Paul Stokes' Corner

I love to coach people that have just learned.  They don’t have any bad habits and they are usually raring to go.  Basic front barefoot position is #1.  You should have good knee bend, back straight, and head up.  The optimum position will have your knee caps over your ankles and your shoulders slightly behind your hips. The first thing that I want people to master is sitting down and standing up.  This exercise will give confidence and consistency to your starts,  and will give you a head start on tumbles.  Start in your front position.  Slowly sit straight down just behind your ankles.  If there is spray in your face, you are sitting to far back.  "After" your butt hits the water slide under the handle leaning back, pull the handle to your hip, and lift your feet in the air simultaneously.  I ask students to pass through the "three point stance".  

Get comfortable riding on your butt with the handle at your waist and your feet high and dry.  The better you are at "butt riding" the better you will be at starts and tumbles.  Standing up is just the opposite.  From a controlled butt ride, simultaneously start to sit up, let the handle out, and bring your feet back under you.  When your feet start to "slide" go ahead and stand up.  Putting your feet out and bringing your knees together (knock kneed) can help your feet slide better.  If you are getting jerked up, your feet are not coming under you enough and or you are not letting the handle out. Big tip of the day:  Don’t fight the boat with your arms, and don’t fight the water with your feet.  You will lose both fights.

With good barefoot position and good sit down and stand ups you have set a great foundation to learn tumble turns.  Tumble turns start from your but riding position.  Start playing with the tumble.  Go side to side keeping the leading hip up and your handle on your hip.  To keep your hip up lay your knees away from the pressure and point your butt and feet at the pressure.  After you get comfortable sliding a little side to side "Go For It".  All you have to do is swap your leading edge and move your handle to the opposite hip just before half way around.  If you're not sliding then your leading hip isn’t not up. For most boats an 85’ rope is best.  Ultimately you need to invest in a boom.  They have booms to fit any model of boat, and it will make the most your barefoot experience.

A boat for $10,000 is tough these days especially if that is to include equipment.  That is one of the things holding this sport back.  It cost money and takes a special location.  If you are going to barefoot exclusively I would recommend a late 80’s Barefoot Nautique.  This is about the only barefoot specific boat you will find in that price range.  If you like other disciplines of water-skiing you can find many inboard ski boats in that price range.  They have booms to fit all models of boats, so it depends on you as an individual.

Must Haves
Intensity barefoot suit
Intensity padded shorts
Support cup  *Optional for some, not me.
Barefoot International barefoot boom
Masterline front toe hold
A confident driver and a pro coach a plus.

Paul Stokes

Check out more cool stories from Paul in our Stories From the Road Section.  If you would like to email Paul, his email is paulstokes@fluid-distribution.com