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White Water Rafting for Beginners: What You Need to Know


White Water Rafting for Beginners: What You Need to Know

Getting out on a river for a fun raft adventure is something many people find exciting, especially when they do it with friends or family. It’s important to know the basics of white water rafting before you head out so that everyone remains safe.

There are 10 specific tips beginning white water rafters need to know including book early, pack the right items, pick a slower river, pick a guide, pay attention to the safety speech, have protective gear, what to wear, hold your paddle correctly, swimming correctly in the river, and avoiding panic.

Knowing the basics will help you stay safe and have fun, so pay attention to the list below.

White Water Rafting for Beginners

1. Book Early

Many white water rafting expeditions book up quickly in the summer and early fall so it’s important to get your name on the books early to secure a spot. This is especially important on weekends as that is their busiest time.

Getting an early booking will also help you secure a knowledgeable guide rather than one just starting, who may be called to duty to help with last-minute bookings.

2. Pack the right items.

Those new to white water rafting may not realize that you do need to pack for the trip to be safe and comfortable. Here is a list of necessary items:

  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable footwear that remains secure on your feet. The best type for this activity is aqua shoes.
  • Sunglasses that come with a security strap.
  • Water bottle, lunch, snacks, all packed in a small, personal watertight container.
  • A change of clothes for after the trip.

Be sure to put any of your belongings that you are taking onto the raft in sealed plastic bags so they won’t get wet.

3. Pick a slower river.

Rivers are categorized by the type of rapids each feature. Class 1 are rivers that have small waves, and virtually no obstructions like large rock formations. These are the ones you want as a beginner.

Some confident beginners can start with a Class 2 river because it has wide waterways with only a few obstructions that can be avoided with guidance. These can be managed by beginners if you have a strong guide.

Classes 3 and 4 are for more experienced rafters as each involves more complicated moves and strong control of the raft.

Classifications go up to Class 5, which are for rafting experts only as they have huge waves, holes, steep chutes, and violent rapids.

It is best to talk to your entire group about their skill and confidence level before picking a river. It is always the better option to start with the river class the least experienced in your group prefers.

4. Pick a guide.

Some new to rafting think guides aren’t necessary because it’s just “going down a river” but nothing could be farther from the truth. A knowledgeable guide can make a world of difference between safety and injury, between a raft staying afloat or capsizing, and between having fun or wishing the trip was over.

Ask the expedition company you are booking how knowledgeable your guide is regarding that river, rafting, safety, and other aspects. Ask your guide similar questions when you arrive to make sure you are getting a true professional for your group.

It is important that your group have confidence in your guide since you will be following his or her instructions on your river trip. Trusting your guide will make your entire trip safer and more fun!

5. Pay attention to the safety speech.

People have been conditioned to tune out safety speeches, but in white water rafting for beginners, what you need to know is your guide will be telling you certain terms he or she will use to lead the team during the trip.

One of the most important aspects of white water rafting is working together as a team, led by the guide. Everyone needs to pay attention to how they instruct you and the warnings they will give during the trip regarding rocks and waves. All of this will be covered in the safety speech. 

The guide will also tell you during the safety talk about certain aspects of the river and what to expect. Knowing what lies ahead will help prepare you to travel the river safely and to not panic.

6. Wear protective gear.

The expedition company will hand out lifejackets and helmets. Be sure to wear both while on the river. All the buckles on the lifejacket should be buckled with it fitting comfortably snug.

The helmet is to protect you in case you end up in the river near rocks, so it’s important to keep it on even if it feels odd. Make sure the helmet fits your head before you go on the river so that it is comfortable.

7. What do you wear?

Most people wear swimsuits, but some wear shorts and T-shirts. Be sure that whatever you wear won’t bog you down when it gets wet. You will get wet. Some people wear wet suits if the water is a cold-water river.

 Many rivers have temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees, so they are cold. Be aware of the temperature and pick the right clothes for the river.

8. Hold your paddle correctly.

Paddles must be held correctly to avoid injury going over rocks. The correct way is one hand should be around the shaft near the lower end of the paddle while the other hand should be over the T-grip.

This prevents to paddle from hitting you in your jaw or face if you go over a rock. 

Also, there will be times your guide tells you to stop paddling as you go over rocks. In those cases, hold your paddle with the T-grip down, lower than the shaft so it won’t pop up and hit you. 

9. Swimming correctly in the river.

Rivers are different from other bodies of water because there are rocks, tree limbs, and other obstructions. The proper way to swim in a river, if you get thrown out of the raft, is to lie on your back with your feet downstream to get your bearings and look for a place to land.

When you get to a spot to swim to a rock or shore, flip over and head the way you want. Your guide will pull the boat over to pick you up. 

10. Don’t panic.

A situation may arise that frightens you. It could be that your raft is caught on a rock or hits an unavoidable rapid. The worst thing you can do is panic.

