You've seen the water ski shows and you've always wanted to try it, but you've never had the equipment or the opportunity. Maybe you do now and you're wondering what the best practices are when getting started with water skis.

Getting up on water skis isn't easy for beginners, but you can do it with a little help. Let’s look at some of the things you should know about getting up on water skis so you can enjoy plenty of fun out on the water.

How to Get Up on Water Skis as a Beginner

1. Start in deep water with your legs together.

2. You don't need to do the work. Instead, led the boat pull you and stay in a crouched position until you're up.

3. After you've gotten up on a plane, straighten your legs.

4. Make sure your boat driver understands the proper speed for pulling water skiers is around 30 MPH.

5. After you become comfortable on two skis, consider trying just one ski with a slalom style of skiing.

While getting up on the water is important, there are plenty of other things you should consider when getting started with water skis. Here are a few additional tips to help you as a beginner.

Top 3 Beginner Water Skiing Tips

1. Take it One Step at a Time

Many new water skiers are anxious to get up and do tricks on the water. They want to skip the basics and get right to the fun stuff they've seen on TV. When you're learning how to water ski, take it one step at a time and learn the basics first.

A good foundation will make for years of fun water skiing in the future. Before you work on what's next, make sure you have a solid foundation with what you're currently working on. It's also best to start with simple tricks with low risk before trying to attempt anything more advanced.

2. Always Check Your Gear Before Skiing

The worst thing that can happen is you get out on the water and your gear isn't in good shape for skiing. Always check your gear before heading out on the water and make sure you have a good rope. Your equipment should be in good shape, free of dry rot, and needs to be visually inspected before you go out on the water each time.

3. Get into a Rhythm

As you learn to water ski, find a rhythm you like and enjoy the water. After you've built the foundations, take some time to enjoy your new skills before trying to develop more skills on the water. It can be fun just to enjoy water skiing around the lake before you try to tackle tricks or anything else.

There are many things you should be aware of when getting started with water skis. If you're brand new to the sport, a few lessons can be helpful with a good teacher. Take your time and learn the basics before advancing to more difficult skills.