wtrskior

Horton has been very clear that this is for those who aren't in a good body position. One of the things that has helped my skiing immensely has been to get into that good stacked position while I'm being pulled behind the boat - BEFORE and AFTER the gates. By straightening the back leg it really puts the weight right up over my front foot in my optimal stacked position. This creates muscle memory and translates through the course when you can't think about things like back leg straight (and I never would). if you are having trouble at longer lines, seriously do yourself a favor and try this when you are preparing to pull out for the gates and in your glide - this is the best time to do it IMO.

@ral‌ I am very familiar with alpine skiing, been on the slopes for over 30 years and worked in the Industry for many years as well. There is little alpine skiing can learn from waterskiing or our technology, they've generally been there, done that. the reverse sidecut gig is all but gone, there are virtually no manufacturers of skis like that outside a few mom and pop shops. My comment is not a knock on waterskiing, so dont take it personally. We are but a minnow in an ocean compared to Alpine, and we need to embrace it more as we dont have the $$$ or people to come up with the tech like they do. I don't think a reverse sidecut waterski will do anything for shortline skiers, but if we look at jumpers, there is virtually no sidecut on them, waterskis rely more on rocker than sidecut IMO.

I have used this concept and it works. Jodi Fisher had me come way forward on my ski when i was gliding to get better balance, I went from hardly running 28 and never 32, to nailing 28 and hitting 32, and even deep 35 in less than a season. All i really have to do now is straighten out my back leg and have my chest up before I pull out and it sets up my passes much more consistently and my skiing is just more balanced in general. you can not straighten the back leg completely or you will be hunched over the front of the ski & possibly in the drink.

@ral not all alpine skiing is done on a hard surface, snow can be deep and plentiful. things like rocker are new to alpine skis there is a lot that needs to be sharped and much to learn from the giant that is alpine skiing. I do think its unprofessional and foolish to publish such a crude image though, but schnitz is well, schnitz! LoL

I'm sure you could fit jumpers in a ski rack side by side. A Slalom not very likely. Get a box!

@Razorskier1‌ you explained it better than I could.

Thanks for taking the time to reply @chrisrossi‌ very much appreciated.

@GMC‌ How long ago did you have your accident? My family doctor says 6 weeks to heal. 4-6 months or more to be back to normal. No physio until 2 weeks in..

they know and it should return to normal in a few weeks im told. this was a full dislocation with hill sachs, which is a fracture of the humeral head, its going to take a while to heal.

I'm only 3 days in and better but will be immobilized for 2 weeks at least until my next Dr appointment. Still can't feel Much touch on the outside of my deltoid. Lots if muscle and nerve spasms down my arm. How long until you guys were able to start physio and were out of your slings?

Thanks guys. I'm famuliar with physio and athletic therapy and know a few places to go. Trying to stay positive and realize I shouldn't push skiing or even think about for months. I need to get in better shape anyways, will try to use this injury as motivation. The powervest might be an option, and I'll be saving money skiing!

So I've just dislocated my right shoulder (right handed - LFF), along with a small fracture in the humeral head from the fall (was not skiing). Docs dont think surgery will be required, I'm 35 and healthy never dislocated before. Have had other minor shoulder injuries, and was feeling better than ever up til now... Fluke accident and a new ski to boot :( Unfortunately my upcoming spring trip to Florida will be canceled but I'm more concerned with getting back on the water At some point this summer and it recurring again. Any tips for recovery, rehab and timeline for a fellow skier?

Bluwave.CA is a friend of mines company. Very good quality boards and designs, he rides and races what he sells. Should have some old stock lying around too... Most are made in the same factory in China. Connelly, radar, etc.

I made the mistake of getting one of the "tuned down" high end skis, actually on 2 occasions Because I didn't think I was good enough. At my ability (full speed, shortening the line) I really improved a lot more when I did move to the tournament carbon skis. I'm on a green vapor and love it.

