How to Do a One-Handed Slalom Turn on a Kneeboard

One-handed slalom turns, while slightly more difficult than the two-handed turns, give you an advantage because you can lean further to get better reach and, therefore, use a shorter rope on the course.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Safety Flags
• Kneeboards
• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Water Ski Ropes
• Wet Suits

1. Learn and master the two-handed slalom turn before you attempt the one-handed turn. (See related eHow: How to Do a Two-Handed Slalom Turn on a Kneeboard.)
2. Hold the rope using the baseball-bat grip.
3. Approach the turn as you would a two-handed turn, with a hard cut to the right.
4. Release your outside hand from the rope, in this case your right hand, just before you reach the buoy or when you're at a 45-degree angle from the boat.
5. Extend your left arm so that you slow down going into the turn.
6. Lean slightly forward as you transfer your weight to your left leg; then lean away from the boat.
7. Extend your free arm out for balance as you lean into the turn and round the buoy.
8. Pull the handle with your left hand toward your right hip, then grab the handle with your right hand and pull with both hands toward your right hip.
9. Lean away from the boat and slightly back as you accelerate toward the wake.

Tips & Warnings

• Just before going into your turn, pull the handle toward your stomach to generate some slack. Then, as you complete the turn, grab the handle quickly with your free hand to avoid having the rope pulled from your hand as the boat picks up the slack.
• Always wear a life vest and observe boating safety when kneeboarding.
• Kneeboarding is an inherently dangerous activity. Please seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.