Five Steps to Spring Skiing

By Chris Rossi - 2002

As the days start to get longer in the Northern Hemisphere, one thing is for certain...waterski season is just around the corner! Get a jump on your ski year by following these five tips for early season success.

GET ACTIVE.

Generally, winter is a slow time of year. We find ourselves happier to sit by the fire and watch movies than to go for a run or bike ride. This long period of inactivity makes our muscles slow and weak. This is one major reason for the early season blues, when you feel like you forgot how to ski! Slalom skiing is a fast sport, so try to engage in sports like snow skiing, mountain biking, racquet ball, tennis, basketball or hockey. Any sport where either you are moving fast or you're trying to hit something that's moving fast is a good compliment to slalom. Be competitive in the activity you choose--consider joining a league where you can test your strength. It is always good to challenge yourself in new areas. The gym is also a great place to spend time. Having a strong muscle base will help you to avoid injuries throughout the season. It's great to go to the gym, but don't live there. Getting too big is NOT beneficial to your skiing. As my grandfather put it, "Lean and Mean, son."

START YOGA.

Being limber is a huge way to reduce the chance of injury. Yoga is a very good workout that will challenge both your body and mind. Forget what you used to think, yoga is cool! Check around town and I'll bet there are all levels of yoga classes offered. Don't be afraid, everyone has to start sometime. If there isn't room in your schedule for classes, find a stretching program that you can do when you first get up in the morning and right before bed. I find the yoga Sun Salutation is great for this. Be committed -- don't skip your stretching just because you woke up late!

EAT RIGHT.

The food you eat is the fuel that your body runs on. If you put bad gas in your car, it doesn't run well, and the same goes for your body. Stop grabbing those chips and grab an apple or banana instead. Do some reading before you commit to any type of diet. I suggest reading about the whole foods diet or way of life. If your diet tells you to cut out carbohydrates and you are not a diabetic, then it is not a healthy diet. You need protein, carbohydrates, and even FAT in your diet to live a healthy, active lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet is about the quality of food you choose, and combining those foods properly for good absorption and digestion. If you have the time and money, a nutritionist could be of help. One more thing, remember that the human body is mostly made up of water. An active person should be drinking a minimum of one gallon of water per day! *Note- I am not a doctor, so consult your physician before any drastic changes in diet.

GAIN KNOWLEDGE.

If you want to do something well, you must first know how to do it in your mind. So, if you want to get better at skiing, you must first better your understanding of the proper techniques. That means getting to a coach very early in the year. Although early season is not your best time of year from a technique and strength standpoint, the more you practice bad technique, the harder it is going to be to correct it. Get to a coach early and spend as much time as you can with him or her. Go for a week and ski 1-2 sets per day with one rest day in the middle. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and when you don't understand something, keep asking questions until you do. Any part of a technique you do not understand is an inefficiency in your skiing. If you don't make a smooth off side turn, then you do not understand one or more aspects of the technique required. It's as simple as that. The Internet is a great place of information, but be careful. If you listen to too many coaches, you will inevitably be confused. Do some research on coaches and find one you believe in. Send him or her an email and ask them if you would be a good candidate for their coaching. Also, after going to a coach, stay in touch with them. Keep them updated on your progress and ask them questions that pop into your mind. It is very important to have a solid relationship with your coach.

EQUIPMENT CHECK.

Take a look at your equipment and make sure it is ready for the upcoming season. Check to make sure your screws are tight and not rusted or stripped, that your binding rubber is not dried and cracking, that your fin hasn't moved, that your ski shows no sign of breakage (look for cracks or bubbles), and make sure that you've stored your skis inside. They do not like large temperature changes, so leaving them in your unheated garage is not a good idea. If your vest is faded and showing signs of cracking or tearing, it is time for a new one. Your gloves should not be easy to put on while dry. I can't get into mine unless they're wet! If they're easy to get into or look faded or worn, get some new gloves that fit snug while wet, NOT dry. Check your rope and handle. This is something most skiers overlook. If your rope is faded, feels dry and brittle, or is fraying, buy a new one. One of the hardest crashes you can take is when the rope or handle breaks while skiing! For the competitive skier, a training log is an absolute must. Your log should hold your ski settings, the changes you've made, how you skied each set, the conditions you skied in, who you skied with and where, and any other pertinent information you might need down the road. It is very necessary to any serious competitor to stay active with their ski journal.

Follow these five steps and you'll be ahead of the curve to start the season.

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