There’s a reason that every boat purported to be for tow sports has a lot of buttons and gadgets and computer programs installed. No matter how cool a boat looks, it’s all about the wake, baby.

While pros are highly attuned to wake characteristics and their impact on performance, the wake affects all enthusiasts, particularly beginners. For instance, the boat’s wake must be tall enough and ­feature a clean, wave-like surface to generate sufficient push for a wakesurfer to finally release the handle.

Here are some tips for achieving optimal wake characteristics for your sport.

The hull’s shape, transom deadrise, and the boat’s weight have the biggest effect on wake size, shape, and quality. A boat with plenty of deadrise (more V shape) will create a bigger wake, as will more weight. However, adjustments made by the driver can also shape the wake.

For wakeboarders and water-­skiers, the boat’s wake should ­always stay symmetrical, and the wake’s table should be level ­because ­performance and fun are diminished when one side of the wake is taller while the other side is smaller. There are several ways that the ­driver can keep the boat’s wake symmetrical. First, the driver should maintain an exact, straight path, except when turning. Even for wakesurfing, where the wake is biased to one side, a straight boat path keeps the surfing wake consistent.

Second, the driver should ensure that the boat is always riding level. A boat that doesn’t have crew and ballast evenly distributed from port to starboard side will not be level, causing the wake to be asymmetrical. The remedy: Move ­passengers to make the boat level.

When it comes to wake size and quality of the wake for ­outboard- and sterndrive-powered boats, trimming the outboard or outdrive up or down will increase or decrease wake size. Trimming down makes for a smaller wake, ideal for water-skiers, and creates a softer table advantageous for barefoot water-skiers. Trimming up creates a bigger wake, ideal for wakeboard riders and kneeboard riders to get more air time during wake maneuvers.

Using weight in the form of ballast and people is another way to create a bigger wake. Placing ­ballast and crew in the stern section creates a taller wake but a shorter wave for surfing, providing more push for the surfer.

Placing additional ballast and people amidships and in the bow pushes the hull deeper into the water while keeping the boat’s attitude more level. This affects wakesurfing by creating a longer wave for surfing.

Read Next: How to Get Up Wakesurfing

For boats with surf tabs or ­using an aftermarket add-on wake shaper, adjustments can further shape and clean the wake for ­surfing. At surfing speeds of approximately 10 to 12 mph, the driver needs to ensure that the top of the wake is crisp and the face of the wave is clean. Minor adjustments in surf tabs or the use of the wake shaper can accomplish this.

Minute adjustments in boatspeed also affect wake shape, ­critical for surfers, wakeboard ­riders and trick skiers. Adjusting the boat’s speed up or down by less than 1 mph can change the quality of the wake. Having a GPS speedometer or speed control makes adjusting boatspeed by small ­increments easier.

Being sensitive to the wake’s characteristics for your favorite tow sport allows you to design and build your personalized optimal wake for maximum on-water fun—no ­matter what your level of expertise.

The post Tips for Shaping the Perfect Wake appeared first on Boating Mag.

While I have logged thousands of hours in inboard towboats, I recently experienced a boat powered by Mercury’s Bravo Four S. This sterndrive features the propeller on the front side of the lower unit, like the Volvo Penta Forward Drive.

This forward-facing drive provides builders of family boats with the capability to design models tailored for wakesurfing. As a lifelong tow-sports enthusiast and competitive athlete, I’m excited to see advancements like the Bravo Four S and Forward Drive. Such innovation benefits the person behind the boat and improves the driver’s experience, bringing the ­enjoyment of wakesurfing and other tow sports to a broader audience.

By positioning the propeller under the hull, facing away from the rider, the Bravo Four S and Forward Drive ensure a safer wakesurfing experience. My experience testing the Bravo Four S sterndrive on a Sea Ray demonstrated that this innovation goes beyond f­­orward-facing propellers to ­accommodate wakesurfing.

For tow-sports enthusiasts, the size and shape of the wake play a pivotal role in maximizing the enjoyment of each specific tow sport. Each sport has its optimal wake characteristics. The hull design, the amount of transom deadrise, and the weight of the boat all ­impact a wake’s size and shape. Features such as surf tabs, located at the transom, further refine the size and shape of the wake for wakesurfing. While the Bravo Four S created a very nice wave, it does not rank with the tournament-­level waves that can be created with a ­V-drive-powered towboat featuring a hull design optimized for wake creation. That said, a boat powered by a forward-facing sterndrive will be faster for the same power, perhaps more efficient, and easier to ­maneuver at the dock or ramp.

