Style Question - Are You A Heavy Skier Or A Light Skier?

[ozski]

I think this is an interesting topic, there are obviously different ways to get the job done. Some skiers ski lighter with greater efficiency while others even still in these days of ZO ski quite heavy by comparison. Now obviously body mass has a lot to do with it but its also technical. If you are heavy and ski heavy I'm not sure that there is a cure or a need for one..

 

Wim is a fine example of efficient skiing IMO

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMeWeoIVNOI

[Wish]

It's like watching TW.. Sooooo smoooooth and quiet and efficient.

[Brady]

But working like crazy on not being. 35 pounds so far GONE since July!

[ozski]

This footage of Schnitz is also pretty educational.

 

[Horton]

@ozski‌ is that 34 mph / 55k? Is bazaar.

[ozski]

@ Horton Looks slow to me -

[schafer]

I think I voted wrong. I'm a light guy who's ski's heavy when I should ski light

[Horton]

And crazy down course and unreal narrow gates (with all due respect to SS)

[thager]

Definitely heavy style. I make all line lengths look like hard work!

[6balls]

Announcer (MS in this case): Now folks don't you worry about his turns at 2 and 4...they always look like that...

[Chef23]

I am a heavy skier (220 lbs) I have been told that I am surprisingly light behind the boat given my weight though so that is why I went with light. Of course I am not that good so that could have something to do with it.

[Than_Bogan]

@Chef23 I'd say you're a pretty legit "light style" skier. Proof that size and style are not the same thing.

[DmaxJC_ski]

@ozski‌ that is some crazy light skiing. Like he's out for a Sunday stroll, hat and all.

 

I would say I'm an average style that tends to ski heavy late in sets ,I tend to battle it out sometimes

[PatM]

I go from heavy to light or light to heavy. When I'm skiing well I ski light, but when in trouble or skiing bad in general I'm heavy.

[kstateskier]

SS must be skiing about 30mph, how else do you explain that ball cap staying on his head? I'd take that video as an example of what not to do.

[Wish]

I've used a ball cap at 34. Strapped tight, pulled down but it stays. Makes u keep your head up.

[Horton]

I timed a few passes. Looks like 34. Looks easy but freak'n different. Soooo far down course all the time. The guy set a lot of records so I don't know.

[Horton]

As for my skiing I am heavy on the line but really trying to learn to be be lighter.

[AdamCord]

When I timed it I got between 17.5 and 18 seconds. Probably 32-33 mph. Definitely not 34

[lpskier]

Schnitz always skis with a ball cap on. He could have been practicing running passes with a crappy gate or on a purposefully late line, or both. Andy used to practice starting from behind the boat at the entry gates. He probably still does. Good skiers think of stuff like that and do them on purpose. I do them too, just I do mine by accident, and usually at the worst possible moment.

 

I am not heavy for my height, I'm just short for my weight.

 

I have no idea whether I am light or heavy on the line. Someone would have to watch and tell me. Usually people in the boat are so busy correcting my form, style, energy level, ski set up and overall attitude that they don't get around to characterizations more specific than "Have you always skied like that?" or "Have you ever thought about golf? A lot of guys your age play."

[ozski]

@Horton - Trying to be lighter by doing what? I also agree with the comments in another thread, Nate is often I think correctly described as light on the line but he still bends handles from time to time.

 

Contributing factors

- Rhythm

- Angle

- Intensity Of Load

- Duration

- Timing Of Load

- Speed through the turn

- Ski - Type, size & setup

 

Have I missed anything? Going back the video of SS above if he was running at a legit 34mph it might have made his job even easier unless of course he's on a big ski..

[bbirlew]

@ozski‌,

When I think 'light on the line', I think of both roll angle of the ski and planing angle of the ski. Am I dug in and plowing vs efficiently skimming over the surface.

 

[ozski]

Back in the 90's Chet explained to me that once the ski completes the turn you have all the angle your going to get. The job is to maintain the angle, there is little point in trying to rip the ski pole out of the boat.

[bowty]

Definitely heavy, I'm working on not sitting back in the turns because as of right now my ski tip practically stands up around buoys and loads the rope waaay to much.