September  2003

     One problem skiers have trying to learn a one-handed gate is the fact that they feel too fast on their glide and have to rush the turn in for the gates. This problem is not that they are traveling too fast, but that their center of mass is centered too far back. To properly turn in for the gates ones center of mass must be moving to the right (towards the gate buoys). 

     Often skiers rotate their upper bodies towards the gates which positions their center of mass too far back, making the carve in for the gates super difficult. The key is to pull out for the gates with the center of mass leading the way (towards 2-4-6), and then once the skier wants to begin the glide the center of mass should be positioned over the ski (neutral). The final step is the turn in, where the center of mass must move toward the gates. This is done with practice!

     The trick is to keep the upper body facing 2-4-6 until one regains two hands on the handle. Then the rotation of the upper body can begin. I think of my upper body as helicopter blades leading the body of the helicopter (the ski) during the take off of the helicopter (or pull out for the gates).

     Try keeping eyes and upper body facing rear of the boat during beginning of pullout, the eyes and upper body looking and facing 2-4-6 when gliding, then actually rotating upper body to the LEFT away form gates with eyes perceiving gates. This will enable your center of mass to move to the right (towards gates). The point of this technique is enabling the skier to carry more speed and not load the rope during the turn in. This will allow you to then load the rope later, which will allow you to get wider!!! 

     Do not expect it to come together over night but simply try to understand where your center of mass is at all times and how it could be in better places at times.

JAMIE BEAUCHESNE

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