tips for slalom

[wholt171]

I have skied plenty two skis and dropping to one. I cannot seem to get out of the water with one ski though. Does anyone have any tips? i don't really know any good form or strategy though. I just plow through the water until i eventually let it go. I weigh around 250 pounds and i'm behind a 1992 fairly heavy Renken with 130 hp motor. Is it unlikely I will be able to get up? Dock starts are not an option where i ski. And i've already succeeded plenty with dropping...i'm just looking to try to get this. Thanks a lot!

 

[Shrub88]

Re: tips for slalom

An angle start will get you right up. The boat idles away to the right at about a 45 degree angle, once the line gets tight the boat turns left about 70-80 degrees just enough to keep the line tight but not yet pulling on you. The boat then goes full throttle maintaining this same angle. The boat without a load will accelerate quickly and once moving along the driver turns the wheel to the right and it will pop you right up. The driver needs to coordinate his turn as needed if he is pulling you too hard so start off with a smooth turn at a slower speed and go from there.

 

[DaveM]

Re: tips for slalom

Ugh, so many places to start. For starters, make sure you have the correct pitch prop and a properly sized ski for your weight. That boat puts you at a disadvantage--be ready to drag for a while.

Check out a similar thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=314675
Here is another site: http://www.utoronto.ca/ski/water/faq/sldeep.html

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: tips for slalom

Yeah, I'd have a minimum of a 69" ski, but a 70-71 would make it much easier. The angle start is good to help the boat get on plane by the time it feels the drag from you in the water. Other than that, dock starts and dropping a ski are about it. Make sure you dig the back foot in and keep your knees in your chest until the ski is almsot on plane, then lean forward to get the ski to flatten out and get on plane.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: tips for slalom

Shrubb, Start with one foot dragging behind you, and one in the binding. Keep the salom ski tucked under your butt, and turn your torso and hips to make yourself as "thin" as possible to reduce drag. Stay in this crouch for a count of 5-8 or so to let the boat build up some speed, and then straighten out your front leg, and bend your back knee to lift your foot out of the water. After you have reached skiing speed, jam your back foot into the binding.

I was able to get up on my 14 footer/35HP Johnnyrude, using this method, when I was a teen. It is still the best deep water salom start method since it is the easiest on my muscles.

 

[mitchell6]

Re: tips for slalom

you allready no the basic's the best way i found to learn to get up on one ski is to use a 2 handle ski rode that way u can put the ski in between both handles and have more control while getting up once you get good at it then go to one handle

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: tips for slalom

Ski more...your best option is to get more time on one ski...

Kick the flubbing ski off and cut like a mad man...get confident on the kick off one ski method. Get so comfortable that you don't fall any more and you ski till your out of breath. Then do it some more.

Everyone learns at their own pace. Keep your chin up and accumulate time on one ski...lean cut, jump, soak the shore...get good and confident.

After more time, try the one ski start. I learned by keeping my back foot out and dragging it at the start. Bend your lead leg keep your knee just under your chin and keep the ski tip straight up. Let the boat do the work. Just concentrate on keeping the tip up and the ski between you and the boat.

Don't over try...take a break and do some more two ski starts and kick one off for confidence. You have time, take your time.

You have a long road ahead....take your time and enjoy..good luck.

 

[tawood]

Re: tips for slalom

Here's a good video that helped me:

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/9404-how-to-water-ski-slalom-deepwater-start

They have other good videos on there too.
Tim

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: tips for slalom

You may want to try an EZ up rope they can really help when starting out to keep everything lined up till you get the hang of it on your own.

 

[skibrain]

Re: tips for slalom

I'd agree with recommending a larger slalom ski. If you are skiing on a std. pair of 67" or 68" combos and dropping one, the deep water start on one cuts your planing area by 50%. A 67" ski for a big guy is a real challenge.

A longer and wider would help a bunch. And it might take a long 6-8 second count before you are up and skiing.

What happens when you don't make it up? Fall to one side? Loose your grip? Boat never starts picking up speed? Can't breath underwater? Baggy swim trunks filling up with water and acting like a sea anchor? Are you trying to get up with the rear foot in the binding? Dragging a foot? You clear the water but immediately start swerving and wipe out before getting steady? What does the driver report is happening?

Questions, questions...

 

[svahle]

Re: tips for slalom

Lots of good advice already. Rather than a two handle rope as someone suggested, there are deep V single handle ropes available too. The V is deep enough to put the ski tip in. Will help keep the ski straight while you are having to drag for a while. The advice to keep your knees bent to your chest is good to. Makes a big difference and reduces pull on the boat. Also, some of my board shorts catch alot of water. I couldn't believe how much more difficult this could make it to get out of the water. Pull the legs up around your thighs to reduce drag or put on a wetsuit. I've been pulled by some very underpowered boats and I always deep start with both feet in bindings (double boot ski). You'll be able to get up but you need to do all you can to reduce drag on the boat and keep your ski upright. Are longer, wider ski is a good thought too. The increased surface area will help your ski plane on top of the water. Keep trying, you'll get it. Once you do, it'll get easier every time. Good luck

 

[bds85466]

Re: tips for slalom

I agree that it's probably unrealistic to get up on one until you feel absolutely comfortable skiing on one via dropping a ski. It's not easy and you'll drink a lot of lakewater in the process, so I'm finding out. My roommate is at least 250 and he's gotten up on less of a motor than that.