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WATERSKI MagazineI can't remember who is credited with saying, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Maybe it was Mark Twain or Will Rogers or another one of those insightful humorists of yesteryear. It really doesn't matter, because when it comes to slalom skiing they were way off base. Sure a few things are theoretically the same, but for the most part slalom skiing has changed dramatically.
In celebration of 75 years of skiing, let's take a look at two how-to books that defined the technique of the day: the 1958 book Water Skiing, by Dick Pope Sr. (then), and the latest word on slalom, The Complete Guide to Water Skiing, by Ben Favret and Dave Benzel (now).
The Analogy
Then: “From there on, it's like the great game of golf when it comes to giving instruction.”
Now: “You can compare slalom to another wildly popular sport, Indy car racing. In both you have the incredible G-force of acceleration followed by a dramatic near stop as you slow down for a sharp hairpin hook turn and then blast off again as you race toward the next turn.”
Comment: Golf is similar to slalom because, in both, the course always wins. Slalom coaching is similar to golf in that there are many ways to get the desired result. Yet to the skier, slalom is about speed, power and energy, not a walk across a nicely groomed lawn.
The Skills of a Good Skier
Then: “There are certain basic principles involved: balance, timing, skill and coordination. As to just how and when you apply these principles, there are wide differences of opinion.”
Now: “Good water skiing shows the signature characteristics of flow of movement, confidence, power, sensitivity and precision. There are four fundamental motor skills used in water skiing: balance, edge control, pressure control and rotation.”
Comment: Sure, you need balance, timing, skill and coordination, but that only scratches the surface. And these days there is not much debate about when you need what. The name of the game today is body position developed by perfecting the fundamentals.
The Tools
Then: “Overall size, height and weight have a great bearing on where to fasten the front binder, how far from it the rear binder should be placed, and whether it should be anchored straight or at an angle.”
Now: “There are eight design elements that determine the personality or performance characteristics of a slalom ski. A change in any one of these factors totally changes the attitude of the ski and affects the other components' attributes and performance.”
Comment: These days equipment is at least 25 percent of the slalom battle. Finding the ski and the setup for you can be the difference between first place and last. Flex, rocker and fin control can now make up for a skier's deficiencies to a certain extent.
Turn
Then: “In rounding the turn, my weight is rocked to the rear foot momentarily to help keep the fin in the water for better control. The start of my turn begins by leaning into the buoy with my shoulders. My outstretched arms are usually over the buoy.”
Now: “You need to concentrate on staying down in your ski with your knees and ankles flexed to aid in the deceleration of the ski. Your reach needs to be to the side and slightly up so as to aid in keeping your head in the turn. From there, you simply get the handle back quickly to your hips and get into your lean.”
Comment: Turning the ski back “then” was mostly a function of the technology with which they were skiing. If you are rocking to the rear these days, you're losing time that could be better spent getting across the wakes. Back in 1958, skis didn't have much rocker and did not turn as smoothly. The rocking back released the tip of the ski from the water and allowed the skier to force the tail around in the turn.
Lean
Then: “When rounding the turn to the left, I pull hard on the right handle until I reach the middle of the wake. Then I relax pressure slightly to get ready for the next buoy.”
Now: “Pull your hardest through the wakes and behind the boat because in this situation you have the correct direction and angle. This will position you up on the boat farther and prevent the boat from pulling you forward in the turn.”
Comment: You are most likely struggling to slalom if you are stopping your lean or pull at the middle of the wake. The only reason I can see for the “then” technique is the use of a double handle made it necessary to come off edge. Single handles make it possible to maintain direction across the wakes longer.
Slalom Course Gates
Then: “I cross the wake while passing through the gate. My weight is evenly distributed, but I am leaning forward slightly from the waist.”
Now: “The perfect gate shot is one where you have your maximum angle and lean at the second wake and the right-hand-gate buoy. As you settle into your ski, make a smooth rotation of your knees, hips and shoulders toward the right side of the course. When the ski rotates through the turn, remember to stay low with your knees and let your arms out. The lean should be progressive and strong through the wakes. Concentrate on holding your direction across the course and pushing with your legs to create leverage against the boat.”
Comment: If you're leaning forward slightly from the waist, you're taking a few face plants. In fact, this is how not to do it these days. This forward lean was in response to skis not holding an edge well. In Pope's day, the skier leaned forward to get more of the ski in the water to create more leverage against the boat. – Ben Favret
