How to Water Ski for Beginners

What Is Water Skiing

Water skiing is not just a fun pastime, but also a dangerous and extreme sport. Want to learn how to water ski? Then you need to understand the technique and learn the safety rules. It won’t take long, but it can save you from serious injury.

For this sport, skis of a special shape are used, which glide perfectly on the water. The athlete needs to hold on to the halyard (rope) that will be tied to the boat or jet ski.

Required Equipment

Usually people get acquainted with water skiing while on vacation at sea. In the resort areas there are places where you can rent equipment. For the first time as a sample, you can use a similar offer.

Water skiing requires:

• Water skiing is the main equipment, the choice of which is described below.
• Vest – For your own safety, do not go out on the water without a vest. Straps and fasteners should be along the entire length so that the vest does not ride up. The size should be perfect for you, so that it does not press, and is not overly large – you can slip out of it.
• Gloves – to protect hands and reduce the load on them. Choose with double seams and from dense material.
• Towing cable (halyard) – length 22.5 m from the handle to the end. Choose a special cable for water skiing, it must be marked. Other options may be too stretchy or stiff. Usually it is provided by the owner of the boat or jet ski.
• Wetsuit – protects from the scorching sun and cold.
• Items of equipment can be bought not immediately, but as far as possible. First, limit yourself to skis and a vest, then buy gloves. You can practice without a wetsuit if you choose the time for training with care.

Types of Water Skis

There are so many variations of water skiing that beginners can get overwhelmed by the variety. Each model has its own purpose and features, so, having understood the nuances, you can easily make your choice.

The most obvious difference: pair or mono skis, but even within these obvious varieties there are variations.

• Figure skiing (paired). Short, wide, agile. Used for figure skating and performing tricks at low speed.
• Freestyle (pairs). Slightly shorter than regular skis, and with the same shape on both sides. They are used in the same way as figure skis, but they have a much higher speed of movement.
• Slalom ski (mono). It looks like a snowboard: there are rigid bindings on one board. On such a device, you can gain very high speed and turn sharply. Suitable for adventurers and professionals.
• Jump skis (paired). Heavier and longer than other types. Suitable for ski jumping.
• Professional athletes will be able to choose their own skis for their needs. But for beginners, it is better to pay attention to safe options.

How to Choose Skis

It is best to start training with paired skis, as they are more stable and familiar. If you have experience in winter skiing, then it will not be difficult for you to learn water skiing.

A good option is slalom skis, as they have a toe bent up, like classic skis. They have a keel on the back for easy handling. They are wide and quite stable, so for a beginner this is the right thing. The wide toe and heel make it easy to maneuver: turn sharply, slide, change direction. In models for beginners, you can find a stabilizing bar – it holds the skis together, preventing them from moving in different directions. When you learn to ride, it can be easily removed. The size of the skis will depend on the weight of the user. It will be difficult for a large person to balance on small skis, just as it will be difficult for a small person to cope with long skis. For water skiing, water transport is naturally necessary – it can be a boat, a motor boat, and a jet ski. It must be managed by a person with experience and knowledge. When driving a water transport towing a skier, it is imperative to observe safety measures.

How to Learn to Water Ski

Before embarking on water skiing, everyone should learn safety precautions. You will be safe if you follow all the rules, and if the driver of water transport has experience in this matter.

What is required of you? Only obey an experienced mentor, and promptly inform him of the problems that have arisen. During the movement, due to the noise, he will not be able to hear you, so you need to familiarize yourself with special gestures. All skiers must be able to signal to the driver. They can save your life, so be sure to learn them before you go out on the water. 

Starting Position

At the very beginning, you need to take the “start” position on water skis. To do this, you need to group up, sitting on skis, and holding the handle in your hands.

Practice in advance to immediately get into the right position before the trip:

• Put on your water skis, stand up straight.
• Take the handle in your hands. 
• Bend your knees to end up skiing.
• You need to group up.
• Let your friends help you: pull the cable, simulating the movement of the boat.
• While holding the cable, stand on half-bent legs. As a result, you should assume a “sitting on a chair” position.
• Keep your knees bent and together, arms straight holding the cable.
• Keep your balance.
• Practice getting up a few times on the beach. Only when you can quickly get up without falling to the sides, you can move on to water training with a boat.

How to get on water skis

After learning all the rules, you can start riding on the water. It is best to start training with an experienced driver so that there are no unpleasant and dangerous situations.

You also need to decide from which position you will start:

• From the support – sit on the edge of the pier.
• From the water – retention on the surface of the water due to the vest.
• If you are new to this business, then try it first from a support.

If you have a desire to learn how to water ski, then be sure to try this sport. The training won’t take long. Follow the safety rules and listen to all the instructions of the driver, then everything will go fine and you will be satisfied.

We hope that the article was useful for you!