Go from shadowing the buoys to running the course.

[Wish]

What are some suggestions for a friend to get him from shadowing the buoys very well to running the course? If the buoys were in a foot or so he'd run it no problem (no Dr M jokes). And he is really really smooth at it. Want to avoid the chasing and progressively get him out there. All shadowing done 2 handed, 30mph, 15 off and LFF on a Senate C ( seems to be smoother here then full 75' rope). Have done some just getting certain buoys like 1 ball, shadow 2-3 and get 5 and 6. What's worked for you, or folks you've coached or heard from coaches. This goes back to @Than_Bogans thread on perfecting (or close to it) before jumping foward where success is minimal.

[DanE]

Forget about entrance gates to begin with, use them as approximate markers for wake crossings.

Much more important to start out wide, learn how to commit to the wake crossing in good position.

15 off is a lot better than full line.

Tell him to aim for as much space before the buoys and width, ultimately the buoy is where he should finish the turn, every beginner I have watched naturally wants to ski straight to the buoy and make the turn behind it (that coupled with poor wake crossings is what holds anybody back from running the course)

[crashman]

sounds like he's close- how about putting the speed control in practice mode and dropping the speed by 1mph. I spent a long time trying to find 6 ball at 28.5 mph and I wish somebody would have told to drop the speed a little so I could have tasted victory sooner.

[Wish]

@DanE. That's what is different with him. He figured out that starting the turn before back in before the ball is what's needed. Dont want to dicurage that. He does not long pull and is turning back around at the right time. Working on getting better form but its not bad. Not sure if he gets creating space. That I will mention. Also using gate as just a guide is a good idea. Forgot about that one.

[TheBigHead]

When I first started actually going for the balls I would run the course backwards... get 1 ball shadow 2-5 then around 6. I would add 5 then 4 then 3.

 

This helped me make 6 turns each time, rather than making a bad turn at 2 and giving up on the pass.

 

Also when I was getting close, the biggest tip that helped me was someone saying "Get more ski in the water" this really helped my angle out of the offside and was all I needed to make the course the first time.

 

I also started 30mph 15off and lowering speed or longer line didn't help.

[gsm_peter]

My two cents since I am also a beginer

Fully agree to many comments.

 

My coach wanted me to shadow bois and start from the end.

6, 5+6, 4+5+6 etc.

Always make 6 full turns.

Always focus on rythm and timing.

Started off at 25,26 mph.

 

When I managed 4 resonable sucessfull passes he raised the speed.

I have now 6 at 28, 4 at 29, just started 2 at 30.

Also just for fun 6 at 26, 22 off, 2 at 29, 22 off

 

Just changed ski to Senate. Turns better and is more fun to ski.

The ski needs 30 to run better.

Only tried 30 a few times.

 

But..... I recently just mess upp my skiing totally.

My off pull is totally crap.

My on pull is really strong. Mostly without creating speed?!?

Timing is gone.

 

Yesterday I went to 30 just shadow bois.

Felt much better.

Unfortunately no skiing until next week.