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| 1 | Public Discussion Section / Tips and Techniques / Coach Leach Tips - Great Slalom Drills from Seth! on: May 7th, 2010, 1:08pm |
| Started by ToddL | Post by ToddL | |
| As a Water Ski Coach, I look for other coaches and experts who seem to be helping skiers excel. Seth Stisher is one of those coaches that seem to always have rave reviews from those who have been under his instruction. I have not yet had that opportunity to ski with him, but hope to soon. Seth has posted some videos of some slalom drills that he finds most helpful for skiers wanting to master the "west coast style" and techniques that have proven to be a key for many world-class slalom skiers. The Pullout Drill - notice the upper body rotation, separation of lower body (hips and below lean more than upper body), more back arm effort (pressure), and elbows in... http://www.youtube.com/v/SLfNGee5LKo The Rhythm or "Whips" Drill - narrow wake crossings - notice the tight line, how the turn just becomes a lean and wake crossing, notice how the upper body leans in the direction of the wake but the ski advances out in front of the body as the skier crosses the center line of the boat, and notice the patience in waiting for the ski to turn - let it dictate the turn. http://www.youtube.com/v/_f5KQdpqroE Both of these drills look awesome and Seth does a great job demonstrating them. Consider spending some quality time on these exercises before you chase those buoys. Coach Leach Frame Switch Ski School http://www.frameswitch.info |
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| 2 | Public Discussion Section / Tips and Techniques / Coach Leach Tips - Handle Control in Slalom? on: May 7th, 2010, 12:50pm |
| Started by ToddL | Post by ToddL | |
| If you trick ski, you probably know how important it is to have handle control to initial and complete turns and tricks. However, have you ever thought about the importance of handle control as it pertains to slalom skiing the slalom course? Below is an excellent article on this topic: What the Heck is Handle Control? By Bruce Butterfield http://ballofspray.com/tech-articles/87-what-the-heck-is-handle-control Too summarize, the skier should always be transferring the energy of the boat to the skier's center of mass. By keeping the elbows in when completing a turn, initiating the lean, through the lean, and during the edge change; the skier can maintain handle control resulting in an earlier path to the next buoy. Bruce cites the following results of mastering this Handle Control technique: 1. The reach can be smooth, going out and back in at the same speed. 2. The upper body will be up and counter-rotated 3. Speed will be maintained into and out of the turn 4. The hookup will be smooth with body position ready to lean So put this into your training plan, and I hope to see you moving to shorter and shorter ski lines soon! Regards, Coach Leach Frame Switch Ski School http://www.frameswitch.info |
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| 3 | Public Discussion Section / Tips and Techniques / Coach Leach Tips! - Trick Surface 180 on: Sep 5th, 2009, 4:14pm |
| Started by ToddL | Post by ToddL | |
| For surface turns, I think the most important tip is that your body does not initiate nor dictate the rotation. Think of your body position as a passenger during the trick. You should have your front ankle bent a lot (this causes your knees to been, too), your elbows in at your sides, your chest shoulders and head up, your weight centered on the ball of the front foot. This puts you in a neutral position with the ski already released and ready to rotate. To initiate the rotation, the body says still, but the arms and handle move. To rotate around clockwise to your right, you move the handle from a centered position around your hips to the left. The key here is that as you handle moves, the force of the pull from the boat cause the rotation to occur. Keep the handle in close as you rotate. Concentrate on taking the handle to the final position - at the small of your lower back. Finally, think of the rotation as starting with a handle action, initiating at the ski, then the knees follow, then causing the hips to rotate, then the torso, then shoulders. The last thing to move is the head. Look at the boat (pylon) until your torso and shoulders force your eyes to move away. Then, scan the horizon until you can focus on the horizon behind you. This solution prevents you from losing your axis, and it keeps your torso upright. The backwards skiing position should look just like the front skiing position except the handle is in at the small