4 Keys to Nail Your Gates, Every Time!
Gates are one of the most critical elements of every slalom pass, yet they’re often underestimated. A clean, consistent gate sets the tone for everything that follows—and when done right, it gives you the speed, balance, and rhythm you need to flow through the course with confidence.
Whether you’re running a one-handed gate or a two-handed gate, every skier adds their own personal style. But no matter your variation, the goal remains the same: to enter the course with control, consistency, and momentum. So how do you make that happen?
Here are four essential keys to help you nail your gates—every time.
1. The Pullout: Set the Tone Early
Timing, effort, and duration are everything in the pullout. Use your visual reference—typically the pre-gates—to stay consistent. A great benchmark is to initiate your pullout when the nose of the boat is about five feet from the pre-gates.
Think of the pullout in two phases:
First ⅓: This is where you apply your effort to generate speed and width. Be intentional and strong.
Final ⅔: This is your glide phase, where you ride the speed you’ve created and maintain control as you reach your desired width.
Once you find the right width, work backward to fine-tune your timing and intensity. The goal? Arrive at your turn-in point with the rope just starting to come tight—setting you up for a clean entry.
2. Balance: Control Starts Here
Balance is the foundation of every successful gate. From the moment you pull out, prioritize staying centered over your ski.
Key checkpoints:
Slightly shift your weight forward and to the left.
Keep pressure even between both feet.
Avoid the dreaded "pop-a-wheelie" by keeping your ski flat on the water.
As you enter the glide phase, aim for your spine to stay aligned over the space between your feet.
A balanced start = a balanced pass.
3. Speed: Width Equals Momentum
Speed isn’t about how hard you pull—it’s about how smart you pull. Like a swing at the playground, the wider you start, the more speed you naturally gain as you move through the arc.
Aim to get at least as wide as the turn buoys—ideally, a bit wider. Use the 2, 4, 6 buoy line as a visual cue. This width gives you the ability to swing back to the centerline with acceleration, setting you up for a wide and early approach to buoy 1.
4. Timing & Line Control: Small Adjustments, Big Impact
When your gate doesn’t feel quite right, these are the most common issues—and how to fix them:
Slack on turn-in? You were likely wide enough but turned in too late. Try pulling out earlier.
Narrow turn-in after getting wide? You pulled out too early. Delay your pullout slightly using your boat/pre-gate reference.
Struggling to gain speed or reach the wakes? You’re probably too narrow. Add more width with a stronger or slightly longer pullout.
A well-timed, well-executed gate brings all the pieces together—effort, width, balance, and flow.
Final Thoughts
To recap, focus on:
Consistent pullout timing using your boat and pre-gate reference
A strong, short effort phase followed by a relaxed glide
Achieving width that’s slightly beyond the buoy line (for lines longer than 11m)
Staying centered and balanced throughout
When your gates become consistent, so does the rest of your pass.
If you have questions, or want us to tackle a specific topic in a future blog, we’d love to hear from you. And if you want personalized help dialing in your gates—book a coaching session and we’ll work through it together.
