How to Sideslide on One Water Ski

As you ride on a single trick ski, low-bounce your weight off your ski and turn sideways into a sliding position. Slide, and then return to your forward position to ride on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Safety Flags
• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Trick Skis
• Water Ski Ropes
• Water Skis

1. Get up and get comfortable on your single trick ski.
2. Ride directly behind the boat with 75-foot rope to minimize turbulence from the boat.
3. Instruct the driver to speed up or slow down until you find the proper single-ski speed. This speed is usually one mph faster than your two-ski trick speed.
4. Assume a low vertical crouch, bending your knees and arms. Keep your head up.
5. Do some rhythmic low-bounces.
6. Turn your torso to the left and release your left hand as you begin your bounce.
7. Turn your ski to the left at the high point of your bounce. If you are just learning, turn your ski only 45 degrees to the left. As you get more comfortable, turn 90 degrees into a full sideslide.
8. Keep your knees angled away from the boat as you slide to prevent your forward rail from catching in the water.
9. Bounce again to turn forward to a normal riding position.

Tips & Warnings

• If your ski slides out toward the boat as you slide, either the boat is going too fast or you are not crouched low enough.
• If your ski catches an edge, you're not angling your knees enough or the boat is going too slow.
• Stay low and keep your weight over your binders.
• Release your right hand and turn right to sideslide in the opposite direction.
• Always wear a life vest when waterskiing.
• Waterskiing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.