Getting up on a slalom
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Ski, Ride and Foot Talk
Forum Discription: Share photos, techniques, discuss equipment, etc.
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19444
Printed Date: May-04-2024 at 6:02am
Topic: Getting up on a slalom
Posted By: LAKESIDE
Subject: Getting up on a slalom
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 12:11am
|
Alright guys Sunday i took a brutal beating trying to get up on a slalom ski. Really need some advice on body posture and take off speeds . I am 5'10 around 210 lbs. Man my whole body aches after failed attempts. And also some wakeboarding .lol I know you can get up on 2 and drop one but trying to learn on 1. Thanks. Any tips appreciated. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5150&sort=&pagenum=1.com" rel="nofollow - 93 Ski Nautique SUCK MY WAKE |
Replies:
Posted By: tnplicky
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 1:26am
|
Well, I will give it shot from a "recreational, open water skier" perspective. I am sure to be corrected, or at the very least have my thoughts expounded upon.
2 Schools of Thought.... 1st School - Start w/ 2 feet in the bindings, whether you have a front binding and a rear toe strap or front and rear bindings. I assume you have a rear toe strap since you mentioned dropping one. With a front and rear binding, you have have no choice but to get up with both feet in. Keep knees bent, tight to the chest. Strong foot forward, rope on the opposite site, meaning that if your right foot is forward, the rope should be on the left side of the ski, and vice versa. (Strong foot forward - I always ask people which foot is their lead foot if they were to do a skateboard or scooter. Same foot forward on a slalom ski.) Baseball grip on the rope. My opinion is most people try to stand up too soon and/or the start is too slow. 2nd School - With a combo/slalom ski with a rear toe plate, some people prefer to get up with 1 foot in the front binding and dragging the rear foot for stability. This is my wife's method. I can't help you much here, as I start w/ 2 feet in. Same front foot and rope strategy as above. Again, my opinion is most people try to stand up too soon, the start is too slow, or they try to get their rear foot in the binding too soon. Keep your arms "straight", with just a slight bend. Many folks I have seen try to pull the rope handle to their chest which leads to a loss of balance. (Also, any luck getting your son up on a wakeboard yet? Maybe my advice isn't worth a crap.  )
|
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 10:33am
|
Many will find it easier to get up on a Combo slalom than a competition slalom. The comp is usually shorter and narrower. The baseball grip is right palm up/ left down if left foot foward and left up right down if RFF. Learning off a boom has proven a great way to learn and then the progression to long line is easy. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 10:42am
|
There's 2 parts to skiing on one ski: getting up and skiing. You should learn how to ski first. You should try dropping one and learn to ski on 1 ski, then once you can do that and ski with your foot in the rear boot, start working on your deep water start. Real difficult to start from scratch with the deep water start first. ------------- |
Posted By: tullfooter
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 11:40am
|
I agree with Riley; learn to slalom by dropping. Get proficient at skiing on one before trying to get up on one.
A good way to figure out which foot forward, if you are not a skate or snowboarder, is to stand with your feet together and have someone push you from behind. Whatever foot you step first with, is your front foot. I know some will say that the foot you kick a ball with, your stronger leg, should be in the back. I agree, if you plan to run the course shortline. In regards to the grip; baseball grip for slalom. But I feel whatever is comfortable is the way to hold, unless again, shortline course running is in your future. I'm right foot forward (aka goofy foot), and I hold the rope like a right-handed hitter. Just my thoughts, hope it helps. BTW, I learned to get up two feet in. I converted to one foot in, even though I had a double boot. It is much easier to get my 215lbs out of the water, especially behind a slower pull. ------------- Play hard, life's not a trial run. '85 BFN '90 BFN White Lake, Michigan |
Posted By: emccallum
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 12:56pm
|
Good advice here. I have seen a few folks start skiing on one without dropping, but, I agree it is easier to drop first.
