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RistoCongratulations, you are a Beginner Skier!
*Keep checking back for updated tips, advice, and articles, plus a host of video instruction designed to keep you moving toward the next level.
What it looks like:
• You've begun to understand how your ski reacts in the water.
• You can make deepwater starts and stay up without the help of another skier.
• You can cross the wakes with some caution and make slow turns.
What you're working on:
• Standing up on one ski in deepwater starts in a balanced stance that allows proactive and reactive movement.
• Following the boat around in turns.
• Learning what the balanced position feels like and how to use that stance to keep the pace and rhythm of your approach, initiation, turns, and acceleration equal as you move from side to side behind the boat.
What you should do next:
• Buy a wide-bodied ski, which will make deepwater starts easier.
• Practice equal weight distribution on the balls of your feet as you develop your stance.
• Attend a ski school in order to get tailored advice on how to improve your skiing.
• Establish a consistent rhythm back and forth across the wakes.
Best Tip: Practice your balanced stance on dry land.
Learn the stance position with your weight distributed 50-50 on both feet and your shoulders rolled back. Learn to relax rather than fight this natural position and then duplicate it when you're behind the boat. –Gordon Rathbun
Videos:
Balanced Stance
Learn the key points of this important skill from Matt Rini
The Perfect Deepwater Start
Will Asher provides keys to get your next set off to the right start
Fool-Proof Deepwater Start
Jason Seels walks you through a deep-water start strategy
Correct Craft Ski Nautique 196
Chris Parrish and Glen Juback talk about their favorite boat
Malibu Response LXi
Will Asher and Heike Neumann tell you why they love this boat
MasterCraft ProStar 197
Wade Cox and Chris Lownsbury discuss this universal favorite boat
Connelly F1
Terry Winter talks about what he likes about the F1 and its design
Goode 9800
Thomas Degasperi talks about why he chooses to ski on this stick
HO Monza
Will Asher explores some of the design elements of this winning ski
O'Brien Sixam
Glenn Campbell shares secrets on how the Sixam helps his skiing
Instructional:
Crossing Over
Karen Truelove's four keys to success
Drop the Nonsense
Learn to slalom the easy way
Find Your Balance
What to look for when getting centered for the season
Hand Tips
Here are four tips for keeping your hands in shape
Improve the Natural Way
Finding that athletic position on your ski
Maximize Your Ski School Experience
All of your ski-school questions are answered
My Turn
With Glen Campbell
Symmetrical Turns
Balancing your onside and offside
Ten Slalom Essentials
Slalom fundamentals and key elements
The Happy Knee Plan
Try these exercises to keep your knees healthy all season long
Train Smart
Four tips to maximize your workouts
Community:
My WaterSki Network
Check out our level-specific community forums
