<p>My son is waterskiing on a set of combo skis. This weekend, he started getting up on the water, then kicking off the left ski to slalom on the right ski which has the dual bindings. Once the ride ends off course, we have to go back and look for the abandoned ski, which might have posed an impediment to another boater. I assumed that one of the reasons for buying an actual slalom ski was that it’d be easier to use solo on takeoff instead of the single combo ski, but S was able to get up out of the hole on his single combo ski after a couple tries. Would there be any benefit to him having an actual slalom ski?</p>
<p>Yes! First is that you don’t have to hunt for the other ski! And slalom skis are made to make skiing easier and allow for more control. The trick to getting up on a slalom ski is to not be in a hurry - let the boat pull you for a little bit until you stand up. Standing up too quickly causes many falls.</p>
<p>But if you can get up on the water on the right ski of a slalom pair, is there much real benefit to switching to a slalom for the handling?</p>
<p>Handles much better. I’ve done both and a good slalom (not particularly cheap) can make almost anyone look and feel like a pro. It cuts so much better.</p>
<p>I used to slalom ski (before my back betrayed me!). I got up easily on the slalom ski … never could drop a combo ski, though.</p>
<p>I am going to go against the grain on this one and tell you my opinion. Depending on the type of skis you have with the dual binding, your son may be just fine. “Beginner” slalom skis will have sharp edges to help cut the water. “Professional” type skis will have a rounder edge. Body glove makes a nice pair of “wake-skis” that have a dual binding that singularly will make a great slalom ski. It cuts through the water well and does the job. Your son has learned the hardest part of of slalom skiing which is getting out of the water. Your boat has to have good power and you have to “gun” it so you can help him out of the water. The drag of a single ski can be a killer. You guys seem to have it down. If ever wants to take it beyond recreation, then maybe a custom ski is in order, but if you are talking about hanging out at the lake on the weekends, what you have is probably fine. If you son likes slalom, you should have him try wake surfing. It is the “new” thing on our boat this summer!</p>
<p>^ I’d try wakeboarding before wakesurfing. Wakeboarding is hard enough to learn as is because its so different from skiing. Its easier to get used to the physics of the water if you’re still attached to the boat.</p>
<p>Don’t you need a tower attached to your boat to wakeboard?</p>
<p>Your son’s equipment needs depend on his intent, your budget, and his athletic ability. If you don’t already have a tournament inboard, most skiing activities will be of the recreational style: non-course slalom skiing at 20-30 mph, tubing, wakeboarding (without tower or ballast bag), kneeboarding, basic long-line barefooting. See the American Waterski Association site for info on all the disciplines and see Overtons.com for all the toys.</p>
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<p>If your son is tough, he can learn to ski any discipline behind just about any kind of boat. (I taught myself to barefoot longline behind an 18 foot I/O.) If time and budget permit, going to waterski, barefoot or wakeboard school would be a good investment.</p>
<p>If you are buying equipment for possible needs, eBay is full of slightly used gear.</p>
<p>0.02 - Would you say then that for the types of recreational 20-30 mph non-course slalom skiing that you (aptly) described, most skiers wouldn’t recognize a lot of difference between the double-binding ski on a slalom set and a designed slalom ski?</p>