of your back. To turn front, you do the same thing. Initiate the turn by moving the handle around your hips to the front. The final destination is your tummy. You must turn front to a position with the handle in close to your body. Thus, while you are rotating, you only want to focus on bringing the handle in at the finish and scanning the horizon. Nothing else changes or moves. The goal while learning these tricks is to be a master of control throughout the rotation. That's why some say to do a side-slide then continue to the back position. You will know when you have mastered the back 180 when you can take about an 8 count (8 seconds) to slowly rotate in one continual movement from front to back with tension on the handle throughout. If you have access to a large lazy susan (like a large tv rotation shelf, etc.), sit and spin, or a small desk chair with a removable back, you can use these devices to practice controlled rotation. Or be creative; find something that lets your feet slip and rotate (socks on a tile floor). For the chair, you would kneal on it. The others, you would stand on it. Connect a handle to a fixed object (tree, fence post, door knob, etc.). Position the rotation item far enough away so that when holding the handle in perfect trick skiing position - your handle is in close to your tummy. Now, while in that perfect body position try to move only the handle and as slowly as possible rotate to the back position. Then rotate slowly to the front. Remember, keep your eyes up on the horizon. (Look down, fall down). Do this both back and front and in both directions. Practice back in one direction then return via the same side, then back the other direction and return via that side. (no 360's with a pause in the middle) Concentrate on perfect body position throughout the rotation and only the handle and arms move. Hope this helps you develop mastery of 180's on a trick ski! |
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| 4 | Public Discussion Section / Recreational Waterskiing Discussions / Lot for sale on Guadalupe Ski Plex Water Ski Lakes on: Mar 1st, 2009, 8:10pm |
| Started by KennyG | Post by KennyG | |
| 3/4 acre lot on Guadalupe Ski Plex Water Ski community, located near San Marcos and Austin Texas. Sale includes residential lot with weekend living quarters, unlimited ski rights and 15x30’ boat shed. Complete details can be found at http://www.awesomepictures.net/SkiLakeLotForSale . Contact me if you want additional information about this property or other ski lakes in the Austin area. Kenny KennyG@satx.rr.com e-mail 210-823-9292 mobile |
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| 5 | Public Discussion Section / Recreational Waterskiing Discussions / Re: no time for skiing on: Sep 20th, 2008, 11:07pm |
| Started by rhstunt | Post by ToddL | |
I feel your pain... Frame Switch Ski Lakes need rain badly. Only the north jump lake is really safe. I'm already thinking our season at FS is done.  -T |
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| 6 | Public Discussion Section / Recreational Waterskiing Discussions / no time for skiing on: Sep 17th, 2008, 11:30am |
| Started by rhstunt | Post by rhstunt | |
| I am hurtin'! Once school started for my kids, my skiing seems to have ended. I was so excited about lessons on Tuesdays, with Todd, then, all of a sudden, BAM! No more for me! I hope the rest of you are not suffering the same shock, but I am working to change my schedule to allow, at least some open water recreation. This is almost painful! |
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| 7 | Public Discussion Section / Tips and Techniques / Coach Leach Tips - Get Into Slalom Position! on: Aug 30th, 2008, 12:10pm |
| Started by ToddL | Post by ToddL | |
| Get Into Slalom Position! The best way to get that perfect slalom form is to perform this exercise - The Leaning Drill Tie a handle to a tree, post, or strong pole. Stand with your feet in slalom stance, aimed about 45 degrees to one side when compared with the angle of the rope between you and the pole. Hold the handle against your closest shoulder to the pole, move your feet closer or farther from the pole until the rope is tight while holding the handle at your shoulder. Now, stand as tall as possible: Head up, shoulders back (kind of like a soldier at attention), your hips locked forward with zero bend at the waist. Without changing anything from the waist up, bend your front ankle. This will cause your front knee to bend, move forward and downward. Your back knee will follow. Your upper body will counter balance and lean back. Keep your waist locked with zero bend. There should