Help in the Course

[BrennanK]

Hello all,
I'm rather new to skiing in the the slalom course, but have been skiing on one ski for 2 years now. I am having some trouble getting around the last 5 balls. Each pass I'm within 5 feet of each ball, I let go with my outside hand to extend my body around the ball but just don't make it.

A few notes,
I'm 16 yrs old and around 120lbs.
Currently skiing at 15' off and around 28 mph.
I'm skiing on a 2007 Connelly F1X with a rear toe slip.
I occasionally ski behind a good friends 2002 196, but on most outings I'm behind a 18 foot Sea Ray..., looking to get a Nautique....

You suggestions are greatly appreciated...
Thanks for your time.
Brennan

[DanielC]

RE: Help in the Course

Develop the rhythm to get through the course. Go through the course just spraying the six balls.
Offer to pay more for your friends time behind the Ski Nautique. I do not think it is beneficial to you to try to train behind the Sea Ray.

[BrennanK]

Re: RE: Help in the Course

I do not think it is beneficial to you to try to train behind the Sea Ray.

That is why I'm trying to tell my dad. :mrgreen:

Thanks for the help.

[WakeSlayer]

Re: Help in the Course

I am having some trouble getting around the last 5 balls. Each pass I'm within 5 feet of each ball, I let go with my outside hand to extend my body around the ball but just don't make it.

I am by no means a good slalom skiier any more, but that is what I did for a long time as a kid and young adult. I grew up behind an old tri hull, and then a 17foot bowrider. I was what I thought a great free skiier. The course cleared that misconception up immediately. One thing that helped me start to figure out the course was to not ski AT the balls. Aim well before them. If you stare at the ball you will go right to it and never make any of those last five. Plan you turns several feet before each bouy and you will start picking them up your next pass through.

I also like Daniels idea of taking just a couple passes spraying the balls to get your rhythm. And yeah, get more time behind the inboard. Your form will improve a lot very quickly.

I think it is great to hear a 16 year old kid is chasing balls. Most young people want to be out jumping and spinning on a board instead of doing what you are doing.

Good for you !!!! Work your Dad for a mid 90's Nautique, and ditch the SeaRay.

Mike

[snowboardcorey]

Getting to spend some time in the course with someone who can teach you the ropes will help shorten your learning curve. Most of the bouy heads I know would be more than happy to give you some pointers, where are you skiing at? If you've got access to a course people with some ability to give advice can't be to far off.

If you are interested we typically offer several slalom clinics during the summer. This year we had 3 days of clinics with Wade Cox and we've worked with Chris Parrish and Jason Parades in the past. You can give me an email at corey@waterskis.com and I can get your name on the mailing list.

FWIW stick with it, the course is something that takes time, patience and energy. The rewards are well worth it!!!

[ClemsonDave]

Are you a member of USA Water Ski? If not, join. Then go to there website, 3-Event Water Skiing, Events and Registration, Event Search, Under "type" choose 'clinic', Under "state" choose "MN". Look for Jr. Development clinics. I am a coach at these events in Va and they are top notch. You will get some great coaching and exposure to the sport.

MS on this forum might be able to point you to the contact person in MN.

Sounds like Corey has some great clinics as well.

[BrennanK]

I have been out skiing a lot and all your pointers are helping a ton, I can say thank you enough! I ski at Lake Auburn off Hwy 7 in Victoria. I'm getting my turns down I just need to work more on my line of starting the turn before the ball rather then on it.

[snowboardcorey]

Dude Lake Auburn is where we HOST the slalom clinics, you got yourself one fine ski lake!!! I know at least one guy that skis out there, his name is Greg, he runs a purple MC but don't hold it against him!

The Jr. Development classes are an awesome idea, I'm not sure whos coordinating them out in your neck of the woods so I can't point you in a direction but I've heard they run a class outfit.

[MARK-S]

Lets keep the site underwraps. Prior to moving south, we operated that site and another close by so we always had a place to ski in a few differant wind directions. Just dont make any fisherman mad as they would like to shut it down out there. PM me and I can hook you up with the guy that keeps it up.

[harddock]

Pull as hard as you can all the way trough the wakes. You are in a tug o war with the boat. The harder you pull the earlier you will be for the next buoy, Once through the wakes you will have the momentum to set your turn and then pull hard again. Repaeat for all 6 buoys.

[ClemsonDave]

I don't think I want to play tug of war with a 343hp boat, but maybe I'm doing it wrong.

[WakeSlayer]

I know at least one guy that skis out there, his name is Greg, he runs a purple MC but don't hold it against him!

Corey, you crack me up. You are a humble guy right there. Considering your shop and all.

ha ha

Mike

[MARK-S]

I dont have the exact number but ZO makes somthing like 500 corrections per second. Do not pull hard on the boat. Use your ski as a tool to build speed ball to ball. The less the boat (ZO or PP) feels from the skier (light on the line) the less of a tug of war.

[harddock]

The boat isn't going around the buoys, the skier is. At any speed you need to be going almost if not twice the speed of the boat to get from one buoy to the next. If you don't pull you'll never get from one to another. If you have a better way, then by all means enlighten me. I would love to try it.

[BrennanK]

Just don't make any fisherman mad as they would like to shut it down out there.

Yes, the person that told me about it was very clear on that. I usually go weeknights around 6, so is usually nobody else there.