LAFAYETTE, La. — Alison Lindy and her University of Louisiana-Lafayette water-ski team took first in the Division I Collegiate Waterski National Championships last October in Austin, Texas. A freshman tricks and slalom specialist, Lindy was ready to play collegiate hockey at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter before skiing scholarships took her down to the bayou. Here, the 2010 Centennial High School graduate discusses her life in waterskiing and her favorite Minnesota lakes.
Q: How did you get your start waterskiing?
Lindy: My dad taught me when I was 3 years old. They would hold me up behind the boat. I started skiing on one ski when I was 8, which is harder to do and gives bragging rights.
Q: Did you go to school in Louisiana to ski all year?
Lindy: I was set to play college hockey at Gustavus but then I was offered scholarship money at Lafayette. I took my first look down here Aug. 17, drove down on Aug. 19 and made my first class Aug. 20. You could ski year-round here but of course I'll be home for Christmas break.
Q: Did you know Louisiana-Lafayette had a ski team?
There were a lot of laughs and good times on the last day of the Big Dawg in Peru. As usual, the weather was perfect with only a slight breeze.
We had a visit from Bill Yeargin. He was excited to see the merging of the Latin America and United States skiers all supporting and having a great time. I asked Bill what his motive was for expanding the Big Dawg to South America and he said ”The Big Dawg has so much fun and good times that it is good for the sport of water skiing to bring this excitment to another country.” He also commented that there will be more to come and the Big Dawg tournament series will continue to grow.
The tournament ran smoothly under the direction of Gonzalo and many thanks to all the tournament officials and volunteers who are committed to the series.
I asked Mark Austin about his experience in Peru and he said “I am happy to be skiing in a place like this. The people are wonderful and a big thanks to all the sponsors for giving us this opportunity.”
When the “new school of slalom” fad came out a few years back, there were some key similarities identified between snow skiing and waterskiing that few people had previously bothered to consider. Many of these were contrary to the established “proper” slalom technique, but on analysis, proved to be very valid and effective when applied to slalom.
I believe the most important, and most overlooked similarity is that the snowskier tries to keep his upper body constantly facing downhill while letting his hips and knees do all the work in turning. Similarly, the slalom skier should keep his upper body always facing squarely downcourse. The fundamental basis is stability of balance which leads to efficiency of movement – keeping the ski(s) moving instead of stopping. Applying this concept to the slalom course is equally valid – and makes several other key body alignments fall into place.
Shoulders facing downhill, eyes and shoulders level. Note how well balanced this skier looks.
Photo 1. The snowskier's upper body is still and the hips/knees are doing the work.
LAFAYETTE, La. — Alison Lindy and her University of Louisiana-Lafayette water-ski team took first in the Division I Collegiate Waterski National Championships last October in Austin, Texas. A freshman tricks and slalom specialist, Lindy was ready to play collegiate hockey at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter before skiing scholarships took her down to the bayou. Here, the 2010 Centennial High School graduate discusses her life in waterskiing and her favorite Minnesota lakes.
There were a lot of laughs and good times on the last day of the Big Dawg in Peru. As usual, the weather was perfect with only a slight breeze.
