One of the biggest obstacles in the way of smooth, rhythmic skiing is the sometimes monstrous wakes you have to cross to get from one carving turn to the next. Your ski-school coach or local water- ski hero probably keeps telling you that you need to slow the boat down to learn how to ski with symmetry, but all you see when the boat slows down is the increasing size of the mammoth wake behind the boat. Here are a few quick tips on how to overcome those wakes and link your smooth carving turns seamlessly together.
• Start with a progressive turn. If you allow the ski to carve through the turn smoothly rather than rushing or forcing the turn, you will approach the wakes with more control both physically and mentally.
• Be proactive. If you wait until you hit the wakes to “fight back,” you will be one step behind. Be prepared for the wakes both mentally and physically so that you may win the battle.
• Maintain power through the wakes. Fear of the wakes can often cause you to lighten up, stand up or pull yourself out of a good position in your approach. Resist that urge and maintain your powerful position all the way through the wakes.
• Advance the ski. As the tip of the ski hits the first wake, stay strong with your core and drive the hips slightly ahead. This will drive the ski through the wakes a bit more efficiently and begin the edge-change process without causing you to compromise your position and power as you move through the wakes.