IGski

First off- I'm fairly new to this forum and amazed with the amount of information found here. I really can't comment on the "State of the Sport" specifically but I really don't think Boats and equipment are the problem at all....Lots of used stuff out there.... Access to good water and a slalom course/jump has always been my issue. Through my 20's & 30's I've had boats....Skied public waters, wakeboarded, etc... but without access to "good/private" water it only took me to be just a better than average Rec skier..... Water ski lakes are around but it was always tough to get in the clubs around where I live or they were private lakes with homes and no public access. So here I am at 49years old and can finally afford to have a lot on a nice ski lake. (skiing better than I have my whole life!) I often think about how much better I would of been if I had the water access needed for training when I was younger. And again... Just my 2 cents... Sincerely, "ski til I break myself again"

Leave raking and yard work.....due to a full summers worth of neglect to my yard...... @Horton you must be a rock climber then......

@Ridemx59 We ski 30-34mph -15/-22 behind our 2013 TXI. Wake is slightly bigger than older SN's but really not noticeable with a good hard pull. A 2017 should be better I would think.... Something does sound wrong.

@Fatroll We are on a small private lake. We have a very small finger that has no homes. All surfing is restricted to that area so it doesn't erode shores and swamp docks. Hopefully you can restrict where surfing takes place. As for wake enhancers- they are not allowed but there are people that still use them because we don't have a good way to enforce it. Just my opinion-If you try to ban something in particular it could backfire with people coming after things they don't like... - Slalom course.... etc. Luckily our lake has a skier mindset majority. This is a tough subject. - Good Luck

Where am I? What was the question again?

I agree with all the posts above. The connection between water, power, speed, and the accomplishment of nailing a pass is a real high for me..... However, At our club, this is my typical Sat/Sun morning and the real reason why I ski... Sitting early in the morning, staring at the water, drinking coffee.... Taking all of it in. Beautiful. Then my buddy walks up. SKI BUDDY: "You going to ski today?" ME: "Maybe.... check back in 1/2 hour." Ski BUDDY: 1/2 hour later - "You ready yet or what?" ME: "I don't know....I stayed up too late at the campfire last night. Not sure I'm up for skiing this morning." WIFE: "Get out there you P***Y" Me: Quietly walked away head down like a scolded pup to grab my ski to get out there.... After I skied: WIFE: So how did that feel? ME: Awesome! that's just what I needed! Had a PB today!! WIFE: "You are welcome" I had never heard that word out of my wife's mouth until that first time she used it to get me to ski. It worked! Haven't missed a set all summer! MY wife is WHY I SKI!! LOL... Then off to the campfire later to talk about our skiing with all the great people at our club and have a couple beers of course..... Here we go again!

I usually have to take 5-6 real short runs spaced out by a few days every spring until my feet aren't on fire anymore........ @swc5150 That would be called "tennishoein'" not "barefootin'" But I totally get it! Older we get... less chances we take.

@Horton sorry For my attempt at a little humor. Didn’t think anyone would take that serious. Great website though.

What’s wrong with a couple beers before you ski?? Not promoting it just saying. Jack and Cokes after!

Thanks for everyone’s input. I have a lot of options to think about and going to try to demo a couple.

@bracemaker I’ve never made it down to Liquid Edge yet. I’m going to give them a call to see what they have used to demo. Thanks.

@drew - Thanks but the D3 EVO price is out of my reach… @Chris Rossi Senate Pro sounds like a fit but again price. @Chef23 Thanks for input. Only looking to spend 700-800. And slap my current bindings on it. Just want to make sure the ski can continue to advance me for at least a couple more years and be consistent @ -28/32&34mph

I’m 6’-0” and hoping to stay under 215lbs. But I love an ice cold beer or 6 after a ski set so the weight is probably not changing much. Lol.

Shopping for a new ski. Just started skiing the course a few years ago. 49 yrs old - I weigh 215-220lbs. Riding a 69" Connelly F1X. I call it the "Fat Guy" ski. :) My PB was this year -22/32. Ran that a few times last month. Obviously still working on a lot of technic. All my ski buds say I am ready for a new ski and that my current ski is way to big for me. (But they all weigh much less than 200lbs) How do you guys feel about the manufacturers weight charts? When I look at next level skis, (Carbon V/Senate Lithium/Syndicate Omni) I will be riding a 69" based on the manufacturers charts. Or- do I jump up to top level skis? I know this will demand much better technic.....And Charts show a 68" length for me on those which I'm leaning towards.... My goal is to eventually run into -28/34 consistently and dream of -32/34. Looking for a used ski so that makes it a bit more difficult to try and demo. I would like to go to a ski school to try some but that is out of the picture for me this year. Thoughts?

@jercrane Thanks for input. I was kind of leaning away from the Syncs. I read they don’t release well. Anyone else have any input on the 2017 GT?

@McNerney I am 210lbs....would be more interested in a 68 Thanks though

Can't afford the new 2019 Connelly GTR :( Got my eye on a 2017 GT. Any difference in 2017 compared to 2018? Also- What's the feedback on the Sync Bindings?