Re: Problems on First Slalom Ski Outing
Oh, where to start Sondar. First off, if you were able to get up and on the surface, you have won half the battle. I did google Connelly Outlaw 'cause my early experience with Connelly was that it was a real hot rod ski, not one for beginners. The description, however, showed that it was a good ski for you.
Secondly I will ask, were you suitably fortified with Fosters.
Water skiing is a very intuitive undertaking. For my part, I struggled for many seasons, hanging on for dear life, every ripple threatening to toss me off. I would not let go because I was skiing with friends and did not want to fail.
Then one day I discovered ALCOHOL. It relaxed me and in no time at all I kicked back and cruised thru the chop. (I have to add, I tried that with snow skiing and it did not work for me)
Many have said, you need to lean back. I do not think that is an adequate description of what you need to do. You need to
lock your rear knee and lean back against your stiffened rear leg. Leave you front knee loose to variably absorb the shock while you keep the skeg planted with your rigid rear leg.
Another pet peeve of mine is that new skiers are started off with a single handle. I think this is a big mistake by big hot dog skiers trying to teach newbies. I think double hands are much easier to get up with and they are much easier to adjust slack and tension on the rope.
I think the "pylons' are a gimmick. It also doesn't matter whether the rope starts out low on the transom or higher on a ski pole.
Bottoms up and good luck to you.
Oh, I forgot to comment. Which foot forward? Traditional wisdom is the right sided person should place their right foot forward. To do the opposite was long ago labled "goofy foot". I contend that, once up, it is the rear foot that excercise the majority of control, the front just acting, if you will, as a shock absorber.
If you are considerably one sided, as I am, you should start out with your dominant foot in the rear boot. It is true that while getting up your forward foot has most of the control but once up it shifts to the rear foot and you certainly want to use your best foot. Although you have not spoke about your foot position, I could almost guarantee you, that along with an understanding of balance, that you best foot is in the least position of control.
