philkyle

I would love to chat on the phone. I moved to the Charlotte/Gastonia area a few years ago and can fill you in on what I have found. Send me a private message, and I can give you my phone number. I would love to figure out something... for you and me

I hope you find a method that is comfortable and easy to accomplish. I had an HRT for a set or two and decided to go back to the toe plate. I like the idea of the HRT, but for me I didn't like using one. Maybe I should have tried it a few more times, but I decided to just go back to what I know and like.

I moved down from Michigan to North Carolina in January. I skied Mystic Waters on Monday and got my first set in a few weeks ago!!

I wish I knew Jeff, Patty, and Whitney better, because Silver Spray does great work for the ski community on the east side. You are totally right. I feel like it is Jerry on the west and Jepawhit on the east who are leading the way to the big ski scene in Michigan. The crazy thing is though, there are SO many public lakes on the east side. They are all over the place. As far as the west side is concerned, there are only a few. Four or five that I can think of off the top of my head, and then one in the Northwestern part of Michigan.

Hi

I am going to in the near future. I just closed and moved into my house yesterday, so I had to buy a new bed, washer, dryer, and fridge. There are some purchases that need to come before my membership, but I'll certainly pay to join. Maybe I should clarify. I was talking more about the sales of waterski equipment in the shops around the area.

I appreciate all of your comments. I hope you all know the purpose of this discussion was to open up dialogue based on how much I love skiing and want to bring other passionate/new young professionals to the sport. It is a very passionate population of men and women no matter how small it is, so we should all work together to grow it instead of stay in our inclusive groups getting perfect water day after day week after week.

I am not trying to offend anyone, because I only started this thread because it worries me where the sport is going to pick up new members and new members who can afford it. If we are just going to say "in my opinion this limitation makes it impossible to grow the sport" then you are fine with the sport continuing to shrink, but I am not. Three companies make ski boats these days. What happens if that decreases to two and then one, and then none? This probably won't happen, but it is certainly something to think about and be concerned with. From the perspective of a 27 year old who was blessed to grew up skiing, skied during his first year of grad school, and ultimately changed his career path because of the fun he had waterskiing something needs to change. I think it should change sooner rather than later. Feel free to rip me a new one if you want because I don't expect this to go over well. Change is hard and scary, but something needs to change. The sport is never going to grow if it doesn't.

You guys don't seem to understand what I am saying. Of course there is a ski scene in NC. The ski scene is made up of people who are die hard skiers who ski in clubs on private lakes or the Lake Norman Ski Club, which I have already been invited to join. I have also been invited by people to ski on Wylie as well, but I don't know of a club on Wylie nor is course accessibility easy on Wylie because they are submersibles. These aren't the people I am concerned with. I read all the time on BOS of people whining and complaining about the ski scene shrinking. The reason why it isn't growing is because it is no where near as easy to get on a lake with a course or freeski compared to getting on a lake behind a surf boat. I understand there are WAY more surf boats owned by people compared to ski boats and way less lakes with courses on them. Surfing is also advertised much more than skiing and the gear is sold by every mom and pop shop in the country. If skiing and ski gear aren't being pushed then it will never grow beyond the community that knows about it now. It needs to be promoted fellow skiers, pushed by the shops, and opened for easier accessibility. By the way, I called Race City this week and was told they don't sell slalom skis-just combo skis.

I am not looking for gear, because I work in the industry and know reps. I was looking for advice on ways to grow the waterski community here and every where else. I couldn't believe ski gear is impossible to get in the shops. I know Action Water Sports and Silver Spray back in Michigan are big advocates of skiing in the state of Michigan. Is the reason why it is so easy to get ski gear up in Michigan because you've got dealers like those two who invest time and money into the ski community? Both of those company's owners have their own lakes and are great guys passionate about skiing.

I recently moved down to Charlotte, North Carolina. I came from Michigan where all the dealer pro shops sell wakeboards and wakesurf boards obviously, but also lots of waterskis (slalom skis). I recently bought a 2018 Radar Lithium Vapor and don't have hardware for my boot and RTP, so I was calling around the local dealer pro shops and couldn't find a shop that sells slalom skis, slalom ski boots, trick gear, and obviously hardware for ski boots/accessories/trick gear. The only ski gear I could find are beginner combo skis. Are there any ideas on how this could be changed? I can't believe where I come from in the North all the shops sells lots of slalom gear, even the higher end skis like the Vapors and Omni's. But down here in the South you couldn't find a slalom ski to save your life. There are quite a few private lakes in the area from what I have discovered, so are all these skiers getting their gear from ski it again, reps, or some other way? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

@chris_logan, I'd love to come ski with you guys as well. I am looking for advice on lakes around the area as well. Any advice you could give me or contacts you could encourage me to reach out to would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I know of a few spots that are probably a few hours away from you. If you move down and ever need a place to stay I finalize and move into my house in less than two weeks.

I'd love to get a little more information on how you guys do this. I have seen some slalom skiers do this. Is it specific to a certain type of RTP, or could it be done on any type?

 

I am new to Charlotte and would love to drive over and ski in the area. According to Google Maps it is only an hour and half drive to Greenville and one hour and 11 minute drive to Spartanburg. Feel free to message me, so I can give you my phone number if you ever want to ski! Thanks.

My name is Kyle. I started skiing the course and jumping in grad school. My team at Grand Valley State University qualified for nationals and I had the time of my life!! I have been looking for courses to ski ever since. I just moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. If anyone reads this and needs a driver, gas, and ski partner I hope you message me for my phone number. I have been learning all about the ski scene in NC and can't wait to get on the water.

I posted a question about ski lakes in Charlotte, North Carolina a month ago when I was gathering information about my move to Charlotte. Now that I know the area a little better after moving a week ago and having an offer accepted on a house in Mount Holly I can now clarify my question. If everything works out allowing me to close and move into my house I will be living in Mount Holly 15 minutes from Mountain Island Lake. I have read/heard there are two course on Mountain Island. If anybody knows more information about where these courses are and/or actually ski these lakes I'd love to start skiing with you. I would certainly bring gas and can drive the course pretty well. Thanks!!

Thanks Dave. Do you know anybody in the Lake Wylie area I could get in touch with? I want to be in the mid to southern part of Charlotte if possible which looks closer to the Lake Wylie area.

Are there any lakes with course on them in the Shopton area? Do you know of any places to live in the area of Shopton? I am looking for a house preferably, but could also do a town house/condo?

Hey Daveskinc, are you part of the Lake Norman Ski Club? Is the club on the North or South end of Lake Norman? Do you guys ski on public waters or private? I'd love to hear more about that! How early do you guys start skiing?

I am moving down to Charlotte. Is Lake Norman around there? I would love to join up with you guys to ski. Are there any ski lakes around the Charlotte area? If you want to get ahold of me send me a private message, so I can give you my phone number.

If I move down there I won't know anybody so I appreciate all your advice/help. I live in Traverse City, Michigan right now and there is a pretty vibrant ski community around town. There are a bunch of public lakes with courses on them, so I get to ski a few times a week before work (mostly on one lake because I know some rippers out there). If there is more for me to learn feel free to reach out. I could use all the help in the world! If I do more down to NC, I'd love to ski with any of you.

Do you live there now?

Thank you so much! I don't know much about the climate in NC, and since I am from Michigan the earliest you can ski is around March or April and the latest being around November depending on how enjoyable you want it to be. Is the skiing year round, or is it similar to Michigan?

I am from the Mitten state and considering moving to North Carolina. Are there any courses or ski lakes near either of those cities? If I move down I'd love to bring money for gas to help out. Thanks.