How to Perform a Front-to-Back 180 on Two Water Skis

While skiing forward on two trick skis, low-bounce and spin 180 degrees so that you are skiing backward.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

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

1. Ski in the center of the wake and assume a low vertical crouch position with the rope handle held close to your body and your skis shoulder-width apart.
2. Low-bounce gently and turn your head to the left to lead your body into the turn. Keep your head up and erect. Your body will follow the lead of your head - keeping it up will help keep you up.
3. Release your left hand and pull the rope handle toward your right hip as you begin your turning bounce.
4. Stay low, directly over your binders, as you turn your body 180 degrees to the left, following the lead of your head. You should be halfway through your turn at the high point of your bounce.
5. Pull the handle in close to the small of your back and reach around with your left hand and grab it as you complete your 180-degree turn.
6. Hold your knuckles against the small of your back.
7. Lean slightly away from the boat to keep the backs of your skis (now in front) from catching in the water.

Tips & Warnings

• Reverse these directions to do a front-to-back to the right. Learn to turn both ways - you'll need to know how to do this as you get into more advanced tricks.
• If you fall forward or backward after you turn, you probably just need to crouch lower.
• If you fall during your 180 turn then you are not bouncing high enough to turn.
• Practice skiing backward until you feel comfortable enough to cross in and out of the wake.
• 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.