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Looking for some Tips

Crystal1204Crystal1204 Posts: 1
in Technique & Theory
Hello everyone!

I’m 33, 5’1” and about 120. We just traded in our 2017 super air Nautique for a 2020 GS20. I have been very active in all water sports since I was a kid but mostly slalom the last 5yrs or so. I’m looking for some tips. I am right handed big have always put my left foot forward. I don’t feel like I have a ton of control and it kills my back the way I’m standing. I lean back a lot bc I feel if I stand up then I’m wobbly, get drenched in the face and might go over the front of the ski. I usually ski about 21mph. Can you give me some tips about my stance, posture, feet, speed and the best ski to be using. Thank you!

Comments

  • HortonHorton Posts: 32,344 Administrator
    @Crystal1204 it is hard to give you specifics without seeing you ski.

    Read this and let me know what you think https://www.ballofspray.com/home-page/news/54-basic-relaxed-position

    Also depending on your ski you might want to go a few mph faster. Just 2 or 3 mph.

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  • marknmarkn Posts: 513 Mega Baller
    How did you determine you were left foot forward? Have someone stand behind you and push you when you are not expecting it. Which ever foot goes forward first to catch yourself, is your dominate foot....forward.
  • HortonHorton Posts: 32,344 Administrator
    no. after years of skiing do not try to switch feet

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  • dvskierdvskier Posts: 810 Crazy Baller
    @Horton You must have missed @Gloersen re ent notation that he successfully switched due to an injury. I agree that it would be better for her going 24 mph.
  • HortonHorton Posts: 32,344 Administrator
    @dvskier yeah yeah it happens but I would never tell some to switch after years of skiing unless there was extreme circumstances.

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  • dvskierdvskier Posts: 810 Crazy Baller
    I agree. Gloerson didn’t really have a choice. I’ve seen several new skiers find success at 24 mph. Hey
  • GloersenGloersen Posts: 1,231 Mega Baller
    edited January 2020
    @Crystal1204 - learning proper stance is huge - I still struggle with standing properly upon the ski. Many expert coaches validly emphasize this aspect. Search Youtube for as many Gordon Rathbun "Drill" videos as you can find to assimilate. If you're in Orlando anytime, sign up with Jodi Fisher to get coached on how important stance is and learn it correctly.
    If you've been skiing LFF for a while stick with it. I personally had to switch feet unavoidably, due to prior injury/repair, but recommend against it as an easy option; it remains a challenge and after a year, may finally being seeing some positive momentum. You can try it if your binding setup allows an easy experiment; maybe you'll be atypical and immediately find improvement and a better "feel", but for the most it'll feel super scary and not worth pursuing.
    Study this and more, do the drills, take video and get ready to see how much room for improvement remains as well as what's been gained. Also, if you get addicted on slalom, find some better boat wakes. Good luck.
  • MuskokaKyMuskokaKy Posts: 457 Crazy Baller
    @Crystal1204 first off welcome to the forum :)

    I have had this chat a few times with skiers in the past. I actually can ski both RFF and LFF. i started / ride LFF and will remain that way; however my hip alignment is way better with my RFF . Oddly enough i can only get up RFF double boot in and LFF ( my preferred) i have to start one in and one out ( as my hips wont allow me otherwise; which to me is a big deal, atleast mentally!). I'm 31, athletic and been skiing since i was 3. I ski the course at 30-32mph ( pending time of year) LFF only but do free ski RFF a few times a year for sh*ts. I hear what @Horton is saying and would also never recommend changing now, but i do understand where this is coming from. I also agree to bump it up a couple mph's

    "they say" the foot you would "plant" ,say if you were going to kick a soccer ball should be in the front and the one you use to kick in the back. Makes sense; sure. But then i was thinking are there really that many skiers who use their left as their "kicking" leg??

    Anyways congrats and the new boat and hope you find some answers this year :)
  • ScottScottScottScott Posts: 1,341 Mega Baller
    edited January 2020
    So youve been slalom skiing longer than 5 years, but more focused on it for 5 years and skiing at 21mph? I would definitely speed up a good bit. Are you trying to get through the course, or free skiing? Free skiing I would be at least 26-28 mph. When you start trying to learn the course (1/2 or full) I would maybe slow back down to 24/25. A lot has to do with the size of your ski also, you would need a pretty big ski to go that slow. At that speed you're going to feel like you're sinking, and lean back because of it. A little more speed will get you on top of the water more, and feel more stable. Then you can focus on your position with some of the suggestions above.
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