ktm300

I can't say that crunches are bad. Just be mindful that they can shorten RA. Despite the "6 pack" look of it, that is one muscle group. Planks and other stabilizing exercises are better. There are even body builders who do not do any crunches.

 

One exercise that proved very helpful was walking with a 50lb weight in one hand hanging free by your side. Go till you are certain that you cannot hold that weight another second and then go some more. Switch hands and start again. Great for grip, lateral stabilization, traps, elongating those muscles that take the load from the boat. Of course, this assumes that your back healed enough to do this without pain.

I've posted the below several times. Might be something you already know but, I didn't until I had to learn to heal my back. I had a herniation at L5 S1 and healed it without surgery. Walk ... a lot and every day. Sounds too simple but walking is great for our backs. When I started, my left leg would drag behind slightly when walking. It got better every mile and every day and every week. Mile one I would hobble along...by mile three I was noticeably better. Inactivity is the worst possible thing to do.

 

Train your core to be the strongest link. You do not want your arms and upper body to be stronger than your core. Work on thoracic spine and hip mobility through the winter.

 

* Crunches shorten the rectus abdominus.

* The lumbar spine has only 3 degrees max rotation per segment while the thoracic spine has up to 7 degrees rotation per segment.

* Shoulders that round forward or have some C shape to them, greatly limit thoracic rotation.

 

The shortening of rectus abdominus can lead to the C shaped shoulders to some extent. When RA shortens, it flattens the lordotic curve in the low back which greatly weakens it as so much strength derives from the structure of the curve. If the shoulders are rounded and greatly limiting thoracic rotation, then the rotational limits are exceeded in the low back. The low back is now flatter, weaker and subjected to rotational forces that exceed natural limits. If we add to this a lack of hip mobility and short hamstrings the low back is doomed. The rotation is to be derived from the hips and thoracic spine not lumbar.

The lumbar spine needs to be trained for stability not movement. Planks, side planks, walking while carrying one kettlebell overhead etc. can provide superior core training.

@slalom frog There is much misinformation about BHR. Most surgeons do not do it and do not know how to to do it. After researching it, I decided it was the superior option for me. I sought out Dr. Thomas Gross in Columbia SC. Wow what a positive experience. His site explains the procedure very well. http://www.grossortho.com/about-us/thomas-gross

Tom, I had BHR on Oct 7, 2019 by Dr. Thomas Gross in Columbia SC. Started skiing some in May this year. I now have zero limitations and often forget that I had the hip done. Dr. Gross' website is really informative; might want to check it out.

 

I took opiate pain meds for one day to cover the ride home. Thereafter, only Tylenol. Pain was tolerable.

 

The worst part of the whole thing was after surgery when the nurse said that if I didn't pee in the next 20 minutes, I was getting a catheter. I stayed in the bathroom 21 minutes trying my best to squeeze out a drop. I even prayed...to no avail. Fortunately, I was still high on the pre surgical cocktail.

 

@liquid d had his hip done and won Nationals following year. He was kind enough to discuss it with me and his positive vibe really helped me embrace moving ahead with it.

 

 

"Method" is such a better and more marketable name than the original "Oui Weave"

@MISkier I think you are brave for posting the video and seeking help. Brave is cool and helps in slalom.

 

You can correct this fast and easy. Don't think of it as changing/overcoming a bad habit. Think of it as learning a new one. Nobody is leaning against a loose rope. Most bring their hands in some (or a lot) at the finish at various times. However, once they make contact with the boat (line comes tight), arms are down/ straight.

 

Aside from the physics of centripetal acceleration as described by the Adams, allowing the boat to move ahead a bit at the turn in also creates a tighter line, a more secure line, a line you can lean against. Hearing it expressed different ways helps because one of them will make sense to you. I like the way "patience" is described in the video below. Make the turn, set the angle and wait, wait for the boat to take you across. Don't try to get moving across because if you do this too quickly you will create a loose line. Receive the load, don't create it. Now, you are the rock on the end of the string and you will zing. The audio isn't good in the video but you can make it out.