@wish. That happens fairly often around us, just depends on when it snows again. @mattp. Most certainly there is; bad ice is white and flakey, good ice is clear, black or blue. You can skate safely on 4" of good ice. Snowmobile on 6-8" and drive a small truck on a foot. I'll be out tearing around on my sled this weekend, love riding the ice when I can't ski on it :)

I've been told by a number of different coaches about casting the handle out past centerline at my tougher passes at shorter lines. I'm able to get through -28off pretty consistently but not 32 or 35off at 34mph. I have a strong lean and pull too much too soon or too long I've been told at times . I've had a tough time visualizing this pushing the handle out concept and making it happen consistently. Thanks Chris!

Shane is bang on. you are tail riding it the whole pass so unable to use the ski's surface area and edges like they are designed. Where is the heal of your front boot from the tail? should be around 30". How are your boots spaced/canted? I disagree about leaving the fin where it is because you are running a significantly smaller surface area than stock and not using all of the ski right now. At 32mph a wing wont be doing much for you IMO. You are a lot further forward than stock by over 200s (.756 vs .730), the rest aren't that far off, Maybe try 1 thing at a time, but here are stock settings for that ski: http://www.hosports.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2013-Fin-and-Boot-Settings-guide.pdf

I don't know how the relationship is setup from the Association and the Insurance company, but I work in the Affinity/Association Insurance and member benefits world. Generally the Association would get a % of premium collected under the groups name, as a commission or administration credit, so the Association benefits financially from offering these insurance benefits to members. I have read its costing the assoc. money and to me that doesn't make sense, unless the assoc. is subsidizing a good portion of its members premiums (big mistake). USA Waterski is a pretty big group and should have the buying power to negotiate good programs and rates with the various insurance carriers out there. I know Carl Roberge is in the group insurance benefits world - might be a guy to look up?

@MS I think you'll notice Whit's arm is higher only through 1-3-5 (LFF) when she is committed with 1 hand off the handle, NOT coming into the turn. I have skied with Jmac a bit and he has a similar style, he also keeps his handle in low and tight off the 2nd wake although not quite as low as Nate in those pics. I have a photo sequence from the shore of Jason showing this perfectly. Over the years I've noticed he has slowed down his reach a bit, or rather is smoother, he used to snatch and grab a lot more. different things work for different skiers, we all have our idiosyncrasies and do some things better than others. People telling you to raise your hand to me means they think you should have more level shoulders, but you'd have to ask them

@brody you won't be disappointed! I also went from an A2 to a vapor this fall. It's a completely different ski, that's for sure. Easier to ride for sure, if nothing else. I only have 6 sets on the vapor, but I know it will take me places the A2 couldn't. Was on HO basically since I started skiing the course regularly 8 or so years ago. CDX - System 8 - A1 - A2 - VAPOR rocks! :P

Mike McCormick told me to reach lower, especially on my off side (which is HARD), really helped me feed the line out better and maintain a tighter line into and out of the buoy. He had a lot of good tips for me, but that one I think I saw the most bang for the buck from. great coach.

how about leaning and turning? how much easier does it get than that? :+)

@bogboy no appology necessary and nothing towards you in particular, I've read articles from some of the best skiers in the world use these terms, and I still don't understand, LoL thanks for the clarification!!!

In fairness to the discussion, without getting off topic, I petition to stop using the term "trailing arm" or "back arm". It's reference is often misunderstood and used to describe different arms depending on who you talk to (as in me, right now)... Is it possible to change this verbiage to: RH to 1 or LH to 2-4-6, something we can visualize and understand without having to confirm? As I sit and type this telling me "back arm" means nothing, and even when you try to visualize skiing, your back arm changes through a wake crossing and edge change. Its confusing to say the least... At any ski school I've been to I've never heard those words, only read them in articles or online. The coach always references which arm going in a certain direction, not back or trailing. IE I was told by a pro to keep straight and load my LEFT arm more in my pullout or towards 2-4-6. This helps me get width and maintain line tension before turning into the gates as I was narrow, turning in with slack.

Stock for a 66.5 is basically: 2.500 6.850 .785 8 wing 29.5 boots All +/- .005 but I would stay within that range. I Have a few years on the syndicate skis and none have responded that well to big swings in fin movement. I am at 29 5/8 to 3/4 with my front boot, also couldn't go more than .5 a degree on the wing without the shi acting erratically. I am not an expert skier, into -35 at 34.2. Hope this helps