Keep your head clear, listen to your guide and follow instructions. Stay in the raft if at all possible. There may be a situation where you must exit the raft to get it off a rock, but it is always better if you can stay in the raft. 

Conclusion

White water rafting can be a fun, team-building exercise that provides for some safe thrills. For those planning a trip of White water rafting for beginners, what you need to know is to always err on the side of safety rather than the thrills.

What Size Kayak Do I Need For My Height?


What Size Kayak Do I Need For My Height?

So, you want a kayak that works for you in all ways. Choosing the right kayak depends on your size, your intended use, and the type of kayak you are working with. It’s important to choose your kayak size based on your height because this choice affects comfort level, safety, and stability. 

In this article, we’ll unpack the most important reasons to choose a kayak based on your height – the main one being that taller individuals need longer and lower-seated kayaks for comfort and stability. We’ll also discuss the types of kayaks available to users, and how to work out the right dimensions to accommodate you. 

Why Is It Important to Choose a Kayak Based on Height?

When taking part in any boating activity, our height will affect our comfort level and agility.

It’s especially important to choose a kayak based on your height. Kayaks are much more slender than other boats and can become top-heavy if we are too tall for them.

You Can Optimize Your Leg and Foot Space

Comfort is a big factor when kayaking. Since you’re stuck on the water, there won’t really be a place to rest your feet outside the kayak if they get cramped up inside. 

Taller individuals typically have longer legs and larger feet. Because of this, a kayak with adequate legroom is ideal. Recreational and seak kayaks (which go up to 12 or 14 feet in many cases) are good choices for people over 6 feet tall.

However, a lot of brands will also offer larger sizes for taller folks, regardless of the kayak type. 

You Can Choose One that Accommodates Your Center of Gravity

Taller people also have different centers of gravity. Our center of gravity affects our balance and stability when kayaking. 

A center of gravity is a hypothetical point in the body, but it determines how gravity will work based on our mass. 

Tall people’s centers of gravity are often higher than shorter people’s centers of gravity. If your CoG is higher, you’ll feel less stable and sturdy in a kayak where you are sitting down. 

A good way to choose a kayak to balance your center of gravity better is to choose one with a deeper seat or lower deck height

You Can Optimize Stability and Safety

Once you have accounted for your center of gravity, you can help to optimize your stability. A lower center of gravity actually helps you in a kayak, because it lowers the risk of topheaviness.

If you are more stable, you won’t have to worry so much about capsizing. Being on a kayak can be a risk in itself because your feet can get trapped. But you don’t want to topple over if some waves or wind rock you. 

You are overall more safe with a kayak that accounts for your height. 

How to Choose a Kayak Size

Consider Your Own Measurements

Aside from your overall height, your lower body also needs to fit well in the kayak. Your height can affect your lower body’s fit and comfort level because you get into a kayak sitting down.

Consider the following personal measurements when you go to size out a kayak. 

Leg LengthYour leg length is important because when you try out a kayak, you can sit down and determine whether or not your knees will bend or sit comfortably. If you know your leg length ahead of time, you can know where to start with kayak lengths. A lot of times, the leg areas of kayaks (touring) are between 3 feet and 56 inches. 
Foot SizeFoot comfort is also a factor in choosing a kayak size. You want to be able to rest your feet on the foot pegs without issue. Taller folks often have larger feet, and if your feet are bigger than size 12, you may feel cramped in the kayak (touring and sea kayaks). 
Waist WidthThe cockpit of a kayak (where you get in) and its opening need to fit you as well. Taller individuals (usually men) may have a hard time getting in the cockpit. Choose a kayak with a cockpit width of at least 20 inches to ensure you can get inside. 
Thigh WidthThe thighs need to also fit comfortably in the cockpit, which means choosing a wider cockpit in some cases so you don’t have to shimmy in with difficulty. 

Consider the Kayak’s Volume, Width, and Length Dimensions

Volume

As mentioned above, a kayak fits the user based on its volume, width (width of kayak and cockpit), and overall length. 

There are high volume and low volume kayaks. The taller you are, the higher volume kayak you will likely need. But keep in mind that some kayak types have naturally higher volumes, and a regular size may still suit a tall person. 

In general, though, high volume kayaks are typically ideal for kayakers who are heavier than 180 pounds and taller than 5’10”. Medium volume kayaks work best for those more than 180 pounds and between 5’7″ and 5’10”. And low volume kayaks work best for those less than 140 pounds and under 5’6″. 

Width

The width of a kayak will accommodate your hips, thighs, and waist. It’s referred to as the hull width or the “beam”. 

While taller individuals may need wider hulls for comfort, getting a kayak that’s too wide can make the vessel bulky and difficult to navigate. 

Length

The length of the kayak is equally important, especially in ratio to the width. A longer kayak typically glides faster, which is a pro for taller individuals who need a longer kayak. 

However, keep in mind that the longer your kayak in order to accommodate your height, the less stable it might be. Because of this, getting one with a lower seat is ideal. 

