March Tips
We have three different tips for you this month. We have a skiing tip by Seth Stisher, a gear tip from Tadd Schreiber (Gear gooru for H2Osmosis Sports), and in the next week we should have an injury prevention tip from Dr. David Geier of MUSC Sports Medicine. We hope you enjoy!
You can’t just be patient!
by: Seth Stisher
I have been hearing it since I was 8 years old, "Be patient at the buoy-you’re rushing the turn!" In a way it is great advice, but it leaves out half of the information (and perhaps the most important part of the information)...how to make the ski turn.
The answer to this problem lies more in the edge change and "pre-turn" as it has been called, rather than in the turn itself. The key here is to move out to the turning edge powerfully in order to give the ski the ability to keep carrying out as you reach. As you complete the edge change, you must continue to move everything out and way and let the ski begin to drop back a little, which will move your hips over the leading, inside edge of the ski. Having your mass over this spot of the ski, causes the ski to begin to initiate the turn for you. IF the leading inside edge of the ski has pressure on it, the ski wants to move in that direction (or turn). At this point, you can "BE PATIENT" and actually feel the benefit of the age old advice.
Check out the pictures below for a better idea of what I am talking about. Thomas Moore does it much better than I do, but hopefully these images will help.
For past articles, click on any of the links at the bottom of this page and please keep your eyes open for my instructional articles in WaterSki Magazine. For more info, email me or call me at the H2Oz Training Center (843.793.4470).
Don’t Look for the best ski, look for the right ski for you!
by: Tadd Schreiber
There are a lot of great skis on the market right now, but which one is the best? The answer is: None of them. The real answer is more about what ski is right for you. Of course from year to year, some ski companies make a better ski for the typical skier, but how many of us are the typical skier?
You need to let your coach help you decide which ski might be right for your technique, or contact a shop who has a skier-based staff in order for them to help you decide what ski is right for you. Additionally, you want to insure that they are unbiased and aren’t trying to match you to a ski that makes their inventory balance out. Additionally, you want to insure that they have some sort of short term return policy or as we do, a demo-like program. We use the Ride Before You Buy program to allow people to try a few skis before they fully commit. It is an important aspect since you never really know what ski will work for you. Some of us need more speed, some of us need more stability in the turn, some of us ride with our weight a little heavy on the back foot, and some of us crawl up on the tip in the turns. No matter what the case, take time to find the ski that is right for you.
To hear more about our Ride Before You Buy program, click here. or you can call us at 866.213.7993 or email us to setup your first ride.
COMING SOON-Injury prevention by Dr. David Geier of MUSC Sports Medicine.
Also, as always, if you would like to take a look at any previous tips of the month, click on one of them below to see a pdf file of an old article.
"Winter/Spring 08-Don’t Give It To The Boat and Name That Line" Click here...
"Winter 08 Tips"-Click here...
"September/October-Dispelling Myths about Fin Setup"
If you want to see the videos of the rhythm drill from previous instructionals, go to www.waterskitrainer.com/news.php and scroll down until you see the videos.
"July 2007-Off Water Training and Warm Up and Whipping Drills Revisited"
"May-June 2007-Driving Tips, Stance, and Gear Check"
"December-January 2006/2007-Holiday Training Tips"
September-October 2006-"Style versus Physics, Fin Fundamentals"
June/July 2006-"Physics of Movement, Surefire Trick Runs"
April/May 2006-"Work Smart, Push-Retreat, Graphite for your Screws"
March 2006-"Whatchyou Lookin’ At-What’s the trick to where you look?"
Jan/Feb 2006-"Spring Training Tips, Gate Concepts, and Core Strength"
Fall 2005-"Tips on Trying new gear"
August/September 2005-"Lose your Connection, Lose your Direction"
If you have any questions, please e-mail coach@h2osmosis.com, or come ski with us in Charleston, SC.