BallOfSpray FAQ

[Horton]

With the amount of growth around here it is way past time to write a FAQ.

As admin I will post and control the actual FAQ. What I need from you guys is the questions and the possible answers.

 

[rodltg2]

How to post a picture?

[davemac]

Might be helpful to define "leading arm" vs "trailing arm"...so people are consistent in identifying them in their posts.

[MattP]

What is a Ball Of Spray?

[Horton]

Who runs this site?

My name is John Horton. I own BallOfSpray. I started the site because I could not find a place on the web to talk about the technical aspects of water skiing.

What is a Baller?

Is this site just for advanced shortline skiers?

What is shortline?

How does the slalom course work?

Who is MS?

What is the Zero Off and Perfect Pass?

 

[Horton]

Ok you guys can you write answers as well as questions. I will pick out the good Qs and As

[davemac]

Question: What is definition of "Trailing Arm"? Answer: left arm going through gates, and going to 1,3,5 ball. Right arm going to 2,4,6 ball.

(Not sure why it takes me so long to always have to think this through when I read it)

[RichardDoane]

Why doesn't @horton get a decent haircut ?

[crashman]

Q How many "dislikes" does it take to get the boot from BOS?

A: about 209 but the number can vary a little depending on how many other ballers and professional skiers you insult along the way.

[TDET]

What is a Bogan?

[6balls]

Why join BOS? To learn about and discuss:

New boats, affordable used boats, speed control, skis, ropes, bindings, gloves, handles, props, slalom theory, slalom tips both novice and pro, tourney skiing, boat maintenance, ski schools, pro coverage etc.

[Horton]

you guys are as helpful as I expected. I need to start a wakeboard site

[ForrestGump]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? In lieu of that........ How does a tournament work?

 

[Horton]

I am often Charlie Brown and you guys are the football

[ForrestGump]

Is MS Lucy?

[Horton]

He does not look that bad in a dress but we have covered that before.

 

This was a real thread 6 hours ago.

[Than_Bogan]

A: A Bogan is an Australian redneck.

 

A: The Bogan was the name of the dark side of the Force in original manuscripts.

 

(Seriously. Google them if you must.)

 

I'll add some real ideas eventually....

[MattP]

Looking for a ski upgrade. Where should I start.

[ToddL]

Here's an FAQ: What are the fin settings for XYZ ski?

 

I was thinking... it would be awesome to have a real database where fin settings could be stored. Users could load up fin setting via a web form. Then, all users could mark any database entry with some sort of affirmation (thumbs up) or rejection (thumbs down).

 

Users could search by ski make, model, size, and year. Results would be sorted by user rating.

 

Entry form would be:

Make (i.e. Radar, Goode, HO, etc.)

Model (i.e. Strada, Vector, Nano One, Syndicate A2, etc.)

Size (i.e. 64, 64.5, 65, 65.5, 66, 66.5, 67, 67.5, etc,)

Year (Next year through 15 years ago)

Back of Front Boot to Tail of Ski

Fin Distance to Tail

DFT Method (Head, Slot, etc.)

Length

Length Method (Tips, Jaws, etc.)

Depth

Wing On/Off

Wing Angle (N/A, 7, 8, 9, etc.)

Submitted by (who entered these into the system)

Settings Author's Name (who recommended these settings (Rossi, Chet, etc.)

 

 

When a database record is displayed, there could be a standard template which contains links to articles and videos about how to set up a ski / how to measure your fin.

EX:

Chris Rossi Video 1 on Ski Setup:

Chris Rossi Video 2 on Ski Setup:

 

http://www.slalomguru.com/articles/DefinitiveFinMeasuring.pdf

http://www.goode.com/wsfinadj.html

etc.

 

 

[skidawg]

Why are there pictures of Horton in a bee suit?

[ForrestGump]

I was actually working on a new fin database of STOCK settings for every ski for Horton. I need to get back on that.

[skidawg]

Why does Horton ride a new ski every month

[Horton]

Screw it. I will write the whole darn thing myself. Nothing else to do...

[Than_Bogan]

Q: How good do I have to be to enter a tournament?