I would add a couple of things. I ski LFF and start with the rope on the right side of the ski. When I teach folks to get up I tell them to lean the ski to the left (if they are LFF) when starting, as the boat accelerates the ski will straighten up to the rope. If you start with the ski straight up, it tends to pull you over easier. As you come up try to put some pressure against the ski with your feet, so you dont get pulled over. The driver can make a big difference when learning to get up. I like to start slow until I see the ski "set" then start in with more throttle. That seems to work better than pedal to metal! If you are dropping one ski, dont be in a hurry to put that back foot on the ski. Drag it in the water like a rudder until it gets comfy, then attempt to put your back foot on the ski. |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 2:34pm
I went the drop a ski route with my daughter and it worked fine. I did teach her to get up on one with the boom. Dropping didn't quite work with my son. He got up first try on the boom skied around 1/2 our pond. The next day I had him try long line two foot start and he was up in 3 attempts and once up skied the whole pond. I have also used the boom method for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and single trick ski with great results. My point is the old school dropping does work, but the boom seemed to work well. So if one method isn't getting you results try the other. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Riley wrote:Posted By: LAKESIDE
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 3:25pm
|
(Also, any luck getting your son up on a wakeboard yet? Maybe my advice isn't worth a crap. )[/QUOTE]
LOL. Haven't had a chance to get him out he has been working every weekend. But have gotten a lot of others up with advice from you guys. We have even began to air it now. So much fun, but its rough on me the next few days..lol Advice is very appreciative! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5150&sort=&pagenum=1.com" rel="nofollow - 93 Ski Nautique SUCK MY WAKE |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 3:33pm
Drop a ski on the boom! Patience and slow progression seem to yield excellent results. ------------- |
Posted By: FUN-9C1
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 4:04pm
|
If you try the drop a ski method, be very careful that the front ski tip that you're dropping doesn't dig into the water and snap your leg around. I never thought to tell people that (thinking it was incredibly obvious), but one of my friends with a pretty good amount of two-skiing behind her, did just that and ripped the hell out of some ligaments and tendons n sh*t.
For the deep-water start, one more tip- concentrate on keeping your upper body a little behind your front foot as your getting up out of the water. And your driver shouldn't be shy with the throttle. I prefer the "pedal to the metal" method, maybe for just starting I would recommend no more than 3 seconds to get to WFO on the throttle. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be standing up in less than 3 seconds. :) This is probably one of those questions where if you ask 100 different people, you'll get 100 different answers! ------------- '86 2001 '50 Century Imperial Sportsman |
Posted By: Keith
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 4:14pm
|
I agree with everyone here. Ski slalom first, then try deep water slalom starts. It's just too much to learn at once. If you want to learn quickly, start on the boom then go to the short line then go to the long line.
When I teach people to deep water I always use the analogy of trying to get up on the engine cover from the floor in the back of the boat - since it simulates getting up on top of the water from the position of floating in the water up to your shoulders. If you sit on the floor in the back of the boat and someone reached across from the front of the engine to pull you up onto the engine cover, what would you do? You'd put your strong leg out in front of you (up on top of the cover if you can with a flat foot). You'd reach forward, bending at your waist, with straight arms to help the person pulling you (which puts your weight out over your front foot). As you get pulled forward and up over your front foot, you'd start to 'stand' by straightening at your waist (keeping your weight over the front foot) while being careful to not fall on your face. Lastly, you'd let the person pull you up (i.e. you wouldn't pull them back to you, you'd be patient and let them pull you up). This is just like deep water starting. If you're left-foot forward, keep the rope on the right (and visa versa); with your strong foot out in front of you, keep your arms straight and lean forward by bending at your waist (so your chest touches your bent knee) as the boat pulls you. With a flat foot (toes down) start to stand as you get pulled forward and up over your front foot by straightening up at your waist. Be patient and let the boat pull you, don't try to pull the boat. Remember, your goal is to get your yourself up on top of the water from a position of floating in the water up to your shoulders - not an easy task if you think about it. If you prefer the two foot method, try the exercise in the back of the boat with one foot on top of the engine cover and the other near the top on the back side. This will give you the feel for what it's like in the water. -Keith ------------- Former: /diaries/details.asp?ID=6170" rel="nofollow - 97 Sport Nautique 1994 Ski Nautique 86 Silver Nautique 79 Mustang |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 4:32pm
No, We skipped the dropping a ski part. You have met my son, he is stubborn and wanted to try this method. I was suprized at the results but he did get up on a slalom ski first shot, then behind the boat the next day, has been doing so since july and skiied his first tournament Sun. It was just suggested as an option if patience and slow progression aren't working. Our old method also utilized sking with one ski raised (like the old skiers salute) to establish balance and which foot would be more comfortable as the front foot prior to dropping. getting up on a combo slalom before learning on a competition slalom also worked. Then again my old school methods date back to the 60's ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 4:37pm
|
That's great he can skip right to the slalom deepwater start.
