4-STEPS
TO
WATER SKIING SUCCESS
by
Tony Klarich
SMASHWORDS EDITION
Copyright 2010 Tony Klarich
Photos: Rick Doyle & Kelly Kingman
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews.
SMASHWORDS EDITION, LICENSE NOTES
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DISCLAIMER
Watersports/water skiing related activities including but not limited to wakeboarding, hydrofoiling, slalom skiing, kneeboarding, barefooting, and tubing involve risk. Injuries, including disability and death do occur. Please review the complete disclaimer and safety tips section at the conclusion of this publication.
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4-Steps to Water Skiing Success
Over the years I have learned hundreds of tricks on just about every water ski device. Along the way I developed a 4-step plan to help me learn individual tricks on the water. It has been an indispensable part of my training. Since developing the 4-step method for my own maneuvers, I have also been using it to instruct students who want to learn new skills. The good news is that you can apply these steps (or a simple variation) to just about any move you want to master. The four steps are: 1) The Approach, 2) The Takeoff, 3) Controlling the Line Tension, and 4) The Landing.
I have found that people learning new tricks advance much faster when they work through each step, getting to know each one individually before moving on. If you take the time to master each step, then you will also increase your consistency. In addition, you will be able to diagnose your own problems if you start falling on moves you’ve already learned.
Step 1: The Approach
In a broad sense this step should include your dry land approach to new skills with the right equipment, dry land training with a handle, the proper warm up, and visualization. Don’t overlook these! On the water the approach means finding the best set up for a trick, and using it methodically each and every time.
Know
and set your line length and boat speed. For wake tricks cut out the
same distance from the wake every time with the same strength,
duration, and angle of pull. Look at the back of the boat to get a
visual reference of where you are each time. Wait the same period of
time before you turn in slowly on a tight line. Cut into the wake
with consistency, and get set for the take off in the same manner.
The whole idea with the approach is that you hit the wake (or place
where you initiate a trick) with the same speed, the same angle, and
the same body position every time. If something doesn’t feel right
during any part of the approach, don’t throw the trick! This will
save you lots of unnecessary falls.
Step 1: The Approach for a Special K on a Wakeboard. Notice the smooth arc in the water behind me as I set up for the trick. After an easy turn about 35 feet out, I reach behind my back to grab the handle, which is now in tight to my back. My head is up, shoulders rolled forward, and weight shifts to the toes as the cut to the wake gets progressively harder. Each move has a specific set up that you should do each time.
Step 2: The Takeoff
If you have done your job right in step one, you will be in a much better position to initiate your trick. Finding your rhythm on the approach will help you get consistent takeoffs. Never rush an approach or takeoff because of rough water, coming into a boat turn, or trying to show off.
Concentrate on the key elements of consistency: where you are looking, handle position, speed and angle at the wake (or other takeoff point), amount of line load, and body position (knee bend, shoulder angle, etc.). It sounds like brain overload, but remember that we are taking this in steps and as you master each one you won’t have to be thinking about the whole trick!
Step 2: Ready for a Tick Tock Takeoff on a Slalom Ski. With the right approach I am already in the perfect spot to throw a 180 tick-tock. My ski is flat and pointing straight ahead as the tension comes off the line. My knees are bent to 90 degrees to get ready for the jump, and my off arm is extended in preparation to help with the spin. Know your takeoff position and use the approach to hit the mark every time.
Step 3: Controlling the Line Tension
“The rope is your ally, not your adversary.” Chet Raley
This quote from one of the world’s best instructors pretty much sums it up. If you are not using the rope to your advantage, and knowing what the tension is doing throughout your trick, there is little hope that you will get consistent on a new skill. Sure, you can fumble your way through learning handle position by trial and error, but there is a much better way.