Kris

I just bought a Radar Union this year and completed the course for the first time ever on it; all 6 buoys at 24 mph. I open water ski at 28-30mph, and it performs very well. I love this ski.

This is a pic of my 8 year old just prior to her first time successfully getting up on water skis. Last summer she tried but couldn't coordinate her legs enough to get up. The fear factor was also an issue. Now, she is a year older, and we bought an inflatable assist called the Aqua Buddy to help her get up. It can be used for adults too (up to 225 lbs) I highly recommend it for kids, and visitors who want to give the sport a try. It allows for immediate success, which is empowering and encouraging.

My lake. <3 Clear, clean fresh water. Love the smell and taste of it. Can't wait to be in it again tonight for our evening run. :)

We do eventually want our own set up. We both love the ski (and it is within range for both of us in terms of our height and weight) but after looking into it, we thought we would invest in OB4 or Relex release bindings and individual boots next year. We have already spent as much as we are going to this season. Scott, that is exactly what I have been doing: making sure I can easily pop off the ski in the water after a set. I realized I was doing it wrong when I couldn't do that the first time around. This makes for less support, but it's better than breaking an ankle.

We've been using a standard nylon cord, probably 75". We bought it way back when we had even less of an idea of what we were doing than now. Looks like it's time for us to purchase a sectioned rope. Thanks for the suggestion, Scott. And thanks for that incredibly helpful breakdown, Todd. I find myself doing exactly this: "When learning how to release the handle, I teach skiers to make small motions. Start first by simply relaxing that hand's grip at the start of the turn and then grasping the handle again at the finish of the turn just at the time when the boat's pull on the rope is starting to ramp up." I will re-read your instructions carefully, several times, and try implement your advice.

I have Radar Vector bindings. I've used them quite a bit since posting that, and concluded that it is only important that I know when to release the bar. I have so much more control with this ski that I'm not really worried about it anymore. Anyhow, it's just a risk that comes with the territory.

Haha, yes! A typical conversation between my husband and I during our brief Canadian summers: "What do you mean, we have to (insert odious social obligation here)..? On a Friday evening, with a hot and humid forecast, when the lake will be like glass...?! Are you freaking kidding me??" Luckily for those ~3 people, I do love them. :)

I'm RFF, and so is my husband. I believe I am right foot dominant. Having read that this makes me a "goofy foot", I tried with my LFF, and couldn't even get up. I tried again, this time dropping a ski, and it felt completely awkward and unnatural.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. That is very helpful. What do you mean by "15off"? 15 degrees?

I'm a fourth season slalom skier just starting to take the course. I've noticed that expert skiers always let go of one hand when clearing buoys. Why? I've tried this, and it feels awkward, as though I have far less control. What hand am I supposed to hold "over" the bar, and what hand "under" it? Does this remain static on both sides of the turn? Could someone explain to me how this hand release is supposed to work? Am I supposed to release the outer hand at the point in my turn where I am leaning over the most? Thanks

Hey all, So this will be my fourth season waterskiing, and having paid our dues over the first three seasons with a combination of old boats and inherited seventies special combo skis, my husband and I finally got properly equipped this year, with a decent boat outfitted with an optimal prop, and a brand new Radar Senate Alloy, which is *da BOMB* compared to what we cut our teeth on. We share this ski. My being a chick means I am at the lightest end of the weight range appropriate for it, while he is at the heavier end. We opted for a boot binding for the front foot, and a semi-boot for the back. (We are both RFF.) He wears the bindings at their loosest, and I wear them almost at their tightest. We both love these bindings, and agree that they greatly enhance our performance. The ski feels more like an extension of my body, as opposed to something I have to "manage" with constant micro-adjustments to my foot's position, as has been my experience with velcro and slip on bindings. The support provided to my foot and ankle is wonderful. I am cutting harder and with more control than ever before, but it occurred to me this evening as I struggled to remove the ski from my foot after 2 good runs that it might not come off when I crash. (Ahem. I am still at a level where if I cut too hard to try to clear a buoy, I wipe out spectacularly. It is not a matter of "if", but "when", lol) :) So here is a newbish question... Am I being paranoid to think that all of that wonderful, snug support comes at the cost of the ski not releasing during a wipeout, thereby potentially maiming me for life? Is my ski going to come off due to the bungee cord attachment system? Should I be using a product to keep it slippery? I used a bit of camp soap for my second and third runs- but I frankly do not want my foot to slide around in there... that would defeat the whole purpose of a boot binding! We currently take the slalom course at 30 mph. (And the worst part is that even if y'all tell me "Why yes. You probably *will* break a leg if you crash in the slalom course at this speed with a boot binding"- I'll probably stick with it anyway, and just try to "be careful". It really is that much better.) Thanks