A graduate of Ball State University, Florida resident Greg Sample has more than 35 years of experience in the financial planning industry. He currently serves as president of Zagato Business Analysis in Alva, Florida. When he is not in his office, Greg Sample is an avid scuba diver and barefoot water skier.
2. Introduction
A graduate of Ball State University, Florida resident Greg Sample has more than
35 years of experience in the financial planning industry. He currently serves as
president of Zagato Business Analysis in Alva, Florida. When he is not in his
office, Greg Sample is an avid scuba diver and barefoot water skier.
A sport that places emphasis on balance and focus at slightly higher speeds
than wakeboarding or traditional waterskiing, barefoot waterskiing can be an
exciting and rewarding experience. To successfully barefoot waterski, there are
several techniques and tips to remember.
- Use the right equipment. While a normal waterski tow rope is about 70 feet
long with plenty of bounce, the best barefoot waterski tow ropes are between
75 feet and 90 feet in length, depending on the boat’s wake, and have little to
no bounce so the skier’s arms are not jerked around. Because barefoot water
skiers will fall, a padded wetsuit is another important piece of equipment.
3. Barefoot Waterskiing
Using a watertight suit will help skiers leave the water sooner and feel lighter
once they’re out of the water, and the padding can help with flotation and
cushioning.
- Go the ideal speed. Although barefoot waterskiing is done at a slightly
higher speed than other water sports, going too fast leads to injury. Instead,
barefoot water skiers should divide their weight by 10 and then add 20 to find
the ideal speed in miles per hour, though the type of boat may factor into the
final number.
- Learn the three-point stance. Beginning barefoot water skiers may use a
training boom that extends 8 feet or more from the side of the boat. But
eventually, they will need to learn the three-point stance for deepwater starts.
To stand, barefoot water skiers should hold the tow bar while in a leaned-back
sitting position. After planing in that position for several seconds, they should
slowly pull in their feet under their knees while rising into a sitting position
with their shoulders over their hips.