Crossing the wake II

[cragginshred]

Ok fellas, here is yesterday. Too much to process. Overall wider turns and a better success with not folding like a taco across the wake, but man it's hard! The 3rd take I am actually going through a course. A few turns on the 4th and last burn I really started to feel the upright posture, but it only lasted a couple of turns.
Looking the other way before the turn made me feel 'off'. Maybe I should not even let go with one hand yet to be as stable as possible coming out of the turn into the wake?? the water was not as good yesterday and no one else on the boat was getting in the water so each burn is like 10 minutes apart.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpSoq...el_video_title

[NCH2oSki]

Looking better! WHen you let go with your free hand, try placing it on your hip, at the very least dont let it swing back behind you. Also reach forward towards the pylon with the handle and make sure that you keep the handle level, never reaching down with it.

A couple other things that I think of when I'm working on my position, especially on my off side, is to make sure and see the ski come under the rope (not looking at it directly- look down fall down) , and let the ski finish the turn, then start your hook up and try to really push my hips up and make my chest push thru my elbows and lock the elbows in place on the sides of my vest.....trying to achive the handle in the pocket and be nice and stacked for my path across to the next side.

Keep working on it, it takes me skiing at least 3 days per week to improve, otherwise I end up repeating the same old nasty habbits.

[Mikeski]

Front knee is too straight, causing a few issues. 1. does not allow you to control edge roll, 2. shifts too much weight on the back foot causing the ski to plow through the water, 3. causes the ski to want to stop when it hits the trough of the second wake

Bend your front knee, straighten your back knee. This should shift your hips forward about 4-6" putting lots of weight on the front of the ski, it will be too much weight on the front. To get it right you will need to push your chest up and shoulders back.

Cut out slower, start your turns slower/easier, once you feel the pull drive your hips up towards the handle. If you do this correctly you will forget the wake is even there. It's harder to do on your bad side.

Not sure dropping the handle is helping you at the moment. I might even suggest you just keep two hands on the handle and make really slow turns until you get your cuts working the way you want.

I am giving old school technique tips, new school is different. You will need to make a choice. Either way you will still need to get that front knee farther forward.

tip #3, invite me to go skiing with you (seriously)

mikeskiw@gmail.com

[CAN'TSKI]

Agree with Mikeski on two hands on the handle. My son ran the course for a while without dropping a hand. Keeping both hands on will help you to concentrate more on your turn than your "style".
Riding the ski flat across the wake results in a big bounce that disrupts...well everything. A good drill is to start your cut just outside the wake, maybe 20-25 feet. bend knees a lot, and hold that position through the wake. Keep your ski on as much edge as comfortable. Don't let your body rise up toward the boat until you are completely through the wake.

[bradb]

Very similar to mikeski & cantski's tips... 1) bend your ankles forward to push your knees and hips forward, and 2) comming out of your turn should be your "easiest" pull, and try to focus on getting your hardest pull directly behind the boat. Looks like you are doing the opposite right now (leaning hard out of the turn, then letting up at the wakes.)
Hope it helps,
B

[qstufflebeam]

On you onside turn, 2, 4, 6 side. Your head and as a result shoulders are dropping to the inside of the turn. Look at your body position at the 2:50 mark on the video. This keeps the ski from turning and you end up dropping your hips behind you. Think about counter rotating with your shoulders. Left arm and shoulder countered away from the boat. As you let go of the rope concentrate on pointing your arm at the pylon and keep your head upright and not tilted towards the direction you are turning. BTW you seem to counter well and keep your head up on your off side.

[swc5150]

Ditto Mike's comments on dropping the handle. As your skiing progresses, you'll get to the point where you have to drop the handle, as you'll max out on body angle in the apex of the turn. Continue to work on your leverage technique, and the rest will follow. A day at a school would pay dividends as well. One can learn more in a morning with a quality coach, than in years of going it alone. There's nothing more addictive than this sport!!

[cragginshred]

Great tips guys, I will keep at it. I need to get a dual boot set up too. High of 78 this saturday and 10" of new snow in the sierras as I write this! This is rare for this time of year in California.