How To Communicate With The Ski Boat Video

Communication is very important between a water skier and the boat driver, but it can be difficult. Learn how to use hand signals to talk to the boat driver in this water skiing video.

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Paul is a current member of the Canadian National Barefoot Water Skiing Team. He also teaches bare footing in Florida. He lives, eats, and breathes the sport. A native of Toronto, Canada, he is the captain of the national team and is very dedicated to representing his nation. He holds the tricks record for the open men and a bronze medalist at the World Barefoot Water Ski Championships. He dedicated his life at about twenty years old to the sport and hasn't looked back since.

PAUL MCDONALD: In this clip, we are going to go over the communication between the skier and the driver of the boat. Obviously, you are 75 feet away. In between is a big, loud, blaring engine. There is not a lot of talking involved. And usually, the driver is looking in a mirror back towards you so you are actually about three inches tall. So you have to be very clear with the hand signals you are going to be using. The first thing you need to know is the basic "hit it." That is the only time you are actually going to talk. The boat driver does not drive until the skier says "hit it." We use "hit it" because it does not sound like anything else. It does not sound like "no." It does not sound like "go." It does not sound like anything, "hit it." Once you are up skiing, there are a few speed signals. The speed is okay. I need you to speed up a little bit, or I would like you to slow down a little bit. I'm freaking out here, okay? The slow down one, you will use that a lot, don't worry. These are easy signals for the boat driver to see. When he sees them, he slows down, speeds up or just feels good about himself for being able to drive right. The next thing you are going to need to know is at the end of the lake when it's time to turn. Either the boat driver will give the signal to turn the boat around or the skier will give the signal, "I am read to turn the boat around, so turn it around. I'm ready." Okay? You do not want to be doing a bunch of wake crossings and have the boat driver go into a nice tight turn and fling you somewhere up into a neighbor's yard. So good communication skills [INDISCERNIBLE].

How to Communicate with the Ski Boat Video

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