Water Skis

timfromfc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Messages
149
Does anyone have an opinion on a decent set of water skis? They would be primarily for my wife and 11 year old son. Both have the same shoe size, are very athletic, but haven't been successful on skis yet. Also, what should I expect to pay for this type of ski set?
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Water Skis

Start them out on a single. You can get what I refer to as the old folks skis or more correctly, wide body, parabolic or shaped skiis. They take less effort to get up on. You can buy them as a pair and they have decent boots. When they get good at it they can graduate to a hotrod ski and you'll still have the originals for new folks and friends.<br /><br />Do not buy a pair of cheap generic pair of skis. Trying to use one as a single makes it extremely hard to get up on.<br /><br />Here are some descriptions of various Connelly models: in particular check the little easy at the bottom of the list.<br /> http://www.alpin.ru/accs/Connelly/Alternative.htm <br /><br />Here's a pair of Obriens on ebay. I think these would be a great size for your son and for your wife if she's a waif. At 61" your son would outgrow them but your wife would thank you for the relative ease on the ole bod.<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71173&item=7150698452&rd=1
 

bluewater19

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
505
Re: Water Skis

I have a pair of these same skis and can vouch for how easy they are to learn on. I am 5'7" 250lbs and had no problem learning. My 5'2" mother inlaw can ski at sub-planing speeds. Also very easy to single on for the first time!<br />Good luck!
 

sangerwaker

Commander
Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Messages
2,059
Re: Water Skis

Yes, the shaped skis wide front make it much easier for beginners or heavier people to learn on. They're great as a beginner slalom, too. I have a friend's dad who loves his widebody slalom. It's just easier on the body.
 

AMD Rules

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
1,707
Re: Water Skis

For beginners I find that the skis with the widest and flattest bottoms are easiest to control. The deep dish concave skis tend to dig in and send legs in opposing directions. The flat skis (like the old wooden ones) are a bit harder to water start on, but much easier for beginners to control when on a plane.<br /><br />A nice wide ski gets them on the water faster, and reduces the common learning frustration of falling down multiple times trying to get up, then getting upset and giving up.<br /><br />Better to have a minimal crowd watching while learning. Assign only one knowledgeable person to be the 'coach' and spotter, preferably someone they trust as an 'expert'.<br /><br />For intermediate skiers, the concave skis (see O'Brien combo pack @ ebay above) are much better for control purposes having a more a defined edge to them.<br /><br />Once mastered two skiis, move on to the slalom and never look back. The Conelly 'Big Easy' and 'Little Easy" are great suggestions.<br /><br />Add in some trick skis, a kneeboard, and a wakeboard and you'll be sure to have something to meet everyone's skill and interest level.
 

timfromfc

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Messages
149
Re: Water Skis

I like being married, so I can only get one ski accessory per year. :) The others will have to come some other time. Since I am the only one in the family that can ski on one ski (not very well, mind you), it by default makes me the "trusted expert". Heaven help my kids!!! :D
 

sergioy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 14, 2003
Messages
376
Re: Water Skis

Try them out on a wakeboard. If not go to some yard sales this weekend, they are a dime a dozen. I learned to do both at about the same time and wakeboarding is 10X more fun. Plus you go much slower on a wakeboard, so its not as intimidating.
 
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