 

Treat yourself to some pro coaching. You'll love it and feel empowered and renewed. If you can free ski some, do the lean drill out beside the boat, see how far you can ride down the lake in that position with your arms straight. Next ride out, do the same drill with your arms pulled in; it's exhausting. So, if you can run buoys with your arms pulled in, you can damn sure run em with your arms straight cause it is so much easier.

 

Awesome!

The variability of the customer/skier is off the charts complex regards their respective use of the product. The variability of say iphone users is also complex but not so much with regard to the use of the product. Seems the product/ski better have enough adjustable parameters to meet the variability of the customers. I love to see the innovation; a few of the new ideas will actually work. One example that comes to mind is the flex tail. Mine would leave the water at apex of one ball; my daughter loved it and skied great on it.

Wow. Glad you're okay.

I love that blue metalflake!

@skier2788 You misheard it; quality of audio and video ain't great. It's 36 mph.

 

Not sure of year but I think that is either a Monza or a Jobe MPD. He skied on both so somewhere in that era. I do remember that he ran a depth of 2.59 and way forward on a Monza.

 

He's 5'7". Awesome skier.

 

Still one of the best out there. I keep coming back to this over the years

 

@bsmith Offside I'm good. I'm RFF. Onside I sometimes leave my ass behind me (well, maybe more than just sometimes). I knew straight did not mean straight as I've never seen anybody ski with my definition of straight and have seen some mighty fine skiers with considerable knee bend. Right or wrong, I think the knee bend out of my onside is a means to modulate speed. So far, when I do a really good job of keeping my hips over my feet and not giving an inch to the boat out of onside, I'm going so fast into offside that I can't control it and make a timely turn. Bending my knees out of onside and giving in some seems to be a way to keep the angle without excess speed. That begs the question of whether I am taking too much angle out of onside....hmm?

 

That would lead me to my next big dummy question which is if "there is no such thing as too much speed; just poor direction" why do all skiers have that big honking wing on their ski?

 

One of the best skiers in my state used to tell me to go around the orange ones. While in the water, driver asked about his settings; he said "I don't care about that shit let's go". There is the thinking man and then there is the overthinking man. I tend toward the latter category.

 

I have a ski buddy who taught himself to run 38 and runs it in tournaments. He skied a lot; a whole lot. While he is very smart, he tended toward the "go around the orange ones" approach. I have never run 38.

 

The greatest revelation from Caldwell and Cord to me, is the recognition that we have to be in time with the boat. Can't be outrunning it at apex and expect a tight line. Without the tight line, we ain't going anywhere.

In my mind I'm just going to think of it as not yielding to the load.

 

The semantics can be confusing; at least to me. The video is easier to understand. Reminds me of the common advice to a new skier learning to get up that they should "lean back". That is false. We don't want them to lean back we just want them to resist the pull of the boat so that they don't get pulled forward. I tell them to freeze and not let the boat pull them forward; resist. Is that "leaning back"? For some people, apparently so.

 

My attempts at skiing with "straight" legs are down right funny and pitiful. Slight+ knee bend; can do.

 

As to experimentation, I am afraid to try 41...I'll just watch you do it...and continue to be awed.

Thanks so much.

 

When I watch the video of Nate, I see bent knees. Not compressing but bent; not straight. Back leg definitely not "straight". I've been reading things too literally...

 

 

@adamhcaldwell What is your definition of "compressed"? Can knees be bent and not "compressed"? Very rarely have I ever seen a skier whose legs are "straight" white water to white water so long as the definition of "straight" means not bent at all. Hard to describe the physical with words...

 

For myself only, I cannot ski with my legs straight...just cannot do it. @twhisper 's point about the load/unload and extra lean/recovering from lean dynamic with straight legs matches what I feel when I ski. Only way to leverage is to lean way over. Why do you disagree with this (if you do)?

 

Why is it not a legitimate part of the conversation to point out skiers who go deep or better 41 with bent legs? The retort is usually something like "well... you're not so and so.." No shit. I ain't Adam Caldwell either. Both comments are non sequiturs.

 

I'm really not seeking validation for my bent knees. I'm just trying to understand what is meant by "straight" and why that is an imperative. And, further, why so very few top level skiers ski with "straight" legs. (or if they are, they are doing so clandestinely and covering it by posting video of running some seriously short lines with bent knees)

 

While I'm asking, another issue where the language is failing me is the notion that the front of the ski should be in the water everywhere. Every video I watch of top skiers, no more than the back third is in the water through the back of the boat if that.

