Buying the right slalom ski or water ski depends on your skill level, age, weight, boat speed, and type of waterskiing you plan to do. Most slalom ski designs and sizes are based on these factors. The most common mistake is to buy a water ski that is too short for your weight, thus making it difficult to stand up on while on the water. This Water Ski Size Chart is a guide is based on water ski length and boat speed.
After using this guide to decide the right length slalom ski, you are not done. Other factors that may affect the correct length water ski include the type of waterskiing that you will be doing. Your choices include various types of water skis such as wide body, shaped, traditional, and world class. For example, the Connelly Big Daddy is a very wide slalom water ski for heavy riders and slower boat speeds.The HO Sports Omni slalom ski is a more universal water ski that can go behind any boat, any speed, and any type of water condition. The Radar Senate Pro Build, for example, is a competition water ski designed for advanced slalom water ski riders who want fast boat speeds in ideal water conditions. Lastly, there are combo water ski pairs or trainer water skis for children. Most water skis are sold as one slalom ski, with two water ski boot fittings per ski.
How to Buy the Right Water Ski and Water Ski Bindings
We recommend beginners start with a water ski combo pair, and children may need trainer skis. Beginning slalom water ski riders have more success using a larger ski than normal. Also, wider combo skis offer a larger surface area which provides easier starts out of the water. As you become more advanced you can choose a more universal or sleek water ski. Below is an explanation of the different levels of water skis and water ski bindings.
Beginner Water Ski - The Combo Pair and the Trainer
For beginners, combo ski pairs can be used by almost any foot size which allows your family to share this set of water skis. Trainer pairs such as the Connelly Firecracker and the HO Sports Hot Shot are our most popular kid’s skis, and have an option with a trainer bar to lock the two skis together for easier starts. Adult combo water skis are built for a size range of 100 lbs and above. They are not as weight specific as advanced slalom skis. After getting up on two skis, you can practice on one ski to get the feel of slalom waterskiing. If slalom waterskiing on one of the water skis in a combo pair becomes too easy, it is time to start looking for a good slalom ski to take you to the next skill level.
Intermediate Slalom Water Ski
First and foremost one should consider their weight. Keep in mind that 100 lbs. and over is considered an adult weight. If you are looking to improve, and/or skiing more than two times per month, then you may use an intermediate to advanced slalom ski. A skier who skis less than two times per month, or who is somewhat reserved, would either use only s single ski from the combo pair, or find a beginner/intermediate or wider ski. The skier who is already accomplished and wants to cut and carve through the wake can handle a more responsive, advanced slalom ski.
The next factor to consider is the frequency skiers will be on the water! With that in mind, there are some water ski design elements that will match each skier. Beginner to Intermediate slalom skiers may choose a wider series or shaped slalom ski to provide more ease out of the water on starts and allow a slower boat speed. However, while the wider skis are easier initially, they do not cut or turn as well as traditional slalom skis and can easily be outskied by a more aggressive skier, in a relatively short period of time. In a traditional slalom ski design, a beginner/intermediate skier would look for a standard tunnel or narrow center tunnel concave with a soft flex pattern. (Non-graphite core.) This type of tunnel will track better and offer stability for the novice skier. The softer flex pattern will act like a shock absorber in waves or water that is not smooth. The only difficulty in the traditional slalom ski is that it is sometimes more difficult to get out of the water, but that is usually overcome, unless the boat is under powered. Generally, it is NOT advisable to buy a ski just for the ease of getting up out of the water. The only time it is recommended to buy a ski solely based on the ease out the water, is those using the big and tall skis, those who need an easier time riding and if you’re using an underpowered boat.
Advanced Slalom Water Ski
As a rule, a more advanced slalom ski will have an edge-to-edge concave and a somewhat narrow tail. This type of concave creates more suction across the entire bottom surface of the ski, allowing the ski to hold the edge through the wake more efficiently and with more ease for this level of skier. The graphite core is stiffer, more responsive, and quick to accommodate the more intense or aggressive riding style.
As mentioned earlier, the frequency of time spent on the water will also determine how fast a skier will progress in ability. Obviously the more often you ski the faster you progress. If this is the case, then it is advisable to select a ski above your current ability so that you will be skiing INTO the ski rather than OUT of the ski. Again, keep in mind, this would apply to a skier than has mastered deep water starts and is comfortable and confident crossing the wakes.
The same general weight category applies to the Intermediate/Advanced slalom skier as above with one exception. Sometimes, more advanced skiers will ski faster than the speeds noted for the different weight categories. In such instances, skiers may choose a smaller ski due to the increased speed which will keep the ski riding on top the water for a heavier skier. However, this will definitely work the skier much harder and be more of a challenge. This is okay to a point, but if the skier is at a speed that is too fast for his ability, the focus will more about just hanging on rather than working on technique, and the skier may become too fatigued to enjoy the ride or dramatically cut the skiing time in half.
Keep in mind when buying a slalom ski, or water ski, three things are important, the slalom ski length, the skier’s weight, and the boat’s speed.
Slalom Waterski Bindings
There is not really a right or wrong decision in the type of waterski binding. It is really a matter of personal preference. Beginner and intermediate skiers will do fine in a standard adjustable front universal binding with a rear slip-in toe. This is usually easier and more comfortable for this level of skier.
The most common mistake is matching the foot size to the binding size, for example buying a size S/M (5-10) intermediate slalom waterski binding for a size 10 foot. The problem is that size S/M 5-10 almost never fits a man’s size 10 foot. Men with a size 10 foot absolutely need the size L/XL (9-14). If you are looking for a waterski you and other friends or family members can share, you can buy a waterski with universal bindings that will adjust to fit entire range of sizes from youth to adult. The only problem with universal is that it is not very challenging for advanced riders, so keep that in mind when purchasing.
More advanced skiers may prefer a non-adjustable, fixed binding, sized to their foot to provide ankle support and maximum control of the ski. Some skiers choose the front fixed binding with a slip in rear toe, while others prefer the fixed front and rear boot. The rear fixed boot keeps the heel in place and gives additional ankle support to give ultimate control of the ski for turning and carving through the wake! This is not for everyone though, because it requires more effort and some technique and usually binding lube, for entry and exit of the bindings. However, the double binding set up allows the skier to ultimately use the ski to its maximum potential. Many will argue that it is the only way to go. Again, just remember, there is no right or wrong. (Also, it does not matter which foot is forward. Left or right foot forward is a comfort choice!) The forward foot is strictly a matter of personal preference. One thing to know is that by choosing a double binding set up, it usually means that a skier is serious about his sport, and should know that this adds a significant cost to any ski. Bindings are a major part of the price of a ski.
Many bindings are sized in a men’s foot size but the binding can be used by women as well. Below is a women’s and men’s size chart to aid in converting women’s sizes to men’s sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a front boot and a rear boot on a slalom waterski? The difference is the plate which has a different hole pattern on the front vs rear boot. If the boot mounts without a plate, the hole pattern will be different.
What is the difference between the right boot and left foot boot on a slalom waterski? Most beginner and intermediate boots and bindings are generic enough to fit either right or left foot. More advanced boots are shaped specifically for a right foot or a left foot, and for that reason, you should always specify which foot forward when ordering an advanced slalom waterski.
Water Ski World
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