Too old for water sking???

[jparkerri]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Never too old is the answer. I didn't have a choice about skiing. My father, Bruce Parker, was in the business so us kids had to work and ski all summer long. His ski school motto was "everyone from 6 to 60". Now I'm 62 and still slalom, trick ski, and foot ski (our boat is too slow for barefoot). I've always wanted to try a ski jump but can't find one anywhere. Can't find a slalom course either. It's hard to find people who ski anymore. My wife and I never can find a third to be legal except when my kids come home for a visit. I loved wakeboarding but the body twist did in my back and I was laid up for two years. Two operations later and I can do everything but no wakeboarding (I promised my wife). Maybe wake skates?

 

[zombie stig]

Re: Too old for water sking???

My dad and his friends started water skiing on Lake Windermere back in the UK in the 60's. We've lived in NJ for the last 30 years and I nearly had him out last week at 69. He just had eye surgery and can't get his eye wet, especially with dirty river water, but he wanted to go badly. Of course I get the boat loaded and ready to go before he remembers he can't get wet. He took me for a drag tho so I loved it!

 

[Varago]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Will be 61 in august and going out wakeboarding this weekend, first time this year. Would be a real bummer if I dont get up. Had open heart valve replacment two years ago so still on the way back

Dave

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Too old for water sking???

This is Banana George. He holds the record. Barefooted at 93

 

[bruc12]

Re: Too old for water sking???

I'm 62 and I still push myself on the slalom ski. I took a private leason from Jodi Fisher on the slalom course last year so I could learn things to work on. Stay in shape, keep your weight under control and there's no reason we have to slow down.

 

[recce43]

Re: Too old for water sking???

my dad 79 still waterskiingView attachment 113248

 

[dwells1234]

Re: Too old for water sking???

I am 50 and just went skiing for the first time in 35 years. Was fun just like I remember but not to sore. Had a blast. Is it hard to get out of water on wakeboard? Going to give that a try. Never to old to try stuff. Keep you young.

 

[dwells1234]

Re: Too old for water sking???

What is the best way to start out slalom?

 

[RandyJ]

Re: Too old for water sking???

What is the best way to start out slalom?

My .02. Next birthday I'll be 60. This past summer I tried three times to get up on slalom but the boat simply would not pull me up and dragged my butt through the water till I could hold on no longer. I was just plowing through every time. Prior to this year I have not had anyone to drive the boat for me and was always the designated driver. When I can get behind a good ski boat I'll be back up again and ready any time no matter the pain afterward. Last year was my high school reunion.... I wondered where all those dang old people come from!!!

Okay, dwells, not sure how you're asking the question but the easy way to start out is to drop the ski on your left foot if you're right handed. Use that foot, and if necessary the front of your lower leg dragging in the water like a ski would to keep your balance until you can transfer weight and balance on the one ski. Myself, the best is for me to start out on one ski while dragging my left foreleg to equalize balance then transferring all of my weight to the one ski. Oh yeah, and my best, most comfortable skiing speed it exactly 27 mph. I've got a cypress gardens Tech Series carbon fiber slalom standing in my living room. I purchased the ski new in June 1977 and have had many years of use out of it tho' there have been 10 year stretches that it didn't get used.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Please clarify.
Is your question about learning to slalom? (usually it is dropping a ski after getting up on two skis)
Or recommended techniques for deep-water start on one ski? (generally this is attempted after you are quite comfortable dropping a ski to slalom)

RandyJ provides one below.

 

[dwells1234]

Re: Too old for water sking???

First getting out of the water with one ski. I remember way back I would drop a ski but I want to try to start out on one. Thanks for the info..

 

[HollieMac]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Getting up using just one leg is harder--the leg you are dragging is not able to help you stand up that way. It is better to use the rear foot in the toehold on the back of the ski to help you get up. It helps balance the ski and keep the tip out of the water. If you look up Skibrains prior posts, he has alot of good tips spelled out. One of the best things you can do is get a really big slalom ski like a BIG DADDY and use as much floatation as you can--double up neoprene shorts, stick some foam under your butt, like from an old vest, to help you float up. The lower you set in the water, the more drag you have. Another good starter method is to have a patient driver tow you for a minute or two at a time at idle only, this gives your body a chance to get used to being pulled in line, meaning one leg behind the other, and trains your muscles to pull evenly to keep you straight behind the boat. Once you master this you are ready for the pull, and your driver should not hesitate to give you all the boat has for those first few seconds once the rope is tight. You only have to 'tough out' a couple of seconds to get up. Take three deep breaths then hold one for the pull--it gives you a little extra bouyancy.

 

[dwells1234]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Thanks for the good tips. Will give it a try..

 

[skibrain]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Just a quick add to that.
I think the hardest part of getting out of the water is keeping your ski straight and weight centered on your ski. I'm right foot forward (RFF). My big breakthrough the past couple years (after doing this for like 40 years!) is this: With both feet in, as a RFF skier, I put my ski on the right side of the rope and I point the ski tip to the right. I mean like even 45 degrees off to the right. Once the boat takes off the ski straightens out and away we go.

If I just try to hold my ski vertical I am more likely to get it pointed to the Left. or my weight too far to the left and I biff the start.

 

[dwells1234]

Re: Too old for water sking???

Thanks skibrain I am going this weekend let you know how it goes.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Too old for water sking???

One reason I like my deep-V ski handle, lol. But when using a normal handle, I use the same "ski on the right of the rope" method you do.

 

[dpd2483]

Re: Too old for water sking???

50 now i kneeboard and wakeboard lot of fun.