I ran my 1st -28 today!!!

[cragginshred]

This was the biggest day ever for me. Last summer I had been making many -25's on my 'progressor' line but today opted to go straight from -22 to the -28 loop. First attempt I rounded 5 ball (in dry suit) for a PB. Foggy today with water at 50 and air *49 in N.California. Feedback from the boat was spot on stay on the handle but not so hot into 1 ball. Second set first pass at -22 I am 20' early, wide and fast into one with a crash. Made the next -22 and went to work on getting the rhythm and timing of -28.

 

First try at -28 second set I get around 5ball followed by 5 attempts with no better than getting around 2 or3 ball. I was determined as the key seemed to be staying on the handle out to one and being patient in the turn. Last attempt I get a good one ball 2and 3 were a blur. Driver says I skied right at 4ball and thought I was done, then...the Radar Vapor turns like it knows how to. Driver says my ski was headed outbound directly cross course to give me space at 5ball and I just told myself 'don't blow it'.

 

So psyched! This is the start of my 3rd season with real coaching and 4th year total in the course. I felt stuck last summer at -22 and now want to explore what worked and dial this loop!

 

*I know I am still going flat and need better body position to feed a natural edge change as a result

 

*I am thinking I need to come out at -25 make two passes then get to work on hard wiring the timing of -28. Is this wise? -22 seemed like so much more rope. I know most of you forgo the -22 loop altogether....please try to remember waaaaay back when you were where I'm at!

 

*Last thought is what did it was that good one ball via coming off the pull but staying on the handle and finding that timing which resulted in not carrying too much speed into 1 and turning into slack. So what else am I to focus on?

[Horton]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[jmvana1]

Congrats! That first -28 off is unforgettable. It won't be long until it becomes your favorite pass!

[Chef23]

Congratulations that is awesome.

[ToddL]

Woo hoo!!!!! Best feeling ever! Congrats, @cragginshred‌ !!!

[skiep]

Great Job!!! Keep it up.

[skihard]

Great to hear success stories! It keeps driving everyone! Congrats dude!!!

[rayn]

Congrats. Nothing better like making the next pass. Problem is there is always the next one after that :wink:

[Than_Bogan]

That one is a HUGE step. Awesome work -- and thanks for sharing!

 

(There's comes a day where getting near to your long-standing PB is a big deal and a half buoy PB is a miracle, so it's a lot of fun to celebrate with those making more fundamental progess!!)

[zippin_2]

sweet deal, advancement in a dry suit? cheers!

my 2cents on your question...-22 or -25 start.

Only this, if you tournament ski do not forget that -22 is a real pass and -25 does not exist.

I began skipping -22 altogether when I started running 32's. -22 was a given, right? In the next tourny I trashed my -22 gate/1 ball, fought it to 5 ball with no possibility of reaching 6 ball. It just got uglier and uglier until it was comical.

If it were me and considering the time of year...I would go with the -25 2 pass warm up until the start of your season and then back up to -22 start in preparation.

If tournaments are not your thing...drop the -22, truly way too much rope.

[jhughes]

Congrats! Huge step for sure!

[Than_Bogan]

Yeah, how to train at this stage is such a tough question, because -15 and -22 are so different from -28, but if you're just banging at -28 all the time, form can fall apart FAST -- and that's if you don't get hurt!

 

About the best I can say is to try to do everything you can to ski -22 like -28. Never do "just enough" to run it, and try to get such a great start to your pulling phase that you can edge change slightly earlier like you'll want to at -28.

 

Also play with slower speeds at -22 and/or -28 to see if you can find an easier "learn stuff" pass that is more comfortable for you.

[Chef23]

I am not sure what your max speed is but I would say try mixing in slowing the boat down to 32 or even 30 mph and run -28 and even -32 then go back to your regular speed. Skiing the shorter line lengths even at slower speeds can really help as you speed back up. Jaret Llewelyn coached a clinic up here this year and he was a big advocate of that.

[6balls]

Fantastic. I don't remember my first 28...but I sure remember my first tourney 28 and the feelings it brought. Congrats and keep working it!

[Tyler_R]

Congrats!!!

[GaryWilkinson]

@cragginshred‌ that's so great to hear.

Reminds me so much of my tournament PB in Rimouski QC at the provincial championships. Could not get that smile off my face for weeks. Still makes me smile.

 

I'd say get high on the boat in your counter cut, this allows you to build angle and early speed in your cut to 1 ball. We worked with KC for a whole morning of skiing on this one item. Made a huge difference, thanks KC.

That should settle your 1 down at -28.

 

And the other important thing to work on?

 

That next beverage!

 

Betcha it tasted that much better through that big smile!

 

Heartfelt congrats man. Well done.

 

 

[cragginshred]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

The boat was at 33mph for some of the day and I felt like I was banging it too hard and could get hurt. Thus I opted for 32.4 mph for the last 2 efforts and will keep it there to dial it in then start upping it .2 as we get into spring to inch toward full 34mph.

 

 

[Skoot1123]

Way to go @cragginshred!! That is an awesome feeling to get the -28 off loop pass on your belt. Next up is making that -28 off pass consistant and smooth!

[skihard]

That's awesome. I got to 28 today for the first time in my ski career but could only manage 3@28.

The gate shot was so much different for me. Took 3 shots at it but 3 was the best I could do. At least I was consistent and got 3 all three times. LOL

Was still a great feeling to ski so close to the boat and take a hack at it! :)

[cragginshred]

@skihard the biggest thing that sticks out to me is don't go flat and fast into 1 ball by pulling too hard and too long. Stack hard and brief enough enough to shoot you across the white water and edge change then just hold that handle (back arm pressure works for me) till the boat takes it from you,..then repeat 5x! Last weekend I ran -28 5x, now I just need to be more patient in the turn to hook up in better position on my offside.

Also,..keep at it. Set aside a day of going for it till you get it. Thats what did it for me.

[skihard]

@cragginshred Yes it's a matter of being patient. I'm fortunate enough to have good skiers and lots of knowledge on my lakes and the guys are good to me and have helped me a ton. Them and Trent F when I take a lesson, send him a couple pics for advice, or even talk to him on the phone.

It's been a great year of progression for me and to have actually got to that point last night during winter ski season really made me happy! :) I think another useful progression tool has been my rope. It's a progressive rope that allows me 1/2 knots between the coloured loops.

I will be back on the water tonight at 5:00 giving it another go.

[cragginshred]

Thats awesome @skihard! I have the same rope, it rocks. I am also very encouraged by your progress. There seems to be only a few people here that have not been asking into -38 for the past twenty to thirty years,..right? We'll get there, or at least to that -30 loop on the progressor line this summer!