what did you learn this year?

[Horton]

before we get to new years resolutions - the question is what did you learn about skiing in 2010

[Horton]

I learned 2 things:

 

put up your tailgate before you drive away -

 

check your rope length -

 

I guess I would've learned to ski but was doing to much else last year

[Chuck_Dickey]

1. Trailing arm pressure to help me stay square to the boat during the wake crossing.

2. Head up all the time. I have a bad habit of staring down at the buoys. Head up helps me keep my shoulders more level and helps with my balance.

[Jody_Seal]

I would have to say that this year their was a bit of a break thru with utilizing Zero Off. Skiing wash to wash rather then off the bouy.

[6balls]

Arms straight in the lean right off the ball.  Establish angle and lean then ride it...don't go for more.  Earlier release of the pull to edge change, but maintain outbound--don't pull too long esp shortline.  Stingy w/the handle...keeping two hands until almost looking down the buoy line.  Reach down the buoy line.  Keep body more upright heading into the ball so not heavily "pre-loaded".  It's ok to turn after the ball at 38...that's not late.  Was a big learning year...gave up the crazy power skiing and started thinking technique for the first time...gave me new skiing life and enthusiasm...hey, I can get better!

Next year...at the ball need head up and shoulders more level as Chuck mentions above...I still get my head in there and bite off too much at times...costs me more passes than anything else.   

[Chef23]

I learned to make a better offside turn. The key for me is a slight move that is almost like my hip dropping to the buoy. It made a big difference on my offside turn. I combined that with letting the ski finish the turn and my offside became close to the equal of my offside.

[Marco]

I learned that major rehabilitation 2 winters in a row really sucks.  Next summer I am going to spend a lot more time at longer lengths to perfect technique, rather than constantly chasing that elusive 38.  Shortline can be too hard on the body...at least for me.  If I smooth it out, maybe I'll be able to keep at this sport until I get really old.

[Old MS Accout]

Never think that you ski is in a safe place. It needs to be locked up when not in use.

 

[Ed_Obermeier]

Pretty much the exact same same thing as Chef23.  Finally learned how to make my body counterrotate on the off side turn (THANK YOU Matt Rini).  Just have to learn to meter it consistantly now, sometimes I bite off too much which is an entirely new sensation to me.  Never had that problem before. 

Also what Marco said "If I smooth it out, maybe I'll be able to keep at this sport until I get really old."  Which isn't that far away for some of us...

Ed

[Gloersen]

Keep the speed - minimize deceleration/acceleration in the flat water.

 

edge change before the reach.

 

power triangle.

[Horton]

MS,

The more you try to hide your ski, the better chance your wife will tell me where it is.

[Old MS Accout]

I cant even trust the wife any more. She wasnt even drinking.

 

[Chef23]

I also learned that I ski better when I am lighter (not rocket science). I lost about 10-12 pounds during the season and that combined with some technique improvement picked up a full pass on average. I went from running about 4@28 off on average out of the water to running 4@32 off on average including running 32 off for the first time since I was about 18. I need to see if I can do something about that over the winter.

[Steven]

Chef,

Have you ever had you're thyroid checked? I've had thyroid issues for years. The last 3 years I'd been on a rollercoaster ride of med dosages. 4 months ago I requested to see a specialist. That has been the best thing I've ever done! With in 3 weeks I lost 22 pounds! I haven't been able to ski yet with the new weight loss, but I'm sure it'll help! Gonna try it over Christmas vacation. Hope the new Power Vest allows me to ski on my new Strada! Fingers crossed! XXXXXXX

Oh ya, what did I learn in 2010? I learned that there "actually" is life without skiing. Imagine that???

[thager]

Ski every chance you get and enjoy it. You never know when your health is going to go south on you!

[Steven]

Amen thager!!!

[Chef23]

Steven, I don't have thyroid problem I have a will power problem:) My diet isn't where it needs to be. If it was and I still couldn't control my weight I would worry about other issues.

[Steven]

Ya, I wasn't terribly over weight, 6' and 218# when I was first diagnosed my thyroid issues. Also, I felt good but now I'm down to 187# and feel alot better!

