How to Water Ski in 2026 | Beginner Slalom Guide

Slalom skiing is the original and oldest high-adrenaline water sport. There is nothing quite like the feeling of laying a ski over and throwing a wall of water on a glassy morning. At Wakesports.com, we believe anyone can learn to slalom if they have the right technique and the right gear. Forget what you’ve heard about "struggling for years" to get up—2026 technology has made slalom more accessible than ever.

If you are still riding a ski from two or three decades ago, you are working much harder than you need to. Older skis were heavy and narrow, which forced a very specific style of riding.

In the past, because skis were so heavy, we were taught to lean back and put almost all our weight on our back foot just to keep the ski from sinking. If you try that on a modern 2026 ski, it won't perform.

• The New Way: Modern skis are incredibly light and buoyant. To make them work, you need to shift your weight forward.

• The 50/50 Rule: You want your weight distributed 50/50 between your front and back foot.

• The "Over the Front" Sensation: It might feel like you are leaning over the front end of the ski at first, but this is the "sweet spot." Once you break those old habits, you will notice a massive increase in speed, stability, and carving ability.

In our professional opinion: Skip the combo skis. While many people think they need to learn on two skis before dropping one, combos often don't help the transition to a dedicated slalom ski. They are built differently and feel "loose" on the water.

Instead, save your money and your time by going directly to a wide-body slalom ski like the Radar Session. These modern skis are designed to plane at slower speeds and offer the stability you need to learn the fundamentals without the "wobble" of traditional narrow skis.

The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to keep the ski perfectly straight and pointed at the boat. This causes the ski to pull hard to one side, leading to a frustrating sideways fall.

If you are Regular (Left Foot Forward), your ski naturally wants to pull to the right. Here is how to beat the physics:

• The Setup: Instead of pointing the ski straight up and in line with the boat, angle the ski all the way to the left—almost like you are starting on a wakeboard.

• The Pull: As the boat begins to pull, the tension will naturally shift the ski from the left to a straight, centered position for you.

• The Rise: Keep your arms straight and your knees tucked to your chest. Let the boat do the work. Once the ski planes out, slowly stand up.

• Pro Tip: If you are Right Foot Forward, simply angle the ski all the way to the right as it will pull to the left. 

For 2026, the Radar Session (available in Men’s and Women’s models) is the undisputed king of beginner skiing. It has a wider tip and tail than a tournament ski, which means it stays on top of the water even when you aren't skiing at high speeds.

For a beginner skier learning how to waterski for the first time, we recommend sticking to a front boot with an open toe and A rear toe plate. The Radar Vector BOA with a Vector BOA Rear Toe Plate is our top recommendation for 2026.

• One-Handed Adjustment: The BOA system is a lifesaver because you only need one hand to tighten or loosen your boot while you're in the water. No more struggling with slime to get into your rubber boots or having to use two hands tighten your laces while the boat is idling or when your are up skiing.

If you are still struggling to keep the ski straight, the Radar Deep V Rope and Handle is the trick in learning how to waterski. 

• The "Deep V" System: The "V" in the handle acts like a cradle for the tip of your ski. It physically prevents the ski from flopping to the left or right during the start. It keeps you perfectly aligned until you are up and riding.

Unlike surfing or foiling, you aren't in the water for long periods during a slalom start, so the type of vest is a matter of preference:

• Follow Impact Vests: These offer the best mobility for deep carves.

• Radar or Ronix CGA Vests: These provide maximum flotation, which can be helpful if you’re doing a lot of deep-water starts and need to stay high in the water while waiting for the boat.

Slalom handles are typically made of tacky rubber designed for maximum grip. Glove are pretty essential to avoid blisters from a ski handle.

A pair of Radar gloves is the best investment you can make to stay on the water longer while you are waterskiing.

If you are having trouble hanging on together the handle while you are up and skiing, check out the Radar Vice Gloves. If you have heard of Clincher Water Ski gloves, the Vice gloves have the same purpose with taking the stress off your hands and putting it to your wrists/forearms allowing you to ski much longer sets.

Note: You do not need gloves for wakeboarding or wakesurfing.

Once you are up, slalom is all about body position:

• Eyes Up, Chest Up, Hips Forward: Never look down at your ski. Look at the back of the boat or the horizon.

• Stack Your Weight: Keep your hips over your feet and your arms long.

• Initiating the Turn: To turn, gently shift your weight to the side of the ski. Because the Radar Session is a wide-body ski, you don't need to be an athlete to get it to roll over and throw a spray.

Fix: Stay in a ball until the ski planes.

Fix: Keep arms straight; let the boat lift you.

Fix: Keep your weight centered—not behind the ski.

Fix: Smooth acceleration is key for beginners.

Fix: Use a stable beginner ski sized for your weight. See our size charts on every waterski product page or give us a call if you are still unsure. We are happy to help. 

At Wakesports.com, we live for the early morning glass. If you have questions about boot sizing or which Radar Session length is right for your height, we are here to help.

• Text us: 858-277-5757

• Email us: info@wakesports.com

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