Obrienslalom

After taking several years off of skiing and returning, I went to youtube to learn a thing or two before hitting the water. Specifically, I needed to work on these same fundamentals.

 

Nothing against Rathbun's drills at all (especially since I see they are still recommended here), but it is a bit of bummer how outdated they look. Consider being a young skier looking at videos created before they were born. I guess I was a bit discouraged at what I found out there targeting instructions/drills for beginner course skiers readily available.

 

Along with the OP, I'm also interested to be pointed to any resources people have.

@Bill22 is that what was going on? I had it on Chromecast and my wife was annoyed that there was just complete silence for large periods of time. Likely because she could hear me chewing my breakfast...

@horton think this is it

 

I was down with the family at Smith Mountain Lake in VA. First time I've had access to a course since I was fairly young and had no business trying it.

 

I made it through at 15off @ 28 mph (ignoring the entrance gates). Maybe not impressive, but it was nice to get a chance to try. I have tomorrow to tackle 30 mph, weather permitting.

 

 

I had a mishap running over a rope, and we were very fortunate we could get it off without a knife. Probably a good thing to have on board just in case.

I'll take a peek, but I am on android 5.1 (I can get ahold of newer phones, but I probably won't). Thanks for the work you put into it.

Demoed and bought one yesterday.

 

Upgraded from a 15 year old O'Brien siege. I wasn't convinced at my level that I needed a new ski quite yet. I was impressed how much more stable it was through the wakes. Effortless angle, I think it'll be a game changer for me to improve my technique on this summer.

 

Thought I'd post since this review was certainly the reason I set up a demo.

This is great. Love this. Over under on getting my drinking buddies to join for bragging rights (rhetorical). Maybe at least get my wife to join.

It may be worth noting that my 206 certainly has a rooster at 22 off. I'm currently working on 15 off at 32mph, so I've been avoiding it for the moment. My research when shopping backs up @jjackkrash that 28 and shorter is fine. The visual inspection seems to support that, I just don't ski at those lengths.

I bought a 2006 SNOB 206 in the offseason. I have been loving it. No complaints from me. Best wake to size I tried out (though I never found a decent LXI to test out).

 

If you have the opportunity, to ski them both, do it. If there are any specific details about the 206 you want, let me know.

@ShererSkier My understanding of the FOV is that it actually shoots in a higher resolution, and then essentially zooms/crops before writing the frames. For that reason, you can't do narrow FOV on the higher resolution (in my video I had it on 4k). But, it will let me zoom in post, which I did a bit...

 

@"Keith Menard" Thanks for the advice. I certainly see the same thing when I watch the videos, and the reason I have to film myself. Until this season, I was skiing behind a SeaRay, so I still have a tendency to decelerate approaching and going through the wakes. Really trying to stop those instincts. The video shows what happens when I panic about the speed, stand up and flatten out right before the wakes. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

 

Thanks for offering help, I do appreciate it.

The on topic part, my crash (and way worse skiing than you guys):

 

Slightly off topic, WGT the gopro. I think the video looks a tad better than my initial videos. I did a progressive zoom in this video to get an idea. I go the highest resolution that is allowed for the framerate I feel like I need. Even 30fps seems good enough so most slow motion I need to do, but still figuring that out

 

GoPro Hero 5 settings:

4k video (just allows me to zoom when I want to, and I don't need real high framerate)

Color: Flat (adjust slightly in post, but I'm terrible at it)

ISO: 400

Sharpness: Low

White balance: Native

Exposure: -1

Thought I broke a rib already =P

 

I also have a new gopro hero 5. Noticing some of the same problems in your video I was having (looking like a dark block on the end of a rope).

 

Been working on the right settings to get good skiing video from the wakeye at 15' off. Getting closer, but still need a few tweaks. I will share my best settings when I get it more dialed in (hopefully minimal post-processing).

Anybody willing to share their channel?

@19skier Any more recent videos? Be curious to see the progress.

Curious how many of you have youtube channels where you post your skiing. I followed just about every one I found, but postings are fairly rare.

 

I'm planning to start posting videos this summer, as I'm pretty bad and I'd like to document my progress. Assuming some of you are doing something similar.

 

I mean...I watch youtube videos of people mowing grass, I'd be happy to throw you guys some views.

I just ordered the 100, should be getting it today. Let me know if you want pictures or feedback (won't get it on the boat until Friday).

I love the longer ones. More content, more better! Also I bet Horton would make a good regular, if for no other reason than keeping up on forum discussions​. Great stuff.

 

Wonder if there is a crossover podcast that Marcus could do. Like an outdoor sporting podcast or something with a broad audience.

@Gar probably isn't a bad thing that boats no longer fit under a credit card limit...

So if I'm transitioning from being a strictly open water skier and trying to focus more on my technique and getting into the course, do I want a mid range ski? Are they more forgiving until I get past 22? Always kind of thought of it as a price thing...basically that I don't need the most expensive technology.

As someone who didn't spend time on private lakes or on the course, your perspectives are enlightening. For me, it was simply growing up watching my dad ski. I wasn't clouded by the sexiness of other tow sports. I just bought my first boat, and I'll admit, I won't be pushing friends to slalom right off the bat. They'll likely try wakeboarding, etc, because they can accomplish a lot in a day. Takes a long time to just attempt a slalom turn.

 

I do think it is important to grow the sport, but of course, I have nothing to lose by doing so. For me, it is just sharing the sport, and exposing it to others.

Halfway through reading it myself. So far learning a bunch. Thanks.

Quick smoke test went well from the seller side. Attempted to contact the seller (myself) didn't work. I never got an email. I was probably still logged in as the same user but it prompted for another email so I expected it to work.

My big goal was accomplished at the end of 2016, and that was buying my first boat! Always skied behind my dad's four winns and sea rays, so really excited to finally own a proper ski boat. Bought a 2006 ski nautique 206.

 

So my goals are:

-Improve my technique so I can start tackling the course

-Get involved with local ski clubs

-Get friends into skiing (or force them to)