By the time you're ready to do a deep-water barefoot start it is recommended that you have a barefoot suit or a buoyancy suit with barefoot shorts underneath. Hopefully you have had the opportunity to practise on a boom bar (training bar).

The next step is a deep-water start behind the boat. Once you're behind the boat in the water just float on your back with the handle sitting in your lap and the rope between your legs. Place one foot on the rope (make sure you place the arch of your foot on the rope not the toes) and as the boat idles up place the other foot on top of the first one. From here as the boat starts to take off make sure you take a deep breath arch your shoulders back and as you start to go under water hold your breath for approx 3 seconds and start to breathe out through your nose. By this stage you should be out of the water skimming and you will then go to a sit up position on your butt.

The boat driver should give a quick pull out of the water and then back off a bit so you don't bounce over the prop wash, once over the prop wash ease up to speed.

Now you're up on your butt make sure that your feet (still over the rope) and head are at the same height because this gives you the correct vee position for the next stage and will also stop the spray from coming up between your legs. From this position slowly bring your feet off the rope flexing your foot towards your shin, keeping your knees together, and place your feet on top of the water.

As you place your feet in the water make sure your knees are touching and let your feet get pushed back almost under your butt. This is called the 3-point position and you can stay in this position for quite a while until you feel comfortable to apply some more pressure on your feet (make sure you are flexing your foot back up toward your shin not flexing your toes up) to eventually stand. As you start to stand up your knees should still be together with knees bent, hips forward and chest high and have your shoulders rolled back. Never look down!!!

Disclaimer

All information provided is to be used at your own risk and Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents accept no responsibility for the validity or legitimacy of the supplied information. Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents will not entertain any claims for damages arising from the use of this information.

For your first attempt at barefooting find some calm glassy water. (This will make it a lot easier)

It is better if you have a driver that has barefooted before, as he will know how to drive for you.

Use a 90ft rope this will keep you clear of the turbulence, and a 15" handle to keep your hands at shoulder width apart, remember with barefooting always hold the handle with both palms down this keeps your shoulders parallel to the water.

Jump in the water behind the boat and take the tow rope handle and kneeboard with you.

Sit on the board with your feet towards the boat. The tip of the board should be above the water and pointing towards the boat.

With your arms straight out hold the handle between your legs. Your legs should be just slightly bent and above the water.

Get the boat driver to move forward so that the rope is tight and there is no slack left in the rope the boat should then slowly accelerate until the board planes and rides above the water, your feet still above the water.

Move yourself to the front of the board this helps stop the board from bouncing.

When the boat speed reaches about 15 miles per hour bend your knees towards your chest and slowly place your feet onto the water. Do not attempt to stand up yet. (The water will still be soft)

When the boat driver sees you have your feet on the water they should then accelerate up to your barefoot speed. (You can work your boat speed out by your weight in lbs. divided by 10 plus 20 this gives your speed in mph) eg: 175lb divided by 10 =17.5 + 20 = 37.5mph

As the boat is reaching your barefoot speed slowly apply more weight to your feet (remember put even amount of weight on both feet and curl your toes up) and stand to a barefoot position. (Arms straight in front of you, head up, feet shoulder width apart, and bend knees to a 90-degree angle).

As you stand up the board should fall down behind you.

Disclaimer

All information provided is to be used at your own risk and Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents accept no responsibility for the validity or legitimacy of the supplied information. Goldwild Pty. Ltd., trading as The Water Skiers Connection; its directors, employers and agents will not entertain any claims for damages arising from the use of this information.