It's That Time of Year!

It's that time again, the time of year you pick up your dry, crusty gloves, dust off your ski and get ready for that first ride of the year. Maybe you're sneaking off to Florida or California, maybe it's warm enough at your lake but we know you're itching to get on the water. You're ready to be sore all over and build up those calluses again but here's the deal.. we all tend to start up too intense and build some bad habits that stick with us far to long into the season. So here it is, a couple pointers to start your year right and make this season the best yet.

1. Swallow Your Pride.

    

     For some reason a lot of us think we should pick up this season within a couple of bouys of where we ended last year. This year let's make some changes. Start without bouys and freeski for a couple passes to build some rhythm. Focus on holding a good body position throughout the course and making all your movements continuous instead of all broken up into separate movements; fluidity is key. After you've got that down go into the course but don't let it go to your head. We're still focusing on good body position and continuous movements. Pick a line length/speed combo you know you can always run and stay there for a couple sets. Develop a rhythm and make that pass as good as it was last summer before you move on. The key here is to develop a good baseline to help you move forward. Once you feel dialed, start shortening but be smart with it and develop a plan for how you're going to train.

2. Body Position.
    

     The most important part of your skiing that didn't change from last season to this season is.. body position. The way you ride your ski is vital to your success on the water. Let's start from the beginning, from the moment you get up until you drop on the end. You should be aware of how you stand on your ski. Come up with some keys to get yourself focused before you pull out. Make sure you are standing level over ski and you're arms are relaxed and sitting low across your hips. In the cold one of the easiest things to do is get uptight. Make sure that your shoulders and arms stay loose and relaxed while you ski. This lets your ski to ride the way it wants to and allows you to stay away and strong behind the boat. Another key to focus on is your release off the second wake. Be strong behind the boat and when the time is right make your move out. Allow your ski to carry direction outbound by maintaining body position and not pulling yourself to the inside.

The most crucial element to moving from behind the boat to the turn is making it one continuous movement as opposed to two distinct moves. By making fluid continuous movements you allow yourself and your ski to ride more natural and balanced in the water. This leads us to the turn. When moving back in after the bouy progression is key. Don't try to crank out big turns but think that all your direction is now building in the opposite direction. Once you're at the height of your turn, start moving your free hand back on the handle and build speed cross course. This will allow you to finish your turns in a strong balanced position and right where you want to be behind the boat. Relax your arms and continue the process over and over again.

 3. Make A Plan.

     Before you start the season set goals for yourself. Set one month, three month, and end of the season goals and then make a plan for how to achieve those goals. Set training schedules for your self, balancing up the rope sets with back-to-back sets and figure in tournament dates with your normal training. By scheduling it out you'll train more effectively and be amazed at how well you can monitor your training. Get a journal and write down what you felt every set and what passes you ran. It's great to look back on and see what worked before and can work again.

4. Have Fun.

    At the end of the day we're just water skiers so don't take it too seriously. We all love the water so let's enjoy it. Throw a couch on some skis and see if it works (I'll be impressed). Have a contest on the old wood ski you have lying around. Enjoy every second on the water and come ski with The Wilson Bros. anytime you can. We would love to have ya!