Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

[samm835]

I picked up a set of trainer ski's for my younger kids the past winter, they have always tubed and the adults have always used adult ski's. This year they want to learn how to ski, so my question is .... I bought the ski's and from what I was told is that the ski rope can be fastened to the middle part of the front of the ski's to keep the stress off the skier. I didn't buy a new rope for these ski's so is there a certain rope that is able to fasten to the ski's then also have the handle for the kids to hold onto without the pressure/stress of the boat pulling the kids arms off? My god I have been knee boarding/skiing for years and never felt more like an idiot asking this question. It seems like the answer is going to be simple, so if someone can let me know I would appreciate it!

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

After dragging the kids around the lake and frustrating them, we did that and pop, up they went. We tied a loop in the rope, and used another handle on the other end of the rope, with an adult holding it in the back of the boat versus using the boat's ski hook. Remember, they can't let go if the rope is attached to the skis, and they are attached to the skis too!

 

[samm835]

Re: Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

OH DAMN, you know that NEVER crossed my mind about the kids not be able to let the rope go.........so the could be dragged for a short distance. Granted we would be watching them, but my boat didn't come with brakes(did I go cheap and be the only one and not order brakes on mine?). Well that throws a couple of kinks in what I was hoping to do this summer.

 

[aerenson]

Re: Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

We did the kids rope idea for a day, and that was all it took to make us throw it away. We found that you cannot let go of the rope from the boat side fast enough to keep the kid from feeling like they were dragged all the way across the river. After one boy came into the boat with tears claiming we tried to kill him, we figured that was enough. Instead, we attached the connecting bar on a pair of skis. Some of the kids pop up fairly quick and others not at all, but at least they all thought it was fun.

Good luck.

 

[wtwe2step]

Re: Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

I do beleive it all depends on how old the kids are. I think we first tried training ski's when they were around 6. The training ski's were tied together and they held the training rope while an adult held the other end of the rope in the boat. Kids at this age do not let go of the rope even when they fall and are being dragged by the boat so it is important to not have the other end tied to the boat. It is also helpfull to have someone in the water with them to help them balance just before they start but do not hold on to them once the boat starts moving, it will just mess them up. The most important variable is the driver. You are not pulling a 150 lb person out of the water. Go easy on the pull out of the water. If they are falling forward, you are probably giving it too much gas on the pull out. Go really slow on the trottle up. Kids around 8 years of age do better if the skis are not tied together and most are smart enough to let go if they fall so you can attach the other end of the rope to the boat. My 10 year old is now doing salom but I still need to remember that I can't just bury the trottle on the pull out. If you know a kid that has gotten up before, start with them and learn how to be the driver first.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

First off- if the rope is attached to the skis you absolutely cannot have the other end tied to the boat! Very dangerous! Most of these rigs have a separate handle for an adult to hold in the boat.

Second, a funny now (scary then) story. I was the adult in the boat holding the line for my daughter and her friend (both 7). No problems. Then my son (then 10) decides to give it a try. I am sitting on the sun pad. The driver gives it some gas and uh oh. there is NOTHING for me to hold on to. Pulled me right into the water. I did get in a little jump to clear the prop.

If your skier weighs more than 50 lbs, make sure you have something to keep you in the boat!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Kids Trainer Ski and Rope

tying the skis to the boat at idle or just a little more, to let them get the feel of the water around them, and learn to controll the skis in the water, then let them hold the handle. also have them get in the fetal postion, with there arms around their knees, butt on the back of the skis, they will pop right up, and then keep their arms straight.

here's a bunch of good stuff. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=169555&highlight=water+skiing