Flying Dock Start
Flying docks are easier than they look. And boy do they look impressive! You'll have your friends "Oooing and Ahhing" over this one, trust me! I did it on my third attempt. The first two times I had too much slack (sunk in the water before the line came tight) and smacked the handle between my thighs when I had to let go because of all the slack in the line (and sinking into the water too far because of it). This hurts and leaves bruises. The trick is to let the boat pull you off the dock. Here's how:
- Flying docks are about 75% driver, 25% skier. In order to score the trick, you need to let the boat pull you off the dock and that's a good idea anyway because you want a tight line when you hit the water. In a tournament, when you are ready, the driver will yell "In gear". It's up to you to yell "Hit it!" so timing is everything.
- What do I mean by "let the boat pull you off the dock"? Well, basically, you run along the dock at about the same speed the boat is idling away from the dock (you start about 8-10 feet from the edge of the dock). You can hold a loop or two of rope in one hand as the boat idles away. As the last loop gets taken out and the rope becomes tight, you yell "Hit it!" and you begin to start your run (which is really just a trot) towards the end of the dock. Remember: KEEP A TIGHT LINE! Don't try to resist the boat (you'll lose anyway) but keep that line tight!
- When you reach the edge of the dock, you jump pretty much straight up but a little out and as you fly through the air, throw your feet forward and up over the line while simultaneously laying back bringing your hips up to the handle and throwing your head back. From that point, it's just like doing a normal front deep.
NOTE 1: Believe it or not, the sequence above of our featured skier Justin, was his first attempt at a Flying Dock and he landed it no problem as you can see ... I told you it was an easy trick!
NOTE 2: If your driver has never pulled a flying dock before, you will both have to learn this trick together. As I mentioned at the beginning, flying docks are about 75% driver, 25% skier. You should practice this trick, just like it's pulled in a tournament. When you are ready (with a couple of loops of line in one hand), let the driver know so that he/she can say "In gear." As the boat idles away, be patient as the slack gets taken up and the loops get taken out (the adrenaline is pumping now). When the rope is almost tight, yell "Hit it!" and the boat will most certainly "pull you off the dock" and you will get credit for the trick provided you ride it away of course!
This procedure makes it easier for your driver as well because all he/she has to do is put it "in gear" and "Hit it!" when you're ready. Drivers: Don't "Hit it!" too hard though! Remember, this is just like a normal front deep after the footer hits the water.