A: You should be able to reliably run an opening pass and almost-reliably run another pass. Don't worry about how good anyone else is.

[sunvalleylaw]

I'll make an attempt at being serious:

Basic rules, and consequences if not followed

Basic posting, like how to delete posts, etc.

For us newbs to course skiing:

links to rules, etc.

Basic how tourneys work

Glossary of basic terms such as set, pass, etc.

What fin setting is all about, with link to the settings chart

other ski set up such as binding placement

Link to @Than's article and/or others for basic ski form, like a "start here" place

links to some of the classic threads and threads covering basic other stuff

 

From the point of view of a newb, that is what I would like to see in one place.

[DooSPX]

I like @sunvalleylaw's FAQ idea!

[xrated]

another vote for @sunvalleylaw's list.

 

Might I add, What is on/off side? No seriously I've never remembered it in all the times i've asked or been told.

[sunvalleylaw]

Thanks guys. I would want the info listed by @ToddL, and the info on trailing arm in the glossary, and the other suggestions guys have mentioned. Including whether @Horton's hair is real and important stuff like that.

[skier2788]

How to find the gear reviews.

How to search for old threads

How to @name someone.

How to post video and pictures

How to start a thread or poll

How to add your real name to profile

A link to the fin adjustment article. (Hortons)

How to find the elusive front page.

.

 

[Skoot1123]

How about a checklist FAQ for those just beginning the course? Say, the 15-22 off folks? A tip list of things for those that run 28-32 off might be helpful as well.

[JC McCavit]

How do I upload video and pictures?

[itch2ski]

There was a basic explanation buried in one of the threads about fin, wing and binding settings and how each change affected onside and offside. It would be nice to have something like that easily accessible.

[ToddL]

Looks like we need a few FAQ lists...

Forum FAQs - how to do tasks in the forum

Slalom FAQs - ski settings, competition, techniques

dare I say...

Trick FAQs

Jump FAQs

Resource FAQs?

Others?

[sunvalleylaw]

@ToddL has a good organizational idea. One FAQ page, with links to more specific FAQ sections. That way it can be linked all from one easy to find page.

[Skoot1123]

How about a diagram to show the difference between "wide" and "narrow" and the relationship to course width/buoy width.

[SpartanSki]

Ski adjustment/measurement stuff. How do I measure my binding placement. How do I measure my fin, etc etc. I'd love to post the answer but I don't know...

[LeonL]

Like @itch2ski said, a comprehensive list of what fin changes do -- what it gives and what it takes away.

[The_MS]

I somehow make it into every thread

[6balls]

Maybe it's not a FAQ, and maybe it falls into another thread about beginners. I see so many promising recreational skiers mess up their own water after a fall by doing big circles back to the skier, not running straight lines, doing the circle pattern, taking really long runs and then spinning rather than taking a break at the end, then coming up the other way. None of this is by intent, just due to experience level.

In a course all of us know how to drive and we translate it to free skiing if/when we do it. There are a lot of new skiers recently on the forum. An open water driver tutorial would be great with explanations of why it's important in terms of wake management, skier fatigue, preservation of the ski water without rollers etc. Would probably require some diagrams.

[Bulldog]

@6balls is totally correct!!

[east tx skier]

My favorite from the MC forum was "Why does my boat pull to the right?" It took me a long time to compile that FAQ. At this point, I'm fresh out of ideas.

[Horton]

I am slowing working on it.

 

http://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/6694/the-faq-a-work-in-progress

 

If anyone wants contribute email your additions. I locked down the real FAQ to keep @MS from screwing it up

[davemac]

@6balls thats a really a great idea. Start the crusade... "Real friends don't let friends Powerturn".

Funny story...we had a pro at the public lake for a clinic this summer. The small part of the lake we were on got to be too rough, and too much boat traffic. The pro (accustomed to private sites) says to me.. "hey..take me on a circle ski", so I pulled him around the perimeter of the lake and I almost jarred some fillings loose hitting boat wakes. He skied impressively hard through the adverse conditions, afterwards wearily climbed back in the boat with a big smile, and said with complete honesty "Man, that is still so much fun".

You can't teach passion.