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Ever watched someone water ski and been captivated by the way they effortlessly glide over the water, thinking, "I’d love to try that!" With the right approach and a few essential tips, you'll be water skiing like a pro in no time.
Steps to Get Started
Getting Ready to Water Ski
Wear a life vest. A proper personal flotation device should be a jacket or vest that covers your chest, stomach, and back. Make sure the vest fits snugly and won’t slide up your body when you fall.
- It should fit comfortably without being tight.
- Check the manufacturer's label for weight limits and size recommendations.
Get your water skis. You'll need a pair of combination skis, perfect for beginners. These skis feature one ski with a half-foot binding placed behind the other. Beginner skis are generally wider for better stability on the water, and they come in different weight ranges. It's essential to choose a pair that suits your size.
- Check the manufacturer’s weight range guidelines for the skis you're considering.
- Kids' skis are smaller and designed for easier control by young children. They typically include a “trainer” option, which connects the skis to prevent the skier from losing balance and performing splits.
- The bindings are usually adjustable to accommodate various foot sizes.
Consider securing the skis together. For children, trainer skis can often be tied together, preventing them from doing the splits. Since young skiers typically struggle with controlling their skis, this method can be incredibly helpful during their learning process.
Choose the right water skiing rope. A proper water skiing rope should have minimal stretch and be about 75 feet (22.86 meters) long from handle to end. Avoid using a wakeboarding rope, which has no stretch, or one that's overly stretchy.
- Make sure the rope is specifically marketed as a water skiing rope.
Learn the essential hand signals. There are seven key hand signals that a water skier should know. These signals are critical for communicating with the boat driver while skiing.
- A thumbs-up means speed up, while a thumbs-down means slow down. Be sure to use these correctly to avoid any misunderstandings about speed.
- Form an ‘OK’ with your thumb and forefinger to indicate the speed and direction are good.
- To indicate a turn, point your finger in the air, move it in a circle, and then point in the direction you want to go. This can also be used by the boat driver to signal the skier about a turn.
- Tap your head to signal that you want to return to the dock, a common signal when you’re ready to finish or feeling tired.
- A slash motion at your neck indicates an emergency and tells the boat to stop immediately. This can be used by the skier, driver, or observer.
- Clasp your hands over your head after a fall to signal that you are OK. This should always be done after a fall.
Get a ski flag for safety. Many states require boats to carry ski flags, which are typically brightly colored and signal to other boats that there is a skier in the water. The flag must be held up whenever the skier is in the water and not skiing.
- This is a crucial safety measure, and most boats will need an observer to keep watch on the skier and manage the flag.
Practice the correct stance on dry land first. Before you hit the water, you need to learn the proper starting position, called the 'cannonball' stance.
- Start by putting the skis on your feet while standing on dry land.
- Grab the handle and bend your knees as if you're about to perform a cannonball, sitting down onto the skis.
- Have a helper gently pull the rope to lift you into a chair-like position. You’ll appear to be sitting in a chair, even though there's no chair beneath you.
- Make sure to keep your knees together and your arms straight, allowing the rope to pull you up smoothly.
Operating the Boat Effectively
Start quickly. A key factor in pulling a water skier is getting them up quickly, which requires having a boat with strong torque. You need to accelerate from a standstill as fast as possible. This helps the skier rise smoothly onto the water skis.
Maintain a steady pull. It’s crucial for the boat driver to pull steadily throughout the ride. Abrupt changes in speed or direction can make it very hard for a beginner skier to stay balanced.
Choose a calm time for water skiing. Early mornings are often the best time to water ski, as the water is typically calmest. Later in the day, more boats on the water may cause rougher conditions.
- If you encounter rough water or wakes, approach them at a 90-degree angle to minimize the impact for the skier.
- When teaching children to water ski, try to select a time that works well for everyone, ensuring a fun and safe experience.
Choose the right speed. Speed varies based on the skier’s size and experience, but general guidelines for water skiing exist. For children, you should pull them as slowly as possible, ensuring they stay out of the water. These speeds apply specifically to water skiing on two skis.
- For skiers under 50 lbs. (<23 kg), pull at around 13 mph (21 km/h).
- For skiers between 50-100 lbs. (23-45 kg), pull at approximately 16 mph (26 km/h).
- For skiers weighing 100-150 lbs. (45-68 kg), the speed should be around 18 mph (29 km/h).
- For skiers weighing 150-180 lbs. (68-82 kg), pull them at 21 mph (34 km/h).
