Skiing with my kids is my absolute favorite thing to do in life!
Luckily, I coached many kids and teenagers before becoming a dad.And still, it’s a constant learning process.
Water skiing is a sport where everything happens so fast and the margin of error is so small, that technique, movement, and consistency need to be almost perfect.
That’s why you need a second set of eyes on the boat during every set, helping you through the process.
Being both a dad and a coach can be a dangerous line. If you push too hard, make the wrong comment, or get angry with the skier, it can impact their performance, their career—and worst of all—their relationship with you.
Here’s what has helped me:
1. Gratitude comes first
No matter how bad the set was, always remember it’s better to be on the lake than at school or in the office. Stay grateful. Be happy.That mindset changes everything.
2. Have a plan
Know what you're going to work on: reps, line length, drills, fun, goals, tournaments.Break the routine. Make it fun. Make it challenging.
3. Respect their time and space
Talk to your kid about which days you’ll train. If one day they want to skip to hang out with friends or rest, it’s OK—as long as they let you know ahead of time.But if they commit, respect the schedule. Be consistent.
4. Positive feedback first
After every set, even the worst ones, start by pointing out something good.Then, calmly explain what needs improvement and work together to find a solution.
From the boat it’s easy to say what went wrong—what takes real coaching is knowing why and how to fix it.
5. Analyze together
Most falls start long before the buoy.If they fell at 3, maybe their gate was narrow, their cut into the wake lacked direction or power, and it forced a bad 3.
Ask your skier:"Why do you think you missed?""What would you change?"Then help them figure it out.
6. End on a high note
Always finish with a full pass.It leaves a good feeling and builds positive muscle memory.Example: After trying hard passes (like 2@39, 4@38), go back to 28 and run a clean one.
7. Seek “flow”
Flow is that state where you’re so into what you’re doing, you forget time even exists.To find it, set goals that are hard but reachable—just a bit above the usual.
8. Consistency > Everything
36 buoys per set (6 full passes) is a great benchmark.Each pass should be early and smooth so they have time to think, adjust, and improve.Skiing late builds bad muscle memory.Better to start easy or with longer rope, but always complete the first pass.
9. Motivate. Don’t pressure.
Motivation and pressure are not the same.Point out the good. Let them bring up what went wrong.You’re there to support, not control.
10. Protect their health
The most important thing for long-term success is staying healthy.Kids hate warming up—and teens even more.So make it fun:warm up with them, race them, play music, do a few laps around the lake…Or, if they refuse, let the first 2 passes be super easy.
11. Talk after skiing
The car ride home is golden.Highlight the wins: skiing together, being outdoors, the fun moments.Celebrate: stop for ice cream, do something they enjoy.
12. Know when to be silent
Sometimes, just show up, watch, clap, and say nothing.You don’t have to always be the expert.
13. Make it social
Invite friends or classmates to ski with them.Ski yourself, let your kid drive or coach you.Your goal is to become their ski partner, not just their instructor.
14. Never compare
Don’t compare your kid to others—or worse—to their siblings.Each skier is different. Every day is different.
15. Respect the coach
If you're training with a pro coach, get on the boat, listen, and learn.Don’t be that parent who hears everything the coach says and then gives their own opinion at the end.That’s terrible—for the coach and for your kid.
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