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WATERSKI MagazineShifting weight to the rear foot during the turn brings the nose of the ski out of the water and causes a loss of angle and turning ability. As a result, the turn will be lengthened and the skier will drift down course.
To check for incorrect weight shift during a turn, watch where the water breaks on the ski as the skier is coming into the buoy. The ski will turn best when water breaks near or slightly in front of the front binding.
A skier with too much weight on the rear leg usually has his or her butt back, which will cause water to break near the rear binding.
If you are “tail heavy” during your turns, focus on your front leg and your hip position. Do this while skiing an easy pass, or move to open water to focus on this fundamental.
On your off-side turns, work on extending your front leg and keeping weight on it as you come into the turn. Don't straighten your front leg, however. It should still have a slight bend, and the knee should be slightly forward and have weight on it as you come into the turn.
On your good side, work on staying over the ski while keeping your hips forward as you come into the turn.