Consider the Different Types of Kayaks

There are kayaks for different intended uses, and their size scales will vary. In order to figure out if they’ll accommodate them to your height, consider the typical sizes of each of these kayak types:

Fishing Kayaks10-16 feet long, 30-42 inches wide – These need to be stable because of the activities you intend to do in them. For this reason, taller individuals may consider getting a size accommodating fishing kayak. 
Recreational Kayaks9-12 feet long and they are broad – These are usually very stable and work well for people of all heights.
Touring Kayaks12-20 feet long, 18-28 inch hull width – They are typically narrow and medium length. This may be a good fit for a taller person. 
Whitewater Kayakstypically 7-9 feet long – These are for rapids, and they’re designed to be buoyant.   
Tandem (Two-Person) Kayaksanywhere from 10-16 feet long, broad – These are for two people, so you will need to ensure that your dimensions and your partner’s dimensions both fit.   
Racing Kayaksaround 17 feet long – They are typically narrow and long since they’re designed for speed. The length may work well for a taller person, so long as the cockpit fits the person well

In Summary

Choosing a kayak based on your height measurement is essential since this measurement will affect your center of gravity, leg and foot size, as well as where your waist and thighs will sit in a kayak. 

Taller individuals should choose longer kayaks with wider beams and lower seats to accommodate their comfort and stability. You can determine what kayak is best for you by factoring in the type of kayak, your measurements, and what you want to use the kayak for!

Snorkeling For Beginners: How To Snorkel Step By Step


Snorkeling For Beginners

Are you looking to ease into snorkeling and understand a bit about it? This is important to do; before you buy the equipment and get going, there are quite a few things to learn!

A beginner snorkeler will need a well-fitted mask and snorkel, and may also benefit from fins, a wetsuit, and a life jacket. You’ll also need to learn how to breathe through a pipe comfortably. How to avoid getting water in your mouth and how to seal your mask to your face are further important lessons.

Snorkeling For Beginners

Is Snorkeling Hard To Learn?

It is not the hardest sport, but it is not as easy as some people think it is. This misconception can lead to an unpleasant first experience. Learning to breathe through a tube is uncomfortable for many people.

The tube will often have leftover carbon dioxide from your previous breath in it. This can make it feel like you’re not getting enough oxygen to begin with. In order to make it more comfortable, some people practice breathing on land first, or in the shallows.

This will give you more confidence when you venture out further. It will also make it easier to stay calm if you get seawater in the tube.

It’s a good idea to approach snorkeling with a very relaxed attitude, and to push your boundaries slowly. Getting out too deep too fast can make it a frightening experience.

How Will You Choose Your Snorkel Mask?

The key to choosing a mask is making sure that it fits comfortably. If it doesn’t fit, it will leak, steam up, and feel uncomfortable. You will need to constantly stop and adjust it. This can be difficult if you’re out of your depth, and is often frustrating.

To check a mask fits well, hold your breath and gently press it against your face. Let go of it and it should stay against your face. If it falls off, it doesn’t fit properly.

Don’t inhale as you let go; this will make it stick, and render the test useless. Just let go and see if it stays on. If it does, it probably fits well enough. Test a variety of masks and choose whichever clings best.

How Do You Seal A Snorkel Mask?

To create a seal, you need to inhale through your nose once the mask is on your face. This will create a slight vacuum, pulling the rubber “skirt” into place against your skin and preventing any liquid from entering.

You will then want to minimize exhaling through your nose. At points, you’ll need to exhale a little to keep the pressure right and make it comfortable. However, the less you can do so, the better. If the seal breaks, liquid and air can get in. Water will need to be emptied out. Air will fog up the lenses.

Learning how to seal your mask is key. If you can’t seal it properly, you’re not going to have fun out there!

How Do You Breathe Through A Snorkel?

You may want to practice breathing through a snorkel on land first, especially if you are nervous. Alternatively, try it out in shallow water, just putting your face under. This will help you get used to the sensation.

Put the rubber end in your mouth and seal your lips around it. Make sure that the top of the tube is sticking out of the water. Take a slow, deep breath. You need to breathe calmly while snorkeling to ensure you get enough oxygen. You should be able to hear your breaths. Work out a calm rhythm.

Once you have a rhythm, practice a short, hard breath through the pipe. This is how you will expel any liquid that gets into the tube. You can do it with an empty tube to start with, or deliberately let a bit of seawater splash in.

Don’t panic if you get uncomfortable. Just lift your head above the surface, take the mouthpiece out of your mouth, and breathe slowly until you feel calm.

Can Non-Swimmers Do Snorkeling? Snorkeling With Life Jacket

Many snorkelers wear life jackets. If you’ve seen them, you might wonder why and if that means non-swimmers can snorkel. While a non-swimmer could theoretically do some snorkeling with a life jacket, this is not necessarily a good idea.