[9400]

I learned that being in better physical shape allows me to ski more, which allows me to try more things, which allowed me to find things that work better, which allowed me to ski more. It's not easy to find the time/energy to get into good shape but it was worth it last year and I'm trying to do better this year. I came in 10 pounds lighter last year than the year before and I'll try to get down 5 more before this year. I would like to add 9-1/2 more buoys to my score this year (but who wouldn't!)

[jimbrake]

Didn't really learn this, but had it reinforced that every day at the lake skiing with my two sons is priceless and not to f things up by making every ride too serious, over coaching, being too hard on them when they mess up. They are hard enough on themselves and pretty soon they'll be gone. Everyone stop crying now - it'll be OK.

Regarding my skiing, learned that with ZO, to go earlier and easier on the gate and that my skiing "vision" (downcourse, long-range, level with the horizon) is key to staying balanced and being able to ski back to the handle with good angle, but not too much load.

[6balls]

JImbrake, love the first paragraph of that post...priceless stuff occurs on the water w/our kids, performance aside.  We should remember this for ourselves, too, even when having a less than stellar day w/our adult ski buddies.  We're still on the water...doesn't get much better especially if shared with family and/or friends.   

[rayn]

I learned that Advil is not a cure but a mask and sometimes it is better to take the time needed to recover than to rush back. But then again when you are at Ski School and you get hurt on your first set, you kind of feel obligated to finish the week since you already paid for it. So maybe I didn't really learn anything, other than it sucks getting hurt.

[scoke]

what I learned in 2010:

Strength to body weight ratio is crucial more so than thought before.

Flex numbers in a ski are not linear while torsional flex is crucial more so than other numbers.

Most skiers running the same number of buoys are more closed minded than skiers climbing the ladder quicker.

There is no one set of “styleâ€; only evolution of skiing due to science and technology and it’s application to our sport.

Most shortline skiers are riding broken down skis.

We need a strong support team around us to succeed.

Edit:Thanks to John Horton, i learned that browsing this forum in Explorer is different than Google Chrome. 

 

[Nick Sullivan]

Wanted to get back into skiing again. Lost 100 lbs, bought a boat in February, joined Mint lake and found out I forgot how to get up on a slalom ski. No kidding, did all this and couldn't even get up on my ski. Wow was I scared (just spent 40K on a boat) and disappointed in myself. After some further tries I was up and once agian skiing. Ended up getting to 28 off a few weeks ago. Love this sport and everthing about it.

 So, I learned a ton. Thanks to the guys at Mint Lake and the BOS guys.  

[Guest]

What I learned in 2010

1. I hate winter more than in 2009 or any previous year.

2. I ski better on a 66" ski than a 67" or the 70" that I skied on for 5 years. (who'd a thunk it)

3. My ski partners don't pull any punches. (they'll tell you the truth whether you like it or not). I should have listened and not wasted a season trying to be a good guy.

4. Speed control differences don't matter a bit.(Sorry all you ZO dislikers).

5. Competition is competition. Performances are performances. It all depends on what result you are looking for. I prefer competition. What happens on any given day, conditions the same for everybody.

6. I love the lake more than in any past year.

7. I love "lake people". They are the best in the world.(even if they bitch about speed controls).

8. Don't over ski it, you'll get to the next bouy in plenty of time.(This one is tough for me because I get greedy and try to kill it).

9. I love to read the posts on BOS.

10. Did I mention that "I hate winter"!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Ballers!

 

Ham Wallace

[kona]

slow down and relax. enjoy the ride

[Bud Man]

·         I learned that staying off the water for 3 ½ years was the biggest water ski related mistake I ever make.

·         Relearning and climbing the rope the second time around is also a lot of fun.

·         At 53 my body tears up faster and heals slower and the reverse; at 35 my body tore up slower and healed faster. Would that mean at 44, I had a balanced body and mind? Probably not.

·         At this point in life, my brain ceases to function while my ski moves across the water’s surface.

·         And, I still love water skiing!