How to Turn your Slalom Ski!!! - FlowPoint Method

Here’s an answer to those who asked about yesterday’s post on our Instagram page, regarding how to turn a water ski.
***Keep In Mind, this concept is a higher level concept because at rope lengths shorter than 35 off, it begins to be a crucial part of consistency. HOWEVER, it is backward compatible: meaning, it will work at 30mph 15 off, but it’s not a requirement.
We got a lot of comments and questions about this topic from yesterday’s post, so we decided to talk it out and share the basic idea behind this new way to change directions on a slalom ski!
To connect with us, or to learn more about FlowPoint Method, check out the website! - www.FlowPointMethod.com
#FPM #flowpointmethod #waterski #waterskitraining #waterskicoaching #slalomski #snowski
Big thanks to Jeff LaBaw for the props!!
-36” aluminum straight edge = Snow Ski
-30” barrel stave = Water Ski

[@rickyhartnett7424]

Best description I've seen. Been skiing for centuries and this method was always the way to shredd.

[@FlowPoint]

Thanks Ricky!

[@aprilgirl418]

Bro, this is too good, as a snow skier who is learning to waterski, thanks for these insights!

[@FlowPoint]

For sure!! It’s more similar to snow skiing than many people think! Glad this helped out!

[@dk750022]

I need to see this in action, please post a video

[@billgalli5991]

I just switched from a Radar Senate to the HO Omni. I also increased the length to 69”. On my first two rides I’m figuring out the HO likes the tail in the water in the turn. The Senate liked the nose in the water better. What a difference.

[@taforth]

Great, detailed, focussed and technical where needed 👍!

[@mikeloeffler2427]

Once again Marcus is thinking outside the box. Thank you for the video!!

[@FlowPoint]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@321ssteeeeeve]

I remember EP with the FX 200 ski had this theory already on point back in the early 80’s.

[@FlowPoint]

It always comes back around...gotta keep it simple and get to the root of how things work...then the actual execution becomes much easier!

[@321ssteeeeeve]

@@FlowPoint Interesting but not really relevant: I haven’t skied since 1988, yet I can still visualize skiing as if it was this morning.

[@gavincallaway3137]

Thanks for the tips......still looking for improvement after 45 years on the water.......good stuff!

[@FlowPoint]

Thanks Gavin! Hopefully more to come!

[@Will-cs3yb]

Great vid, cannot wait to try this next time I get on the water!!

[@jeidmann]

Definitely need some illustrations of this to drive the point home.

[@FlowPoint]

yes yes! we'll work on that in the near future!

[@jameskelly2850]

Great and unique thinking Marcus! I love challenging the dogma, as you do all the time here in FlowPoint. Inspecting generally considered norms and going to the root process is spot-on how we get better. Integrating the counter-rotation movements into my slalom skiing is an awesome challenge. Reversing years of old school training and muscle memory! But, it is worth the effort when you get through the course earlier with less effort. Funny, I kick myself for not connecting the dots like you have been for years. Way back, when I lived at the Bell, I would go out to L1 and watch the LaPoint brothers ski. At this same time I learned to ride a motorcycle (M). I did not connect how the M turn (eg, push the Left inside handle grip to initiate the L turn, or R to go Right is how it is efficiently done vs. pushing on the outside handle grip to force the forks and tire to turn) is very similar to the new school counter rotation style. I remind myself all the time to question everything - unlike when I was young and thought that I could not innovate past what I thought was set in stone. Would love to see video example of how to do this pivot/transfer! Bravo Marcus for digging deep & rootstriking!

[@FlowPoint]

James! Yes...we only really move forward when we can forget what we've "learned" and see something in a fresh light, with a beginners mind!

[@chrishassmann1433]

I was at ski school in the late '80s (college for me) when the younger skiers laughed at me for "popping wheelies" in my turns. I rarely have issues with slack line, so maybe my technique was not that "funny"!

[@FlowPoint]

haha...well, popping wheelies really isn't the goal, but sometimes it does happen. The goal here is to be proficient at feathering that back foot, at the right time, without falling off the back of the ski and popping wheelies. But it does happen sometimes and the key is to not freak out, and simply regain position over both feet, as quickly as you can

[@walterski8377]

How new is this? Where did it come from?( I learned snow skiing turns being told to roll my foot the the turn toe to heel which engaged the varying width of the ski to do the carving for you.)