Really, if you cannot swim, you should not consider watersports a safe option. While you can do them, you are at much greater risk if something goes wrong. If you lose your life jacket or it fails, you could drown.

It would be better to take a few basic swimming lessons before considering any watersports. You will probably get a lot more enjoyment from it than if you go without knowing how to swim!

How To Snorkel Without Swallowing Water

There are quite a few tips and tricks that should help you avoid swallowing water when snorkeling. Firstly, choose calm seas and stay in the shallows until you’ve got to grips with the sport.

Secondly, keep your head level so that the tube doesn’t dip down close to the surface. If you move your head to look behind you or in front of you, you’re likely to get seawater in the tube.

Practice expelling liquid from the pipe, as described above, with a short, sharp breath of air. This will force liquid out of the tube so you can breathe freely again.

If water does get into your mouth, seal your tongue against the roof of your mouth. This will stop you from swallowing it.

What Equipment Do You Need For Snorkeling?

You will need a well-fitted mask and a snorkel that feels comfortable in your mouth and sticks out behind your head. This is all that is technically required, but other equipment may help.

Many people prefer to have fins for this sport. This reduces the effort involved with swimming, allowing them to stay out for longer. It also makes it easy to glide along slowly.

Equally, using a life jacket or snorkel vest can make it more comfortable. The vest is similar to a life jacket, but makes it easier to keep your head in the water.

How Long Can You Stay Underwater With A Snorkel?

While the tube is above the surface, you have access to as much air as you want. You can stay in the water for as long as you feel like it. As long as the tube is clear, you can breathe normally.

If you want to dive, the snorkel won’t extend the period of time you can stay under for. It doesn’t help you breathe away from the surface. How long you can stay down will depend on how long you can hold your breath.

Snorkeling With A Mustache And Beard; Is It Possible?

Hair on your face can make it difficult to create a decent seal. You’ll need to choose a mask that fits really well, and consider cutting your beard to reduce its interference with the seal.

If you want to, you can also apply food-grade silicone to your hair at the points where it touches the seal. This will help to improve the seal and reduce any air or water flow.

Summary

Snorkeling is a great sport to get into, but there are a few things to think about before you start. Having fitted equipment, a bit of practice at breathing, and techniques to keep water out of your mouth are all key to an enjoyable experience.

Skydiving For Beginners – How to Get Started


Skydiving For Beginners - How to Get Started

Skydiving is a popular activity, yet few are brave enough to try it. This article changes your prejudice about getting a skydiving session by answering all the relevant questions that beginners like you have.

Have you ever tried skydiving before? Well, you should. The excitement and joy that rides on amusement parks are nothing compared to the excitement and joy that it brings. Each skydiving session literally and figuratively takes you to new heights.

A slight mistake can lead to disastrous results while skydiving. That’s why it’s perfectly understandable if you’re divided about booking your first session.

That’s why this article is here. This article assures you that nothing wrong will happen out of doing it by answering all of the answers that you have as a beginner.

Skydiving For Beginners

Can I Skydive by Myself for the First Time?

Yeah, sure, you can skydive by yourself for the first time. The requisites are very simple, really. You just need to get a plane rental and have your own parachute.

Also, before going, realize that a solo dive is extremely expensive and dangerous compared to skydiving with a group that an instructor oversees

But if you really have the money to pay for the plane and the guts to challenge death, then you’re all set! Jump now and feel the wind on your space. By the way, don’t come asking for help if officer James imprisons you afterward.

So why put you in jail? Assuming that you managed to rent a plane but you didn’t get any skydiving certificates, solo-diving infringes specific sections and clauses of the Parachute Operations in Designated Airspace.

But infringing the law above isn’t the only problem. If you attempt to solo dive without proper training, no pilot will ever offer you a ride, no matter how much you pay. They will lose their license if they choose to do otherwise.

To make everything clear, you can skydive on your own. However, you may only do so if you have proper training, the money for plane rental, and the essential gears.

How Much Does It Cost to Learn to Skydive?

You have two options for skydiving lessons – AFF accelerated lessons and an A-license course. Enroll for the AFF if you want to learn skydiving but don’t have plans on making it a hobby. On the other hand, register for the A-license course if you want to become an expert.

The A-license course costs between $2000 – $3000. On the other hand, the pricing of the AFF costs between $200 – $300 depending on the jump category.

Also, the AFF accelerated lesson comes in the form of a package. Its package version costs $1000 – $2000. Though expensive, you might like the AFF package better because it offers 7 – 25 jumps.

To avoid confusion, know that you have to enroll in the AFF before enrolling for the A-license course. The AFF is more like a preparatory tutorial for skydiving, while the A-license is an advanced training if you wish to learn the ins and outs of skydiving.

How High Is the Average Skydive?

The average skydiving height is 10,000 to 13,500 feet. These are the maximum heights where you may jump from with an AFF accelerated lessons certificate.

