Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

[badMonkey]

My son who has skiied for 3 years complains about a lower back ache after 10 minutes of skiing. Our experience on the water is nearly the same amount of time so we haven't learned from experienced skiiers.

I am thinking it is a posture problem and would like to understand the posture of a mature skiier.

Matthew is very strong for weight ( 140lbs, 5'8", not an ounce of fat ). He is also very coordinated ( backflips on trampoline, rock climber, etc ) I am of the belief that we are simply missing something in technique.

Here he is getting out of water ( he just pops up no matter how poorly I drive, he likes a WOT pop, but does fine 60% power on the 160hp, 4.3l merc )

Here he is relaxing behind the boat:

Here he is crossing the wake... This one makes me think his posture is not right.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Yeah, he's hunching a bit. His arms should be straight, not bent at the elbows in my opinion. Knees bending is natural across the wake I think, but he should keep his back straight. With his arms and back like that, he's making it very hard on himself.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Straighten up the back, stretch the arms out and speed the boat up a little.

If he's been skiing for 3 years and he's still on 2 skiis, get him to drop one and slalom - then he can get laid back a whole lot more.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Maybe try a different life vest, I have a 14yr old daughter that gives up after about 10mins with the same lower back complaint, I bought a new more expensive womens neoprene vest but we haven't tried it yet.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Lifevest is not the problem. He is bent over, causing his shoulders to pull in and his lower-mid back to take the stress. His arms should be straight but not elbows-locked. In that last picture, his skis are also a bit too far apart which doesn't help matters. It's odd to see someone who has skied for that long and not have found the posture for it.

If you had just shown me the pics I would have thought it was someone's first or second time getting up on skis, before they eventually try things out and learn to lean back and stand up. The second picture where he's "relaxing" is actually more what he should look like full-time.

Slolam might be possible for him, especially if he just drops a ski, but it could end up just hurting his back more if he doesn't lean back.

 

[badMonkey]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Thanks for the responses. I will get him to read these and I am sure he will take them to heart. He has dropped a ski a couple of times and also come out of the water a couple of times on a single ski ( I envy his athleticism ).

Happy Skiing!

 

[WildH2Oskier]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

All he needs to do is to roll his shoulders back. That will straighten his back and cause him to move the handle into a more natural position. His back will thank you.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

This is a few weeks old, but maybe you're still reading out there...just another idea:

Based on size/shape of wake, I observe it seems the boat might be going a little too slow for skiing? This can cause a bit more plowing and fighting the boat, which equals more strain on the back.

Most two skiiers (adults) I tow like to go a minimum of 25 mph...some a bit faster. If on one ski open-water most will want 28 mph. 30 to 34 if practicing for or doing a slalom course, which certainly isn't in the cards just yet.

Agree with all above comments. Shoulders need to be pulled back and arms should indeed be straight...or straighter anyway. DEFINITELY they should be straight on take-off...there's no reason to ever pull back against the boat like he appears to be doing in order to get out of the water. Tell him to stretch those arms out straight and just wait patiently...let the boat pull him...instead of him pulling back against the boat. I always hate saying "straight arms" for skiiers who are already up though...because most skiiers then take the frankenstein pose of going straight out with the arms, which means you're getting pulled from your shoulders, which adds more back strain and reduces stability because it raises center of gravity. So technically arms should be mostly straight, but hands more down at the level of the belly or hips. And the only way to accomplish this is for a person to lean back a bit more. And it makes more sense to take this pose when cutting and crossing the wakes faster/harder because in those situations you're forced to lean back even more. If he's just following the boat it is indeed very awkward to have arms straight but hands down lower. Confused yet? I am. lol.

I haven't 2-skiied in a long time...but I slalom a lot, and my legs/arms/grip all wear out long before my lower back even thinks about getting sore. Yet when I was younger and did mostly two-skiing...I remember that lower back pain. So somehow I think maybe two-skiing is a bit harder on the lower back than slaloming...

After a few years now, that boy is ready to slalom almost exclusively. I'm a little surprised he's still on two...not that there's anything wrong with that if it's what he enjoys. But slalom gives a bit more challenge while offering more opportunity to improve and do big cool sprays and stuff. So I guess I'd encourage more one-skiing ASAP, if he's willing...it probably will cure the back problem by the nature of the more laid back stance he will need to take.

AND....many skiiers prefer to hold the handle so it's vertical. One palm facing left/one facing right, rather than horizontal handle with both hands down as he is. I might also suggest he tries that, and see if it changes the way it's pulling on his arms and upper body.

 

[BoomerSooner]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Yes, the back should be straight. The shoulders should not be in front of the hips. Have him try the over/under rope hold instead of both hands on the same side of the handle. I agree with one of the posts, he doesn't look like he has skied for 3 years, more like 3 times. Your posture when 2 skiing should be just like when you are standing up straight, only your knees flexed, no bend at the waist.

 

[badMonkey]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

problem solved!

he read the forums and took it to heart. he is skiing with the bar up and down and paying attention to his shoulders. this time he wore out his arms and had a big smile.

I read the forums and sped up to 30-32mph. We got beat pretty bad by a couple of wave runners chopping up the water but it all worked out just fine.

later that day he ripped the lace out of the boot!! MURPHY!

anyone know where you can get good boot replacements?

 

[Slide]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Check your local marina first, usually they will sell or can order replacement boots. Be ready to return it though, fits vary notoriously between brands and a bad fit on your boot ruins a good day of skiing!

 

[WildH2Oskier]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

Wileys is where I get mine. If a dealer in the Pacific Northwest can satisfy a Souteastern river rat then they are obviously doing a lot right.
http://www.wileyski.com/

 

[slalomskiing31]

Re: Lower Back Ache - Posture Problem?

It is a posture problem. He should have his back and arms straight and have his weight on his heels.