jeidmann

Mostly tore my distal bicep tendon last summer, holding on to a slack yank trying to get through the pass, like we all do (thought it was a muscle strain/tear at the time and wrapped a neoprene brace around it to get me through the season). Finished the tear off this winter ski racing and subsequently had surgery in February. Great surgery, recovery has been ahead of schedule, lots of PT, but my doc wants me to wait until August to start skiing (actually, he doesn't want me skiing at all). I bought a Goode Power Vest this week with the hopes of free skiing and lengthening the straps as I build strength throughout the season. Might even start running the course and compete in a few tournaments depending on how well my bicep responds. Just wondering if there are any of you who have done the same and your thoughts on using the power vest. Cheers!

Bruce, a big factor for me in considering the dual lock was talking to Todd Kuykendall, he's been very happy with it. I would definitely prefer screwing down the plate to having this happen again. I previously was using Radar boots and wore them so snug I never came out of them and didn't have any injuries. I've looked at the MOB, could still result in a pre-release if not adjusted tight enough, I'll look again. What setup do you use?

Horton, I'm glad I could return the favor and be a source of entertainment... ; )

Forgot to mention....video is linked at the bottom of the post.

First set second day of the season, scraping off some rust at 34/22, I had an equipment failure with the Dual Lock yesterday morning. My neck is a little stiff but it could have been a worse. The wake is pretty hard on this old Malibu and the water was 65 degrees. I really like the double boots, but this has been my biggest reservation about the using the Goode double boot setup - a dual lock pre-release. I’ve watched and followed Dave Miller’s video on setting up and mounting the plate and I’m meticulous about checking my equipment before I ski. A Pro slalom friend recommended 3 or 4 strips of 400 tape across the front. I was wondering if any of you had any experience/advise on the setup ( I completely understand that, for liability reasons, whatever I do regarding the setup is my own responsibility…I’m just looking for insight.), I never want to pre-release like this again, I guess this is why some people resort to screwing down their plate.

Anyone know the list or where I can find the list of the male skiers who've run 41 off in a tourney? Are we up to 14 now?

As a driver I like a 4' tube with a pvc insert simply because it's easier to center the rope to the stern. As far as recoil, here's the disclaimer from Masterline: Helps reduce rope recoil and provide some deflection in the case of an overloaded rope being snapped back into the boat. It is also great for protecting inboard motor boxes from rope wear too. It is important to note that no product can completely stop the recoil of rope from a fallen skier who has overloaded the line. There is always a certain degree of risk associated with towing a skier who can potentially overload the tow rope and cause recoil of both the rope and the handle. Also, this shock tube will not prevent the handle from recoiling into the boat in extreme cases. Could be why many manufacturers are calling them "engine box protectors".

When your Dr. tells you your 58 y/o degenerative back x-ray looks like a 70 y/o, and says you'd be better off finding another sport due to your chronic back pain and neuropathy, but you opt for an epidural injection, a back brace, lots of stretching, ibuprofen, chiropractic and massage, just so you can chase buoys.

3 of things: 1. a wider start will allow you to complete your pull on your turn in earlier (centerline-2nd wake) which will allow you to be wide and early for 1 ball (as opposed to a narrow start that will cause you to pull longer/later). 2. As you turn out of 1 ball don't reach for the handle, ski back to the handle then lean. 3. Turn your head to help turn your hips on your offside. Ideally your feet/knees/hips should lead but turning your head will help.

Specifically, the Reflex Supershell 6.0 is a wide cut hardshell.

Put some prize money or a new ski behind it and it will! ?

Years ago in the INT league there was a wide ride division. Skiers consistently skied at least a full pass better on a wide ride at a slower speed (down from 34mph to 26-28 mph). I would say, all things being equal, the wide ride will increase your buoy count, especially if you are punching in a higher weight class. I'd love to give the XTR CC wide ride a go, comparing it to my non-wide ride XTR CC.

@MZito what are you going with?

@skialex good point...it was lazy and temporary...it's adjusted now, thx.

