pgmoore

It's funny how different people look forward to different things, depending on where you're skiing. A month from now, the lakes should be open here and we can think about getting our wetsuits out of storage!

Not withstanding the discussion in the other thread that GoPro is not the preferred camera to use with WakeEye... for those of you who are using a GoPro + WakeEye, what settings are you using on the camera for best results?

"In the end no one ever got the Lithium version and said "Gosh I wish I had the Granate version"

 

@Horton - That's good insight, for sure! What about the opposite... for 32/34mph and 15/22/28 off, do you think people buy the Graphite Senate and say, "I sure wish I had spent 70% more for the Lithium version." Or is the benefit only noticeable at shorter line lengths?

 

Good question. I was actually wondering pretty much the same thing just last night. Only regarding the Lithium vs Graphite Senate. Also, I'm probably 50/50 between open water and private course.

 

I hope you get a ton of responses on this!

Had a great phone call with Brenda today. She spent nearly 40 minutes with me making sure that I was getting exactly the right rope and handle. It was incredible. I don't even have the product in my hands and I'm already very impressed.

 

I ended up going with the following:

Slalom Mainline: 15'-39.5' with an extra loop between 22' and 28'

Team 12" (1.00) Spectra Handle with Cross Bar: strung up rope exposed around the grommet with the short grey sleeves in dark grey spectra (main color) and neon green spectra (second color).

Also ordered a pair of kevlar glove liners. Those will be a nice addition.

 

Really excited to get my hands on this stuff. Now we just need this snow to melt!

Tweet from our local meteorologist this morning:

 

"Daytime highs should be in the +2C to +7C range today/Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Tue. "

 

Isn't that nice? The ice is going to be softening up before you know it!

We occasionally tow a friend who wants to wakeboard. And I think someone tubed behind the boat a couple of years ago. But never surfing.

 

So, yeah... mostly slalom.

In the wintertime, I work as a ski technician with the US Ski Team. One of our athletes wrote this about doping. It's worth a read.

 

http://noahhoffman.com/doping/

 

Just in case you don't read it, here is the most important bit:

 

Sport is defined by arbitrary rules. The race or competition is held to see who can perform best within the given guidelines. Doping in a cycling race is no different than showing up on the starting line on a motorcycle. If the athletes are not following the rules, there is no reason to hold the competition.

What @Chef23‌ said... the key is not pulling the top lace too tight. That part is really important.

 

Run the bottom lace as tight as you want = no problem. Pull the top lace too tight and you might break your ankle. Which is what I did.

 

Follow that simple rule and you'll love the Vapor bindings.

 

That being said, Vapor bindings attached to an OB4 plate is probably an even safer option. More expensive, for sure, but worth it when you consider the major buzz kill of a lost season.

@skihard‌ - I would love to buy a ski from Ken. That would be a no-brainer for me! I wasn't aware that he ever sold skis and he certainly hasn't mentioned it lately. I'll have to specifically ask him for sure.

 

Do you remember what he used to sell?

@schafer‌ - yes, in Edmonton. I've never been to Wizard Lake Marine before, although my cousin bought a giant wake boat from there. More of a ship, really... :s

 

Wizard does have the benefit of being quite close to Shalom Park, where I mostly ski. So that's really nice!

 

How are they with setup, adjustments, etc. at Wizard?

Probably still five months to go around these parts. Too early to be Daffy yet!!!

I'm considering a new ski for this upcoming season. Despite what is always strongly recommended, I've never tested a ski before purchasing. This year, I want to change that!

 

So, for those Ballers in Alberta - where do you buy your skis in this province? Ideally, I'd like to be able to demo a few skis from a shop and then buy the one that works best.

@skierjp‌ - thanks for the info. You are absolutely right! I guess I just didn't get quite deep enough into their website. Will definitely give them a call.

@Than_Bogan‌ - I couldn't agree more on the cross bar. I didn't even bother asking about that as it seems like a no-brainer to me!

I was lucky enough to receive a gift certificate for a new In Tow rope and handle for Christmas this year. In looking a the website, the array of options available is astonishing. This truly is a custom product. I'm really excited, but what are the must haves?

 

Twisted vs parallel last long line section

12 inch vs 13 inch handle

Rope exposed endcaps vs wedge shaped endcaps

Spectra vs polypro

What's the deal with the ARS handle?

Anything else of note?

 

 

Certainly many of these items will be strictly personal preference. But I'm curious as to people's thoughts.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

Just to clarify, no tower on this boat, so I think the products from Tower Bimini and wakeessentials.com are out, unfortunately.

Having tried it, here is my take on cross fit:

 

Cross fit is great if you want to get good at exercise. But it's not specific. It's not going to make you a better runner, or a better, cyclist, or a better waterskier. As a form of exercise, it's great but cross fit isn't specific enough to make you better at any one thing. Heck, even the athletes competing at the highest levels of cross fit competitions don't train by doing cross fit. They train by doing specific training.

 

If you want to win at your sport (whatever that is), cross fit isn't going to make that happen. Specificity is going to make that happen.

 

But if you want a form of exercise to get you off the couch that is not only brutally hard but also a ton of fun, then cross fit fits the bill perfectly!

We have a 1997 MB Sports Boss 190 for which I'd like to order a bimini top over the winter. Any suggestions as to the best place to order from or best style/model to get? Bonus points if it ships from Canada (although not a requirement).

 

Thanks!

7 hours and 26 minutes of daylight in Edmonton today. Really happy to be on the upward swing!

-26C this morning here in Edmonton. Easier to think about football than water skiing at the moment. In any event, good thing they are playing inside in BC!

I'm totally sold on OB4 and think it looks like an awesome system. But my only concern is this: @Than_Bogan‌ 's write up makes the set up process seem a bit daunting. I'm no expert when it comes to ski set up. And frankly, where I live, there aren't many experts around. Is this bleeding edge product really something I can deal with on my own?

How was your year?

 

Super awesome. Best ever, actually. Right up until June 30.

What did you learn?

 

Don't over tighten the top elastic on Strada bindings. Go nuts on the bottom one = as tight as you want. Run the top one loose.

 

What happened?

 

Crash at four-ball, avulsion fracture of the left lateral malleolus. Skiing season over. Running season over.

 

 

But, all is not lost. Recovery is going well and cross country skiing will be here before you know it. And I'll be back in the mix on the lake next summer big time. With a loose top elastic :)

Ordered! This is just awesome! :)

 

Thanks for doing them in white! Grey could be nice too if there is another round one day.

Tell you what. I may live in Alberta and our season may be over (-6C in Edmonton overnight tonight). But sure as sh*t we don't have snakes in the water. And I am more than willing to live with that.

 

Eff. Snakes give me the willies.