Baller Jack_Haase Posted January 27, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 27, 2017 In this new age of water skiing most of everyone that skis competitively skis on private sites. Has anyone ever skied on a public lake that has an amazing site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BrennanKMN Posted January 27, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 27, 2017 I think I am pretty lucky with the public water I have access to. It is not private water nice, but it is about as close as I think I could ever get around here. Even if I had access to private water, unless it was closer to me or offered some other great advantage at the time (wind direction, sun, boat, etc) I'd probably stick with the public water. There is something really awesome about turning some balls while a young family launches their boat and drives by slow to watch. I always hope I can inspire a future skier. It's a lot harder to do that on private water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Jody_Seal Posted January 27, 2017 Baller_ Share Posted January 27, 2017 We have two courses on Deerpoint Lake here in bay county. The back course is east -west and is superb conditions wise most of the time though the course is currently way to easy. Another up in Washington county sports very easy access though can be hit and mis on the weekends due to wake traffic. Another is installed over on a salt water lake in west bay that gets some usage. If you like back water swamp scenery then Florida Has numerous amazing skiing public courses.. There is a push by our sanction body to urge private lake owners and private clubs to allow more accesses to the general skiing community. will se how that works out.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swaterkd Posted January 27, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 27, 2017 Up here in the highest points of Northern New York we have lots of them. Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Hannawa Falls, Lake Placid and one of the best is Saranac Lake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted January 27, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 27, 2017 We're lucky. There are 4 public lakes with courses within 30 miles of our home in eastern CT. As with most local's time of day/week is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller adkh2oskier Posted January 27, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 27, 2017 @swaterkd , Also Tupper Lake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
So_I_Ski Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Unlike our southern neighbors, if you live in Canada, it is extremely unlikely that your course is on a private lake. Environmental restrictions make it very difficult to build a private lake and we have so many fresh water lakes that to any government agency, any application seems absurd. Having said that, where I live in southern BC, Kelowna to be precise, we have two groups of avid course skiers. One group of about a dozen skiers has two courses set at each end of a small lake with restricted access close to the city . The other group that I belong to with about 14 skiers, prefers to drive two hours on weekends to a more remote chain of three lakes where we have installed two courses at each end of the first lake and two more at each end of the second lake. Not only is the setting pristine, there is almost no boat traffic and the gods are kind enough to provide glass water, the equal of any private lake on more than one of the courses 90% of the time. Barring a major storm, it's unheard of to get skunked over the span of an entire day. "Amazing", simply doesn't do justice to where we ski. It was also Andy's sentiment when we had him up here to coach us about five years ago. So if you're a baller with the travel bug, let me know when you're planning to be in beautiful BC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted January 27, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 27, 2017 @Jody_Seal I'm open to inclusion of the general skiing community. Always have been, however there are bills to pay, liability to be considered. I would suppose that the only way we could include everyone would be for them to become members and then they wouldn't be the "general skiing community" anymore. So, I guess I'm open to new members. With current dues paying members, I couldn't just allow freebies for any extended period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gategator Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Dawn patrol on our course on good old Lake Springfield can be pretty great. Of course, anytime after 10 a.m. and we get too many rollers. The lake has let shore owners install metal seawalls and the kick back is just awful - one boat going by perpendicular to the course and we are hosed. And we get to replace quite a few balls. But when its good its very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted January 28, 2017 Baller_ Share Posted January 28, 2017 @swaterkd Ssshhhh! Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jjackkrash Posted January 28, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 28, 2017 My club course is on a public lake, but the course is completely surrounded by thick Lilly pads. The turn balls themselves are cut into the pads with just enough room for the skier to turn. The pads for the most part keep the rest of the public out of our course and the pads almost completely eliminate rollers from boat and jet ski traffic. It is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted January 28, 2017 Baller_ Share Posted January 28, 2017 @jjackkrash Skier: "How deep is the water in those weeds?" Frog: "Kneedeep." Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted January 28, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 28, 2017 All our course skiing is on public lakes. The one my brother inlaw is on has a nice setup. Turn at the far end is tight and in the lilly pads, other end is wide open with plenty of space to line up and wait your turn. The other course is on a big lake, running between a small island and shore. Decent when there is no other boat traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jack_Haase Posted January 28, 2017 Author Baller Share Posted January 28, 2017 @jjackkrash same my course is set up the same the best part about it is that you can go back on a busy Saturday and bust out a pb with perfect water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bill22 Posted January 29, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2017 I hope that you guys with courses on public water know how lucky you are. Two years ago myself and four others put a course in a very nice cove on the river. We skied it that day and the next Saturday. Then two weeks later someone cut every buoy line. It was a ton of work and $ gone. The anchors and sub buoys are still there but we set the subs so deep to account for the tide that they are almost impossible to find. Also there is no reason to rebuild it and have it destroyed again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted January 29, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2017 @Bill22 lucky in more ways than one! I've gone through vandalism on public courses for one, and number two if I had access to a course on public water (close by) I wouldn't be into a private site for hundreds of thousands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bill22 Posted January 29, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 29, 2017 @LeonL I know you gotta pay if you want to play. I know someone is maintaining those