You may jump from higher altitudes if you have the A-license course certificate and other advanced skydiving certificates. As an expert, you can dive from an altitude of 15,000 feet – 30,00o feet

In connection, jumping at altitudes higher than 13,000 requires the use of oxygen tanks because breathing with the lungs will be impossible.

At What Height Do You Open the Parachute?

The instructor will decide when to open the parachute. With that said, don’t panic and decide to open the chute on your own if you’re a beginner.

Commonly, the instructor, who accompanies you during the skydive, pulls the chute string at 6,000 feet so that it’s fully opened by the time you descend at 5,000 feet.

How Fast Do You Fall When You Skydive?

Pointing out a specific speed when you skydive is impossible since it’s dependent on numerous factors such as the weather condition, your build, and your current weight. With that said, this section only provides you with estimates.

These are the speed of your freefall based on how much you weigh:

  • 60 kilos – you will fall at 110.8 mph
  • 70 kilos – you will fall at 119.6 mph
  • 80 kilos – you will fall at 125 mph
  • 90 kilos – you will fall at 135.7 mph
  • 100 kilos – you will fall at 143 mph

How Long Does a Skydiving Session Last?

A skydiving session feels long but actually lasts quickly. Depending on the altitude, you will enjoy the dive for 30 seconds up to 1 minute.

However, don’t be disheartened. Such durations are for freefall only. If you take your time on the air with the parachute into account, skydiving lasts for at least 5-10 minutes.

In Case of Accidents, at How Much Force Do I Hit the Ground?

The rate at which you fall after a skydive is reduced by more than half if you hit the ground with a parachute. This isn’t much of a concern. What’s more wonder about is how much force you hit the ground in case the parachute doesn’t work. For the specific figures, take a look at this simple table:

  • If you weigh 60 kilos and are falling at 110.8 mph, you will hit the ground at 413, 663 pound-force, which is similar to being hit with a 206-ton object
  • if you weigh 70 kilos and are falling at 119.6 mph, you will hit the ground at 481,981 pound-force, which is equal to being hit with a 241-ton object
  • If you weigh 80 kilos and are falling at 125 moh, you will hit the ground at 526-487 pound-force, which is equal to being hit with a 263-ton object
  • If you weigh 90 kilos and are falling at 135.7 mph, you will hit the ground at 620, 479 pound-force, which is equal to being hit with a 310-ton object

How Dangerous Is Skydiving?

Skydiving is very dangerous, and that’s why you need schooling before doing it. While doing it, you’re at the mercy of gravity, and only the instructor can save you if something wrong happens.

You don’t have to very afraid about skydiving for the first time even though it’s dangerous. An instructor will be with you, and he or she will ensure that you jump, position yourself, and deploy the parachute correctly.

Data shows that only 1 in 100,000 thousand people die or experience accidents when skydiving. In connection, only 11 fatal skydiving-related accidents happened in 2020. A year before that, there are only 15 fatal skydiving accidents.

So sky diving isn’t dangerous. It’s a recreational activity that’s a bit risky but doesn’t compromise your well-being

What Can Go Wrong In Sky Diving?

While sky diving, you might make some amateur mistakes. If you’re up in the air, these amateur mistakes can kill you or get you bedridden for life. Here are some of them.

Pulling The Chute Too Early

You might pull the chute too early out of nervousness. If pulled too early, the chute won’t open since the surrounding air is too thin for it to catch. Another dangerous scenario is, when pulled early, the plane’s propellers might catch the chute.

Pulling the Chute Late

If not early, then the instructor might pull the chute too late due to malfunctions. A fatal consequence of this is the so-called hook turn, where the opening of the chute violently shakes you, thereby resulting in injuries.

Chute Opening by Itself

Sometimes, the chute can get defective and open up by itself, resulting in the above accidents. This is something that’s very dangerous because it can forcefully drag you out of the plane or cause you to fall hard on the ground.

Freefall Collisions

This is an accident that might happen if you’re skydiving with a group. The causes of this are the windy condition of the sky and the awkward freefall position of skydivers.

Plane Crash

The chances of a plane crash happening aren’t impossible. As a matter of fact, a part of the skydiving training teaches you what to do in case this happens.

Do You Experience Stomach Drops When Skydiving?

Stomach drops happen when you’re riding something that’s too fast for your body to adapt, say the sudden hop of the car on the bump or a roller coaster’s movement. Stomach drops don’t happen when you’re skydiving. This is because the plane will help your body adapt to the speed of the freefall.

Skydiving Equipment You Need as a Beginner

Parachute

The parachute prevents you from falling hard on the ground. It’s attached to the harness. There are two chutes in reality, the main chute and the pilot chute. The pilot chute is a small chute that catches air so that the main chute can open.

Harness

The harness is the equipment that holds the main chute and the pilot chute. It also ensures that the main chute stays attached to your body after it’s opened so that you don’t fall hard on the ground.

