gt2003

I believe there is at least one NASCAR track with a center lake area like that. Hmm Crashman, you may have quite the idea!

No shops near me either. After a 20 plus year hiatus I bought a boat and wanted a slalom ski. I read around on the dealer sites to see what skis they had at my level, open water wanting to get into the course soon. After that, I shopped around and found the best deal on one of them and that's what I bought, Obrien Synchro. It's worked well for me so far but my ski knowledge is limited and my amount of time out of the sport is very significant and I haven't tried anything else yet. Yes, if I had the opportunity to demo I sure would. Also, as the value of the ski increases so will the liklihood that I'll either buy used or maybe schedule a day at a ski lake that has skis I want to demo. Just lots to take into consideration.

There's one in Oklahoma City http://www.wakezone.co/

My thought is it's up to us "old school" folks to introduce skiing to the younger generation. Pretty much all they see is wakeboarding. Ok, great, they are on the water. Now, throw them a challenge and see if their ego gets in the way? Can you get up on two? What about 1? I just bought my boat this year. We took out my gf's 20 y.o. son to wakeboard. He did it once then saw us skiing and decided to try it. He didn't wakeboard anymore the entire weekend. I think it's "monkey see, monkey do". It's the new craze. Give them a new, harder challenge and let's see how this goes. Show them the old guy/girl can do something they can't. Really, a 45 yr old fat guy can do that and I can't..."F" him!! HOWEVER, it's up to us because the current generation for the most part is all about the board. I live in Oklahoma. I hear there is a slalom course on my home lake but I haven't seen it. It's one more challenge I've got to try just to prove I can do it, even if it's at a very long line length. I think if we get the younger generation committed to one or two skis that the participation level in the sport will rise!

I'm really liking the Line-X idea. Sounds like a great spring project. Thank you all for the input!

Ok, I jumped off into boating this year by getting a 2007 Tahoe Q6. Yeah not a ski boat but it has served its purpose for a year. Here's my problem...one of them, the swim deck is fiberglass and slick as heck. There is no way I could stand on it and put on my ski without help. What are the best products out there to adhere to the fiberglass platform to make putting on my (and my gf's) ski a little easier? Thanks

Happy Birthday @Horton!

Here's a thought if it comes to fruition. Take a modified ski from @adamcord so no ones panties get in a wad, let everyone ski it on day 1, decide the tweeks they want to make, have an expert help them with adjustment then proceed with the ski building. For what it's worth...

I just got back into slalom skiing this year at 45 yrs old. I found an Obrien Synchro blem with XL targa boots for $200 new on ebay. There are more out there, just google Obrien Synchro blem and they'll show up. Only problem is if you need smaller bindings. All I've found have been those with XL's. It's fairly wide and stable and I'm pretty sure it will be as much ski as I will need for a decent number of years. From what I've heard, there is someone who has ski'd one on tour but I can't confirm that its true or who it is. Just a thought from someone who seems to be close to being in your shoes. I'm attempting the course this coming summer. Good luck finding a stick!

Agree with RR3. Knowing I could buy a top of the line ski for that amount of money versus taking a chance on building something questionnable. Probably wouldn't do it.

If only Andre the Giant had taken up slalom...

Sorry for your loss. Never easy to lose a great companion. Looks like you all had a lot of good years together!

Ordered a Tee, I don't do hoodies! Thanks Horton

I just got the boat this year. My GF was LOCKED UP about even idling around/driving it at first. Now, she drives frequently, drives for me whenever asked and got up on two skis. She's wanting to slalom this year and I'm going to run the course so looks like she's not totally broken in yet. A few "dry" passes through the course and I bet she does a great job pulling me. She's very coachable so if I do my part...

God bless the family. Prayers being sent.

Ahh, maybe a couple of days up front then a couple of days at the end. Now the plan is coming together...

Thanks folks. I'm leaning toward DFW. It's quite close. I was thinking about lodging in a hotel close by but I'm almost tempted to stay onsite. I now realize I have a LONG way to go after reading about technique and watching videos on here. LOTS I'm doing wrong. I'm going to work on basics, post videos etc. for most of next summer then schedule a week maybe mid to late September to head to Texas. Should still be plenty warm then plus all the kids will be back in school.

I just got my boat this year. I found a new 2014, blem O'Brien synchro with XXL bindings for a really good price for me. My foot size 13DD. So, not many non-mutants can ride it. I also have a pair of HO ski's for those who just want to double ski or are learning on slalom. They have the Velcro type bindings. I'd like to have a decent ski in the boat for those that slalom and want to ski. These are generally fellow boaters who have something like Baja's or Scarab type boats. I've found a Radar theory with "regular" sized front binding and RTP for $299. I'm thinking this is a pretty good deal Heck, If I like it I can switch my bindings to the theory and let the visitors ski on the synchro. Any thoughts? I'm also considering buying an older slalom (Jobe honeycomb/Connelly concept) but dang, with the price of quality older skis and the advancements that I'm hearing about, the Theory seems like a pretty good deal. Bring on the recommendations. I'd like to spend less than $300 and preferably closer to $150, lol, since it will be a "visitors" ski for the most part.

Or Oklahoma but I'm not finding anything here. I'm going to try the course this year as there is supposedly one on my home lake. I'd also like to spend a week at a ski school somewhere fairly close. I'm a course newbie, only freestyled to this point but ready to take it to "my" next level. I see there are a few schools in Texas. For the beginning course skier, give me recommendations on what you feel is best. It will just be me most likely so I don't need stellar accommodations. I would like to drink a few beers after the days skiing and either eat somewhere close or be able to cook/grill/smoke my own food. I've just gotten back into slaloming over this past summer. I'm 45 yrs old, fairly athletic and looking for my next challenge. You are the experts, give me some recommendations. Or, invite me to ski with you and I'll cook, bring beer and listen to what you have to say!

@skiboyny , you are right. Weight loss is easy, it's the mind set that is the tough part. If I start now I'm only talking about 1 pound/week or less until ski season starts. Well, actually until the freeze possibilities are over and I won't have to worry about freezing temps here in Oklahoma. I've neglected weights for the most part and focused more on running recently. Winter is a great time for me to solidify a bit, lean up a bit and get ready to find and conquer the course next year. It's been probably 5 years since I've been truly motivated (ran a half marathon). So, glad to find what is likely going to be my next "fix". I love and hate being an extremist, lol!

Thankful today for family and friends. Save travel to all you ballers. Enjoy time spent with those close to you. Happy Thanksgiving.

Excellent! Too used to use the IMG in the past. Now I know. Thank you sir!

Thanks @MattP , couldn't figure out why it didn't post. Now that the post is fixed, dang, fix that guys form!

replaced photo IMG link

Entitled: Oops, body position... http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/gt2003/oopsbodyposition_zps11686ea4.jpg This is why I want to ski the course. Last run of the year, cold water, fat/tired and most likely a little hungover skier, POOR BODY POSITION, handle popped out shortly thereafter. Noticed at 45 that my testicular fortitude wasn't what it was 25 years ago. The memories of flipping across the top of the water were a little intimidating now days. Amazingly, after I was able to get up a few times, cross the wake back and forth, cut a little bit then a little bit harder, my confidence rose and I had a small rise in my testicular fortitude. The challenge of the course next year will lead to a winters long study of the sport, proper form, more disciplined food intake, continued exercise etc. The renewed vigor will be unleashed on the course once the water is at a somewhat bearable temp. I'm quite confident, with me doing my part coupled with the knowledge of you fine folks that I'll conquer a buoy or two next year! Now contemplating to start at 0 or 15 off?? Oh, wait, my current rope can't do that anyway!