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Tow sports look easy when performed by experienced skiers and surfers but can be physically challenging and mentally intimidating to learn. Here’s how to get off on the right foot.
Photo: Connelly Water Sports
June marks 50 years since I first attempted to water ski. Though I tried relentlessly that day, I was unsuccessful. The next summer, June 1975, I had another opportunity. That time I got up on two water skis on my first attempt, skiing for about 100 feet. On the second try, I went halfway around the lake, smiling from ear to ear. The difference between the two experiences was clear to me.
Learning to water ski had nothing to do with just strength and trying. I needed coaching. On my second chance, an experienced skier got in the water, showed me the proper starting body position, and made sure I remained in the proper position as the boat accelerated. Having an experienced water skier next to me also calmed me down, allowing me to focus on technique.
As an enthusiast, coach, and competitive tow sports athlete, I’ve observed thousands of beginners and enthusiasts at all levels learn and improve. Based on experience, I’ve developed a list of strategies to shorten the learning curve while boosting success.
Mindset matters
Having the right mentality is important for learning. When learning a new tow-sports skill, there’s some level of apprehension, which typically results in upper body tension. Tow sports is a lower body sport, but when someone’s upper body is tense, they tend to neglect the muscles in their lower body and their legs slide off to the side and get left behind during the start. Many perceive this as lacking strength, but anxiety is causing them to exert strength in the wrong parts of the body, throwing them off balance.
If the beginner can’t have an experienced skier in the water coaching them, another technique is to have someone pull them along at idle speed so they can relax their hands and upper body while keeping the board or skis tucked close to their chest by bending their hips and knees while flexing their ankles toward their chest. If the skis or board wobble or slide to the side, that’s a sign their upper body is tense and lower body is not engaged. When a beginner can follow the boat while holding the starting position, they’re in the proper position and the driver can smoothly throttle up.
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Tow sports are lower body sports, but novices need to avoid upper body tension to stay balanced. One calming technique is to pull a new skier along at idle speed until they get relaxed and settled. Photo: Connelly Water Sports
Equipment matters
Proper equipment makes for quicker learning. Skis, boards, and wake surfers come in a variety of sizes that fit preteens to heavier adults. Smaller skis, boards, and surfers are easier to control during the starting stage for youngsters. Wider skis and bigger wakeboards provide more surface area, which makes starts easier and requires less strength while planing for adults. The additional surface area also requires less boat speed and is more forgiving of suboptimal body positioning.
The position of the tow point significantly impacts the learning process. A V-shaped bridle can be attached to the port and starboard transom eye to attach the tow line. However, the person in tow will experience a slight downward pull, making the starts more difficult and create a less-than-optimal performance once on top of the water. A better accessory is a tow pylon, which provides more upward pull.
Even better, many boats come with a wakeboard tower. The tower’s higher towing point not only helps wakeboard riders get more airtime during wake jumps, spins, and inverts, but also makes it easier to learn and succeed for everyone of any size or skill. The higher tow point requires less strength during the start and helps all ages and heavier adults to learn more quickly.
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Driving matters
The driver plays a key role in how quickly the novice will have success, starting with being sensitive to the fact that beginners floating in the water back there may be nervous. Once everyone is ready and spotters are in place, the driver’s mindset should be focused first on safety, then on providing a driving experience that helps the person in tow succeed.
When I drive or coach, I look for signs of apprehension, such as hands tightly gripping the handle or shoulders tucked up close to the ears during the start. When I see any of those signs, I wait. I ask the beginner to exhale and breathe calmly until I see their shoulders drop. I say “smile” to lighten the mood, and that usually gets rid of apprehension.
The tow sport driver should accelerate smoothly and know the speeds for the tow sports, which are approximately:
- Youngsters on two skis: 15 to 20 mph
- Adults on two skis: 20 to 25 mph
- Wake surfing: 10 to 12 mph
- Wakeboarding: 15 to 20 mph
- Slalom skiing (recreational): 25 to 32 mph
- Tubing: 15 to 20 mph
- Kneeboarding: 10 to 15 mph
From my experience, having a methodical approach to learning tow sports that includes having the right mindset, the right equipment, and smart driving dramatically reduces failed attempts and accelerates learning. Everybody wins!