mfjaegersr

Simply astounding.

Andy’s 33 Majors vs 35 between BLP, Smith, and Will.

Different to be sure, yet an example of successful entries into two established boat markets: Pavati splashed onto the aluminum drift boat scene with the first drifter ever to include doors; and pivoted in 2007 to add Uber-high end custom surf barges…their first tank for 2024 lists at….(drum roll, and smelling salts ready)

$505,550

‘Modern’ skis only? Seems a Jobe Carbon V qualifies as Odd ball. 

@Horton Politics are ok so long as?

a) they’re thinly veiled 

b)it’s your buddy

c) you agree with the statement 

or does it have be

d) all of the above? 

The Cult-mentality-soaked commentary otherwise seems counter to the environment you claim to foster here. 

@savaiusini 

I had a good experience with the HO demo program, a few years ago. 

Are you looking for access to a course and/or private lake in particular, and/or free-skiing?

4 privates within an hour of the Pearl. ..3 in Washington. Make that 5 total. One is for sale…$8mil.  I just learned it existed, and I’m a Native!

Welcome to Portland BTW.

“this is just pure greed.”

Maybe. Perhaps on par with $200 for a fancy 5 feet of rope and handle.

WaterSki mag boat test lists from 1993 and 2005, for comparison:

@HortonWill you rent a mini-van or Suburban in order to haul that thing around in FL? 

If only I earned a dollar for every bloomin’ time the announcers said ‘put your hands together…’ I could buy a lake. Ugh.

RykersEllisAlcatrazAnd that S&G classic: Iamarockiaman

Andy MappleAndrew ‘Todd’ RistorcelliAndrew Beazley

Treasure?

Today’s set was the last for us, geographically 3 hours due south of @Rednucleus; and I nudged the PB I’d set on Tuesday - hooray!

A nice bit of motivation to finish the year and to re-up on the fitness commit this off-season. ?

(Or is that a Turkey leg?! ?)

@jimbrake Brilliant! ?

‘Are you ‘small’?

Not sure what your goal or budget is; I’d bet you could have some fun with Hydro Dipping options, either DIY (hardshells; ski might be tough for a non-pro) or have it done ($150-300 for a ski):

https://www.liquidconcepts.com/Blog/detail/what-to-expect-for-hydro-dipping-prices

I noticed:

Regina’s yellow champions’ bib said ‘Undefeated’ on the back. Priceless.

A new prominent, household-name sponsor*, which should be a positive indicator for wider audience acceptance/appeal? (*Logitech; I know a few former colleagues still there).

I use Blue Superfeet insoles inside Reflex front and R style liners - yuge improvement.

https://www.amazon.com/Superfeet-Professional-Grade-Medium-Thickness-Arch/dp/B0011YC2J6/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=1O04UQED7QEA9&keywords=super+feet&qid=1650460719&sprefix=super+feet+%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-8

My path appears to be the most uncommon, yet most conventional? I started at 6 on my step-dad's lap though growing up I didn't get to ski more than a handful of times per summer. Bought my first boat right out of HS and yanked that thing all over the river for a couple summers. In 1984, it must've been via WaterSki mag that I found AWSA, whom in turn provided a list of 'local' clubs I could contact to find 'help', you know, people with a similar 'issue'. So - I wrote a letter - GASP! And I got one back, which led to a phone call. I joined the club and skied there two seasons, mostly with a kid about to graduate HS (and a great skier) - MMC! We went to a handful of tournaments together, including my first at Crescent Bar, WA - 2nd place in Novice. I moved across country in '87 and bought my first Nautique while living in Atlanta. Skied a tournament in Chattanooga in '88 (3rd in Novice). Resumed free skiing like a madman, no bouys, again from then until 2016 - see below.

A couple of 'small world' bits to bring it full circle:

I moved back to Portland, got married, and bought our first house in 1995. Went to the Boat Show that year and reconnected with MMC - and learned that we now lived about 200 yards apart! In 2001, we moved our family out to Banks, a mere 3 miles from the lake where it started...yet I never skied there and MMC and I lost touch again...until 2016 when we reconnected at Warman Lake. Looking forward to starting the season there soon...and this MAY be the year I finally enter another tournament too... :-)

Between all the various podcasts, Flowpoint interviews and other videos, the series Matt Rini did ‘recently’ with the top men slalomers, and more…there’s plenty of content being generated to pull from. TWBC likely just needs a lot of TMH* to aggregate, edit and integrate.. .

*Time, Money, Humans