Helmet

You will wear a helmet inside the plane before freefall. The wearing of a helmet serves as a precautionary measure in case something fatal happens during flight.

Goggles (Optional)

The goggles protect your eyes from the air while freefalling. For some, the speed of the wind can affect vision and may even hurt it.

Dive Smoke (Optional)

A dive smoke makes the skydiving flashy by leaving a trail as you fall. Professional skydivers use this for their grouped skydiving sessions.

Conclusion

Skydiving is a fun activity. However, it’s not very fun if you put yourself at risk. That’s why get skydiving lessons before freefalling from the sky.

You may only skydive by yourself if you have the necessary certificates to testify to your qualification. Understand that authorities may imprison you if you solo dive as an untrained amateur.

In sky diving, it’s very important to be conscious about what you’re doing with the parachute. It’s your only defense against instant death, so be very mindful when deploying it.

Share this article if it greatly helped. Hoped that it answered your questions and removed your fear about getting your first skydiving session.

Skiing Techniques For Beginners


Skiing Techniques For Beginners

Skiing might look simple. Those glides turns and fancy manoeuvers that professionals pull off on mountain slopes seem easy enough. Nevertheless, try it yourself, and reality will slap you hard. You will discover that even maintaining posture while wearing skis is hard. Even more so with making yourself glide forward. Just like any other sport, learning the basics is the key to being good at skiing.

This article will be your instant coach to learning skiing for the first time. Put those skis away for a while and read the skiing techniques and other related topics that will help you conquer those slopes while being safe from crashes, broken bones, and other types of accidents.

Skiing Techniques For Beginners

Why Are Skiing Techniques For Beginners Important?

Have you ever done something without prior knowledge before? Being successful unless you’re a genius is difficult, right? Skiing is an extreme sport. There are lots for you to consider while doing it, such as balance, speed, manoeuvrability, control, etc. With that being said, doing all of these at once without proper training will be impossible. Believe it or not, the best that could happen is you hurting yourself.

Pro skiers didn’t make skiing techniques for beginners in the name of formality or just for the sake of having something to market in their skiing centres. Teaching skiing techniques for beginners is important because it builds the foundation of advanced skiing techniques such as jumps, immediate stops, speedy turns, etc.

Skiing techniques for beginners also prepare the body for executing advanced skiing techniques. For example, they make coordination of the legs and body more fluid, make the specific parts of the body adapt to the act of skiing or train the body’s responses to situations related to skiing.

What’s more is that you can’t do advanced skiing techniques without learning the skiing techniques for beginners. Skiing techniques for beginners make it easier for you to understand the underlying principles of advanced skiing manoeuvers. They also help create a skiing technique that’s unique to you.

Important Things To Do Before Learning A Skiing Technique For Newbies

You have to do a lot of warm-ups before attempting to learn any basic skiing techniques. You can try out these warm-ups at home before going to the ski resort or at the ski resort itself just before attempting to learn any basic skiing techniques. These are the warm-ups that you should do.

Knee Bends or Squats

Knee bends or squats train the shin and knees against the fatigue that you’ll fill while learning skiing techniques for newbies. Here’s how you do knee bends or squats as a form of warm-up:

  • Stand straight and raise your arms forward
  • Put your feet close together
  • Start bending your knees until the hips are level with them
  • Hold this position for at least five seconds
  • Go back to the original position
  • Repeat this for 16 counts

Arm Sways

Arm sways prepare the arms for the fatigue that comes whenever you’re using the skiing poles for practice. Some skiing techniques for newbies revolve around the poles. Examples are gliding and turning. Here’s how you perform arm sways as a form of warm-up.

  • Get at least two objects that weigh at least 2 pounds and hold each with your hands
  • Put yourself in a squatting position. Lower the hips to the mid-portion of your thighs
  • Start swaying the arms at a 90-degree angle while holding the objects
  • Keep doing this for 16 counts

Foot Rotations

Foot rotations loosen your feet so that they don’t easily get a sprain while wearing the skis. Aside from being painful, you don’t want sprains to happen because they make you lose balance or lose directional control that are the common causes of ski-related accidents. Here’s how you do foot rotations as a form of warm-up:

  • Stand straight
  • Put each of your hands on each side of the hips
  • Raise the right foot in front
  • Rotate the right foot clockwise for eight counts and counterclockwise for another eight counts
  • Put the right foot down and switch to the left foot
  • Rotate the left foot clockwise for eight counts and counterclockwise for another eight counts

Body Sways

Skiing involves a lot of use of the torso. Some skiing techniques for beginners, such as turns and jumps, involve the body. As a result, you should limber up to make practice more efficient. Body sways are the best for making the body lose before practising. Here’s how you do perform it for warm-up:

  • Stand erect
  • Put your feet at least 10–20 centimetres from each other
  • Put each of your hands on each side of the hips
  • Sway your body, starting from the left going to the right. Do this for eight counts
  • Sway your body in the opposite direction. Do this for eight counts

Skiing Techniques For Newbies

After doing the warm-ups above, I’m sure that your body is loose enough for doing basic skiing techniques. This section of this article talks about the main subject in great detail. With that being said, I invite you to read parts that you don’t understand completely once again.

