jdk99

Thanks much @matthewbrown. I suspect that your comment on hip involvement might be where I need to focus in that it wasn't even on my radar. Usually I know what needs to be done but just struggle doing it. I have to admit that with the hip thing I am clueless as to what you mean. If it's not too much to ask, could I trouble you (or anyone w insight) for just a brief explanation? Are you talking at hookup or edge change or throughout? Is there something dynamic I need to do w my hips or is it wrong positioning? Sorry for the hassle and sincerely appreciate your insight.

Very helpful @ToddL! Thx for taking the time. As per suggestions above, here is a short 8 turn free skiing video at 28/34.2 where I am simply working on form , specifically to get wider. (haven't tried it in course and probably shouldn't yet!). Any input greatly appreciated. My thoughts as i watch: 1) stay down thru wakes, 2) longer arms offside lean, 3) weight forward preturn, 4) back arm closer to body in preturn.....and many more Thanks you guys. Many have posted video the last few days so I am sure you are all burnt out on commenting

Hmmm...interesting @ToddL. For clarification: does an early COM shift forward keep the ski from moving into a steep roll angle too quickly? Watching my free skiing practice video (will post soon) it seems the ski essentially comes off the second wake, lands in the white water, then is immediately up on a steep turning edge. For the life of me I can't get a more gradual roll. Ironically, one of the things Ive been working on is a more rapid edge change which has lead to good progress. But now that seems to be biting me in the butt a bit. yes @Horton and @DaveD, I keep looking for a scapegoat...but to no avail!!!

Thanks all for replies. @Gloersen Very helpful. Tip out. Will hold on LE sum changes til I ski it first. @Horton 28/34.2 @matthewbrown Completely agree! I am certain 90+% of it is me but if I can get some assist from a setting change I'll take it. Plus I enjoy the tinkering!! I plan on video post and request for input in near future.

I'll keep it simple. I'm transitioning, carrying the handle to buoy line, back arm pressure,etc. reasonably ok.... but in offside preturn, ski rolls up on edge slams on the brakes and flies narrow. So, technique issues aside, If you had to pick one tuning variable to tweak first to get greater width into offside, what would it be? Currently running bindings back .25, otherwise Rossi settings on 15 blue vapor. Thanks much.

@MikeGile, literally just happened to me last week. Ordered a new one from Eric at OJ Props and they took a look at the old one and were very fair. Give Sue a call and she will help you out. Good opportunity for me to put in a good word for OJ Props. Excellent service, quick response, good people. Can't speak highly enough.

@razorskier1...feel free to message me with any questions. Sometimes there's not time to get them all in at the apt and I'll be happy to fill in gaps to the degree I can. Your bro has my contact info.

Thanks for taking the time @OB1. Helpful as always.

Last August @OB1 and @Edbrazil provided some great input on permanent course installation here: So we have begun the process but I had a few quick questions for you experts on the cross course setup specifically in reference to the image below: How far from the 'shore pin' should the 'downpull weight' be located? (need for hypotenuse calculation) How deep should the lowest portion of the crossline be at high water given a 2-3 foot water level fluctuation? (hypotenuse calculation again) How many pounds for the 'downpull weight'? Is the "compensator float" necessary? Any reason 1/2" hollow nylon twine couldnt be used instead of cable (much cheaper)? Once again, many thanks for all your help.

@booze - to clarify, small foraminal osteophytes can still be addressed with replacement. However, substantial osteophytes or arthritis of the joints in the back of the spine (facets) cannot. All of the manufacturers and and most insurers include these as contraindications. Some of that may be due to how the studies were set up to gain FDA approval - i.e. eliminate those likely to fail and cherry pick those likely to succeed. I suspect the rationale is as follows: Osteophytes - with substantial osteophytes a significant portion of bone must be removed and the structural integrity of the disc space is violated and therefore the space into which the artificial disc is inserted has fewer surfaces upon which to anchor Facets/osteophytes - in both cases, you are dealing with a degenerated segment which likely not only creates pain due to nerve compression but also from movement of the joints themselves. Obviously if the goal is to eliminate pain, motion needs to be eliminated. A bit technical but hope that helps.