- For skiers over 180 lbs. (>82 kg), aim for a speed of 24 mph (38 km/h).
- Adjust your speed when turning. If the skier is inside a turn, they will naturally slow down, so you may need to speed up. If they're on the outside of the turn, they could speed up, so you may need to slow down.
Avoid docks and shorelines. During turns, a water skier can be easily slingshotted, so it’s vital to stay a safe distance from docks and any other potential obstacles. Keep in mind that if a skier lets go of the rope, they can travel quite far before sinking, so you need to maintain awareness.
- Steer clear of shallow areas or places with possible underwater obstructions.
- The majority of ski accidents happen due to collisions with docks or other solid objects, so always stay in open water.
Ensure you have a clear view of the skier at all times. It’s important to have an observer on the boat who can watch the skier, especially in case they fall or need to communicate with the driver. It’s tough for the driver to focus on the road ahead and monitor the skier simultaneously.
- The observer’s role includes managing the ski flag and relaying any necessary signals to the driver.
Shut off the propeller when picking up a fallen skier. Safety comes first, and it's crucial to turn off the propeller completely when approaching someone in the water. As you get closer, switch off the propeller and let the boat’s momentum guide it toward the skier.
- Be cautious when bringing the boat near the skier to avoid injury. Keep a safe distance and always turn off the propeller.
Getting Up on Water Skis
Consider using an EZ ski trainer to help kids gain confidence. An EZ ski trainer can help children adjust to being pulled behind a boat before they try to get up on water skis. This device is an inflatable jet ski that attaches to the boat with a rope, providing a gentle introduction. It also helps kids build their confidence, learn how to hold the handle, and improve balance.
- Kids can sit or stand on the trainer as they feel comfortable, gradually learning balance and getting used to being towed behind the boat.
- Allow kids to progress at their own pace, being patient with them. This trainer can help reduce anxiety before they start water skiing.
Put on your water skis. Position yourself at the edge of the boat or the dock and slip your skis on. Make sure they are adjusted to your size, and you should simply need to slide your feet into the bindings. The fit should be snug, so you might need to wiggle your feet to secure them properly.
- It helps to wet the skis before putting them on, as it makes it easier to slide your feet in.
- Children may need assistance getting their skis on correctly, so lend a hand when needed.
Hold the rope firmly. Grab the rope with both hands, keeping them close together. Your palms should face downward for proper water skiing form on two skis. Ensure you have a firm grip, and extend your arms straight out in front of you.
Pull your knees toward your chest, wrapping your arms around them, and position the rope between the skis. Let your lifejacket or personal flotation device help keep you above the water, and lean back. Bring your knees close to your chest, wrapping your arms around them as if hugging your legs.
- Place the rope between the tips of your skis, with the handle positioned between your body and the ski tips.
Keep your skis aligned and close together, with the tips facing up. While leaning back and hugging your knees, raise the tips of your skis above the water, keeping them straight and close together. Water skis should remain no wider than your hips.
- Kids’ skis may be tethered together with a rope or similar device to help maintain control and ensure the skis stay together.
Keep your arms straight to allow the boat to pull you out of the water. With the rope between your skis and the handle securely in your hands, make sure your arms remain straight in front of you. This is a crucial step for getting up on water skis.
- It’s important to let the boat do the work and pull you out of the water, rather than trying to pull yourself up.
- Bending your arms or trying to pull yourself up can cause you to lose your balance and fall.
Consider having someone assist you while waiting to maintain balance. If you're near the shore, someone can hold you steady, keeping your skis together and helping you balance as you lean back with your knees to your chest.
- This can be especially helpful for children, as they may struggle to maintain balance or form while waiting for the boat to start moving.
Ensure the rope is taut before the boat begins moving. Make sure there is no slack in the rope when the boat starts. Any slack will jerk the skier forward and disrupt their balance. Once the skier has a firm grip on the rope, the boat can move forward slowly until the rope is tight.
- The skier may shift slightly forward as the rope tightens, but focus on maintaining balance and proper form.
Shout 'hit it' to the driver to begin. When you're ready to go, yell 'hit it!' to signal to the driver that you’re prepared. The boat will take off quickly. Stay calm, confident, and maintain your form. A relaxed attitude is key to getting up on water skis with ease.
- It’s more important that the boat has enough torque to start quickly rather than achieving high speed.