If I'm driving, you're doing all the steps because I'm not turning the boat around 9 times. Lucky Lowe style! ------------- |
Posted By: emccallum
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 4:46pm
The new wide skis are making it so easy, even wakeboarders can get up on one ski! 
|
Posted By: 65 'cuda
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 10:53pm
|
After a couple of seasons trying, I am to the point of getting up on one, most of the time. I agree with everything above, one thing that helped me was to have the driver tighten up the line at idle, then drag me through the water a little bit. I think that little bit of forward momentum helps before he hits the throttle. ------------- Gary http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=941" rel="nofollow - 1965 Barracuda SS |
Posted By: FUN-9C1
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 11:15pm
Good tip. That's something I always do but didn't think about. When I take a dive the boat comes back around and when the line's tight I say "hit it". The boat never comes out of gear. ------------- '86 2001 '50 Century Imperial Sportsman |
Posted By: skicat2001
Date Posted: September-14-2010 at 11:56pm
|
Seems all new comers learning think of two things. Always want to pull on the rope while skiing and lean to far forward. I tell them boat got lots of power lean back on the ski, and never pull on the rope. I don’t know why some do so. But with new comers, especially coming out of the deep water that is when I pull out the ol double handle rope out. Throw both lines over the ski, know they can concentrate on skiing and getting up, and then work from there. ------------- 1985 CC 2001-SOLD Lee Michael Johnson |
Posted By: dmiracle
Date Posted: September-20-2010 at 12:39pm
|
Keith,
I do exactly the same thing when teaching kids however, I actually sit on top of the motor box facing the back of the boat. With the "student" sitting in the back of the boat while holding the ski handle and bracing their feet on the back of the motor box. I then pull them up with the other end of about 3-5 feet of the ski rope. Works really well to give them the feeling of what it's like being pulled up by the boat. ------------- Doug |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: September-28-2010 at 2:16am
|
I tell people to concentrate on keeping their weight centered over their front knee, seems to help them understand the balance point. When they feel the hard pull of the boat, straighten out your knee so you stand up, your torso clears the water, and you get on top quickly.
I totally agree on using a wide new style combo ski, it's amazing how much easier they make it to get up. I've had to revert to dropping a ski at times, I've had a few injuries that didn't let me put the strain on my legs of getting up on 1 ski. Boy it's easy to get up on 2 skis! There's no reason to let a new slalom skier struggle to get up on 1, dropping is a much better way to learn. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: Clew In
Date Posted: September-28-2010 at 12:15pm
Great way to explain it. I can remember when I started, no dropping the ski, just deep water start. When a buddy told me to put pressure(push down) on the forward foot and you will come out of the water. Don't rush it and as you start to plane the force against you from the water will go away. When you are up and picking up speed shift pressure to rear foot to engage the fin. Clew In ------------- Clew In |
Posted By: john_33612
Date Posted: March-27-2012 at 1:36pm
| hope you have a strong hamstring , one foot out puts alot of strain on your leg thats in the ski , I have strong legs , 500 lb squats for reps and it still tore my hamstring |
Posted By: FUN-9C1
Date Posted: March-27-2012 at 8:23pm
It probably is alot easier to learn the one leg method when you're a kid. Has anyone learned to do that as a full grown 200 lb male? I learned that method when I was 11 or so and have been doing that ever since and don't even think about it. But if I'd never done it and tried it now at 42 I can imagine I might hurt something! ------------- '86 2001 '50 Century Imperial Sportsman |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 1:31am
|
Wow, that's a rare Century outboard in phenomenal shape! 25HP...? Quite similar to the Penn Yan Swift which were built on the lake I grew up on (Keuka Lake NY) I've also got a 75 Mark II & come from a long line of Century owners........good to see another Century on the site!! 
