How to Barefoot Ski Without a Boom

Water skiing itself is difficult enough for most people; to make it even more challenging, extreme skiers like to do it barefoot. According to the USA Water Ski official website, barefoot water skiing began in Florida as a recreational activity in the late 1940s. While some beginners may utilize what's known as a "boom," a long pole that helps inexperienced skiers keep their balance, the best water skiers need no assistance other than a standard tow line.

Instructions

    • 1

      Practice skiing with actual skis before trying barefoot. Water skiing without any sort of assistance is an advanced skill that most people acquire after mastering skis.

    • 2

      Kick off one of your water skis while skiing and get a feel for the barefoot approach. Alternatively, start with only one.

    • 3

      Practice barefoot for a couple rounds. Work on leaning back so that the boat can pull you up correctly, and place the right amount of weight on your feet.

    • 4

      Hold your foot so that your toes stay out of the water. The heel and arch of your foot should be the sections that allow you to ski across the water.

    • 5

      Practice keeping your foot flat so that it literally glides on top of the water like a ski. Bending your foot will cause you to lose your balance.