Director Darwin

ski6jones: The lake aside, are their covenants and restrictions regarding the construction of homes in your community? Minimum square footages? Material restrictions?  Limits on roof pitches?  Rules that prohibit the storage of inoperable vehicles in the yard?  Those types of restrictions create exclusivity. Exclusivity insures property values remain static or increase. I wouldn't construed that as "bad". Just as with your home, you want the lake to remain viable for its designed use and not decrease in value. I can't site an instance where an I/O was run on my lake because it is not allowed but there are nightmares around the country with regard to wakeboard boats eroding shorelines and creating a bathtub out of what was once a nice slalom site. The repair costs to drain a lake, dredge the silt and re-do the shorelines can be many times what the original construction costs were. I spoke to many lake owners who were dealing with this issue when building my lake. That's the main reason for installing the rules and regulations I did. If you don't agree or want a different environment for yourself, then put your capital at risk and build your own. That's what I did. And by doing so, I have the right to restrict any acitivity I deem necessary.

Hey now - Louisiana WAS corrupt - Illinois passed us a long time ago - besides, we've got a straight shooter in the governor's office now. Louisiana has some of the toughest ethics laws on the books. If we could give New Orleans to another state (what about it, Mississippi?), we'd be squeaky clean.

My development has the same restriction. The reasons I put those rules in place are: 1. The size of the lake requires that a boat have certain performance characteristics (acceleration, turning ability) that are critiqued by USAWS. 2. Insurance - our provider is linked to USAWS so therefore boats used must be approved by USAWS 3. This rule prevents someone from dropping a 28ft Sea Ray in the lake to pull their kids on a tube. Also, I would recommend some language regarding "ballast" systems in boats - large wakes tear up shorelines. Slalom and trick do enough damage without the addition of weight. In the end, you're living on a tournament lake - why have boats on the lake that were not designed to operate in that environment?ÂÂ

I would add: Bad driving can impact skiing more than bad form.

A Cottonwood member is building custom water ski flex testers. He is a tool and die maker by trade and builds an outstanding product. It is heavy duty unit utilizing all aluminum and stainless steel construction. Includes a 330 lb. digital scale with .2lb increments. Operates on 110 or 9 volt battery. 1 inch travel dial indicator with .001 inch graduation. I've attached a picture for review. He is selling the complete unit for $550. A ski club discount is available. Contact him for details: teammalibu2000@yahoo.com http://www.lakesatcottonwood.com/Flex%20Tester.JPG

Oldskeer - actually, I was commenting on Eric Lee's remark about the trick wake on a '97 SN but you're right, slalom skiers don't care! Merry X-mas to you.

John - belated happy b-day. Remember - you're only young once but you can be immature your entire life. P.S. I'll let you know what's coming - I've got a 7 year head start on you.

Pulse Live DVD - the BEST concert film EVER (I have the blinking Pulse CD case also). Saw this show in New Orleans Superdome in '94 - Division Bell Tour - it was unbelieveable in person!

Sounds similar to what I use mine for. Not sure the wattage but use two channels. You can find a small, portable PA for under $300 on e-bay or seaching some sites.

How big is the area you want to project to? E-bay has some pretty good deals. Google "PA Systems" and you'll find some good choices under $300. I bought one 4 years ago for the same purpose. Plug my I-pod in and go. Have used it at other events as well.

So - how did that M2 at Regionals work out for ya, scoke? Figured you'd be jumpin' on this boat!

Dawg - I'm down w/ the beer makin' - or at least I'll help you consume it!

John - I think your problems are societal and not psychological. You need to get out of the (water ski) house and expand your interests. You'll be a happier and more well-rounded individual. Take up golf or tennis or any other outdoor activity that can replace the time you used to spend skiing. I have done that with mountain biking. Some of my biking partners are skiers, some are not. But we all enjoy each other's company. We are not competitive racers - just "trail riders". You must NOT always equate activity w/ accomplishment. There is no need to compete in everything you do. Just enjoy the activity for its social aspects and health benefits - nothing more.

Basically what I was attempting to convey. I'm coming off a week's vacation and college football overload - not thinking clearly.

John - good thoughts! The reason I stayed on Goode's so long (until this year) was each time I jumped on another brand, I would work hard to get to the same level I was on whatever Goode I was riding. Upon reaching that level, I would jump back on my Goode and find that I skied much better. I think having a ski in the garage that is possibly harder to ski on - challenges you technically - is not such a bad idea. It will make you a better skier and make those tough passes come easier when you transition back to your normal ride.

"Remi said the wide ski is the best thing I never ski !" What? It's so funny to read reviews by folks whose first language is not English. The reviews are incredibly hard to decipher. Also, one of the skiers pictured is skiing on a Fisher - funny!

'dawg has a 67.25 that I plan to try in the spring - don't think I'll get to 180 - haven't been there since college.

Yes, that's the place - that's what I SHOULD have done - I wouldn't be so beat-up today! Actually, went and rode two laps (10 miles) again yesterday. I'm determined to keep the weight down this winter.

Toughest thing I've ever done - PERIOD! Thanks 'dawg for hooking me up.

1..Would O'Brien consider sponsoring some 34mph Big Dawg skiers as opposed to/in addition to professional skiers? Or, would O'Brien consider putting product with specific 34mph skiers at a discount to get their product greater exposure with that group of skiers? 2. How does input from their sponsored skiers eventually find its way into the designs of their skis? How do competitive products affect their design- are they analyzed and tested by O'brien personnel / skiers?

The graphics are WAY TOO busy - again - the demographic is NOT 18-25. They have NO MONEY! If they would come out w/ a vest that resembles the RS-1 ski, it would sell.

MS - just do what I do - mute it and turn on some Floyd - Pulse preferably. Live "Dark Side" is great with some skiing footage.

Try Bennett's (www.skibennetts.com). They are 40% less than Remi (reflexworld.com). You must remember, Remi and Reflex and mutually exclusive. Bennett's doesn't hammer you on shipping charges also.

It will be interesting to see if they make a dent in the US market. Their boot systems are top-notch and hold up very well. If their skis are built with the same level of quality, they should be successful. I assume they will fill the vacuum left by Fischer in the European market to start.

It may be November but there is LOTS of buzz about the new skis and some are making decisions now about what to ride next year. I'm happy w/ my ski but I know four others that are about to bite the bullet for something new. Information is power - lack of information is a recipe for failure.