4 KEYS to Nail Your Gates, Every Time!
Gates are an essential aspect of every pass, yet many of us underestimate their significance in shaping each successful run. While there are two main gate setups - a one-handed gate or a two-handed gate - each skier adds their unique variation. However, the common goal remains: to enter the course consistently with balance, speed, and line control. So, how do we achieve this?
The Pullout: Achieving the perfect start time, effort, and duration is crucial for nailing your gates every time. Use your visual reference of the pre-gates and the boat's position in relation to them to maintain consistent timing. For example, initiate your pullout when the nose of the boat is approximately five feet from the pre-gates. The first ⅓ of your pullout is where we need to get all our effort done. The remaining ⅔ of the pullout is dedicated to riding the speed you've generated to reach the ideal width you aimed for. Although some trial and error may be involved, make a commitment to discover the optimal width and then fine-tune your timing and effort to ensure you're wide at your turn-in while the line is coming tight.
Balance: Maintaining balance from the start is crucial. Your gate sets the tone for the entire pass, so prioritize balance here. From the pullout, focus on shifting your weight slightly forward and left, distributing even pressure to both feet. This will help keep your ski flat on the water during the pullout, avoiding the common "pop-a-wheelie" effect. As you release the pullout (⅓) and move into your glide (⅔), check that the invisible line down your spine lands between your feet.
Speed: The key to speed lies in width on the boat. Just like a swing at the park, starting wide allows you to effortlessly gain momentum as you approach the wakes. Think of the turn buoys as your desired "height" or width in slalom skiing; you should begin at least as wide as the buoys, you can look down the 2, 4, 6 buoy line as a reference. This starting point acts as your invisible target during the pullout, enabling you to move back towards the centreline and accelerate while swinging to a wide spot on the other side of the wakes, ideally offering a wide and early approach to the first buoy.
Timing and Line Control: These aspects are closely tied to the pullout and your ability to integrate all the components. Here are some common issues and their general adjustments:
Slack on the turn-in: Pull out earlier if you were at your desired width or pull out shorter if you were too wide.
Turning in narrow after getting wide: This results from pulling out too early, pullout later by adjusting your visual reference based on the pre-gates and the boat's location.
Difficulty turning in or gaining speed to the wakes: You're likely too narrow, add width with a stronger pullout, or pull out a bit longer if needed.
To summarize the key points: maintain consistent timing on your pull out, execute a short and strong pullout (⅓), ensure your glide reaches a point wider than buoy width (excluding 11m or shorter lines), and strive for balance over your ski during the gates and throughout the pass. I hope this information and coaching tips have shed light on the importance of gates and how you can make adjustments to enter the course consistently with balance, speed, and line control.
If you have any questions about this information or have questions that could be our next blog post, please feel free to reach out.
Happy skiing!