@Booze...disc replacement isn't a bad option for pure cervical disc herniation and arguably can prevent adjacent segment failure. However, it is only indicated for one or two levels in patients with disc herniations but minimal osteophytes (bone spurs). I would bet that most hard core skiers have significant osteophytes due to repeated minor neck trauma and therefore would not be candidates for replacement.

Not clear on "L6-3 pars defect repair" @l9skier. Having said that, I suspect you will be able to ski again at some point. Were you my patient, I would recommend taking at least one season off to allow adequate fusion. Importantly though you must understand that doing so may place you at higher risk of requiring adjacent segment surgery in the future. A c3-7 is a long construct ....this then places substantial load onto C2/3 and C7/T1 and so those levels are subject to future failure...repeated neck hyperflexion/extension from slalom falls may increase that risk. If I were in your shoes, I would find that risk worth taking to continue skiing...but that's me. Maybe @6balls and others can weigh in as well ... several have had fusions/spine surgery.

I tried it @Than. Didn't work for me. One of the rubbers fell off completely and I lost it. Might not have let it set up long enough

Good to hear you decided to pull the trigger Dave. Best of luck.

Leaning towards the cross cable method. One of our locals suggested surveying and placing shore posts when frozen over then coming back to complete in spring. Anyone tried that? Thanks for link @Skoot1123. Might I ask what method you used on your recently built lake?

@OB1 ...30minute drive from Peoria International Airport. I think there's a Delta direct from Hartsfield. Doubt you'll be flyin' your 777 in here though! @Skoot1123 ... Thanks. Located in Central Illinois. Top image is compass accurate. Lake runs SE to NW at about 300 heading. Largely perpendicular to summer predominant winds and enough northerly angulation to decrease late afternoon sun effect. Been looking for awhile and this came up ... couldnt resist. Great hunting (waterfowl and deer - Boone and Crockett taken last year) so I enticed my hunter friend to go in with me. Price about 1/5 of cost to dig our own. We honestly had no choice but to buy it! @Chef23 ... Thank you, sincerely. We are thrilled with the purchase and it's nice to get confirmation from you all. You know you need a 12 step program when, outside the bedroom, it takes a burnt out strip mine lake in the middle of "Egypt" to get you excited!

@OB1, you can fly in for a set anytime. Hopefully you can educate me on skiing as well. I just hope I have the course precise enough for you!! @EdBrazil and @OBI...great pics and diagrams. It's the little details that make a big project easier. Thank you.

@OB1 Educating me in many ways today :)

Excellent stuff guys. Invaluable for my task at hand. Greatly appreciated. @OB1, the "disagree" on your post above was obviously an error on my part.

thanks @wish. yeah...nice smooth grade coming down the banks of the spillway from the retention pond to the North. Finishin the ramp next week. No cranes necessary!

Hate the rubber piece...PITA extraordinaire! However, have to agree with @Wish. The vengeance ridden hit piece is way out of proportion to the rubber piece and OB4's refusal to accept the used product back outside the warranty window for it.

...one more thing @OB1, what is 'the small pvc handle pull up and down method' to which you referred in your earlier post. Forgive the ignorance, never done this before :)

Very slick @OBI and thanks for details. A few questions: 1) I assume threaded PVC and Cap? 2) Are those 10lb weights? and how many per line? 3) No subs? Have you seen this used up north where winter buoy removal is necessary and, if so, how was the system modified. Great stuff - much appreciated

Great input guys. Thank you. Located in Midwest so decent ice intermittently. @Edbrazil PM'ed you re: your post.

Is there any reason why one couldn't just anchor the portable course at every buoy then place sub bouys? Seems this would be a little easier than cables and yet would prevent the potential asymmetric drift with individual anchors in deep water referred to by @bry. Anyone tried this?