Beginner Waterskiing: How to Teach a Child to Water Ski
You’ve bought the boat, and now it’s time to get the whole family in on the action! A great way to do this is by teaching your children how to water ski. Water skiing is fun, and a skill that can last a lifetime. Here are a few tips from Buxton Marine in Lewisville, Texas on how to teach a child to water ski for the first time:
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Get the Right Gear
Step 1 to teaching beginner waterskiing is to get the right gear for your child. For the rope, get a standard 75 ft. rope, not a shorter one. Many people think beginners should be on shorter ropes, but this is just not the case, because the shorter the rope – the closer you are to the boat and choppier water. For the skis, you can purchase a toddler ski trainer for younger kids (normally up to age 6) or junior skis with a removable crossbar that holds the skis together until your child gains enough strength to keep the skis together and straight themselves.
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Teach the Fundamentals
Practice makes perfect when it comes to learning to water ski, and getting the feel for getting up out the water can be tough. When teaching beginner waterskiing, teach your child to sit crouched in the water with their legs slightly bent as if they are sitting back in the chair in the water. They should hold the rope firmly and allow the boat to gradually pull them up out of the water. One of the most common beginner waterskiing mistakes is to attempt to stand up too fast! Encourage crouching until they are fully upright and out of the water.
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Know How to Fall
Falling is a natural part of beginner waterskiing, and it’s important to teach your child how to do this properly. When they begin to fall, they should immediately let go of the rope and fall to the side for the safest landing. If you’re looking for beginner waterskiing gear and want to teach your child how to waterski, then come by our Buxton Marine Pro Shop at both our Lake Lewisville and Cedar Creek Lake locations. Our pro shop is well stocked with water skis, life jackets, wakeboards, surfboards, ropes, tubes, and more.