Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

[The Grayt 1]

I am about to buy a real clean 87 Kaw 550sx, how do you go about riding a stand up any tips will help thanks

[David Oi]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

I just bought a new 800 sxr and I haven't ridden a stand up now for at least 8 years.. Best way I learned was to start by dragging behind the ski and while still throttling down (about 1/8 to 1/4 pull on throttle) start to pull yourself up to your knees and then eventually stand.. If your not that tall and your somewhat light in weight ( about 120 range) you can start off on your knees and then pull yourself up.. My stance on the ski while riding is one foot foward and one foot back.. I tried to stand with both feet slightly apart but even and it's alittle harder to stay balanced.. One thing to remember is always ride with your legs slightly bend at the knees to take the shock of the ride.. Turning is lean in and throttle through the turn.. Remember no gas no control.. All you can really do is pratice, pratice, pratice to make perfect.. Only way to develope a style you feel good at riding at..

[1fastski.com]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

make the ski do what you want , not what the ski wants . power is the key to riding the standups , the more power it has the easyer it will be to learn .

[SuzanGPR]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

Well all I can add is my son was introduced to a standup a few years ago. He stood right up and rode it like he stole it. It was amazing to watch him go. Then he tried to teach me to ride it, took a few times and finally got up on it. It's all in your balance. I personally keep my right foot in the front of the tray with the left leg in the back for balance. Best of luck with yours! :)

[jpilot98]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

as stated above... giving it power will keep it happy... the way i tell people when teaching them to ride... open the throttle when starting out and pull yourself up into the tray on your knees... then slowly let up on the throttle... if you let off all of it... the ski will start rocking and become unbalanced and you will dump it... get comfortable riding it on your knees and get the feeling of what its going to do... then stand up when you feel comfortable... the 550 likes to be on plain...

[DaveG]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

I too am going to be trying to learn to ride on a standup this spring. I bought a 550 late last fall and have not tried it yet.

I have slalom skied since I was 8, can knee board, ride pwc's and know how to remount the tippy 2 seaters by grabbing the handle bars, hitting the gas and jumping on so I figure I can get the hang of this w/o too much trouble. What do ya'll think? Will my watersport experence help me or am I hoping for too much?
Dave

[SuzanGPR]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

Sure you can do it!! My son is going to be 17 in August and caught on very quick. Just be patient with the ski and you'll be fine! :D

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

great, I am very exited one wuick quetsion on my ski what kind of oil is reccommended to mix? there is a good deal on Castrol or pennzoil 2 stroke oils at wal mart, can i use that wiht good gas?

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

BTW the somp on ths ski hit right at about 130 on each cylinder is that good?

[george]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

don't try to learn in any tight area, if you do need to start in a no wake
zone just drag through. Going slow and straight (even on your knees) takes a bit of practice.

and the most important rule.. dont let go, ever. You'll spend the whole day swimming if you dont learn to keep a grip on the bars when you fall.

[Bill O'Neal2]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

A 550 can be very unstable at slower speeds so the sooner you get over the fear of the throttle, the faster you will learn to ride it. Just keep in mind that the 550 is not fast enough to really hurt you if you fall off !

If you weigh over 150 lbs, it can be a challenge.

Wait until the water in the lake is warm, you will be spending some time in the water. Buy a wetsuit, at least a shorty.

Do not try to learn around other pwc'ers or boats. Find a secluded cove with smooth water.

The more tired you get, the harder it gets to learn.

By mid-summer you will be racing around the lake jumping wakes.

The Pennzoil is fine for pre-mixing 40 to 1.

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Learning how to ride a stand up ski, any tips?

thanks Bill, I am a very athletic guy and play basketball in college. I am about 6 3 and weigh about 185. I think I can do it with a lil practice