Skiing Stance

The skiing stance is the first technique that you have to learn. A great skiing stance means more comfort while riding the skis. In contrast, a bad skiing stance results in jerky movements. Follow these instructions to start practising your skiing stance:

  • Stand in a straight position. Relieve all parts of our body from tension. Breathe deeply if this helps you do so.
  • Start lowering your hips a bit. At the same time, positions your shins just a bit in front of it
  • Position the hands next. The hands should be on the side of the laps with the poles at a 40–50 degree angle
  • Hold this position for about 1 minute
  • Go back to the original position and repeat everything until your body automatically assumes a skiing stance

Another technique that you can supplement while practising this technique is rotational movements. As the name implies, rotational movement is when you turn your body going left or right without moving the hips. You may practise this after doing the last step in learning the above skiing technique.

The Snow Plough

In skiing, knowing how to stop is more important than knowing how to move forward. It’s important to remember this point because once you’re zooming down the slope, you’ll travelling 10–30 miles an hour at most. With that being said, never attempt to move forward with the skis without knowing the snowplough — the most basic technique in skiing that brings you to a halt. Here’s what you have to do to learn the snowplough.

  • Find a groomed slope that has a steepness of 5–17 degrees. In ski resorts, you’ll find these on green circle locations.
  • Stand on its topmost part. Assume the skiing stance and ask someone to push you to move forward
  • While moving, gradually bring the tip of each ski at the centre (space between your legs) so that they assume a V shape.
  • Apply pressure on the inner edge of each ski to perform the snowplough

Mastering this beginner’s technique takes time. That’s why you have to be very patient with it. Nevertheless, if you learn to perform the snowplough without thinking about it, performing quick turns and flashy stops while skiing is only one step away.

Gliding Forward

Gliding forward with the skis on your feet is relatively easy compared to the abovementioned beginner’s techniques. All you have to do is assume the skiing stance once again and start pushing against the snow with the skiing poles. As a first-timer, it’s common for one of your feet to go ahead of the other. If this happens, do your best to pull the foot that attempts to move ahead level with the other foot.

Inclined Turns

So how do intermediates and pros look so graceful when turning to go left or right while skiing? The secret is that they have mastered the art of inclined turns. A common pitfall among amateurs is that they attempt to point the tip of the skis with their foot on toward the direction that they want to go. This results in awkward-looking turns and a lack of direct control.

The best way to turn while skiing is to practise inclination. This is the act of leaning your body towards the direction where you want to go while skiing — if you want to go right, then lean rightward, and if you want to go left, then lean leftward. Doing this shifts your weight on either of the edges of skis. When this happens, the skis will go in the direction where your body is currently leaning. Here’s how you practise inclined turns:

  • Go to a wide slope in the ski resort that has a steepness of at least 30–45 degrees. Again, it should be groomed so that you don’t face a lot of difficulties
  • Start moving slowly but be sure not to push hard against the snow so that you won’t go too fast
  • Try inclining your body from left to right. Remember not to lose your centre of gravity
  • Repeat this process until your body doesn’t easily lose balance every time you attempt to incline

How Long Does It Take To Practise Beginner Skiing Techniques?

The answer to this question depends on your level of skill and your physical limitations. If you have a coach, expect that you’ll learn the above techniques in less than two weeks. On the other hand, it takes longer if you learn on your own. Expect to learn the above techniques within a month.

If you ask me whether it’s better to learn alone or with someone, I recommend the latter over the former. Having someone to learn with you will be beneficial since he or she can point out the mistakes that you’re making. Also, he or she can help you whenever dangerous situations arise.

Do You Really Have To Practise On A Ski Resort?

Actually, you can practise anywhere — on the hill, your backyard slope, etc. However, I strongly recommend that you go to skiing resorts because they have dedicated areas for practising. Moreover, practising in ski resorts is safer. They help you avoid falling from tree wells/spruce traps, encountering wild animals or avalanches.

What To Do After Mastering Skiing Techniques For Beginners?

After you’ve learned them all, it’s time for you to enjoy the fun that skiing brings. However, don’t get too cocky and challenge steep and ungroomed slopes. Basic skiing techniques only allow you to ski on green circles up to blue circles. If you want to challenge black diamonds or double black diamonds, learn advanced skiing techniques first.

Should You Lean Forward or Back When Skiing?


If you’re just getting into skiing and balancing seems a major challenge, you might be wondering “should you lean forward or backward when skiing?” The angle at which you hold your body makes a big difference in how well-balanced you are. Don’t discount this part of the learning process!

You may have heard of the term “lean forward” but this doesn’t actually mean you should be leaning forward. You want to be balanced in the center. The term is just used because the majority of people lean backward. By leaning forward from what feels natural, they are positioning themselves in the center of their skis.

