Trick Event
When writing about cable waterski it is natural to compare it to original waterskiing behind a boat. So keep that in mind when I write about differences. The easiest discipline to practice on a cable park is tricks. You do not need any prerequisite, except for a trick ski. You can bring your own or you rent one. Some cable parks offer trick skis for rent, not too many however. If you have a ski, you are good to go. Buy a ticket and give it a try. That is why tricks is easiest to train on any cable park.
A few characteristics of cable tricks:
- Trick execution is pretty similar compared to boat tricks with obvious differences. Surface tricks e.g. work the very same way as behind the boat. There is more difference with air tricks and flips because there is no wake.
- To perform air tricks such as WBB or WO, skiers must jump to gain the necessary height.
- Flips are not only possible, they work quite well if you know how to use the pull from the cable.
- The scores of the tricks are a bit different. You can find them in the list of tricks following below.
- The competition format is different as well. Here is how.
Competition
In a competition, only one pass counts. The organizer may allow for two tries depending on the competition round (prelims or finals), but only the best attempt will be considered for your final performance. There are no two passes summed up. This format eliminates the need for toehold tricks, which can be difficult to train safely during public skiing at a cable park. Most runs nowadays are hand runs.
However, toehold tricks are also possible. There is equipment designed to release you in case of a fall, known as a release. Typically, toe tricks are not practiced during public skiing for two main reasons:
- The water is often rough, making it difficult to perform toe tricks.
- When a release activates, it can flip over the main running cable, posing a safety hazard.
The trick pass starts when the carrier turns around the deflection pulley at the start of the competition area and ends at the trick end course buoy which is located about 25m before the deflection pulley. Usually the length of the competition area is about 300m. It can be shorter on shorter cable sites.
Each skier is allowed to perform up to 14 tricks, and there is no 20-second timer. There is no restriction on the number of flips or any other tricks (cp. max. 6 flips on boat skiing handle passes). Trick writing for judges and the scoring of tricks works basically the same as you might be used to.
Trick List
This is the current list of allowed tricks.
Some Videos
How to Start
- Find a cable site close by. You can use this map for instance.
- Take your ski and give it a try. Get used to the corners.
- Try some of your easier tricks and feel the difference to the boat.
- Get guidance from an experienced cable waterskier in how to transition specific tricks, learn the technique and build a run.
- Sign up for your first competition!