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January 8, 2005 - Winter Haven, Fl... Cheeking Outside
the Wake

The addictive challenge of barefooting is to ski that perfect
pass where everything flows without the awareness of power
and precision.

To achieve this elusive pass requires facing dangers others
are not willing to face…and to prevail where others are not
willing to sacrifice.

The passion to ride the adrenaline rush of victory over fear
on our way to the next greater challenge parallels life in
that the successful confrontation of fear defines our existence.
--Lanemus Maximus circa 2001

Problem:

...When ever i hit the stern rollers i end up falling to one side
or the other, and actually the other day i really hurt my foot
when i lost my balance, and my foot got nailed by the handle.
anyways, i beleive that it has something to do with the
position of the handle, because i have been holding it against
my hips for the start, but then i am supposed to move it it
forward right? i just dont know when to do this and where to
hold it excactly. hope to hear from you soon, thanks alot.
-Parker Burke

Solution:

1. Equipment check-

rope: Make sure you are using a barefoot no-stretch rope so that
there is no bouncing going on that occurs when using a poly-
propylene rope (wally rope that skiers or tubers use).

handle: A barefoot handle such as the slalom handle is 15 inches
instead of 12 inches. This gives better balance unless you are a
small child who might be better off using a 12 inch jump handle.

wetsuit: this is not a place to skimp on money. It is critical that
you use a great barefoot suit and full wrap shorts. For my
recommendations go here.

Fligh High: Tremendously easier with a high pull

2. Boat speed-

This is one of the most common mistakes. Keep your boat speed
at 25mph or less until you become proficient at cheeking outside
the wake.

Now that you are on a level playing field with the best chance of
success, you need to brush up on your butt glide position and then
learn how to change directions while in the butt glide position so you
can plant your feet in your three-point position in the calm water
outside the wake!

Position-The butt glide position should have your knees completely straight
with either one or both feet on the rope. Knees are together to keep
water out of your face.

Handle remains into your hips until your feet touch the water in your
three-point position. Only then does your handle come out in front of
your knees.

EXCEPTIONS: small kids or women(may need to keep the handle AT
their knees in the three point)

and BIG DUDES (220-380lbs) who I allow to keep their handle out further
from their hips to counter balance their beef.

It is absolutely critical that your legs remain completely straight so that
your knees are never above the rope while in the butt glide position. A
bent knee is the beginning of many troubles ...trust me on this.

Another huge tip for added control is to make sure that your feet and your
head are the same distance from the water. This creates stability by
keeping your weight balanced.

Rolling over in the butt glide position occurs when you are not balanced.
I almost forgot. Make sure never to put your heel over the rope. Only put
your foot arch on the rope. This keeps your knees together and below the
rope.

If you roll over AND have your heels or ankles crossed on the rope, when
the handle comes out of your hands, it smashes your feet when it cannot
get away. This usually feels like you have broken bones in your feet from
the impact...but it usually is just a nasty contusion.

The only exception to heel over the rope is when you are wearing shoe
skis. In this case, put only one heel over the rope. Keep the other off
and straight.

Cheeking Outside the Wake-

With your new and improved position, think of the wake as a big bowl
were you want to get up enough momentum to get up and out.

As soon as you can sit up into your butt glide position, begin by leaning
to the left to get your momentum started to the left. I usually tell kids
to fart to the left to go left, fart to the right to go right.

Do not try to get out on your first attempt. Simply start the momentum
and then as soon as it dies, fart in the other direction. With two or
three goes at building up your edging speed, you will be able to cheek
out to the trick curl.

Bonus points-

If you start way off to one side instead of directly behind the boat, you
can either get one swing and get right outside or even better...get out
side the wake without having to go over it!

I hope this helps. If you need more help try a layer of SlickFeet50.