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WATERSKI MagazineAre you ready to let go? Mastering the one-handed slalom turn is a logical step in perfecting fluid turns and creating a solid style. It's not that hard if you're already making smooth two-handed turns.
Two Down: To perfect your two-handed turns, start by gripping the handle the same way you would a baseball bat, with one hand up and one hand facing down. I recommend the hand that will go on top of the handle should be opposite to which foot you have forward. For example, if you're right-foot-forward, your left hand will be on top. This will help your off-side lean when you progress to the slalom course. Start preparing for the turn when you're past both wakes by about five feet. Begin to change edge by letting up on your lean and pushing your knees and ankles forward. When done correctly, you'll move your weight forward and create a smooth change from the accelerating (outside) edge of the ski to its decelerating (inside) edge.
During this edge change, it is important to maintain the correct body position. Your knees and ankles should be flexed and pushed forward, your body must be straight, and your shoulders should be back, with your head up. Arch your back slightly – this helps to keep your hips forward. Now, reach with both hands toward the boat, maintaining the straight body position, and the ski should start to turn. As the ski turns, push your hips around and up to the handle. Make sure you do this smoothly to ensure a tight line for the lean back across the wakes. Practice this technique until your two-handed turns are silky smooth.
One to Go: With the two-hand perfected, you're ready for one. To master it, you must maintain the perfect two-hand body position: Ankles, knees, legs, hips, shoulders and head should be exactly the same. What's different is the letting go.
As you come across the wakes, keep both hands on the handle, held close to your hips. After the edge change, let go of the handle with your outside hand. At first, keep your free arm close to your body so you'll be able to grab the handle more easily at the completion of the turn. Don't let your free arm swing out. This will delay your grab for the handle, or even worse, cause you to miss it completely.
To finish the turn, bring your hips around and up to the handle. At the same time, place your free hand back on the handle. Practice the one-hand turn on both sides of the wake, always letting go of the outside arm. Don't work on your reach and lean until your turns become rhythmic and symmetrical.
Fine-tuning: Once you're confident with your one-handed turns, you're ready to advance to greater arm extension, which will not only look better, but come in handy if and when you run the course. The key, of course, is the perfect two- and one-hand body position. So is being aggressive.
As you come off the second wake, be sure to use your knees and ankles to slow down the ski and roll it onto its inside edge. At the same time, point your shoulders toward the boat and begin to reach and extend your inside arm to the side. Always reach up at shoulder level, never forward or down. Anything but a level reach will cause you to be pulled forward and break at the waist. This will cause the ski to go flat off its turning edge and usually result in a fall.
Work on perfecting the one-handed turn and your reach – and your slalom style will develop quickly.
Jodi Fisher is a two-time British Nationals slalom champion and expert ski instructor.
