Return to WaterSkiWorld Home  |   Call Toll Free: 1 (877) 723-2660  |  EMAIL: waterskiworld@gmail.com

Once a kid's cutting speed has increased so that by cutting to the wakes he has enough momentum to carry outward at least 10 more feet, it is time to teach him or her to make a turn. I will explain the technique for single skiing, but the same technique will work for two skis and wakeboarding as well.

In order to teach a turn you have to understand the physics of swinging. Yes, the kind done at the playground. On the way downward on a swing one has to lean forward with their feet behind. Then at the bottom the feet swing underneath and to the front. At the top of the swing the body comes forward again up between the chains. "What does this have to do with turning ?" you ask. The answer is... "everything".

Slaloming back and forth is just like swinging but instead done on a level plane. Water forces act on the skier like gravity does on the kid on the swing set. You can prove this to them by having the kid cut outside the wake and then standing flat over his or her ski. They will begin to get pulled into the wake. In fact they will eventually end up right behind the boat in the same manner that the swing seat will hang straight down when no one is causing it to move back and forth.

Keeping the swing model in mind, as I stated in my previous article about cutting, it is done by advancing one's mass into the desired direction of travel, much like walking or running is done. Twisting the hips the opposite direction (counter rotation) of the skis turn will allow for the greatest shift in body mass. The way to set up the turn would be similar to a kid swinging with his or her feet and lower body at the bottom of the swing. In other words, advance the ski (feet) from behind the body mass to ahead of it while keeping the shoulders relatively still and moving in its original direction.

This ski accelerating action increases the ski's speed and will cause it to take a wider arc than the rest of the body. This will move the ski outside of the body and on its new turning edge. It's increased momentum will then take it wider than the body, creating an inward lean with outward momentum. The body will then run out of outward carrying momentum, stall for a split second and begin moving the other way as the forces pull the skier back towards the wake. This will cause the ski to apex it's turn, resulting in a smooth turn without getting a slack rope. At minimum this swing action should start at the first wake and carry the skier beyond the second wake.

Kids have the ability to learn these concepts quickly because they can identify easily with swinging. Another example of this concept, that they can usually understand, is the action and pumping motion a skateboarder needs to negotiate a half pipe. With these two scenarios on their mind as they cut from side to side, they will soon learn to make better slalom turns that will impress their friends and their toughest critics. During wakeboard rides these turns will allow them to stay closer to the wake, with better form, and still cut just as fast to the wake as when they ride out wider.

Once you teach this swing method of skiing to your kids, give it a try yourself. You might discover that you just found a whole new skiing life for yourself.