 

Thanks for your continued enlightenment. Much appreciated. Nothing in my email is intended to be snarky; these are questions on which I would love to hear your opinion. You've become our teaching and understanding leader.

 

It is so nice that they still cater to our needs. A business case could be made for ditching us and filling all production slots with wakeboard boats. Many dealers have no interest in selling dedicated ski boats.

 

My ski partner gets a new MC each year (promo). When the new engine came out in '20, I wondered if the ZO would jive with it or if it would take some time to iron/figure out. It is awesome and it is apparent that time was spent to make it so. The '19 was the best feeling boat I have ever skied behind; not an accident. Of course time will tell but these latest changes indicate that they are really trying very hard to please us. I am grateful. Their efforts will require the others to compete and will make the other two boats better as well.

 

 

On drive to the lake I listened to this. Liked the part about not murdering the skier to stay in the center. Got to Lake, drove first set. For the first time ever, I neglected to turn ZO on. The screen was up and all parameters set just not ON. 38.5 at the gate... Fortunately skier has a sense of humor and a forgiving nature...

While typing my post above, @adamhcaldwell was posting his most excellent post about the reasons why straighter legs work better than bent. No snark; just legitimate, fact based explanation. More please...

@adamhcaldwell Post the link and I'll sign up immediately. Happy to pay for good information.

 

Speaking for myself only, I don't dig some of the snark that comes into technique discussions and I really appreciate the fact that you and Cord are patient and respectful in describing your ideas. I have read every word ever posted on the internet by every top level skier or coach for the past 20 yrs. I could make a list as long as your leg. I have had coaching from some really great and well known coaches. Spent lots of $$. For me, this leads to perpetual confusion. These various well meaning and successful people are NOT saying the same thing in a different way. There are fundamental differences of approach.

 

One small representative example: Coach 1: Be moving slightly faster than the boat at turn in; hide from the speed control; turn from wide. Coach 2: Allow the boat to move ahead before moving in (slower than the boat); don't turn but lead with your body and let the ski catch up and find its own angle. One handed gate; two handed gate blah, blah ...

 

Skier came up to my daughter at a tournament and complimented her on her great knee bend. No shit. At the time he was the #1 ranked Mens 3 skier. He skied with lots of knee bend. Try squaring that with those advocating riding around with your back leg straight. We're not confused because we're stupid. We're confused because everybody tells us stuff that does not square.

 

By my interpretation of the comments by some posters, there are skiers that run 39, mid 41 that are doing it "wrong". Yeah...

 

The holy grail would be to have a round table discussion with top coaches and skiers. Given the disparate advice I have been given, it occurs to me that these folks must never talk to one another.

 

Hence the 16 hours to explain away old information and only 1 hour to explain the new. It takes 16 hours cause many of us erroneously thought that by listening to every "authority" that spoke about proper technique and theory that we could really figure this stuff out.

 

The Adams are really good teachers and I hope they keep on sharing what they have learned.

@adamhcaldwell Live webcast...speak once reach millions...well, hundreds...

Lest my eyes or the camera deceive me, Mapple looks like he is maybe 55 degrees up on the boat in the glide. Have always had in my mind his no gate 39 that was in the VHS he published. Especially when coached that I must be way up on the boat in the glide 75 degrees plus. Apparently, glide height ain't everything.

Willing to share your thoughts about one handed gate v two? Pros/cons as you see it. Thanks

In federal court, trials are called slow pleas. I know nothing of the facts of this case, but I do know that if the feds want you, you're likely toast. If the feds ever come to speak to you, you are a fool to utter anything other than "I want my lawyer"

 

Every citizen should visit a prison. I doubt most would be so cock sure about incarcerating people for lower level crimes. There are over 4000 federal criminal statutes plus all of the various state and subdivisions statutes.

 

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/11/only-2-of-federal-criminal-defendants-go-to-trial-and-most-who-do-are-found-guilty/

This is a mighty fine ski. "Buy high sell low..."

 

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Slalom&postid=50044