Ski Girl, Don't think it is the buoyancy. My old HO weighed a ton & All I can figure is it taught me some real bad habits, used to think it was because the old ski sank. But with the new HO at first it was better. but now I am struggling again. I am also self taught. When I am getting up I absolutely sink. First hit I am under. Ski turns sideways, Takes every bit of strength I have & the boat has to work to get me up. Been watching a lot of video's. May be as simple as letting my arms go straight, relaxing & letting the ski come to me. The first time I ever skied was on a single. Got up my very first time. Been getting worse since then, LOL.... Running joke with the guys I ski with is, "yeah you ski better then us, if you can get out of the water".