@keithh2oskier I appreciate the feedback, what what the reason you changed to the Reflex/R-style? I like the Supershell but if it means having to re-learn how to ski the course, honestly, I'm not really up for that. The issue for me is less of "committing to my foot not falling out" and more of my lack of ability to control the ski out of the turn (compared to a double boot set up. I added a bungee strap and will give it another try and hope it works...if not I'm going to give the Goode double boot/Interloc a try. I'm curious, how many passes did it take for you to get back to your level of skiing pre R-Style?

@Lafaver I have NOT had that problem...as a point of reference I've got the intuition aqua liner.Not sure but perhaps your calf size may be a factor regarding how much velcro is available. I don't really get a sense the strap does much anyway.

[posed this in another thread but more pertinent here] I've been on a Radar with Vapor boots for a few years. Just got a Goode XTR CC and decided to go with the Reflex Supershell in the front, R-style in the rear. I really wanted it to work but I can barely get up on it and can't turn it worth a damn! This week I skied the course with the Vapor boots and ran deep into 35 off, next day tried the Reflex setup and couldn't run 22 off (and that was with the binding uncomfortably tight). I used to ski with an RTP as a kid but that was many years ago. Kinda wondering if there is something deficient in my skiing that I can't ski this R-style. The reason for the switch - I never release with the Vapors so I was looking for something that would provide that level of safety. In fairness, I've never gotten injured with the Vapors but I'm not getting any younger and figure it's a matter of time. I'd go with the double Goode setup but I have wide feet (D) so that won't work, and I don't want a high wrap because my foot will cramp. Thoughts?

Good discussion here. I've been on a Radar with Vapor boots for a few years. Just got a Goode XTR CC and decided to go with the Reflex Supershell in the front, R-style in the rear. I really wanted it to work but I can barely get up on it and can't turn it worth a damn! This week I skied the course with the Vapor boots and ran deep into 35 off, next day tried the Reflex setup and couldn't run 22 off (and that was with the binding uncomfortably tight). I used to ski with an RTP as a kid but that was many years ago. Kinda wondering if there is something deficient in my skiing that I can't ski this R-style. The reason for the switch - I never release with the Vapors so I was looking for something that would provide that level of safety. In fairness, I've never gotten injured with the Vapors but I'm not getting any younger and figure it's a matter of time. I'd go with the double Goode setup but I have wide feet (D) so that won't work, and I don't want a high wrap because my foot will cramp. Thoughts?

@BRY Thanks for the feedback Bruce, one point of note, in communication with Reflex, they said this: "The Supershell is a bit more flexible than the classic models." It's funny though, I put an RTP on my ski the other day and skied it for the first time in 25 years (in anticipation of the Reflex SS that was in the mail)...when I made an offside turn I fell right over like a noob! Felt like I was skiing on one (front) leg. Now I've got to consider the R-style back boot. Made me think though, is there something I'm doing style-wise that is deficient, or am I just not getting enough support out of the RTP? Honestly, I felt like there was nothing but a pad back there, there was no support whatsoever.

Thanks for everyone's input, figured I'd check back...I went with the Reflex Supershell 6.o and the intuition liner for several reasons... I have a D width foot and it appears to be the most accommodative, it's a softer flex than the classic, it appears to be waterski specific as opposed to the Edge/HO which looks like an adapted roller-skate boot, looks to be the highest quality build with the carbon toe piece, carbon U base, and carbon plate. Now...I'll report back after I've skied a half dozen sets on it.

@GaryJanzig curious, are LFF? What was the change you made to your fin settings and why?

@ScottScott Yes! I was thinking the same thing...a shoreline skier will tend to run the course taking a "lower" line in the course so turn/load is delayed. I've been skiing B2 myself for years. Paradoxically, with the A settings, I tend to over turn and the rope feels softer causing too much lean. I've been considering trying the C settings (1/2) to see what that feels like. Mechler is the athlete I am physiologically closest to and I like his skiing style, but at least at the Swiss, they didn't show his ZO setting.

@ALPJr Goode just came out with an XTR CC wide ride

@ScottScott and @LeonL, when I mention "where" I'm referring to the geographical location in the course. I recognize this is likely impossible to determine because it's actually dependent on "when" the skier applies an opposing force against the boat and the boat simply reacts is a scheduled manner. YMMV depending on many factors. I suppose, for me, it might be most useful to know the pro athlete's ZO settings, and then perhaps start with a setting based on the athlete I am closest in physiology and skiing style.