How to Play Water Skiing?
Water skiing is extreme sport that needs knowledge of the sport followed by regular practice. Apart from the knowledge of the game and self-paced practice, one needs a professional trainer to get a grip on this sport. Let us see in brief, how it is played −
Water Skiing – Two Skis
Two skis is one of the most basic forms of water skiing. Here is how to play it −
Position yourself with a straight head and back.
Tuck the knees into your chest up to 6 inches apart.
Wrap your hands around them so that they are stable.
Wait for the boat to pull you up.
Once you are coming above the water level, position yourself above the skies with slightly bent knees by keeping your hands straight and head up.
Once you position and stabilize yourself, it is the time to cross the wake. Put your weight on the side of the ski that you want to turn over.
Flex your knees at this position. It helps absorbing the unwanted shocks with more ease.
Try to cross a wake at right angle.
In case you want to return back to your previous position behind the boat, just do vice versa.
Water Skiing – Dock Start
Dock start is another popular method of doing the two skis. Before staring, a rope of of 5-10 feet length should be placed on the dock.
Position yourself on the edge of the ski in such a manner that the tip of it points up and legs are slightly bent.
Hold the handle.
Put your back straight and arms slightly bent while the butt is pulling away from the dock.
On the skier’s command only the driver will “hit it” as soon as the rope goes taut.
If you want to sail smoothly from dock to water, then just lean backward with a proper skiing position.
Water Skiing – Two Ski Side Slide Trick
This is the most basic trick that every beginner should know. Here are the steps for side-slide left −
Position your body vertical crouch like with your head up and your knees and arms being slightly in bent position.
If you want to side-slide to left position then just do a little bouncing action.
Let go the handle this time with your left hand.
As you see yourself gradually moving aside, keep a reasonable space between both skies and try not to catch the edge of the boat.
Use your free hand (in this case left hand) for balancing and point your head towards the boat.
If you want to side slide to the right, then just follow the above steps with right hand.
Water Skiing – 180 Degree Turn
Here is how you do 180º from front to back side turn while water skiing −
- Hold the handle very close to your body.
- Position your skies with a minimum foot distance.
- Now with a gentle bounce, turn towards left with your head being in up position.
- Release your left hand.
- Slowly pull the handle towards the right hip with the help of the right hand.
- Now turn by staying low.
- Pull the handle towards your back in such a manner that your free hand can easily find it.
- As soon as you find the handle at your back, press the tow bar immediately.
- Slightly pull yourself out from the boat by keeping your knees in bent position.
- If you want to make a front turn, then just repeat above steps in other direction.
Water Skiing – 360 Degree Turn
This is nothing but a combination of two types of turning. One is from front to back and other is from back to front in the opposite direction. Follow these steps −
Maintain a low profile being in a vertical crouch position.
Now without fumbling, pass the handle from hand to hand smoothly by keeping it close.
By combining both front to back and back to front turns, do it in a slow manner first. If you are finding yourself in difficulty at the middle of any stage then do not hesitate to pause for some time. With a regular practice you can perfectly make a 360º turn without pausing anymore.
