Vortex's Guide to Mastering the Keyhole Turn

When it comes to achieving the perfect ride on your board or skis, it may seem like all the action takes place behind the boat.

But on the other end of the tow rope—back on deck—there’s more going on than meets the eye! Half of a smooth, successful ride starts in the cockpit, where a few key maneuvering techniques can make all the difference in the world.

One such technique? The keyhole turn!

We’ve talked about the keyhole turn as one of several helpful strategies for changing course smoothly and safely—and today, we’re diving in for an in-depth look at exactly how to carry one out. Just read on to learn more.

Step 1: Look around

Looking around might seem like an obvious step to making a turn—often, that turn is necessitated by running out of surface area on the lake. But even if you’ve got plenty of room, it can still be helpful to get a sense of your surroundings. Your spotter can assist with this. Be sure that your turn won’t bring you in the path of any surface debris, fellow boaters or boarders who might be sharing the water with you.

Step 2: Check your speed

How’s your speed? While you will certainly want to take your turn at a steady pace, to not jolt your passengers or boarder behind you, you don’t want to deaccelerate entirely, either, since the tow rope’s slack depends on a maintained pace. Keep things slow, wide and steady as you begin to round out your turn.

Step 3: Identify your direction—then make a quick turn the opposite way

This is where the term “keyhole” comes in. If you want to make a turn right, first begin by “faking” left—i.e., making a small turn that way—in order to begin tracing the shape of a keyhole on the water. You do this to help maintain a smooth, steady ride for the boarder behind your boat. Instead of jutting right, turning left first allows for a subtler, more curved follow-through, which is easier on everyone. Plus, it makes it easier for you, the captain, to make an about-face and ultimately return down the path you just came from (but more on that later!).

Step 4: Turn in your desired direction

Once you’ve made that initial turn left, turn right to follow through. Keep the arc wide as you make the move, to bring the boarder safely away from the wake during the turn. Your spotter will be helpful here, too, to ensure that the boarder or skier is following along.

Step 5: Follow your path

To reduce the number of rollers, or wakes, that your turn creates, head down the same path you just came from. This will maximize the space you have to use (if you just cruised the length of the lake, you don’t want to cut your trip short by heading down a shorter route this time around), all while making the turn that much smoother for your boarder and for your fellow boaters enjoying the water.

If you find yourself in the captain’s seat for an upcoming excursion, these tips are sure to make your ride—and your boarder’s—that much smoother and more enjoyable.