courses on public water. My point is, if five to ten guys/gals are all using and sharing the maintenance of an established public course that would be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Web Posted January 30, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2017 Here in the finger lakes of western new york, we have several sites and portable courses scattered about. We choose a spot based on the wind and local fishing tournament schedule. In all cases, the same formula works.... plan the night before, put in at dark, and ski at sunrise. We usually get a couple hours before packing up and gone. When you can't get to the private lakes, portables are a good option for public water. With a few regulars, you can set in about 20 minutes and pack in about 30 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kdinger838 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I'm in the central adks and all the water is state owned but all the land is private owned with no public launch. One lake (white lake) we have a club but the course is only permitted to be in on weekends. Usually always nice water though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted January 30, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2017 @Bill22 agree! If one can find a good public site and not subject to vandalism the "pay to play" is a low amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted January 30, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 30, 2017 The Swamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bill22 Posted January 31, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 31, 2017 @LeonL well it looks like my portable course is going to be collecting dust. I joined a local private club today. It's a small club and I have been waiting a few years for a spot to open up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller nleuth Posted January 31, 2017 Baller Share Posted January 31, 2017 As I sit here in Northern New York 20 miles from the Canadian Border, I can think of 10 slalom courses within 25 miles of my house all on Public water. If I expand that distance to 75 miles I can think of 7 more! I'm sure there are more that I don't know about! A few years ago a few friends and I attempted to ski at as many of those locations as we could in 24 hours. It was a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_CT Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 ALPjr, where are the public slahom courses you mention in eastern CT? I know of pachaug and beach pond...any close to Salem, CT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_CT Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 ALPjr, just saw your post from yesterday. I'll let you know the next time I plan a trip up to Pachaug. - Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted June 2, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 2, 2017 Pachaug, Beach, Coventry (?) in CT, and Webster MA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted June 2, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 2, 2017 There are a few active clubs on the CA delta but I haven't been out there in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jjackkrash Posted June 3, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 3, 2017 Ski the pads. All the cool kids are doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted June 3, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 3, 2017 I have a thing about stuff touching me when I'm in the water. Crashing into those lily pads would freak me out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jjackkrash Posted June 3, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 3, 2017 I very, very rarely actually crash into the pads. But it does suck when it happens. Also, something in the water really inflames my allergies. The upside is, the pads suck up rollers like a black hole and keep most of the wallies out. The water stays flat even in pretty heavy winds and even when there is very heavy outer-lake traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted June 3, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 3, 2017 @jjackkrash how often do you need to cut the course free of the cabbage, and how do you actually do that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jjackkrash Posted June 3, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 3, 2017 @uwskier, I actually don't know. I am not aware of having to cut it back since I started skiing there, other than occasionally we will just drive the boat around the turn buoys if the pads start encroaching. I think the boat and ski traffic keeps it in check. There are three or four club members who live right next to the course on the lake, and I am not sure if they do anything to keep the path clear in the off season or not. The pads disappear in the winter and when they come back in the spring, they do not come up in the way of the boat path or turn buoys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nando Posted June 5, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 5, 2017 What dresses up a lake (public or private) better than a new set of buoys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted June 5, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 5, 2017 Bikinis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nando Posted June 5, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 5, 2017 Touche, Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller cruznski Posted June 5, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 5, 2017 @nleuth Here's a photo of one near you can you guess the location? No buoys in there yet this year though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller nleuth Posted June 6, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 6, 2017 @cruznski Looks like Simon Pond to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BobF Posted June 6, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 6, 2017 The cool clear water feels fast, but this has got to be the best view I've ever had from the course. Any guesses on the location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller nleuth Posted June 6, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 6, 2017 @"bf`" Looks like Toronto Area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BobF Posted June 6, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 6, 2017 @nleuth Close! but that's not the CN Tower... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller wtrskior Posted June 6, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 6, 2017 @"bf`" where were you skiing in Niagara? @nleuth good guess! CN tower is about 4x taller though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BobF Posted June 9, 2017 Baller Share Posted June 9, 2017 Meant to post this one up, too. What a great view approaching the course at sunrise! Looks like if you fell in the wrong spot you just might fall off the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller cruznski Posted September 17, 2017 Baller Share Posted September 17, 2017 back in the Adirondacks with @adkh2oskier the past week, it warmed up which was good as the water is 64 deg. We had a bald eagle overhead two days in a row at this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller adkh2oskier Posted September 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2017 @cruznski Been DFC since you left and the water is back up to 75 but since I have no driver I pulled the course. Hope to get a few more ski rides in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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