How to Perform a Front-to-Back 180 on One Water Ski

While waterskiing forward on one ski, low-bounce up and spin 180 degrees so that you end up skiing backward.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

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

1. Learn to do a front-to-back on two skis before you attempt it on one ski.
2. Get used to skiing on one trick ski by learning to ski in and out of the wake on it. You may find it much less stable than two skis; it may take a while to get used to.
3. Use a 75-foot rope and ski directly behind the boat.
4. Stay low in your vertical crouch and start low-bouncing.
5. Release your right hand and quickly turn 180 to the left at the high point of your bounce, leading with your head. Keep the rope close to your body and your head up.
6. Pull the rope toward your right hip with your right hand and grab it behind you as you complete your 180.
7. Hold your knuckles against the small of your back.
8. Lean slightly away from the boat to keep the back of your ski from catching in the water.
9. Spend some time getting used to skiing backward on one ski.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay low and keep the handle close to your body. These are the two most important things to remember on any spinning trick.
• If you fall backward, you're putting too much weight on your back foot.
• If you fall forward, you have too much weight on your front foot.
• If you fall during your spin, you aren't bouncing high enough.
• Reverse these directions to spin in the other direction. Learn to spin in both directions.
• 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.