The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 May 1979 — Page 38
SUMMER — Wednesday, May 23,1979
10
Learning to ski!
Each summer millions of people across the nation water ski and more people are trying it every year. With the proper equipment and someone experienced to help, you can choose one of two methods to begin learning to ski. The first method is on dry land. It is easier to demonstrate and practice the starting position. Placing the skis parallel on the sand, place your feet in the skis and adjust till they fit snug. Then bend the knees until you are sitting on the back of the skis. Hold onto the tow rope by the bar while the experienced skier holds the other end, this will help you prepare for the change in the tow rope during take off. Take hold of the rope and hold handle at the level of your knee, keeping arms straight in front of you. With the other person pulling on the tow rope slowly, it will simulate the actual take off. As the rope becomes taunt, follow its motion, by slowly raising to a standing position. Once up, keep knees flexible to absorb the motion of the “waves.” To get the feel of the skis in water, practice the same routine in shallow water. The floating of the skis make them difficult to control. Here, you note the importance of “sitting” on the back of the skis. Soon you will be ready to try an actual take off. The take off will be the same, except your friend will be in the boat, either as a coach, observer or coachobserver. The skis may be more difficult to straighten out and sit on, but the ease comes with practice. Once the slack is out of the tow rope, the driver will take the boat to top speed, to bring the skier out of the water, then will slowly decrease the speed to about 20 miles per hour. Various speeds are used for the different kinds of skiing and the
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weight of the skier. Just maintaining balance and not wiping out too often will be the main objectives at first. With experience and confidence, skiers learn to shift their weight and cut across the wake of the boat. Then, they are ready to attempt slalom skiing, using just one ski; trick or shortened, specialized skis; enabling them to do turns and tricks. The ultimate — barefoot skiing is quite dangerous for the .unskilled and should only be attempted if one has the ability and nerve. Some aerial tricks, such as kite flying are another aspect of the sport enjoyed by the more advanced participants of the sport. The skier takes off and as the boat reaches top speed, he goes up and into the air. The jump ramps are used to vary ski routines, by allowing the skiers to perform low-level aerial tricks. Whatever the ability level skiing can be enjoyed by anyone who tries it. Safety Precautions As in every sport to ensure a good and safe time there are certain precautions to be followed. Each skier is required by law to wear a floatation device such as an approved life jacket or ski vest or ski belt. The Coast Guard approves many of these products for safety and durability. The rule of thumb is to make sure the device is made to float the skier. This is the determined by weight, with the devices marked for optimum weight usage. The driver is needed to drive the boat and watch for traffic of other boats. Therefore, an pbserver is required to watch the skier. It is the observer’s job to watch other boats that might endanger the skier and report to the driver if the skier is falling and needs to be picked up. Skiers can also make sure other
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boaters can see them by keeping the front parts of the skis well out of the water, if not preparing for take off. If a
MAD Day to feature parade, old-time games
Milford will be holding its ninth annual MAD Day on Memorial Day, May 28. The parade, sponsored by the American Legion, at 10 am., moving out from the junior high school, will start the day’s activities. The Milford Area Development Council who sponsor MAD Day, will have a chicken barbeque with carry-out at the elementary school from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be games for the whole
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skier has fallen, if remaining with the floating skis, he can use one or both as a signal, by waving them in the air.
family to enjoy. The egg toss will begin at ll am., wheelborrow race at 11:15 am., three-legged race 11:30 a.m., and the sack race at 11:45 a.m. The fun isn’t over yet! People should plan to stay to participate in the ice cream eating contest at 1 p.m. and then work it off at the adult softball game at 1:30 p.m. It will be a fun day for the family and great get-together for area residents.