bare footing!

[bigler]

any of you guys barefoot ski? me and my cousins kinda messed arround trying to do it behind a 115 hp speedboat. only got as far as us tumbling arround on top of the water at 25 mph.

the boat was obviously too slow. plus we dont know the best way to start off. we were starting backwards with the rope handle behind our head so the water doesnt get us in the eyes too much. then we try to flip arround. yeah it doesnt really work but it was really funny to watch, trust me.

think my XP would work good for trying it? im guessing you want to be going 35-45 mph to make it work. let me know what you guys have tried. i need a new way to get hurt. :hurray:

 

[kustomkarl]

Go to "You Tube" and type in bare feet water skiing. They you'll get the idea of what's needed.

Karl

 

[jords]

you really need to hit speeds closer to 40-50 mph, its not hard to learn took me a few days. just lay down on the beach hold the ski handle up to your chest hold the rope between your feet and hammer the gas, go under water for about 3-4 seconds till you plane out sit up and then stand. easier said then done lol but thats the basics.............WEAR a full wetsuit lol

 

[bigler]

yeah ive seen the youtube videos but its mostly just people using those stupid cheater bars. there is some oldschool stuff with people holding on to the rope bar with feet only and sitting on back. that way looks cool. im pretty sure my xp will cavitate pretty bad on the start

 

[Texas Guy]

Well I just stumbled upon this thread and just had to say something. Barefooting is way cool and even though it does take a fair bit of technique it really is not all that hard (but looks like it is, that's the cool factor) Now as to the "Cheater Bar" there are always several ways to learn to do something, the hard (nearly impossible) way, and the easier (less painful) way, the barefoot boom is the easier way. I would like to encourage you to do it however get the proper equipment and proper instruction either in person or online. Trust me, I know from whence I speak.

 

[hermie]

I did it years ago with a ski rope behind a boat. We didn't have a barefoot suit or anything special. I started with a knee board when it planes out you sit on it with your feet forward on the front of the board but keeping the front of the board up and still going slower at a knee board speed. When you are ready let the driver know and he has to get the boat to 40 or so and you have to hang on till he gets it there. Then slowly plant your heels and start to lift your butt off the board. If you only have a swimsuit and not a barefoot suit when you plant your feet the water nails you in the nads like your standing behind the jet of a ski and when you wipe at 45mph it hurts alot more than skiing speeds. We were on vacation and when I got back my buddy told me I should have wore tennis shoes because it makes it much easier but I never got to try it that way. Its pretty awesome feeling when you do it but not when you wipe.

 

[soundguy]

I've never tried barefoot skiing because I'm afraid if I hit a coconut (we're in South Florida) or tree limb in the water it would tear my foot apart. But my uncle barefoot skis in some lakes up north and told me he starts out on one ski then drops it when the boat gets up to speed. He's close to 80 years old and still does it. My hat's off to him!