How to Get Up on Water Skis

So you’re on the lake, and you want to have your hand at waterskiing. Successfully getting up on water skis can be difficult, especially if you’re a first-timer or have previously had a bad experience. With these easy-to-follow steps, you can be skimming the water with the best of them in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Life jacket
• Rope
• Skis
• Boat

Practicing on Land First

1. Stand straight with the ski handle in your hands and arms extended. Slightly bend your ankles and knees and lower your hips straight down, almost as if you’re about to sit down in a chair. This is the proper skiing position.

2. Practice getting up. Sit down with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground in front of you. Hug your legs as if were in the “cannon ball” position.

3. Hold the ski handles in both hands with your arms straight in front of you. Now, using solely your legs, slowly push up to the skiing position. Once you’ve mastered these steps, you’re ready to try the real thing in the water.

Skiing in Water

4. Suit up with a life jacket, put on your skis and adjust them for proper fit. They should be as tight as possible without hurting your feet.

5. In the water, hug your knees lightly while sustaining balance. The skis should be parallel with the tips sticking straight up out of the water. This is the “ready” position.

6. Hold the ski handle in both hands when you’re ready to start, positioning the rope between your legs and the skis. As the boat starts to accelerate, maintain the “ready” position. It is important to hold on tight and let the boat do all of the work. As the boat increases speed, you will also increase speed through the water.

7. Still in the "ready" position, push with your legs to stand up. Use your back muscles to bring your shoulders upright. Slightly lean your upper body back, and keep your arms straight at all times.

8. Try to be very still once you are up. Abrupt movements may cause you to fall down.

9. Keep your eyes on the boat and your head up. Now you are skiing!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your arms straight at all times, as if it is part of the rope itself.
• Push yourself up with your legs.
• Never pull on the rope.
• Do not lean your shoulders forward and stick out your bottom. This position is unstable and tough on your back.