Utilizing the sterndrive for tow sports offers an additional advantage: The driver can further adjust the wake’s shape and size by trimming the outdrive. For instance, trimming out (aka up) the drive places the hull’s stern deeper into the water, creating a larger wake suitable for wakesurfing and ­wakeboarding. Conversely, trimming in (aka down) the outdrive levels the hull to produce a smaller wake, better for water skiing, ­slalom ­skiing and barefooting.

Additionally, trimming down helps get the boat on plane quicker, especially for a boat that’s ballasted or is pulling up a heavier adult on a slalom ski or wakeboard. The trimming feature of the sterndrive provides another tool to give the tow-sports enthusiast an optimal wake and tow experience.

The contra-rotating propeller design also helps for better control at idle speeds, which makes returning to someone in the water at idle more precise. In addition, I observed that the contra-rotating propellers allowed for tighter turns at speed, which allows the driver to return to a fallen surfer, rider or skier quickly.

Read Next: MerCruiser Bravo Four S Forward-Facing Drive

Combining the ­contra-rotating propellers with Digital Throttle and Shift—standard in the Bravo Four S drive—and ­power-assisted hydraulic steering elevates the ­tow-sports driving experience, enhancing driver pleasure and enabling more-precise throttle and steering control.

The helm of the Sea Ray has an array of electronic features familiar to wakesports enthusiasts, including a Simrad touchscreen display and Mercury Smart Tow, enabling the driver to set rider profiles from the dash. A computer then manages speed and wake shaping for each tow sport. The driver can fine-tune these settings manually while underway, tailoring the speed and wake to each individual’s preference. These features elevate the family boat’s tow-sports experience and actively engage the driver.

The post Using a Forward-Facing Sterndrive for Tow Sports appeared first on Boating Mag.

In my nearly half-century as an enthusiast, coach, and competitive water-ski and wake-sports athlete, I have observed first-hand how recreational and competitive athletes evolve and excel. 

Smart approaches lead to success on the water, while missteps can land you in a frustrating rut with unnecessary falls and potential injuries. Through decades of observation, I have developed a five-step strategy for success.

1. Seek Guidance from the Start

“Just do it” might be an excellent marketing slogan for Nike, but it’s not the ideal strategy for learning and making progress. Instead of adopting a “let me try it” approach, which often results in trial and error, opt for coaching from the outset. Learning through trial and error prolongs your path to success and increases the risk of acquiring bad habits. When you receive guidance, you not only grasp the basics and mechanics of tow sports, but also gain a better understanding of how each maneuver is done. This knowledge enables you to replicate success consistently.

2. Find a Positive Role Model

When aspiring to master a specific maneuver, look for a positive role model who excels in executing the maneuver flawlessly with optimal technique. This role model can be a live, in-person mentor or even someone ­featured in videos. You can recognize ­optimal technique when someone executes a maneuver effortlessly and consistently. Watch this pro perform the maneuver repeatedly to instill a positive image in your mind, affirming that you can achieve the same level. Watching people with poor technique can create bad habits.

3. Equip Yourself for Success

Your choice of equipment plays a key role in your progress. Proper equipment can accelerate your learning curve ­significantly. For example, lighter skis and boards offer ease of use, while comfortable, supportive and lightweight bindings enhance your control over the board or skis. Furthermore, the type of line you select is specific to your tow sport of choice. Low-stretch lines excel in wakeboarding and barefooting, while lines with some stretch are ideal for slalom skiing.

4. Utilize Goals for Direction

Goals should guide you, not consume you. Instead of fixating on the end result, use goals to set your course. An exclusive focus on the goal can lead to an ­impatient mindset, making you believe you should master the maneuver quickly. This impatience can trigger muscle tension, wasting your energy and directing effort in the wrong areas.

To overcome this, employ goals to establish your direction. Discipline your thinking to focus on the basics to achieving the goal. Every maneuver has its basics and mechanical nuances for optimal technique. Developing this disciplined mindset will not only accelerate your progress but also increase your understanding of each ­maneuver’s mechanics.

5. Expand Your Horizons

While many enthusiasts stick with their first tow sport, venturing into other tow sports can enhance your enjoyment and overall ­understanding. Embracing variety within tow sports not only amplifies the fun but also improves your awareness of key fundamentals, such as body position. Each tow sport shares similarities yet offers subtle differences. For instance, wakesurfing eliminates the need for a towline, allowing you to learn how to control the board by applying pressure through specific points in your feet. Wakeboarding and trick skiing teach you how to do rotations, while slalom skiing teaches you how to use the ski’s edge to cross boat wakes and make turns. Barefooting hones your precision and body positioning due to the limited surface area of your feet.

