doing the deep water start. I've seen people who actually managed to get up out of the water, but then fall over as soon as they slide their back foot in... because they'd never actually got used to skiing on one... wastes a lot of energy I think. Often, after dropping a couple times, and getting the hang of it, when you wipe out, you'll probably wanna try a deep water start.

Here's another tip.... keep another (3rd) ski in the boat. That way if you fall, they can give you another ski to get up on if you need it.

Don't get left bobbing around a busy lake while the boat goes to retrieve your dropped ski. Too much chance of not being seen and getting run over.

Years ago, I remember a friend of my Dad's always used to start on 2 but then switch to slalom. But, instead of dropping the ski, he'd lift it up and take it off with one hand. Then he'd ski back with it under his arm, and toss it towards the dock as he ski'd by. I've never seen anyone else do that! Looks pretty whacky.

Good luck.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: I need a new mantra

I to agree that some time spent on one will improve your success rate, I know around here (I live in SLC UT) most of the lakes can be soo crowded with inexperienced boaters, you risk having your dropped ski run over or it gets turned over and very difficult to see. I have seen people toss out an old orange jacket when you drop the ski to help locate the ski when finished. Also when skiing on two lift up what would be your rear leg so that ski is off the water it will start to give you a feel of a slalom. As stated by BF dont be too quick to insert rear foot into boot you can go along way with only one foot in a ski. But get it in within a respectable amount of time as it helps to center your weight above the ski which is what you want when first having a go at it. As for a mantra I would think" let the boat do the work and keep the ski straight" would be good to get you started. Depending on the power of your boat and your grip strength I usually always put the hammer down to get some one up on a slalom then ease off to whatever the skier wants as given through their hand signals. Maybe a better mantra might be " I WILL do this" ha ha ha....

 

[Geo2008]

Re: I need a new mantra

Thanks everyone for your terrific insight and pointers. This stuff helps so much because my brain will crunch the data all week and then when it is time to actually give the "go for it" signal then I will be able to effortlessly remember what you guys said, that rocks guys!

This forum is one of my favorites of all time.

 

[salar600]

Re: I need a new mantra

I always start off with 2 skis instead of one cause our boat do not have much power to get off the water on one.

But, as I do slalom, would it be possible to start on one ski from the deck? All advises would be appreciate.

Thanks, Salar