Learning to ski..

[zberger]

Well, I am gonna be learning to ski this weekend.. Finally..

Bought some HO Excel Combo Ski's.. they are 67's.. I weigh about 240 lbs.. thats what the guy at the boat store recommended.

Any tips to get up? Tips in general?

[east tx skier]

Rope handle is between the skis.

1. Arms straight.
2. Knees Bent.
3. Ski tips up.
4. Let the boat pull you up.

Once the skis plane, the compulsion is to stand up too quickly. Just remember, you can ride all over the lake in a squat position. Be patient in standing up. You always want a slight bend in the knees.

The next compulsion is to pull the handle in. If you do this on two skis, 9 times out of ten, you'll fall straight back (your skis will come out from under you). You can have eventually add some bend in your arms, but until you learn to control the skis, keep that handle out a bit.

[Robert Averyt]

Knees to your chest when you are starting and have fun.

[east tx skier]

Hi Robert. Haven't seen you on here lately. I skied with a couple of guys that skied at your site several weeks ago. Ryan (about 17) and his dad (forgot his name). How are things going down in CS?

[peason]

Try to keep the tips up, with the skis being flat, bend your knees to your chest and have your arms slightly bent but firm. Let the boat do the pulling, and lean back. Remember you don't have to stand right away, take it easy and wonce the skis are up on top of the water, then slowly stand up. Make sure driver gives you a nice firm pull, but not pull you out of your bindings. Getting up on two is pretty easy and once yout get the hang of it, you will be ready for slalom soon.

Don't be afraid to ask another Master Craft boat for help if you just can't get it. I am always willing to help out anyone who wants to learn. We have given a lot of riders thier first pull on the kneeboard, combo's and the wakeboard.

Have fun and good luck. You may want to check out some other sites like Water Ski magazine - they may have som tips or possibly a video.

[Crash]

Knees to your chest when you are starting and have fun.
Most important element!

Second most important element is a good looking swimsuit...funny how everything comes back to that swimsuit thread.

And like Yoda said...don't try...DO!

[zberger]

Most important element!

Second most important element is a good looking swimsuit...funny how everything comes back to that swimsuit thread.

And like Yoda said...don't try...DO!

I would love to find a red set of trunks to go with my red ski's and red life jacket..

I just wish they had an HO life jacket big enough, it didn't fit.. so I had to get the store brand :(

Thanks for all the tips guys.. I think most importantly.. I need to keep my knee's to my chest.. and not stand up right away..

I am only 5'8" and weigh 240.. so I have a pretty low center of gravity.. and lots of leg strength.. so we'll see!

[Crash]

.. and lots of leg strength.. so we'll see!

Your comment concerned me...don't use your strength, relax and let the boat do the work and pull you up.

"So we'll see!" No DO!

[ajgressette]

Rope between skis.
Grab and hold onto the handle for dear life.
Tell driver to GO!

No matter what happens DON’T LET GO! Hang on! :headbang:

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth. :toast:

[tex]

get a boom!

[milkmania]

Rope between skis.
Grab and hold onto the handle for dear life.
Tell driver to GO!

No matter what happens DON’T LET GO! Hang on! :headbang:

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Fourth. :toast:

OMG, that's going to be a sight:eek3:

I've got a question.
it's been a long time since I've been on skis, and after a botched up back surgery and a lot of damage to nerves controlling my left leg.
...with back & leg problems I'm afraid to get on skis again.
any advise? I've got access to a barefoot boom.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Well, I am gonna be learning to ski this weekend.. Finally..

Bought some HO Excel Combo Ski's.. they are 67's.. I weigh about 240 lbs.. thats what the guy at the boat store recommended.

Any tips to get up? Tips in general?

Something I am surprised noone touched on. Speed, make sure you know the proper signs, and communicate with the driver. I would like to suggest starting out (after your up) about 22 mph :confused: and work your way up ;) (or down but I doubt it :eek: ) from there until it is comfortable. Sometimes getting up depends alot more on the driver than you would ever think. If at first you don't succeed, "ask for a new driver". :)

[Ric]

OMG, that's going to be a sight:eek3:

I've got a question.
it's been a long time since I've been on skis, and after a botched up back surgery and a lot of damage to nerves controlling my left leg.
...with back & leg problems I'm afraid to get on skis again.
any advise? I've got access to a barefoot boom.
We have an attorney here but I dont know of any doctors

[zberger]

We have an attorney here but I dont know of any doctors

I was gonna ask if you thought I should start skiing behind a supra :o

[dmac]

Ditto to what is being said here. We are teaching our teen age daughters to ski and I think where they are falling short (pun intended) is that they are trying to stand too quickly.

[Leroy]

Everything already said, plus slow steady pull up with no sudden speed changes or even minor turns getting up.

[shepherd]

All good advice here. Another tip I tell beginners is to keep your knees between your elbows until you get up (kind of goes along with keeping your knees to your chest).

Also, after they get in the water I tell them Rule No. 1 -- you can't get back in the boat until you get up... :D That usually motivates them (ok, in hard cases I usually give in, mainly to save the wear and tear on my boat!).

Also, it's OK to let go of the handle.... but only after your face hits the water! ;)

[Robert Averyt]

Doug,

Those guys are like family. Ryan and his dad Randy. Ryan is one of the nicest young men you will ever meet. And one heck of a skier in all three events.

Doug you need to come and ski with us some time.

Robert Averyt

[east tx skier]

I got the privilege of watching Ryan ski. He was applying for a job with Alan Hendricks at DFW Ski School on the day I was attending. Got a chance to talk to both of them quite a bit. Very nice folks indeed.

I'd love to come ski with you guys. But with a baby due in just over 6 weeks, I don't know when I'm going to be able to get away. I was glad to read on skifly that you got things taken care of down there. I'll look for an oppotunity to get down to C.S. sometime. I sure do appreciate the offer.

[Robert Averyt]

Doug,
Please know you are welcome anytime. Is this your first? My girls just turned 20.
It sure goes by in a hurry.

Robert