Competitive water skiing is about getting to the next level in the ski course.  In the slalom course you are constantly trying to get that next buoy or shorten the rope another length.  I think for all of us there seems to be some point when we feel like we’ve reached the limits of our abilities and we just can’t seem to get ‘over the wall’ and to the next level.

    Years ago when I started skiing the course, I went for several years and couldn’t seem to get past 15' off.  At the time I was working 4 days per week and had 3 days per week to devote entirely to water skiing.  We would go to the lake and spend most of the day on the course.  By the time the 3rd day had come, we would be too exhausted to ski.

     It was during this time in my life when I met a guy whose son had been on the University of Georgia’s Water Ski Team.  He was telling me how he had been water skiing for 20 years and could never get past 15' off but ironically was able to teach his son to ski into 38' off.  I listened intently because I could see myself in him but held my concerns that I too may never get past 15’ off.

     I had my own ski course, 3 days per week to ski, and a newly acquired inboard but I just couldn’t seem to make any improvements in the course.  I had started competing (primarily against myself) in some local tournaments and it was during this time I began to rethink my strategy.  I went from not being able to make a pass at 15’ off to getting into 32’ off within the next two seasons.  Improvements made by actually skiing less and making a few simple changes in my skiing philosophy.

  Quality, not Quantity

     This one tops the list.  Every time you get on the ski course, try to make it count. In tournaments, you don’t have an endless number of passes, each one counts.  So adopt the same philosophy and approach when you practice by trying to do your best every single pass.  If you are tired, you not only increase the potential for getting hurt but it prevents you from skiing your best.  Best advice is to reduce the number of passes, and/or reduce the number of sets.  Treat every pass like it counts.

  Where’s the blame?

     Too often we blame our shortcomings on the ski course on our equipment or driver.  There may be times when that’s the case, but more often than not, the problems preventing us from advancing are with ourselves.  Take me for example; I still ride an old vintage ski and it performs just fine.  Sure, maybe there are a lot better skis and technology, but for most all of us, there is nothing to be gained in the ski course by spending huge amounts of money on skis.  Pros have used the exact ski I ride to set world records in the past.  I figure if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me.  If I ever reach 38’ off then maybe I’ll consider changing skis.

     The same too goes for constant tweaking of the ski.  Too often people have a bad day out on the ski course and start adjusting the ski.  A thousandths here and a thousandths there.  Then the next week they are readjusting.  Once again looking for something to blame beside themselves.  Realizing and accepting that you are the number one obstacle in a successful slalom pass can put you on the right track to improving.

  It’s all about consistency.

     Regular skiing is essential to gaining consistency. Unfortunately for a lot of us, the weekends are the only time we can ski.  You can still make some improvements, but the skier’s that have the luxury of skiing a few days per week will always have the competitive advantage.  If you can’t get to the course during the week, then substitute the gym and get in some weight training and cardio.  That will, at least help you, reduce the fatigue when you are on the water and help you make the best out of every pass.

  Form first, strength second.

     It used to amaze me going to tournaments, seeing old people going into short-line, and making it look effortless.  I’d see these old guys in their 60’s and 70’s making passes I could only dream of and doing it with ease.  All the time I’d be behind the boat straining as hard as I could.  I came to this conclusion.  If you have proper form you don’t have to depend on strength.  So focus your efforts on improving your form and save your strength for the times when you do get in trouble out on the course.

 
  The reason you ski.

     Too many people loose sight of the reason they started skiing in the first place.  It’s understandable since we spend so much time for the little gains we make in the ski course.  Take some time out to relax. Maybe try some other activity when out on the water to break up the monotony.  Face it, unless you are one of the rare people who make money from water skiing, if you aren’t having fun, why do it?

     Analyze problems with your own water skiing starting with the basics.  Remember, every time you get out on the course, to make every pass count.  Recognizing that YOU are the number one factor in the equation is the single most important step towards improving your skiing. 

Kerry Lloyd

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