Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

[metriccrescentwrench]

My daughter finally decided that she wants to graduate from a knee board and learn to ski. She tried today for the first time but she was never able to stay up for more than a second or two. She's 15 and weighs 110 soaking wet, she's athletic in that she's a distance runner, but she's not the most coordinated person in the world.

We have a set of adult skis I picked up at a yard sale which have worked well for my son, but I'm wondering if they're too big for my daughter (I never had the chance to ski when I was a kid so my knowledge ends at "knees bent / arms straight").

Any other tips for getting her started?

Thanks.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

Those skis should be great.
Patience. Not trying to stand up too soon is key.

It's also helpful for the driver to be smooth. Looks like you've got plenty of power, so the trick is to ease into the throttle at start, getting up on plane as you gently back out of the throttle so you end up around 18 mph.

Too much gas at start and you can pull the skier onto her face. Speed up and slow down and they tend to fall backwards like skis are slipping out from under her.

Keep trying!

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

I feel like I do a pretty good job with the throttle, I've been pulling my son for 6 years now with no complaints (well, except when we hit another boat's wake in a narrow part of the lake it's always my fault :facepalm: ).

I think probably she's trying to stand up too soon, next time we go I'll get her to concentrate on that.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

The great thing is that she sounds motivated. I'm sure she will have it in no time.

 

[Wirenut8]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

One thing I remember was to try to straighten your back. If you are leaning forward then every thing is off balance. As soon as she is out of the water she wants to straighten up and even lean back a little. Too much weight is probably on her toes. Hoping to knee board and ski this week end. Good luck!!

 

[Okieboatguy]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

Having gone through this with my daughter who was 11 and a gymnast, she wanted to stand up to soon. You need to re-enforce staying in the knees to chest position until she is on plane. Then over time it will become old habit and after the 4-5th time she will just learn to know what feels right to extend out.

 

[h20skiluvr]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

I agree that the issue is probably a bit of overanxiousness. Since she's athletic, she just needs more reps. I'd also suggest
Keeping the rope tight (more attention than with your son) to avoid any unnecessary jerking. She'll be up soon enough!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

Too many skiers are instructed on how to get out of the water, but they're never taught what to do once they're up.

They have to keep their back straight. Arms are also to be straight, and under no conditions are they to pull on the rope. They'll also need to slightly lift their hands. Then, just relax and enjoy the pull.

After a few pulls, they can figure out how to turn right and left and how to go outside the wake in a tight turn. A tight turn is when it really gets good.

 

[hockynut2]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

I have to agree with the others, one major issue is usually trying to stand up to quickly. Let the boat and the skis do the work. Keep her knees bent in close to her chest till she is fully on plane, then have her stay in the seated possition for a bit untill she can balance then attempt to stand. If she is having trouble keeping the skis together there is nothing wrong with using a stabilizer bar(used in starter jr ski sets) across the skis to keep them straight and together. Been skiing since I was 5 and been helping people learn for several years now and those are probably the two most common troubles for new skiers. Best of luck to her!!

 

[cannonman]

Re: Tips for teaching my daughter to ski

I don't get to teach new skiers very often any more. I kinda miss it.
Now they are all grown up and the grandkids are only 2 & 4. Looking forward to a new class.:thumb: