Slalom Ski

Jon, Have you tried dropping one ski yet?

Ya gotta walk before you run. Drop one first so you get the idea what it feels like to balance on one ski. I've never seen anybody do a slalom deepwater start before learning how to slalom first. If you want to continue to drink half the lake just keep doing what you're doing.

Your ski have a boot or a stap for the rear binding?

If you find yourself going out the front on the start you are standing up to quick.

If you find the ski wobbly when you are up and a lot of spray out the front, put some more weight on your front foot.

Tim

We have always had luck teaching slalom skiers with a two handled rope. If you stick you ski right between the two handles it keeps your ski steady. Lean back and let the boat do the work. If you get two much weight on your front foot the ski wants to go all over the place. Good luck!!

backfoot100 wrote: Ya gotta walk before you run. Drop one first so you get the idea what it feels like to balance on one ski. I've never seen anybody do a slalom deepwater start before learning how to slalom first. If you want to continue to drink half the lake just keep doing what you're doing.

My mom. Up on first try ever, and not very athlethic at that. The trick is she did what she was instructed to do.

Knees bent, arms straight, let the boat pull you on top of the water. Never changes. BKH

jon4pres wrote:    We went on vacation with the whole family a couple of weeks ago and my mother bought a pair of cheap skis at walmart. I am sure they are far from the best.

For what you're doing, those skis will work fine. Do like Quinner says and just lift the ski a few inches off the water. Try both ski's. One will feel more comfortable than the other one. The ski(foot) that is on the water when you feel most comfortable will be the forward foot when you try to drop one. Once that is determined, you can try to drop the other one. Take the boat boat speed up a couple more MPH. When you drop the ski, don't be in a hurry to put your rear foot back on the ski. Just leave it drag around the whole lake if you need to. You'll find that as soon as you try to put your rear foot behind the front foot, you'll probably go down. That's where most people have the most issues. Finding your balance on that single ski is the trick. After you ride around for a while just dragging that rear foot, you'll become more balanced and comfortable on the ski. SLOWLY move your trailing foot behind your front foot and just set it on the ski. Don't try to put it in the stirup yet. Get used to the feeling of having both feet in line. That will take a little getting used to also. As you get more comfortable, you can ease that rear foot into the stirup. Once you get comfortable on the ski and dropping one, then feel free to start learning deepwater starts. If you have a boom, that is a great aid for learning the drop, getting your balance and finally the deepwater start. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

eric, check your email

eric lavine wrote: I got a pair of Red Obrian combos in my garage if anybody wants them, make a donation and I'll send them to you    eric

Ski Team is always looking for old skis for drop skis. Bring your kids over some time and I will take you guys out.

Tim

Try to go outside the wake on 2 skis towards the side you are going to drop . This will help you with your balance because it wont allow the ski to wobble back and forth when you do finally drop { probably about 15 to 20 feet out side the wake }. Then drag your foot, on the top of your foot and slitely behind your other foot that is in the ski . This is the way I learned to go on one ski . Give it a try . I hope it works for you .

Well I ustacould, seems like I always let the back foot kinda drag while getting up and then put it in the rear step. I got a Connolly "Big Daddy" for my birthday from the kids. I'll see how that works. It looks big as a carrier deck!

Another good point on a slalom start/skiing is using the correct size ski as well as proper boat speed, this chart shows some basic guideline's. The higher performance the ski generally speaking the harder it will be to get up on and in some cases it may actually be harder to ride if it is beyond your skill level. A wide ski of correct length will make the deep water starts much easier.

I am hoping to give it a run this weekend but am not too sure if the forcast is going to cooperate.

Thanks for all of the tips.

The Lake, Yea the boat is all back together and running great. It was a tough process but it was all worth it.

I think that I am going to definetly try and drop a ski.

Jeez Doggy you are making me feel bad, IIRC it was putting on the gloves that did the trick on try #6. In reality I did start Steve out with what would be a medium pull and continued to use less and less throttle each try thereafter. He got it and then ran 6 balls at 32off, unbelievable!!

Jon, make sure you drop the right ski