How to Get Up on Two Water Skis for the First Time | Learning with Les

Learning to water ski is one of the most rewarding experiences on the water—but getting up for the first time can also be the biggest challenge.

The good news? Getting out of the water isn't about strength. It's about technique, body position, and allowing the boat and skis to do the work.

In this Learning with Les guide, we'll walk you through the equipment you'll need, how to prepare before entering the water, and the step-by-step process for a successful deep-water start.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Before you head to the water, make sure you have the right equipment.

Essential Equipment

• A properly fitted Australian Standard life jacket
• Water ski pants or neoprene shorts (for comfort and protection)
• Rash shirt or sun shirt
• Sunscreen
• Water ski rope and handle
• Beginner water skis with adjustable bindings
• Optional ski joining bar
• A boat with a competent driver and observer

If you're teaching someone to ski for the first time, a ski joining bar can make a huge difference. It helps keep the skis parallel and prevents them from drifting apart during the deep-water start.

Practice on Land Before Getting Wet

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is jumping straight into the water without practising the correct body position.

A simple bank drill teaches muscle memory before the boat is ever started.

The Correct Starting Position

Sit on the ground with:

• Feet approximately shoulder-width apart
• Knees bent tighter than 90 degrees
• Heels close to your hips
• Back upright
• Arms wrapped around the outside of your knees while holding the handle

This naturally keeps the skis (or feet during practice) together and creates the correct compact starting position.

Let the Boat Pull You

Once holding the rope, have someone apply gentle tension.

The most important lesson for beginners is:

Relax your arms.

Don't pull on the handle.

Instead:

• Let your shoulders move toward your knees.
• Allow your hips to slide toward your heels.
• Stay compact.
• Let the rope do the work.

As more pressure is applied, you'll naturally move into a balanced squatting position.

Stay low.

Don't stand up yet.

Build Balance Before Standing

Rather than jumping straight to your feet, practise slowly rising.

Try this progression:

• Hold the squat for five seconds.
• Stand one-quarter of the way.
• Return to the squat.
• Stand halfway.
• Return again.

This develops balance and muscular control without relying on the rope for support.

Remember:

The rope doesn't hold you up.

It simply helps rotate you into the correct position so your legs can do the work.

Getting Ready in the Water

Once you're comfortable with the land drill, it's time to enter the water.

Before the Boat Starts

Make sure:

• Your bindings fit correctly.
• Both skis are parallel.
• The skis are the same distance apart.
• Only around 150 mm of each ski is above the water.

Many beginners lift the ski tips too high.

This causes:

• Feet to rise
• Body to sink
• Water to wash over the skier
• Much harder starts

Water skis generate lift while they are in the water—not above it.

Safety Checks Before Every Start

Before moving the boat:

✔ Driver and observer confirm the skier is ready.

✔ Rope is free of tangles.

✔ Rope isn't wrapped around skis or body.

✔ Boat is pointed straight ahead.

✔ Steering wheel is centred.

Only once everything is ready should the driver begin the pull.

The Secret to a Great Deep-Water Start

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the driver should accelerate as fast as possible.

In reality:

Smooth is fast.

Apply throttle progressively over several seconds.

The aim is simply to get the skis onto the surface—not to yank the skier from the water.

Most beginner skiers plane somewhere between 10–20 km/h, depending on their weight.

When Should You Stand Up?

This is where many beginners fall.

They try to stand too early.

Instead:

Wait until you feel:

• The skis lift onto the surface.
• The pressure on the rope reduces.
• The pull becomes noticeably lighter.

That is your signal.

Now:

• Stand up slowly.
• Rise only about one-quarter of the way.
• Pause.
• Continue standing gradually over the next few seconds.

There is no rush.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Avoid these common errors:

Pulling on the Handle

Relax your arms and let the boat pull you.

Standing Too Early

Wait until the skis are planing before standing.

Leaning Too Far Back

If your head disappears behind a wall of water, you're leaning back too much.

Lifting the Ski Tips

Keep most of the skis in the water so they can generate lift.

Trying to Rush

Every movement should be smooth and progressive.

Key Takeaways

Getting up on two skis isn't about upper body strength.

It's about:

• Staying compact
• Relaxing your arms
• Letting the boat pull you
• Keeping your skis low in the water
• Standing gradually
• Trusting the skis to lift you

Master these fundamentals and your first successful deep-water start will come much sooner than you think.

Watch the Full Learning with Les Video

Want to see each step demonstrated?

Watch the full Learning with Les episode on YouTube where Les walks through every stage of getting up on two skis, from bank drills through to a successful deep-water start.

Need Beginner Water Ski Equipment?

At Waterskiers World, we stock everything you need to get started, including:

• Beginner water ski packages
• Adjustable combo skis
• Ski joining bars
• Life jackets
• Ski ropes and handles
• Wetsuits and beginner accessories

Our team can help you choose the right setup for your age, ability and budget so you can spend less time struggling and more time skiing.