[@paulwells6061]

Thanks Marcus! ps saw you at Alpine a few winters ago. you got an IKon this year?

[@hamishmarshall9473]

Thanks Marcus. I love your explanations of skiing dynamics. Do you think this partly explains why slack rope is mostly encountered on your off side turn ie) on side turn is back foot driven and the ski has a more vertical attitude vs off side turn being more front foot driven and ski sits flatter in the water?

[@FlowPoint]

Hamish, thats a very good point...and I do think there is some validity to it for sure!

[@politicalfoolishness7491]

Your explanation is excellent but begs the question, why not invent a flexible water ski?

[@sashakokesch4137]

Wait till Bob Marley finds out!

[@swervewatersports]

Whelp we’ve come full circle folks! Is there a specific time and place where slamming on the brakes and then getting back on top of the ski after turning is useful or is it something we should try to do every turn?

[@FlowPoint]

Hard to answer generically, but definitely something to be said (especially for rope lengths shorter than 32 off) for starting to develop this skill set. The goal is never to turn and STAY on the back foot...but rather to have the skill to feather back foot pressure WHILE USING THAT feathering to keep your Center of Mass ahead of your connection point...ie. the back foot

[@robconners4896]

What is the correct way of moving weight back and forth?

[@FlowPoint]

This is quite in depth, and maybe I should do a follow up video about that? It has to do with creating scenarios where you have moves to make...setting up positions, so that the next move is the move you want to have happen....almost an offensive way to ski, instead of reactionary/defensively skiing.

[@onebike78]

Wait wait wait... What??? I have been working on being more on my front foot on my turns. How much does this concept change with different skis? I'm on a 66 radar vapor pro build.

[@FlowPoint]

I know I know! It can be a bit confusing. Just remember, Yes indeed you want to be on your front foot heading outbound (perturn) into the buoy…but to actually get a direction change to happen, there has to be a weight transfer towards the back foot, to get the tail to move thru. BUT, if you aren’t on your front foot approaching the buoy, you won’t be able to make the weight transfer move….so keep working on what you’re working on. Just start allowing yourself to experimenting with weight transfer into the apex of the turn….don’t be too strict with front foot pressure all the way thru the finish of the turn.

[@Will-cs3yb]

Thank you very much for this comment, and the subsequent reply, this is quite helpful, because I was quite confused.

[@scottsmarine2817]

@@FlowPoint watch any pro frame by frame seconds before the turn in and you will see the transfer every single time.its the mind rape secret everybody misses.its the art of rotating your upper body towards 1 ball while simultaneously keeping your lead hip facing straight as long as possible.tell us how to do it in a video brother.its not the new way its the right way.you said manipulate the body explain this and we will all run 41 tomorrow.your evolution of slalom is the best.

[@lizardmechanic8785]

Great description and demonstration. The only problem is that you are wrong about alpine skiing, the surface we turn in is definitely 3 dimensional. Think powder, slush, even breakable crust. The comparison works for groomed runs, but we all know that is not true skiing. I'm curious, do water skis flex in a turn?

[@dnstpn51]

Water skis have zero flex

[@eisenhowercorrea6588]

@@dnstpn51no creo que los esquís náuticos no flexionen, viendo esquiar en cámara lenta he visto cómo se flexionan los esquís durante el corte sobretodo al cruzar las olas o estela del bote y en los giros.

[@jenniferstomberger3920]

*note taken!

[@tickerrocky7251]

Missed your own point - what and how do you turn the ski. What makes it turn?

[@jschofiel]

Another area to address is center of mass. 99% of discussion of CM is garbage because because there is no comprehension of moments of force. Moments of force and gravity are really what we need to understand. Probably to complex

[@reneap9049]

I’m all over that ski, slippery little sucker!!! LOL!! Truth, dig in hard with your back, use front to steer. Tight lines!!!

[@brandtvickery3552]

Nah -handle on your hips -rope low -/leverage -time it with boat speed -30 foot walls of spray

[@jonbaker5935]

Ok😐

[@antonioortega4264]

Ｐ𝐫Ｏ𝕞Ｏ𝓢ｍ 💦

[@ghrohrs2020]

I hope that's not your real hair, and it's just a gag for laughs?