Summer Ski League

Ready to take your skiing to the next level? We can help!

In an effort to increase participation in our summer tournaments series, and grow the sport of competitive water skiing, we are adding a “Summer Ski League” designed to help the recreational skier make the transition from the open water to the world of competitive skiing!

Who:

Existing Slalom Skiers capable of getting up and crossing the wake with confidence who want to test themselves on and conquer the slalom course. To participate, you must join the Capital Area Water Ski Club.

What:

Ski on glass…...smooth water on private ski lakes with certified competition courses using powerful inboard competition ski boats with computerized GPS speed control. Receive instruction from seasoned tournament skiers. Make ski friends and training buddies! Exclusive CAWSC club member summer practice Sessions.

When:

Wednesday evenings 6pm-dusk, skiers should start arriving at 5:30 to register and get on the list.

Where:

Sessions will rotate per the calendar above across three private ski lakes: Frameswitch (near Hutto), San Marcos River Ranch (near Martindale), and Austin Aquaplex (near Buda). Click on the site names for Google maps.

How/Requirements:

For liability reasons, skiers must pay for USA Water Ski coverage. Options include a day pass, or year-long memberships.

You must also be a member of the Capital Area Water Ski club.

For each ski ride, there will be a small fee to cover gas, driver/coaching/safety officials, lake access, boat usage. Fees will be determined prior to the start of the league.

Fees:

• Up-front cost: CAWSC Membership ($25 new individual)
• Per ski day insurance cost: $7 USAWS insurance (max 5 payments)
  • or active AWSA membership if already have one
• Per ski ride fee: $10* for 6 passes through the course or 15 minutes (which ever comes first)
  * subject to change based on gas prices etc. (max 2 ski rides per night)
  

Contact Us:

Click Here to send an email and learn more about the Summer Ski League.

Info About the Slalom Course:

How is the slalom course laid out?
The buoys are arranged into a course of six turns that the skier must complete. There is a pair of buoys at the beginning and end of the course that serve as entrance and exit gates. The skier begins each pass at the course by skiing through the entrance gates on his or her way to the first turn buoy. Then the skier continues through the course rounding each of the six turn buoys, finally skiing through the exit gate buoys. The gate buoys are also in line with a series of centerline buoys that serves a boat path guide buoys.

How fast should I ski? First time in the course?
For open-water skiing, skiers should ski at a speed that is comfortable to them. This may be between 24 MPH to 34 MPH. This again is dependent upon the weight of the skier. However, for the first time in the slalom course, many people should ski the course at the slowest speed that he or she can comfortably cross the wakes and make turns without sinking. For average size men, this speed ranges from 26 MPH to 32 MPH. For average size women, the best speeds are between 24 MPH to 28 MPH. Many times advanced open-water skiers (never skied a course) have progressed to speed well above those used in the course. For men, the top speed used in the slalom course is 36 MPH and for women the top speed is 34 MPH. When they attempt the course for the first time, the speed should be lowered considerably to the ranges listed above. The most advanced open-water skier will be surprised at the challenge initially presented by the course.

What is the proper technique for skiing the course?
Technique is the absolute most important factor for success in the slalom course. Many skiers who have accumulated many years of skiing in open water have attained some habits that are counterproductive in the slalom course. You should note that in the slalom course, the goal is to cross the wakes as fast as possible then slow the ski down quickly and make a tight turn and head back to the other side.

Things that make a successful trip through the course:
* Standing tall and strong on the ski even while leaning, crossing the wake, turning
* Weight (hips, shoulders, head) centered above both of your feet (stacked)
* Carving the turn until the ski moves back around between you and the boat
* Starting across the wake with easy effort, then progressively adding counter-effort as the boat's force increases
* Arms straight with elbows tucked to the vest while leaning across the wakes
* Legs strong and tall with your rear tucked up and in while crossing the wakes
* Stay fluid and smooth with all of your actions and movements

The most typically present "bad" habits include:
* Leaning back or digging in with your back foot especially at the end of the turn
* Cranking the end of the turn, forcing or rushing the end of the turn
* Pulling in on the rope with your arms
* Easing off your effort as you cross the boat wakes, stopping the lean and bouncing
* Keeping knees straight especially as you change edges before the turn and during the turn
* Excessive leg/knee bend or squatting when leaning and crossing the wakes
* Jerky or abrupt movements and actions

As you should notice, these bad habits involve body position and the timing of effort. The proper body position for the slalom course includes:
* Shoulders back and chest out as in military attention
* Ankles bent (knees will bend slightly on their own)
* Hips are pushed & locked forward, butt tucked in and lower back arched
* Weight is evenly distributed on both feet or with slightly more on the front foot
* Head is up looking at the horizon (not down at the water)
* Arms are kept straight as an extension of the rope
* Elbows tucked in near or touching the vest, handle low