Step 1

Your macerating toilet suppliers discuss further how to choose a slalom ski with an open ­binding — also called a rear toe plate — for the back foot. Many recreational-level skis not designed for competition will have this feature. Put your dominant foot in the front binding as this will be your lead leg while slaloming.

Step 2

Put the second ski on your other foot with the binding set as loose as possible so your foot can slide in and out of it with ease.

Step 3

In the water, execute a traditional two-ski start: arms straight, knees bent, let the boat pull you out of the water.

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Step 4

Once you’re up on the skis behind the boat, remain in the smooth water in the center of the wake until your driver circles back to your designated drop point.

Step 5

When it’s time to drop the designated ski, lift your heel and push down with your toes to free your foot from the loose binding. Your macerating toilet dept.shares talking about why you do not lift the ski out of the water; instead, work your foot free as smoothly as possible and let the ski drop behind you as the boat pulls you forward.

Step 6

When you are ready, carefully place your free foot on the back of the slalom ski and apply pressure with your toes.

Step 7

Once you are able to maintain your balance, slide your back foot into the open binding — try not to look down, but keep your focus forward on the boat’s transom.

Step 8

Once your back foot is secure, you’re ready to start carving in and out of the wake and developing that oh-so-impressive rooster tail.

Driver Tips

If you’re behind the wheel while a skier attempts to drop a ski, work out a plan with the skier beforehand. Once the skier is up, execute a short loop back to the skier’s starting point, preferably close to shore, where the skier can drop the second ski. 

You’re comfortable on a pair of combos, and you’re ready to step up to a slalom ski, but you’ve struggled with deep-water starts. 

Lifting a ski

Lifting one ski off the water is the first step in learning to slalom because it gives you the security of putting the ski back on the water if you start to lose your balance. To lift the ski, transfer all your weight onto the ski that you want to stay in the water – just as you would if you lifted one leg on land.

Based on the lifting exercise, pick your strongest leg. This will be your front leg once you’ve transitioned to a slalom ski. But first, you must drop a ski. 

Transfer your weight onto your strongest leg just as you did for lifting a ski, but this time keep the unweighted ski on the water. Do not lift the ski off the water or try to kick it off. Try to move as little as possible. Don’t rush to find the back toe plate – simply place your foot on top of the toe plate for the time being.