With a strategic approach to learning, coupled with increased body awareness and technical finesse, your progress in water-­skiing and wake sports will be faster and immensely gratifying. This added layer of satisfaction deepens the already exhilarating experience of participating in tow sports.

The post Five Steps to Watersports Success appeared first on Boating Mag.

Though not difficult to master, the traditional wakesurf start can be awkward. Surfers float in a reclined position before propping their heels atop the board in front. Once the boat accelerates, a slight push on the heels is all that’s required for the board to slap flat against the feet. But stay in this position too long and the board begins to plow, putting tremendous strain on the rider’s arms and shoulders. Eliminate this frustrating portion of the starting process by doing it like the pros and sink that board below the surface.

Sink or Swim

While it may seem counterintuitive, starting by standing atop a submerged board takes much of the strain out of the starting process. Rather than plow, the board mimics an airplane wing. As long as a rider’s toes are slightly higher than their heels, the board will “fly” to the surface with surprisingly little resistance.

The trick, of course, is to first master sinking the board and keeping yourself balanced atop its surface. With the boat’s engine off and the board floating 1 or 2 feet off the swim platform, practice by gently stepping or hopping off the platform onto the board and landing in the surfing position, feet spread more than shoulders’ width apart and centered. Don’t stand tall. ­Immediately go into a crouched, compact position, almost as if you were seated in a chair, with arms out for additional balance.

As in anything, practice makes perfect. A centered landing is a must. Lean too far forward or back and the board will likely kick out and begin to rise to the surface, dumping you forward or back in the process. But with a centered landing, some subtle shifts in balance and a little finesse, most riders will find they can maintain this crouched position and keep the board underfoot as it sinks slowly below the surface.

Read Next: Wakesurfing a Ski Boat

Gonna Fly Now

With balance dialed in, it’s time to fly. Step onto the board with rope in hand, allow the board to settle, then tilt it ever so slightly so that your toes are higher than your heels. Next, signal the driver to accelerate, and allow the board to begin to angle upward toward the surface. Like a traditional start, allow your knees to come into your chest, your bottom to the board’s trailing edge, and your body to roll slightly forward so your hips come under your shoulders. Don’t lean back. The less you do, the less pressure there is against your body. As the board planes atop the surface, allow it to cut away naturally from the boat in the direction of your forward foot. This will allow you to then stand already outside the wake, ready to surf.

The post How to Get Up Wakesurfing appeared first on Boating Mag.

Water-skiing, wakesurfing and wakeboarding are all fun ways to enjoy a day on the water. The first step, of course, is getting up on your skis, board or wakesurfer. Each sport is unique, but they share certain characteristics. Understanding them will make your starts easy and consistent.

The Power Comes From Your Legs

These tow sports are lower-body sports, which means your leg strength is what gets you on top of the water. Start by drawing your knees to your chest and flexing your ankles inward to bring the ski or board close to your chest. Your skis should be vertical, with the ski tip well above the water. The board on a wakeboard or wakesurfer is typically sideways or parallel to the transom prior to starting in the water.

As the boat accelerates, keep your knees and ankles tucked into your chest. The pressure of the water will lift you up. As your ski or board rises to the surface, raise your seat up as if you were standing from a chair. As you raise your seat and hips, keep an ample bend in your knees and ankles. This position provides the best balance and control. As you complete the start, use your feet and legs to turn the board facing forward.

Relaxed Upper Body

With your lower body working to get you on top of the water, your hands, arms, shoulders and chest should be relaxed, and the handle held palms down. The purpose of the line and handle is to tow you, but they should not support your weight. Apprehensive beginners can carry tension in the upper body; the remedy is to exhale just before the boat accelerates. This releases upper-body tension, allowing your arms and shoulders to relax into a natural position. Relaxing the upper body allows you to use your leg strength during the start.

Read Next: How to Choose the Right Tow Tower

Tips for Quicker Learning

Several techniques can model a proper starting position before you start behind the boat. In shallow water, have someone tow you while you maintain a ­proper starting position. If the ski or board wobbles from side to side, concentrate on using your ­lower body. If you can keep the ski or board still and close to your chest, you understand how to get up. Next, do the same exercise behind the boat while the driver tows you at idle speed. When you maintain a tucked body position following the boat, you are ready for your start.

