An abridged article by Stuart
Baillie of Dumfries Newspapers
Roddy Clarke is dedicated to his sport, competing at
the highest levels, is a member of the current Scottish
Team and was 3 times Scottish under 21 Champion.His
experience, therefore at a waterski school certainly
gives you confidence when you are about to embark on
the sport for the first time.
The first challenge of the day is pulling on the wet
suit! From there Roddy takes you through a routine in
dry land. You sit down holding a waterski line, knees
to your chest, arms straight and Roddy starts to pull
you to an upright position. Halfway up you start to
help, bending your arms to pull yourself upright, and
that's what Roddy expects of his first time students,
it's also exactly what you should not be doing.
The basic principle is that you settle back and allow
the boat to pull you out of the water, you make no effort
of your own until you are up, then it's arms straight,
head up and find the point of balance. |
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Stability From the dry land drill it was
onto the boat, fit on the skis and then drop over the side
into the water for the first time. Initially you take up position
holding onto a bar at the side of the boat. The fact the bar
is set rigidly gives greater support and stability, you don't
realise quite how much though, until later on you are put
on the line at the back of the boat.
Confidence building and after a few minutes you leave the
security of the bar and take position at the back of the tow
boat, ready to try the real thing.
The biggest problem is stability, pulling yourself into position
to start. Several times I thought I was balanced only for
the slack on the rope to be taken up and I found myself tipping
to one side and taking another look at Loch Ken from beneath
the surface!
Like everything else there is a technique and eventually you
lean howto use the skis to aid balance and slowly after several
tries you find yourself finding your feet and skimming across
the surface of the water, before taking another dip! I found
the most diffifult part of the whole process was keeping the
skis together. Once the boat starts to pick up speed the force
of the water becomes greater and if you allow the skis to
start to separate you can very quickly find yourself doing
the splits!
From raw novice to waterskiing ace in... well probably a few
more lessons and years of dedicated practise. For Roddy and
his partner Jody Lyttle the aim in setting up the school is
to demonstrate that waterskiing is an accessible sport. It's
not expensive to have a lesson and they give both individual
tuition and teach groups, a lesson would be a great works
or club outing, and all equipment is provided. There are also
various other fun activities like the ringo rides, which can
finish a session off on just the right note.
Be prepared though, for aching forearms and thighs, but you"l
have a great time, I guarantee it!
Loch Ken has become something of a mecca for watersport enthusiasts
and is the place to go if you want to learn any of a number
of watersport skills. |
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