Where Should Your Weight Be When Skiing?

Your weight ought to be in the middle of your skis. Remember, most people lean backward, so try to make yourself feel as though you are leaning toward the ground. This will position your body in the right place.

People lean backward because they naturally try to move away from the slope. They feel nervous about the speed and steepness, so try to pull away from it.

By correcting your center of balance to the middle of your skis, you’ll give yourself more control.

Weight On Inside Or Outside Ski

What about when you’re turning? Where does your center of balance need to be then?

Your weight should be on the outside ski. This is the one that will drop down further on the slope, making you arc around. Remember that you need to lean on the right leg to go left, and the left leg to go right.

The more you press down on your outside ski, the more steeply you will curve around. Distributing your weight evenly between the two skis will cause you to level out. In between, you’ll get a gentle curve.

Suddenly switching from one leg to another may cause you to fall as that ski tries to take control of your movement instead.

How Do You Shift Weight When Skiing?

Try to shift more gradually so that you have time to position your skis. If you move too fast, your inside ski may collide with your outer ski as it tries to move lower on the slope. More experienced skiers can usually shift their center of balance more quickly.

To shift your weight, simply push down onto the ball of the foot that you aren’t leaning on. This will help to transfer your weight over smoothly and easily. Do not try and move your torso or body, or you may lose your balance and fall over.

Remember that your body ought to be upright when skiing, not leaning to one side or the other.

How To Lean Forward When Skiing

You should aim to be at a 90 degree angle to the ski slope. That means that on steeper slopes, you need to lean further forward. You ought to feel some pressure in your shins and the balls of your feet. Remember that you want to be in the middle of your skis.

Keep your weight on the front part of your foot, and this should keep you leaning forward. If you are struggling, try practicing your position on shallow slopes. If you feel less nervous about the slope and its angle, you may find it easier to lean toward the ground.

Remember that leaning like this helps you control your speed, so it actually keeps you safer. If you lean backward, you may find that you lose control and have to skid to make yourself stop.

How To Stop Leaning Back When Skiing

There are a few things you can do to stop yourself from leaning backward if you are having problems on your skis.

Tip One: No Sitting

Firstly, don’t “sit” above your skis. If your hips are too far behind your heels, you’re unlikely to be able to lean forward properly, and you may lose your balance. You do want your hips to be slightly flexed, but not to the point that you fall over.

You should aim to be almost upright, but just a little angled, as this will give you balance and control. If you notice you’ve got your seat too low, try and straighten up a little bit. Pull your buttocks into line with your heels.

Tip Two: Relax

Secondly, try to relax your joints. It can be very easy to tense up when trying a new sport, especially one that’s scary, but it’s important not to. Your ankles, hips, and knees are the most important joints to think about.

Being very tense will make it hard to adjust when the terrain changes, and may result in you overbalancing. It can also make you lean forward too far – but more commonly, it will lead to you leaning backward.

As you start to grow in confidence, think about relaxing your joints as much as possible (within reason!).

Tip Three: No Standing

Thirdly, do not stand up too straight. This may seem at odds with the first tip, but it’s important. Remember that standing very straight will result in your weight falling on the heels of your feet. You want it to be on the front parts of your feet.

You need to have a slight bend in your knees, hips, and ankles. These bends will help you to get a good angle. Your balance will be much better if you don’t stand up too straight, but work on the perfect skiing posture.

Tip Four: Don’t Hunch

Fourthly, don’t bunch up. Some skiers, in an attempt to lean forward, end up hunching their upper bodies over instead. Try not to do this. It won’t give you the balance that getting your legs in the right position will provide.

It may also leave you stiff and aching the next day. You might find that your center of balance shifts back to your heels to stop you from falling over. Transfer it to the balls of your feet instead and you’ll likely find you straighten your torso automatically.

How Do You Keep Your Skis Together While Skiing?

Your legs want to be centered beneath your body. Your skis should be about the same width apart as your hips.

You may notice your feet getting pushed apart by difficult terrain. It’s important to keep correcting this. You will eventually get a feel for the correct stance with practice. However, if you are struggling, try to consciously draw your non-weighted foot toward your weighted foot. This will help you keep them parallel during a turn.

You won’t be able to move the weighted foot inward, so always correct with the non-weighted one. Like moves in any sport, the best way to learn is simply to practice. Go for easy slopes so you can focus wholly on this movement and posture.

Summary

You always want your weight to be centered when you’re on the slopes. Leaning too far backward is very common, especially for beginners. However, the sooner you learn to correct this, the more quickly you will master the sport.

Focus on the four tips that will help you stop leaning backward. Keep your joints relaxed, your torso and head straight, and neither sit nor stand.

With a bit of practice, you’ll soon find a stable, balanced stance. This is a foundation for good skiing; without mastering the posture, you will never feel comfortable with the sport.