|
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 1:54am
|
Wow, 18 month later thread resurrection! I think someone needs to invent a drop ski on a bungee so when dropped it springs toward the boat and can be reeled in. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 11:27am
It boggles my mind that anyone would consider the one-foot start more difficult, either skill-wise or injury-wise. If you think its harder, then youre doing something wrong! ------------- |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 11:37am
|
The new ski I started using last fall made it even harder for me to get up, more of a struggle than I like but the way it turns makes it worth it. I've always gotten up with just one foot in, but tried a few times with both just to see if it helped. It was worse, at least for me. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 12:27pm
|
I've had the double wrap since 96, but I found 1 foot was so much less effort, the ski naturally adjusts attitude providing immediate lift. Plus the flying dock starts were fun, miss that. ------------- "There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing." River Rat to Mole |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 12:35pm
|
The easiest starts I've ever done are hop starts, leave a bit of slack, boat takes off, hop once or twice and you're up. But, around here they are pretty strict about not letting you start from shore so we stopped a long time ago. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 1:17pm
chicks do it best ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: john_33612
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 1:20pm
| started one foot out my whole life , popped right up , then one day it snapped , wait till you get over 50 , things change http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=45182 |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 1:37pm
until you try one, here a snap and feel like you just got the Charlie horse feeling and stupidly try again, hear the snap and get the worst Charlie horse you ever had. The next day your front ski leg looks like eggplant from your butt down the lengh of back of your leg. Stays that way for a while. From that day forward there are no more "flying dock starts" Care to ask me how I know? The drag a foot method comes frome having a small out board with out the power to get someone up double booted. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 2:16pm
I'm there, and I understand! ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 2:40pm
|
I'm not sure, I could be wrong, but I don't think getting up while dragging has to be that hard on your leg/hamstring, and I am no spring chicken (57). I think technique might come into play. I have gotten up dragging all my life. (I could get up with my back foot in if I had to, like when borrowing a ski with 2 boots, but that was rare. Unfortunately, a couple summers ago, I was borrowing a two boot ski and couldnt get up on it. Frustrating and embarrassing, I guess I was a bit rusty. I only tried a couple times as I didnt want to hold things up and I'm sure with a little practice I could still do it. Fortunately there was also a RTP ski in the boat) But anyway, back to my point. I dont feel any strain in the back of my leg at all when dragging. But I dont fight it and dont try to push the ski away from me. In fact, I rest my chest on my knee and just get pulled up in that crouched position, letting the boat do the work. As soon as the ski starts to plane off, I stand up. (i.e. I dont ride in the crouched position half way down the lake) ------------- _____________ “So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 2:42pm
Same. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 2:49pm
|
Interesting, I'll have to try that crouch. I wait for the resistance and then push up with my leg to get my upper body out of the water, maybe I'm working too hard. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 2:49pm
Bingo! You can actually get over the front of the ski and let it plane off when dragging a foot. With both feet in, you need to pole vault your way onto the water. Way more stress on the body. ------------- |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 2:50pm
Sure sounds like it to me!  ------------- |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 3:38pm
|
This is the proper technique I suggest all of you follow: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5F0w6Rdl56i62ufJZTwB27Kn_Sx0rOc-0u_SdWYblzg?feat=directlink" rel="nofollow - Expert Slalom Start ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: 84SN2001
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 4:20pm
| I dont think that anyone mentioned the length and width of the ski. I just started and I could never get up on the crapy O'brien skies that I had. they were way to small for my weight. My neighbor let me borrow a really nice ski and I weigh 210LBS and got up the very first time.......... its was nice the ski was 70inches |
Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: March-28-2012 at 4:30pm
|
Yes, i concur, pull the ski up flat till you're knee is agaist your chest. If you can lick your knee its in the right spot, and your azz is just about in the toe cup. Say hit it and push the ski more down then away. Let the hips rotate some, don't try to keep them square to the boat. Much less violence and exertion then two-in. ------------- "There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing." River Rat to Mole |
Posted By: FUN-9C1
Date Posted: April-13-2012 at 8:31pm
Thank you! To make a long story short, my dad bought it in '76 (actually, it came free with a $75 used boat trailer) and he refinished it in the late '70s and has not been wet since well before he bought it. All original wood and hardware. It has also not been in any shows or even out of the garage to speak of. A shame, I know. We're planning to change that this summer. :) If you're interested in the whole story I'd be happy to pm it to you. It's already written. :) Oh yeah, the motor is a '58 35hp Seahorse that I just bought. It never had a motor or a trailer until a couple years ago. I love the Centurys as much as the Nautiques. Gimme a Coronado with a 440 any day!  BTW my dad has a '68 Penn Yan- Would that have been built on your lake as well?------------- '86 2001 '50 Century Imperial Sportsman |