It is helpful to have an experienced skier or rider next to you and holding you in position. This is especially helpful for young novices, who usually feel more comfortable with someone next to them.

Driving Tips

A driver familiar with tow sports is crucial to quick success. The driver should put the boat in idle while the line stretches out. Just before the line is taut, the driver should put the throttle in neutral and wait for the skier or rider to get in the proper starting position.

The driver should wait for the commands “in gear” and “hit it” from the skier or rider, then put the throttle in gear and accelerate smoothly to the appropriate speed for the ­skier’s size, experience and specific tow sport. Optimal speed for water-skiing on two skis is 15 to 25 mph, 20 to 30 mph for slalom-skiing, 15 to 20 mph for wakeboarding, and 10 to 12 mph for wakesurfing.

The post Getting Up on Your Skis or Board appeared first on Boating Mag.

Remember that aha! moment when you first got up and stayed up on a wakeboard or water ski? That exhilarating feeling is etched in your memory. And if you continue to train and acquire new skills, those aha! moments will keep popping up over a lifetime.

What’s crucial is knowing how to get better. For most, it’s a matter of going on autopilot and defaulting to trial and error. Buying a new, better board or ski can be part of the answer to improving behind the boat. But there’s more to it.

Everyone, even if you are just getting started with wake sports or riding a tube, needs that plan. The key for getting better with wake sports is to improve three separate elements: equipment, technique and boat driving. This is a physical, symbiotic relationship, like a three-legged stool. Remove one leg and it falls over. Here’s a review of each aspect.

Equipment

This ranges from your boat itself to the features on the boat specific for tow sports, such as a ski pylon or a wakeboard tower. It also includes the equipment that you use, such as the wakesurfer, ski or wakeboard to the bindings, line and handle, and flotation vest. Having proper-size equipment that is lightweight and offers the latest performance features will add immensely to your success.

Read our latest watersports boat reviews at boatingmag.com/water-sports-boats.

Technique

This includes body position, how your weight is balanced over your feet, and the position of your arms and hands while holding the handle for water-skiing and wakeboarding. Technique also includes many fine points, such as where your eyes are focused. If you look down, you go down. Or perhaps you are holding your breath, which makes your body tense. Learn through education; try hiring a coach or watching online videos. Know this: When you implement optimal technique, you will improve and tricks will feel easier to master.

Read “How to Teach a Kid to Water-Ski” at boatingmag​.com/story/water-sports/how-to-teach-a-kid-to-water-ski.

Boat Driving

Pros quickly know the difference between a skilled and unskilled driver. Weekend enthusiasts are not aware of the importance of having a driver who is attuned to giving the best tow to the skier or rider. A skilled driver for wake sports is sensitive to keeping a straight boat path, providing smooth acceleration during the start and holding the exact speed. A skilled driver is also highly sensitive to the safety of the person in tow.

Read “How to Drive a Boat for Wake Sports” at boatingmag.com/water-sports/how-to-drive-a-boat-for-wake-sports.

While each of the three elements is important in itself, you need all three elements in harmony to maximize success. Think of it this way: If your bindings are loose-fitting and do not provide ample support, you will not make the most of having optimal body position because you will not have full control of the ski or board.

Or when your body position is not balanced properly over both feet, and you have most of your weight over the back foot instead, which is commonly done, your wakeboard, wakesurfer or ski will not work to its full potential.

Also, if you have the best ski or wakeboard, with bindings that perfectly fit a perfectly balanced body position, but the driver can’t hold exact speed, then you will be distracted and not able to focus on improving.

For a safe, successful and fun experience, the key is to develop awareness of these three key elements of wake-sports success.

The post Three Keys to Improve Your Wake-Sports Skills appeared first on Boating Mag.

Waiting on the arrival of your new Centurion boat? Or maybe you and your family have your eye on one. Either way, here are some tips from professional wakeboarder, Taylor McCullough and professional wakesurfer, Nick Parros to help you set up and take care of your new ride like the pros.

Here’s how to hook up and launch your Centurion properly with professional wakeboarder for Centurion Boats, Taylor McCullough.

Here’s how to pull your boat into the lift and dock it with professional wakesurfer for Centurion Boats, Nick Parros.

Are you or someone in your crew new to getting behind the boat? Here’s how to set up your Centurion boat for wakeboarding with tips from professional wakeboarder, Taylor McCullough.

Here’s how to set up your Centurion boat for wakesurfing with tips and advice from Nick Parros, professional wakesurfer and team Centurion rider.

