Waterskiing is an exciting way to enjoy a day on the water. For people who have never waterskied, it can look intimidating to see people flying across the water’s surface on those thin skis. However, most people can pick up waterskiing quickly with the proper technique and a little bit of practice. Here are some tips for first-time waterskiers to help them get up quickly and have a great experience.
Start On Two Skis
Many waterskiers enjoy slalom skiing, which is when they only use one ski. More adventurous people might be tempted to start with one ski, but it’s best to stick with two at the beginning to learn the proper form and get a feel for how everything works. Once a person feels confident on two skis, they can transition to one by carefully dropping a ski once they get settled.
Learn Form and Technique First
Before getting in the water, it’s helpful to talk to someone with more experience to get advice on the proper form and technique. It can be tempting to straighten knees or attempt to stand up too quickly, but both of those things will likely throw off the skier’s balance. Instead, they can let the boat do most of the work by pulling them up from the water. It’s important to stay somewhat relaxed and keep a slight bend at the knees to stay upright and move with the water.
Use a Long-V Rope
In general, there are two types of waterski ropes: long-V and short-V. Long-V ropes help keep the skis steady while the boat gets up to speed, making getting started in deep water easier for beginners. Eventually, most skiers like to upgrade to a short-V, as they offer more consistent pull, which gives them more freedom to experiment.
Know Crucial Hand Signals
Hand signals might vary depending on who drives the boat, but checking in about these before getting started is important. It’s almost impossible to be heard over the sounds of the boat and the water while skiing. As a result, most skiers have hand signals to communicate when they’re ready to be done, how they might want the boat’s speed to adjust, and other essential matters. Establishing this early will help skiers stay safe and comfortable.
Getting out on the water and learning to ski is incredibly fun. Even though it might look challenging, most people can pick it up quickly. These tips will help beginners get up quickly and be more comfortable with this fun way to spend time with friends and family.