Comments on: How to Get Up on One Water Ski

on 8/8/2006 Dropping a ski.
Go just outside the wake opposite the ski you plan to keep (right ski head left). Let the drop ski on the water and press down and back with your toe. Once the heel is free, lift the toe. You now look like a stork on a ski. Do not put your foot in the rear binding. You'll fall soon enough without trying this. Stay up on one, do small maneuvers outside the wake. Experience the responsiveness of the ski. When you fall (probably soon at first) the boat will go back for your drop ski. The driver remembers where you dropped it. After you drop about three times and you can ski for at least 1/2 mile on one, try the rear binding. That'll change the balance of the ski. It'll become more maneuverable. Now that you have some experience you'll be able to handle it.

on 7/31/2006 I really recommend using a ski training rope, it makes it a lot easier to keep the ski straight. You can buy them at Overton's. I start with both my feet in the bindings and I push down on my back foot just a little bit. When the position you're in feels steady (like you've been in the same position for like 5 seconds) then you know you're up and all you have to do is stand and lean back. Then you don't even have to worry about standing up too fast.

on 6/30/2006 Remember to let the boat do the work. A big problem beginners face is getting their rear foot into the back binding. Practice putting your rear foot in the back binding on land or sitting on the edge of a dock before going out. After the boat pulls you up out of the water, remember to pull your swimsuit out of your butt!

on 6/30/2006 Learn to ski on one ski before trying to get up on one. There is a new balance to discover. Go just outside the wake. Keep the ski that is near the wake in the water. Lift just the toe of the other ski -- the ski that is near shore. (away from the boat).
Lift it just high enough to cause your balance to change. Notice how the weighted ski moves underneath you, then quiets down. Notice how moving away from the boat creates stability.
CAUTION: When learning to lift a ski, keep the fin dragging in the water. If the leg becomes high enough that the heel comes off the water, the natural angle of the ankle might put the front of the ski back into the water. Putting the toe in the water at 25 mph would be bad.

on 11/22/2005 I find it to be more stable getting up on one ski (both feet in bindings) if you use a split handle (two small handles) or just loop on another triangle handle (a few feet from your end of the rope) so that you have one handle in each hand. Keep the ski in the middle of the two lines, and hold on!

on 11/22/2005 Make sure your arms are extended and your front knee is tight into your chest. As the boat starts to pull make sure you find your center of gravity, but still keep your arms extended. Don't fight the pull of the boat. I tried for years dropping a ski and then putting my back foot in the slalom boot - it didn't work. I went right to the slalom ski. You will try quite a few times, but don't get discouraged. It is easy to get impatient and throw your arms up in the air and quit.

on 11/22/2005 Think about sitting in the water as long as possible with your ski out in front of you. Keep your body low and close to your skis.

on 11/22/2005 Start with both feet in the bindings of your ski. Use the triangle of rope on your ski handle over the tip of the ski, to ensure you do not get pulled sideways by the boat. It also helps to keep your knees close to your chest during the start.

on 11/22/2005 Try puting your back foot into the ski as well as your front. This will keep the ski steady as you are getting up and will enable you to use a double-booted slalom ski.

on 11/22/2005 If you are used to skiing on two skis, you might be used to staying in the boat's wake. When on one ski this is an almost impossible feat. Weave slowly from side to side across the wake as you get the feel of being on one ski.

on 11/22/2005 Try to stand up on your ski while on the dock or on land. Have a friend hold the rope for you and lean back. Find the most comfortable and balanced position. Practice this before you get up.

on 11/22/2005 Once you feel the water pushing against your ski, push your stomach up and toward the boat, keeping the rest of your body as firm as possible. This way, you will not fall face first back into the water.