For more information on Centurion and to check out their newest rides, visit centurionboats.com.

The post Centurion Owner’s Manual appeared first on Boating Mag.

One summer morning in northern Michigan, I sat on the back deck of a lakeside cottage, watching the sun rise over the glassy water.

Suddenly, the ground began to vibrate, and my coffee cup on top of an end table started shaking. Was it the warning signs of an earthquake, or the footsteps of a ginormous dinosaur a la the famous scene in Jurassic Park? No, a group of teenagers had entered the quiet cove aboard a wakeboard boat, and they had the stereo set to “annihilate.”

While I would applaud this group of kids for waking up before dawn to pursue their passion, their ear-splitting music made me instantly dislike them. They had violated one of the unwritten rules of watersports: Keep your stereo at a reasonable volume. Most of today’s tow boats come equipped with incredible sound systems capable of overtaking any other noise on a given body of water. But just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. In fact, if you want to maintain any sort of camaraderie with other boaters and property owners on the lake, you really shouldn’t.

With the rise in wakesurfing bringing watersports to new heights, and with more boaters in general, there is more interaction between everyone on and around the water, especially when you factor in the old standbys, such as tubing, wakeboarding, skiing and kneeboarding, along with newer toys like foiling. And while there are definitive written rules for tow sports in every state—such as having spotters and wearing life jackets—there are also the unwritten ones, such as turning down the music. We’ve covered a few of these in the past, but with more people on the water than ever, they’re worth repeating. Here are a few more unwritten rules of watersports.

Go Deep

The No. 1 complaint I hear about watersports—even more than playing music too loud—is when boaters throw big wakes toward the shore, knocking around boats in their slips and slamming into lakefront shorelines. The solution is to go out into the middle of the lake so that whatever wake you throw has time to dissipate before it reaches the shoreline. For wakesurfing, you need a depth of at least 9 to 10 feet to build a proper wave anyway, so it’s a no-brainer. For other sports where glassy water is preferred, it might be tempting to take over that quiet cove. But be considerate of how your wake might impact other boats and structure onshore.

Give Way

If you’re engaged in a tow sport, it’s on you to be mindful of other boats in the area, especially those at anchor or adrift while fishing. Think of the impact your passing in close proximity could have on their day, either by rocking their boat while at rest or scaring away any fish in the area. While having a spotter keep eyes on who you’re towing is mandatory, it’s a good idea to have a second person keep an eye out for boat traffic and possible obstructions to avoid in the water.

Read Next: Right-of-Way Rules for Boaters

Communicate

Some states require skiers and other tow-sports enthusiasts to keep an orange or red flag on board and fly it when a rider is down in the water to alert other boaters. Even if this is not required where you live, it’s a great idea so you can signal to other boaters that there’s a person floating in the water and they should give you a wide berth.

The post Unwritten Rules to Follow When Water Skiing, Wakeboarding or Wakesurfing appeared first on Boating Mag.

All good tow-boat drivers know the basics: Always designate a spotter. Make sure the rider and spotter understand hand signals to communicate. Choose a safe path, maintain a safe speed, and avoid hazards that could endanger your crew. Keep a downed rider in view at all times by approaching on the driver’s side.

Always turn off an outboard or sterndrive, or make certain an inboard is in neutral, before a rider approaches the stern. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

With experience, the game gets upped. As long as the rider indicates they’re OK, slow to neutral after a fall, then return at idle to avoid kicking up rollers. Focus on the water ahead, but keep a roving eye on speed and the rearview mirror. Should a rider bobble, slow down to allow them time to recover before resuming your normal speed.

The best watersports boat drivers, however, take it up yet another notch by tailoring their driving to each discipline. Here’s a few of their insider tips.

Tubing

For a fun, safe ride, watch your speed. A mere 8 mph is best for children, and 15 to 18 mph is plenty for adults. To send the inflatable skidding outside the wake, initiate a series of controlled S-turns to push the tube over the wakes in each direction. Avoid cranking random sharp turns at high speed; in addition to a chaotic, potentially dangerous ride, the towrope will often go slack, then jerk riders as it snaps taut.

Whips can be fun, but proceed with care. Even when under 20 mph, a tube can accelerate to far greater speeds, increasing the chance of injury. Never punch the throttle, and be prepared to back off the speed and turn should the tube accelerate too much. Apply the same thought process to wakes; gentle can be fun, but large at high speed can be dangerous.

Water-Skiing and Wakeboarding

Skiers and board riders appreciate smooth water, straight passes, a steady speed, and clean, symmetrical wakes.