be a straight line from your front knee though your waist to your torso. Your weight should be about 60 percent on your front foot. Now, while holding this position, slowly let your arms out as you lean away from the pole and lean on the handle. Try to squeeze your ribs with your elbows while you lean. This position should feel powerful. This is the correct leaning position for slalom. Practice this with your feet 45 degrees to the other direction. If you feel twisted, then this is likely your off-side lean. You may want to rotate your upper body a bit more to face the pole, making your lean away stronger. Have a friend read these instructions and judge you, offering help where you deviate. Once you have done this drill to the point where it feels normal, you can hit the water. On the water, start easy to your off-side (If you are right-foot forward, so go to the left side of the boat, or vice versa). Go through the same process to get into position. Then, lean just a very little bit. You will advance up alongside the boat. Have someone in the boat signal to you for body position corrections. Don't forget to have about 60 percent of your weight on your front foot. As you achieve the perfect position, you will see the ski advance up further on the boat's side. Don't lean too much, just concentrate on form. Always do the off-side first as it is the hardest. Then, do it again on the other side of the boat. Finally, end with another lean on the off side. Eventually, this will build muscle memory. This position is the exact position you need to cross the wakes in one smooth stable lean. That is the key to slalom skiing. Wake crossings in one smooth motion - not backing off to go over the wakes, but staying in a comfortable lean all the way from one side to the other. Have fun! Regards, Coach Leach Frame Switch Ski School http://www.frameswitch.info |
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| 8 | Public Discussion Section / Recreational Waterskiing Discussions / Re: workout for skiers on: Aug 3rd, 2008, 10:58am |
| Started by rhstunt | Post by rhstunt | |
| This class is offered, right now, for free, to help design the most effiecient program, for us, as skiers. Very soon, it will change to a very low cost, off-seasonal program. Look for more on this website, soon! | |
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| 9 | Public Discussion Section / Recreational Waterskiing Discussions / workout for skiers on: Jul 22nd, 2008, 9:36pm |
| Started by rhstunt | Post by rhstunt | |
| My name is Richard Hancock. I am a new member of CAWSC, and this will be my first post in this forum. #1--Thanks to Todd for a great lesson, and I will certainly be attending many more! #2--I run an intensive strength and conditioning workout in a big gymnastics school in north central austin, sunday evenings, and I would like to invite any and all interested members to attend. I will design and configure more "ski-muscles" type exercises, if I have any takers. I will be there, anyway, and my current students pay for the priviledge, however, I will offer an introductory rate of $0, to any CAWSC members that want to get in a very cool workout. That is free, BTW, and, at that rate, it would be worth a try. Interested parties may contact me via email-- rhstunt@gmail.com |
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| 10 | Public Discussion Section / Recreational Waterskiing Discussions / MeetUP! with Austin Skiers!!! on: Mar 28th, 2008, 7:59pm |
| Started by ToddL | Post by ToddL | |
| Network, Party, and Ski with other Austinites! Meet up! http://waterski.meetup.com/22/ The Austin Waterski Meetup Weather is warming up. Let's get ready to ski. This group is for those who love to slalom ski. Whether you are beginning, intermediate or advanced, we can create plenty of opportunity to ski. Connecting with other skiers on Lake Austin or Travis is the goal. Have a boat and need someone to drive? Have a ski but need a boat? This is a great place to connect. Want to learn to run a slalom course? Want to participate in a tournament? This is the place to learn more and get involved. Plan on morning meet times to get the best water. Of course week days are best. For those who are interested in running a course, special ski days are being coordinated with local private lakes and the Capital Area Water Ski Club. If you want to learn to run a course or be a better skier, check out the ski school run by Todd at Frameswitch Lakes. So, lots of fun to be had this summer. If you want to help, let me know. Any participation will be great. (posted for Peter Catalano) |
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