School me on slalom

[NICKYPOO]

Some good advice already. My advise would be to go over and talk to the slalom guys you see out ripping it up at sunset. Ask them if they would be willing to go out on your boat and maybe give you some advice on getting up. There's nothing like some personal training.

So far as the state of slalom in the water sports world, it's still kicking and seems like it's on the rise. We already added a first timer slalom guy to our group this year. He definitely caught the bug. I'm skiing more these days and I see more and more people skiing every year.

[malmz]

Couple more that apply.

- strong foot is generally forward. If you want to know which to put forward (this usually works better when they don't expect it), have the skier stand with both feet together, stand in front of them and push them evenly on their shoulders. What ever foot they step backwards with will generally also be their back foot.
- Use the EZ up handle if you have it, otherwise if you have your left foot forward, but the rope on the right, if you put your right foot forward, put the rope on the left, that is the normal way the push will make you turn, so the rope helps correct that.
- I second and third the barefoot boom. That is one thing we miss from our old boat, we would teach everybody the feel of riding anything on the boom, then they would get right up behind the boat. With the height and V-drive of our 24V, a boom would be much harder to work with.
- The tower and a short line will help you get up the first time, once you have the feel go to the ski pole and long line (75 foot rope), it is where you should be to slalom. The long rope gets you out of the wake more and make everything react slower. The shorter the rope, the faster stuff happens which you don't want right away.

I think I dreamed of skiing last night....

[Bakes5]

Hey Mike....while you trying new stuff, don't forget to try and SkySki. Used ones can be had for 1500 or less and can be sold for about the same price. Seriously fun and wipe outs are no big deal until later.

[Dan C]

Can't wait to get back on my ski!
About a month [emoji42]




Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

[bsreid]

This is some awesome advice you guys!

I definitely enjoy trying new things, surfing gets boring after a while. Tried barefooting last year and wasn't too successful, could barely walk the next day. Between slalom and possibly and sky ski or airchair I should have some variety.

[JLG]

Love this thread as I prefer slalom over any water sport also

Plenty of tips on here and as mentioned I would look into the cheater slalom ropes or at least the bridle to get you started. You may not need it as you can already ski, but a very helpful tool for beginners and will work for future training of skiers. Stay tucked and get comfortable before boat operator hits throttle. Most beginners will struggle with staying upright and having the tip out the right amount before throttling. Very important steps before throttling and don't try to stand up to early, let the boat bring you up.

On my 15 Z3 which will be similar but heavier with larger slalom wake then your Z1, I add 20% ballast to front bags only, taps on 1 and speed usually 33-34 range. You will want to ski 28-32 range as a beginner or even 26. I've played with ballast and no ballast and I prefer a little weight in front as it brings boat front onto plane a little quicker and levels boat to where I like it. Again just my preference so play with a little weight in front before getting into water and see what looks best.

Having the correct foot forward is key also. If going without the cheater rope you will need to learn what side you prefer the rope on. I'm right foot forward and rope on right side which most would have rope on left side with a right foot forward. It's just something I've done since a kid and can't seem to brake the habit, but it works for me.

Wouldn't go full throttle with that Z1 as it will yank rope out of your hands or fold you over the tip of ski or even throw you sideways while learning. Think that is the biggest mistake I see on our lake when ppl are teaching others. They think they need full throttle when their beginning form is crap so focus on that instead. You may drag a little in beginning but its better then yanking you over the ski or sideways and you getting frustrated right off. Best thing you can do is play around with hole shots before getting in water and see what you think will work. 1/4 initial throttle may be plentiful as these newer boats accelerate rapidly if more throttle is needed.

Enjoy and post up pics and video once you get it!!

[Bakes5]

I have a 3 phased hole hole shot

1) tension the rope - idle speed. Once tension in place, hold 1/2 second
2) set the skier- about 1/4-1/2 throttle for about 1/2 - 1 second.
3) punch it - full throttle.

***all done as smoothly as possible**

Sometimes I back off a little if it seems like I'm about to pull them over during phase 3.

Occasionally I screw it up and the fall is my fault, but for the most part it works pretty well. Better skier get about 1/4 second in each phase

[Mike88]

Wow. Can't thank you more than that!
I own you one guys. With this tread I can't say I don't know what I'm going to do haha..
i think every possible technique and tips being told.
It's great to have different point of view too!

[bsreid]

After about 4 tries I was up and skiiing, not really knowing what to do. Next day I decided to head over to the ski club and get an ez up rope, a good driver, and some tips. With all that it was almost like I knew what I was doing, first time up every time. Definitely a lot more work than surfing, but trying new things is always a blast.

Any luck mike?

[malmz]

After about 4 tries I was up and skiiing, not really knowing what to do. Next day I decided to head over to the ski club and get an ez up rope, a good driver, and some tips. With all that it was almost like I knew what I was doing, first time up every time. Definitely a lot more work than surfing, but trying new things is always a blast.

Any luck mike?

Awesome! Welcome to the slalom club!

[NICKYPOO]

After about 4 tries I was up and skiiing, not really knowing what to do. Next day I decided to head over to the ski club and get an ez up rope, a good driver, and some tips. With all that it was almost like I knew what I was doing, first time up every time. Definitely a lot more work than surfing, but trying new things is always a blast.

Any luck mike?

Nice work! Wait 'til you really start putting on some speed. There's nothing quite like it.

[Bakes5]

Nothing quite like a great slalom set on glass as the sun is coming up. Put your surfboards in storage for a month or two and learn the classics.

Also, you can slalom when your old and on a large V Drive contrary to popular belief.

Here's my 73 y/o mom with artificial hip hitting it last summer

20160802-Y15_9632.jpg.jpg

[NICKYPOO]

^^^Rad. My mother still skis as well. Slalom skiing is a fountain of youth. They've done studies on elderly folks that still ski and they have the bone density of teenagers.

[Zenith]

Slalom is mostly what we do with our Tige. 96 direct drive so a bit different. I learnt by dropping a ski but that was 'self taught'. Lots of cruising around on one leg lifting a ski, followed by falling off when you shift weight back to get rear foot in. My wife struggled with dropping and went to deepwater start with a deep v handle in the end. Seems to be the best way. Regards which foot forward. Tends to be left forward for right hand. The other trick i heard is if you kick a ball, the planted foot is forward and the kicking foot is back. Some good advice above. Get confidence getting on edge through the wake. I used to flatten out on old boats wake and it took a long time to get rid of bad habits. You normally stop pulling past the second wake and then change edge while you are still going outward. This lets you slow down a bit and the ski will turn better. Else you can (I did) end up on the tail of the ski slowing down at the turn with poor results. When you hook up a good turn and get good acceleration out of the turn the ski takes off, pretty awesome feeling.
Still need to get some balast and a tower or pole and do some wake boarding. Not sure we will ever surf behind her.

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[boonecragun]

Bakes5, Mom isn't even breaking a sweat cutting to the next turn...that's impressive. This thread inspires a new thread of slalom pics....