Basics Of Water Skiing

You can learn the basics of water skiing and be on a board in no time with the confidence of a pro. There are a few tricks to get on your board and enjoying the ride. You will fall as you learn, but success is about getting back up and mastering your form.

To learn the basics of water skiing, you will need:

• Life Vest
• A Partner & Boat
• Open Water Area
• Water Ski Rope with Handle

1. Relax. To balance and water ski well, you need to relax and breath. Your muscles need to work as you ask them to; this can be difficult to do when you are tense. It may be difficult to stay relaxed, but like with any sport, you need to keep your breathing steady and let the waves work with your movements. One of the most important things to remember when relaxing the body is to bend your knees.
2. Smooth Starts. When you can start on a smooth glide, it makes it easier to concentrate on your form and get the flow of the water down for better control. Get into the correct starting position by placing your feet on the rope and handle placed about midthigh. Lie on your stomach as flat as you possibly can. Place your ears under the water; this will increase your stability. Once in position, you are ready to signal the boat drive to take off. 
3. Relaxed Handle Grip. It is important to keep a relaxed grip on the water skiing handle. Once you feel secure on your feet, relax your grip a bit. This will help you when you fall. Remember to let go of the handle so the fall will be minimized, which keeps you up longer throughout the learning process. A loose grip will also allow you to increase control over your water skiing. 
4. Keep Your Eye on the Prize. Keep your eyes straight ahead when learnnig the basics of water skiing. If you look down, you are likely to fall. It will throw off your balance and cause your body to tense too much.