Drive in a pattern that will dissipate your rollers. Make a straight pass in one direction, a smooth turn at the end of the run, and retrace your original path. For riders who like to roam, break a curving shoreline into longer, straighter segments with brief turns. Use a visual target onshore to maintain as straight a path as possible.

Use speed control if available. If not, keep a gentle hand on the throttle and make small adjustments while watching the tach or speedo. Vary your acceleration to the rider’s size and choice of ski or board during deepwater starts. Wakeboards don’t need aggressive acceleration thanks to their larger surface area; a child on two skis requires less force than an adult on a slalom ski.

For both disciplines, anticipate the pull a rider can exert, such as a slalom skier accelerating out of a turn or a wakeboarder progressively cutting toward the wake. Be ready to throttle up ever so slightly to compensate for the pull, then back off as the skier sets up for the next turn or the rider gets airborne.

Read Next: How To Pick Up A Downed Waterskier, Wakesurfer, Wakeboard Rider or Tuber

Wakesurfing

A gradual, smooth acceleration is all that’s needed to pull a wakesurfer atop the water. Once at the target speed (10 to 11 mph), let speed control take over if possible. Nonplaning speeds, significant ballast loads and wake-enhancing hardware can make it challenging to maintain speed manually. Be prepared for significant bow rise; raise the helm seat, flip up a seat bolster or add seat cushions to ensure you maintain good visibility forward, and stay on the alert for boat traffic or other obstructions.

Underway, run a straight path. Deep water is preferable; shallow water can decrease the wake size.

Because wakes can be massive, stay well away from the shoreline and other boats, and be careful when turning back for a downed rider. Shift to neutral, allow wakes to spread, then turn tightly and proceed back toward the rider at idle to avoid swamping the bow or taking water over the gunwales.

The post How to Drive a Boat for Wake Sports appeared first on Boating Mag.

When water-skiers, wakeboarders and wakesurfers want to improve, they often think new equipment is the answer. And while new equipment can improve your performance, it is only part of your strategy for improvement.

You can have the best equipment, but if your technique is ­lacking, you will hit a plateau when it comes to improving and endure many unneeded falls. Body position is crucial to success, but many often overlook it. Optimal body position will ensure faster progress and fewer awkward falls.

When I coach, the first thing I observe is how the student positions their weight over his or her feet. Common mistakes include bending forward at the waist. This puts too much weight on the toes and balls of the feet, and leads to forward falls. Conversely, excess weight on the heels—the effect of rigid knees and ankles—results in poor balance and poor control of the ski or board. Slalom skiers and wakeboarders often make the mistake of having the knee and ankle of the forward leg stiff while the knee of the back leg is overly bent. This mistake also puts too much weight on the tail. In these cases, the ski or board will not glide over the water efficiently.

Your balance starts with your feet. When I coach, I ask the ­student to tell me exactly where his or her weight is positioned over the feet. Typically, the student will not have thought about this, and the question fosters an awareness of where body-weight pressure is positioned over the feet. The pros are highly aware of body position and can explain exactly where pressure is being applied over their feet.

So, what body position will give you maximum balance and control of the ski, board or wakesurfer? Your hips and seat should be directly over the middle of your feet. Your back and head should be aligned with your hips and demonstrate good posture, especially when water-skiing and wakeboarding. Bend your knees and ankles simultaneously. Your knees will flex forward, and your seat and hips will sink slightly lower, directly over the middle of your feet, similar to a ballet plie. This movement distributes your body weight evenly over your ski or board, providing optimal balance. Many make the mistake of bending the knees only, which puts you in a squatted position. The key is to bend the knees and flex the ankles forward simultaneously so that your weight stays directly over the middle of your feet.

Read Next: How to Drive a Boat for Wake Sports

It is helpful to practice this on land first. Develop an awareness of how your hips and seat are positioned over your feet. Notice that flexing your knees and ankles distributes pressure evenly through your feet.

In addition to providing optimal balance, this position allows you to control and direct the ski, board or wakesurfer efficiently. By ­using your leg strength and applying pressure to the ski or board through your knees, ankles and feet, you can cross the wake, making smooth carving turns or sharp turns. Using this technique also allows you to do rotational tricks on a wakeboard or wakesurfer.

So, the next time you are on the water, keep your eyes on the horizon but stay aware of where your weight is positioned over your feet. Your balance will improve, and you will take your success and fun to a higher level.

The post How to Stay Balanced During Wake Sports appeared first on Boating Mag.