Submarine by Kevin Thayer.

Photo and article by Ian Lauder and Bill Kinnison.

 

 

The submarine is an impressive trick best done on your Sky Ski. This trick was invented by life long waterskier Mike Murphy who co-invented both the kneeboard and sit-down hydrofoil.

An experienced boat driver is critical to pulling off this trick as the driver and rider need to work together throughout it. The cleaner the water the clearer your sinuses will be afterwards.

Start by slowing the boat down to about 12mph in a straight line. The rider then cuts to the starboard side of the boat. The boat driver must gradually slow the boat down to about 10mph at this point. The rider then turns the ski towards the wake and starts cutting across the wake.

After crossing the wake the rider throws a hard air back roll and intentionally under rotates. During the rotation the boat driver eases back on the throttle just above an idle as the rider noses the ski into the water.

The boat must now be going slow enough to not pull the rope out of the riders hands while not going so slow the rider bobs to the surface.

A common problem with this trick is driving to fast. The rider must be able to position the ski in front of him to be able to keep facing forward and pull back out. If the tip gets behind or to far to the side it’s all over and the rider will be dragging the ski behind him.

At this point once the driver sees the tip of the ski break the surface he eases back into the throttle to pull the skier up. Like many tricks there are variations on the boat speeds and how the rider enters the water (either landing sideways on the under rotation or head first).

 

Kevin Thayer is a hydrofoil pilot with Air Junky.