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WATERSKI MagazineHips falling behind in the turn? It could be a result of your free, or outside, arm position.
The reason is simple: When reaching for the handle, there is a tendency to rotate only your upper body (shoulders) toward the handle, leaving your hips behind. This will cause you to break forward and require twice as much effort to bring your hips back up under you into a strong position – if you get there without going out the front when the line comes tight.
Fortunately, the remedy is simple too. Next time in the turn, imagine yourself pulling change out of your pocket; keep your free hand tight on your hip. By reaching with a low free arm that's snug on your hip, everything is initiated by your hips rather than your shoulders. Your hips rotate more quickly and freely, and your shoulders naturally follow. You're constantly gaining angle and carving a turn.
In effect, you've solved three major potential problems. By keeping your free arm low, you'll 1) have less overall body movement, 2) be in a stronger position when it comes time to take on the wakes, and 3) learn to be patient and let the ski finish the turn.
World Cup hopeful Jason Paredes is sponsored by KD, O'Neill, MasterLine, Revo, Lizard Skins and Britex Fabrics of San Francisco.
