Rednucleus

I think access and desire are far more important than finances. I started skiing with my best bud 1st summer out of college in 1977 becuase he bought a boat and "we are going to learn to ski". We skied almost every day for 4 summers, and progressed from a 50 hp 16 foot "Green Hemorrhoid" to a fun 460hp jet boat on out "high end Jobes". Then married, job, kids etc - maybe skied 3-4 times every summer for the next 15 yrs. Moved back closer to best friend and started skiing more frequently. He hooked me on the INT tourneys and after skiing behind a tournement boat, I hhad to have one. Fast forward, sold the boat, didn't use it enough, but now a member at Hilltop and ski every weekend year round. At 65 I ski as much as I did 40 years ago, and am blessed to still be skiing with my best friend. I believe my desire to ski keeps me "young and fit". I justify the expense becuase I don't have to maintain a boat, and my wife believes it better for me than seeing a shrink!!

As a veterinarian, I try to "follow the science" - as stated in the article below, there are no studies that show eating collagen is effective. The intestinal tract breaks it down and absorbs the amino acid components. I suppose if you eat a crappy diet and don't live a healthy lifestyle, collagen supplements may be of benefit, but just like glucosamine/chondroitin, these things don't magically get absorbed thru your gut in their original form and then go to your aching joints. You get the same amino acids eating a healthy diet. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen As stated at the bottom of the article: "In the meantime, you can always help your body make collagen naturally by eating a well-balanced diet full of healthy foods. A well-balanced diet includes chicken, beef, fish, dairy, eggs, beans, leafy greens, other vegetables, whole grains and citrus fruits. To improve damage to the collagen in your skin, don’t smoke, avoid second-hand smoke and wear sunscreen every day."

My Sanger had the same stuff; it did not have adhesive, freely slid back & forth in the channel and seemed to shrink in length as it aged

https://www.go2marine.com/showa-282-temres-gloves These gloves are waterproof and warm. The only down side is the nylon cuff will let water in - if you drop & keep hands up they work well. I am modifying mine replacing the cuff with a dry suit seal - will post pics when done. They look bulky but have decent grip and are durable. They size small; I have both a L and XL and the XL fingers fit me better. The above page is about $10 less than othe sites. Reading about them ice climbers really like them.

@boscoman how cold can you go in your current setup and be comfortable? I tried my 3/4 stokes under my O'Neill 4/3 and felt I couldn't move freely to ski.

Thought I would resurrect this thread. What a difference 2 weeks makes! HT was iced over for over a week less than 2 wks ago. This week we had days & nights in the 50's, lots of rain. It was 103 today!! 55 air, 48 water. Was able to take two sets w/o getting cold. Come on spring!! Ski you all next weekend.

I would like to see a vid of a skier interacting with this design in the course

@Hortonuhh oh, is that AI/robot crap I see two posts up??

Good one for @RichardDoaneto go look at. Bet he could get it for much less than asking price and make it nice again - in his spare time!!

@S1PittsI will verify that when I see her at Curlew!!

A refreshing watch after having the last week of snow/ice/cold here

... you wish the glassy sewage lagoon along I-5 had a course down the middle

Don't think I would want to see that javelin coming back at me in the boat!

I agree with @skialex even a couple sets a month in winter keeps my ski muscle memory from disappearing and helps keep me in "ski shape" as the weather warms in April-May and I ski more often.

Well, no HT ski this weekend, we have dipped below the 50 degree limit - air 7, water under 40 - hope to get back at it next weekend. Time for indoor chores I guess. Amazingly, we still have hummingbirds visiting our feeders - guess they tolerate the cold better than me!

That handle would kill someone just tossing it off the dock!!

@CamYikes, no gloves! My fingers would have been numb by the time the boat was up to speed!!

My HO CX Superlite (2017) is the easiest I have ever used. Starts pop right up with a dry face - very nice in winter; easy ski on the body. I assume the Omnis are similar

Had a great turnout at Hilltop today - over a dozen skiers - here's a couple dock pics

If it ain't frozen, go skiing!!

@Mastercrafter Need that awesome button - you broke the 70 degree rule!!

Excited for the 5th annual Hilltop coffee/donut/ski. Weather shoud be high 80's tomorrow (water up to 46 today) - expecting 12+ skiers. Happy New Year ballers!! Red

@Gale KStupid orange ball thingys!!

Interested to see if the Adams comment - I always enjoy seeing @AdamCordshow up with his latest modification.

@Horton Polar Bears in CA - waiting for pics!!