Safety Rules, Warnings & Disclaimer

 

Sky Skiing has inherent risks, and injuries, including disability and death can occur. Always follow all safety rules described in your owners manual. Do not attempt new maneuvers without the proper safety equipment and supervision. Keep your manual and review it periodically.

Pre-Flight Checks

• Before you hit the water, mentally review your plan on the water.

• Go through the motions on dry land with a rope and handle.

• Hook up your "deep-V" (beginners only). Others use standard single handle.

• Double check all your equipment for loose parts or damage.

• Have a pre-ride discussion with your driver and observer.

• Warm up with light calisthenics and stretching.

Putting on Your Sky Ski

Being secured to your Sky Ski helps reduce injuries caused by a free flying foil after a fall. But you can't avoid this if you don't use the heel straps. A fall without the heel straps on can result in your feet coming out, the ski pivoting around at the seat, and the foil swinging around for a body or head shot.The first step is to get into the water with your ski. Do not dive in! Be careful not to kick your feet by the foil. It's easy to forget and smack your leg! Next, slide completely forward through the seat belt until your back is against the front of the seat. Use your "off" foot for support by placing it under the heel strap and in the binding or anywhere nearby where you can use it for leverage by pushing yourself back against the seat. Next, slide the front part of one foot into the other binding. Reach down, grab the rear heel loop securely, and pull it firmly rearward and onto your heel. Release and your foot will slide in easily. Repeat for your other foot. If you use gloves while learning, it is a bit more difficult to reach around and feel where everything is. It may help to get it on without gloves, then put them on after you are secured. If possible, you should also practice putting on and taking off your Sky Ski several times in shallow water or a pool to speed the learning process. 

Slide back through the seat belt on to the seat pad. Sit even or just forward of the rear of the seat pad. Tighten the seat belt snugly. A loose belt may allow you to slip forward off the seat.

If you are pulling friends on your Sky Ski, always make sure that they put on their foot straps and tighten their seat belt, no matter how much they complain. It's tough at first, but it's a cheap insurance policy to reduce the risk of injury.

Practice rapid removal of your Sky Ski in case you need to get it off in a hurry. Possible scenarios include: avoiding oncoming traffic after a fall, being drawn into or under a fixed object while floating in a current, becoming stuck in the bottom after a fall. Be aware that these events, though unlikely, are possible. Preparation is critical. 

Ready to Taxi

Now that you are connected to your Sky Ski, it's time to taxi. Place the open section of your deep-V rope around the tip of your Sky Ski (having tension on both sides of your ski helps to guide it straight).

Signal to start, and have the boat driver pull you up very slowly. This super slow start should be about like pulling up a 2-3 year old child on training skis.

Lean forward while pushing the handle down. Keep both arms locked straight. This is the easiest way to learn and teach the deepwater start, however, this position puts strain on the lower back. The alternate method is to lean back on the start while resisting with your feet and keeping your arms straight. Keep the tip up. 

As the ski planes off you must angle the foil down by raising your hands and leaning forward. If your butt is hanging off the back of the seat it won't work. 

Steering is done by aiming your knees in the direction you want to go, similar to snow skiing (your strut becomes a rudder). Avoid the common mistake of bending the arms or leaning to try to steer.

It is a normal reaction to lean and push away from "trouble". Don't do it! Small movements have a dramatic effect on performance. Use "micro-movements" for the best control. Practice taxiing and steering until you don't have to think about it.

Learning to Fly

 

When you have mastered the taxi, bump up to about 2 mph over taxi speed. Slowly start sitting up. This results in pitching the foil from the diving to neutral to lifting. If you lose control while you start to slowly sit up, rock forward to the position you know. When you sit up high enough (and/or lower the handle) the foil generates lift. This is when things happen fast! Be ready to lean forward immediately after lifting off, and always keep your hands up at shoulder level. Most people improperly lower their hands while leaning forward (this will tilt the blade up). Increasing the speed also generates lift. Take it slow.

If you look down you fall down. Keep your head up to maintain your position behind the boat. In the learning stages remember that lowering the handle will make you go up, and raising the handle will make you go down.

Speeds

8-12 mph - taxi

12-17 mph - learning to fly

15-18 mph - jumps

20-22 mph - inverts

• Never exceed 12 mph until the taxi position is mastered.

• Increase speeds gradually.

• Slower is better, especially when learning new skills.

• The proper speed depends on size and weight of the rider.

Important Tips

• If you lose control, release the handle.

• Advance step-by-step. Never over-extend your riding.

• Master each of the following steps in succession before moving to the next (skipping or rushing steps will cause unnecessary, and often painful falls):

1. start
2. taxi
3. steer
4. fly
5. cross wakes
6. jumps

• The ease of jumping also means that inexperienced riders can jump higher than their ability level. Take your time for the best advancement over time. Remember the tortoise and the hare...slow and steady wins the race!

• Never lean back unless you are trying to jump.

• Many riders use neoprene wetsuits to cushion the seat belt. Neoprene also grips the seat pad better than slick material often found on bathing suits.

• Many riders use watersports helmets for safety. These work well for impacts and to stay warm in code weather riding.

• Fly the foil. The wings act just like an airplane wing. Imagine how the foil is flying through the water for best results. Let the water pressure do the work as you guide the foil into position. Don't force it.

• As you advance, up and down foil angle is controlled less by up and down handle position, and more by subtle movements with the shoulders, handle, and knees.