Lean back and let the boat lift you up. Keep your 'cannonball' position as you lean back slightly, keeping your arms straight in front of you while the boat pulls you up. Your skis should stay directly beneath you, even as you lean back. Don’t try to stand up too quickly.
- Bending your arms to pull yourself up can make you lose balance, so keep them straight.
- Keep your eyes focused ahead. Looking up to avoid splashing can throw off your balance, and looking down could cause you to fall.
Keep your knees slightly bent. Maintaining a bent knee position is crucial both before the boat starts and while you’re trying to stand on the skis. This posture helps you maintain better balance and control over your skis.
- Even if the water seems calm, there will always be tiny bumps, and bent knees will absorb the impact, allowing for smoother rides.
Only stand when you're balanced and comfortable while being towed. Once you feel stable being pulled, attempt to stand up. Keep your feet and skis beneath you, straighten your legs, and maintain a slight lean back with your arms extended in front of you.
- For kids, it may be beneficial to remain in the 'cannonball' position for their first attempts. This helps them get familiar with water skiing and maintain better balance.
Don’t worry if you fall the first time; try again. Water skiing can be tricky when learning to balance. Stay patient and confident. If frustration sets in, take a break and come back later.
- Cover your face with your hands when resurfacing to prevent being hit by the skis if they fall off.
- Signal with your arm or hold up a ski to ensure the boat and other watercrafts can see you and avoid a collision.
Staying Upright on Water Skis
Always keep your knees bent. Bending your knees is essential to absorb the bumps and wakes that the boat crosses. This helps you stay balanced and continue to stand on the skis with more stability.
Keep your arms extended, allowing the boat to pull you along. Avoid pulling yourself forward or relying on the rope for balance. Simply let the rope pull you forward and follow its movement.
Always lean back to maintain the correct position. Keep a slight lean back with your hips in line with your shoulders. You can gently push your hips forward towards the handle, but ensure your skis stay directly under you.
- If your skis move too far in front, you will fall backward.
- Leaning forward will cause the skis to trail behind, leading to a forward fall.
Remember to breathe naturally. It’s common for skiers to hold their breath, but it’s important to breathe normally. This will help reduce fatigue and prevent exhaustion during your run.
Try making small turns once you're comfortable skiing straight. To turn, apply pressure to the inside edge of the ski opposite to the direction you want to go. Stay within the wake for now.
- For example, to turn right, press down with your left leg, lean slightly right away from the boat, and lift your right foot to help guide the turn.
- Keep your knees bent and arms extended while turning for better control.
Once you're confident with turning within the wake, attempt to cross it. Make a sharp turn and angle your skis across the wake to exit it. Maintain pressure on the ski closest to the boat until you’re fully outside the wake.
- Keep your knees bent to absorb the impact.
- Crossing one ski at a time will likely cause you to fall; both skis should cross the wake at the same time at a sharp angle.
- Cross the wake quickly to avoid falling; slow movements tend to result in a fall.
- Keep your arms straight in front of you as you cross the wake. Avoid pulling on the handle, as beginners often do, as it can lead to losing balance.
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Some locations don’t require you to grab the rope immediately - instead, they use a bar extending from the side of the boat, known as a boom. You'll start by holding onto the boom, which provides a more stable grip. Once you feel comfortable with it, you'll transition to the rope.
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Be kind to yourself and focus on having fun! Enjoying the experience is key to building confidence and skiing comfortably.
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Keep your arms straight. As a beginner, bending your arms can lead to a loss of control, causing you to fall. The more experienced you become, the easier it will be to bend your arms while staying steady.
This advice comes from the real-world experiences of Mytour readers like you. If you have a useful tip to contribute, feel free to share it in the space provided below on Mytour.
- Before starting, relax and lift your skis slightly out of the water—this will help you rise. If you're struggling to keep your knees together, ensure that your knee caps are in contact with each other.
- Follow the 90-90-90 rule: make sure there’s a 90-degree angle between your feet and hips, another 90-degree angle between your knees and shoulders, and a final 90-degree angle between your shoulders and hands.
- If you fall, grab one of your skis to make it easier for the boat driver and surrounding boats to spot you when retrieving you.
- If you've sustained an injury, signal the boat driver by making a cross above your head.
Warnings
- Always ensure the motor is turned off when a skier is entering or exiting the boat.
- Always have an observer in the boat to watch for falls or important signals.
- Wear a personal flotation device at all times and make sure your gear is in proper working condition.
- Never ski directly in front of the boat.
- Keep a safe distance from docks and other obstacles while skiing.
