Table of contents for Apr-12 in Water Ski

Jump! Let your feet fly back behind you in an act of faith. And just before you land, tug on the handle and ride it out. It's commonly known as an Air Raley, but the generic term for this gravity-defying trick is the layout. Versions of the layout have been performed for decades on just about every type of water ski apparatus. Here's a look at the innovative men who developed new ways to prolong their hang time on the water. Distance jumping was an established discipline, and every so often a highflier pulled back from the edge of disaster after slipping out on the ramp. The self-preservation move evolved at Cypress Gardens with Mike and Joker Osborn, and it came to be known as the rocker. Joker pushed furthest,…

Twenty feet. That's how much Natallia Berdnikava improved her jump distances the last two seasons. She went from jumps in the 160s in 2009 to her world-record leap of 188 feet in October of 2011. After enduring a torn knee ligament in 2008, Berdnikava has not just rescued her jump career but become the best in the game. What's even more impressive is that she also temporarily held the women's world record in trick and overall for part of 2011. WATERSKI: In two short seasons, your jumping has dramatically improved. Did 188 feet seem like a realistic goal to you a few years ago? Natallia Berdnikava: Absolutely not. Even at the beginning of the 2011 season, I had no thought of jumping that far. Back in 2008, I started feeling…

French-certified water ski coaches Nicolas and Laurent Dubien operate St. Tropez Water Ski directly out of Beach Bouillabaise. That means it's mere steps from your chaise lounge to their MasterCraft. It's one of the testing sites for Sans Rival, so the full SR line of skis is available to demo and purchase. It operates seven days a week from May through October. You can book a ski ride for $35 and leave your mark on some of the most beautiful water in the world. Contact: sainttropezwaterski.com Beautiful Lake Arena is leased from the town of Roquebrune-Sur Argens by the Monaco Wake and Ski Federation. It's there, about a 45-minute scenic drive from St. Tropez, that two brand-new MasterCraft Prostars and two slalom courses await your escape. Monaco Federation president Aleco…

Your pullout to start your pass is the most important move of your entire run. It determines the speed you'll make your first turn with, and, as a result, the angle you'll take back into the wakes. Whether you're a free skier or buoy nerd, it's all the same: Pull out with purpose or you'll be behind in the game before you even begin. This is going to be the only freebie of your entire pass, so you'd better capitalize on it. As you line up to the side of the wake, ensure that your hips and shoulders are square to the boat and your weight is evenly distributed over both feet. Stand as tall as you can, with your hips directly over your feet. This will ensure that your…

The 2011 season was a tough one for Chris “the Tower” Parrish. In the preceding three seasons, he'd sat comfortably in the first or second spot on the Pro World Rankings List and amassed six major titles. But despite being one of the favorites to win every event he entered last season, Parrish managed only a single podium finish: third at the Princes Pro-Am in London. He finished the season, his worst in 10 years, ranked ninth in the world. With his focus narrowed on 2012, Parrish reflects on the source of his 2011 woes. WATERSKI: You ran into 43 off three times last summer. Why did you fold at all the pro events? Chris Parrish: I was dealing with the worst injury of my career last summer. I had…

Women's tricks has seen an epic surge in performance in the last few years. It took more than 25 years for the world record to climb from 8,000 to 9,000 points, and only took another two years for it to climb past the 10,000-point benchmark. France's Clementine Lucine forever changed the sport by eclipsing the 10,000-point barrier last September at the Alexis Pickos Open in Santa Rosa, Florida, with her newest world record of 10,040 points. WATERSKI: Was the 10,000-point mark always in your sights, or did it seem too lofty a goal? Clementine Lucine: Really, even a year ago I felt it was impossible. I was still so happy to have reached 9,000 points, so I really wasn't even thinking about 10,000. WS: When did your shift in thinking…

Bob LaPoint is like a big ole bear. In fact, I often imagine him wrapping his massive arms around a tree trunk and ripping it from the earth. The five-time world slalom champion is known for disfiguring pylons and yanking boats out of the course. But he's also a thinking man, and on and off for the past 30 years he's been applying that brainpower to designing skis. The key is in the testing, he says — what looks good on paper doesn't always work in real life. I can picture him, arms crossed with one hand on his chin, contemplating his next design tweak. I caught up with LaPoint not too long ago to learn more about his recent design work for HO and to take in any wisdom…

Phone: 209-744-0992 Address: 10675 Valensin Road, Galt, CA 95632 Main Contact: Robby Trimble Levels: Beginner, intermediate and advanced Top Instructor(s): Doug Trimble Boat Used: Centurion Carbon Pro Website: skisunsetranch.com E-mail: sunsetranch@softcom.net Event(s) Taught: Slalom Accommodations: Fabulous private cottage and loft apartment, boutique atmosphere Phone: 408-730-9929 Main Contact: Gordon Rathbun Levels: Beginner, intermediate and advanced Top Instructor(s): Most of the top instructors in the world Boat Used: Nautique Website: skiparadise.com E-mail: dirathbun@aol.com Event(s) Taught: Slalom Accommodations: Private villa — absolutely the best! Phone: 910-893-6494 Address: Lillington, North Carolina Main Contact: April Coble Eller Levels: Beginner, intermediate and advanced Top Instructor(s): April Coble Eller and Chris Eller Boat Used: MasterCraft Website: cobleskischool.com E-mail: waterski@cobleskischool.com Event(s) Taught: Slalom, jump, tricks, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, barefooting, wakeskating, wakesurfing Accommodations: Cabins on site Phone: 352-429-9027; 800-732-2755 Address:…

The 27-year-old pro skier and pharmacist (she owns and operates Emerald Coast Compounding Pharmacy) based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, has upped the ante once again. Early last October she broke her world slalom record for the third time in less than two years. Then, a few weeks later, at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, she set the women's overall record with 1 1/2 at 41 off in the slalom event, 8,200 points in the trick event, and 173 feet in the jump event. WATERSKI: Take yourself back five years; you were ranked third in the world with 2 1/2 buoys at 39 1/2 off. At that time, did you ever imagine that you would so quickly own the world record with a performance of 2 at 41…

While there are a few public beaches available, you didn't travel to St. Tropez to get sand kicked in your face. Try Nikki Beach for blending in with the typically youthful, champagne-guzzling socialites of the Bay of Pampelonne. $12–$24 Between your ski rides, you may as well look the part at St. Tropez. Oversize sunglasses and hats appear to be the accessories of choice as the who's who attempt to go undetected. Take a stroll down Rue François Sibilli to update your attire. Dolce & Gabbana classic denim $625–$850 Louis Vuitton Infradito sandal $625 The party scene in St. Tropez is as famous as the beautiful beaches. Gaining access to the more lavish clubs is a bit tricky, however. While there is rarely a cover charge, there seem to be…

Whether you're still in a drysuit or hitting the water in nothing but your boardies, your early-in-the-season sets can set the pace for your entire season. Although your first inclination is probably to bang out a few passes in the course or rip the biggest turns possible, building a strong foundation with some drills is what will prepare you to have your best season ever. Not only will your body thank you, but you'll also hone your skills, which will help you take your skiing to new levels later. Try these six drills to get your season rolling and make the most of your precious water time. This drill requires a patient driver and lots of deepwater starts. Pull out to one side of the boat and make a basic…