Sivota

@andre Thank you. I certainly plan on keeping her for another 30 [if we are both still around]. I just might hope for another new ski before then, however well this one works out! @oldjeep Thanks, don't let reality get in the way of ambition - why not both? It could be a BoS right of passage for anyone who makes it to their Pearl Anniversary :)

@bogbo Thank you and I shall. @savaiusini Unsurprisingly, I agree:

@"76S&S" Thank you, and many congratulations to you too. Enjoy tomorrow and I hope you enjoy your new ski as much as I have done so far. Maybe we are setting a trend for anniversary presents - well, 30th anniversary presents anyway! @Chef23 Thank you. @Bill22 Thank you - 67", I'm 170lbs and just shy of 6'.

Not only has my wife tolerated me for 30 years' of marriage, she bought me an HO Syndicate Omni as an anniversary present. Following the usual advice to change only one thing, I transferred my current bindings from my faithful, but old, D3 Fusion. Perhaps the Omni is more suited to my skiing - PB, 3@55 15 off. Until now I have got into 55 only a handful of times, usually because when I do run 52, until now, it often has been on my last pass. Already that has changed. This weekend I ran 3x52 consecutively for the first time. The ski moves effortlessly outbound, the spray now comes from the front of my binding, my wife says I look less dangerous. In a weekend I have become more upright, less rear sticking out, and more relaxed. Whilst I overshot some buoys and let go of the handle [leaning too long and just flew passed] there were no crashes. After skiing I felt much less fatigued. I am using the recommended settings. I'll have a couple more sets this weekend and then off to warmer climes for a week of waterskiing. I'll post whether I continue to improve, but on the current showing I am very optimistic.

Ordinarily it is a source of great pleasure to visit BOS for its rich tapestry of great insight into a fantastic sport whether beginner or short liner, gentle humour and experiences shared with friends. On this occasion it has not been. I am with @slow

Risk the rain and you can get your rewards, if not a pot of gold ...

@chef23 has a point, but try as I might I have not been able to find a price for the Omni in the US or the UK. Prices are settled for Australia and you can order one there. I seriously was considering the Omni Syndicate but cannot compare it to a Senate as no one has the pricing let alone predicted availability.

Made from a garden trug, holes drilled, zip tied. Having the plastic overhang the handle rope has meant the zip ties have stayed tucked in, just snipped the edges and then sanded down with fine sandpaper. I have had plenty [too many] crashes.

Looks like you need a

@eddie_roberts_jr can you tell us whether it is based on the 2017 Vapor or the 2018 version? Thanks.

It certainly was fun to watch live - this was on the Saturday not the head to head.

Sorry, I can't find the link button but go to Reflex Skis UK and look under soft goods

If there is one adjustable block and fin that would fit a D3 Fusion I'd use them [if Booze could spare those two items, as he was in first]- my current block is jammed.

For what it's worth, my wife was on a binding that was too big and changed to a lyric [actually vector as she preferred the colours] on feather frame. Best skiing decision she has made. Exactly what @Horton says.

Can anyone recommend a 'handle protection' that currently is available [or will be in the spring]? If a stand alone product, what is the best way of attaching it to an existing handle? - cable ties usually leave a sharp protrusion even if clipped short. Would relatively thin bungee cord work? Thanks.

@eddie_roberts_jr thank you very much for taking the time to reply, and your clear advice. Much appreciated.

@eddie_roberts_jr I suspect you have been asked the following question before about the sequence plate. If so, I apologise for not finding the answer. I anticipate skiing on a 2017 Lithium Senate next season. Currently I use a 2016 Vapor binding and a HRT, both of which have helped me improve despite my age [very late 50s, and to a very modest standard, 2@55]. Should I use a sequence plate or stay with the individual plates I have? Thank you in advance.

Having taken advice on this site I plumped for the Vector for my wife [she didn't like the Lyric colour scheme]. It fits like a glove. We had a concern that the Vector may be too wide, but is was not. On the feather frame and she is really pleased with it. No much help I suspect, but I would check the width of the Profile that would fit her. Good luck.

It is getting to full wetsuit time - I managed in a shortie OK this weekend - in England. Hit and miss with the weather. This was hit ...

Different things work for different skiers. I went from rubber to Reflex and am now on a Radar Vapor [2016 Boa]. Plenty of support and comfort is like skiing in slippers. Depending on size there are still some older models about at good prices.

This site is an invaluable conduit for the sharing of information that is of great benefit to our sport. Before somewhat late in life I became enthralled by the lure of skiing a little better, a little faster and with more balance, I enjoyed other sports. I recall after one significant [to me anyway] and hard fought lacrosse game a 200-odd pound midfield player standing at the bar was clipped around the ear by his coach. His indignant request as to what that was for was met with, 'where's the gap?'. We played lacrosse to enjoy a beer afterwards. If you stand in a closed group no one else can join you. If you leave a gap others, especially members of the opposing team, can join your group. Another gap then should be created. That way the camaraderie enjoyed by so many can grow. Since I started skiing I have enjoyed universal encouragement and support. Other skiers who have just run 12 metres/35 feet off at 36 ask how my modest set was. My first slightly more advanced ski came from D3. I enquired whether the proposed ski was too technical for my ability. I received a full and personal answer. I had a problem with my first Jobe binding. It was faulty, not worn out through repeated use. It was replaced immediately. Recently I imported from the US a Radar binding from Performance. I received an immediate reply to email enquiry and the binding arrived in the UK two days later. Anyone who has coached me in my travels around the world has wanted me to improve, and has become just as excited with a modest improvement at my level as they do with the more technically gifted. If all can follow the social media rules, or treat others as you would have them treat you, we can help each other to enjoy skiing even more. I find the information available through Horton invaluable, and enjoyable. A little banter goes a long way, provided it remains just that. Roll on the weekend and the adrenalin of an engine firing into life, a beer to ease the straining sinews and a peek at ballofspray to see what others are up to.

I have an almost new size 12 2016 Vapor Boa, RFF, with plate. Only reason, I was between sizes and am now using an identical size 11. I am in the UK but that should not be an insurmountable problem. Message me.

"Doors to manual"

I bought a 2016 Vapor [boa] and HRT. Am delighted with both and would recommend both. Was on Reflex and RTP [previously having had an R-style]. Good luck.