Free Ski 32 off, Help or Hinder

[Over55wannabee]

So, been free skiing for many years. Got serious about the course in the past 1/2 dozen or so. I have been running into 22off 34mph for the past year and still get some time out on the open water. A few of my ski buddies have convinced me that when I free ski it should be at 32 off 34mph. There are many benefits they say, no wake, aggressive swing, quicker to apex, etc, etc. so I do, and I love it. But, when I go back to my opener, 15 off 32mph it is “painful”! So much rope, so slow of swing, so much wake. It even seems kinda rough on this old guy (57). 
So ballers, your thoughts, is this free skiing ultimately going to help me advance thru the course or am I just practicing the wrong things and will end up hindering advancement?

 

 

[6balls]

Why 32 off?  How 'bout 28 off?  Free skiing in front of the wake-bump is nice.   Feel for ya in the course big bumps and long lines are tuff I'm sure more-so at 57 y.o.  I learned course skiing as a teen behind a barefoot outboard--no wake at longer lines/slower speeds.  By the time I saw an inboard I was into 32 off 36 mph.  No bump at 22/36.  Eventually I bagged the 22/36 and opened 28/34, then 28/36 and so forth cuz I didn't want to have any longer line habits.

Will be curious the advice here on your slalom course progression, but in terms of enjoying free skiing 28/34 is a nice spot, 32/34 is as well.  

[MDB1056]

For free skiing I would definitely recommend 32 off at 34. 32 off is the optimal line length for the most complete/correct perfect pendulum effect. Easiest natural acceleration and staying in good control. Issue with free skiing too much is that you get narrow without buoys. For working on form, stance, single items at a time , etc. it's great but again width is what is missing.  Search around but as I recall Regina actually did a piece about this (32 as optimal line for swing) a few years back.        

Edited May 15, 2023 by MDB1056

[1skinut]

Try 22 off 32 mph for your opener, then speed up to 34 on the second pass. I find it easier than 15 off 34 mph because there isn’t as much rope to manage. At 15 off I end up well outside the one ball which then makes it difficult to get around the 2 ball. I like to free ski at 34 mph 28 off. There is no bump to deal with for my old damaged arthritic joints. 

[UWSkier]

I agree with @1skinut

I am not a great skier by any means, but I don't even bother with 15 off anymore.  Too slow, too much rope, and I'm too fat.  The geometry of shorter lines really helps us bigger guys accelerate and keep moving.  I start at 22/32.

As for free skiing at 32 off, 34 MPH, if you're taking video of yourself and are using that to correct and work on things like stack, hips over ankles, staying connected off the second wake, etc, I don't see why it'd hurt you.  If you're just out there reinforcing bad habits, that's a different story.

Edited May 15, 2023 by UWSkier

[mike_mapple]

Rope length doesnt matter(to much), but making sure when you a turning you are high enough on the boat, and not just making a big arching turn actually making the turn like you are trying to backside the buoy.

[Over55wannabee]

Thanks for all the great feedback. Got out into the course for the first time this year, yes I am in Canada! Ran my opener as if it was nothing, on to 34mph and the same. Shortened to 22 off and tied my PB. The free skiing at 32 off 34 mph has definitely helped. I can only equate it to gaining confidence being stacked without thinking about the wake. Will definitely work on some video to make sure I have good position over ski, big wide turns and high on the boat. 22off 32mph sounds like a great idea. Thanks again for all the input, looks like my summer is set!