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WATERSKI MagazineGetting out of deep water: Even the connotation isn't pleasant, and for most barefooting trainees, neither is the experience of the deepwater start. But for those of you who have a tight-fitting barefoot suit and a pair of barefoot shorts, you can make it memorable for something other than war stories.
These are the most common problems and the best ways to solve them:
Problem: Coming out of the water, you sit up and fold over like a taco.
Solution: Keep your back arched and insteps over the rope. Stay stiff until you break the surface.
Problem: With back arched, you start bouncing like a can tied to the back of a “Just Married” car.
Solution: You're arched too long. After three seconds, sit forward onto your tailbone.
Problem: Your face is getting hosed.
Solution: Keep your knees together, as if you're carrying your car keys between them.
Problem: While riding on your tailbone, you start swinging around like a dancer on a Gap commercial.
Solution: The handle is too high or too low. Pull it into your groin.
Problem: You take your feet off the rope, put them on the water and begin to drown.
Solution: Slowly pull your knees (still together) toward your chest to a count of 10, and gently place flattened feet on the water next to your hips. This is the three-point stance.
Problem: After establishing the three-point, you stand up and continue overboard.
Solution: When your feet touch the water, it isn't time to stand. Gently let the handle out and ride in the three-point for at least 10 seconds, and press yourself up with your legs, not your arms.
