ktm300

We thought it cool that we had beavers in our cove. Then the ******ers chewed up my floating boat lift tanks. After a brief investigation and a really quick trial, the verdict came down: death penalty.

I skied better on the D3.

@Nautibynature Some crunches are probably okay so long as you aren't doing so many that it begins to shorten rectus abdominus. However, there is really no need for them. The planks and other exercises you are doing are all your core needs. Push yourself on the planks to see how long you can hold them. Another good core exercise for skiers is the Palloff press. I have just found that the nerves firing to hold a plank for a long time is good stuff. Your whole body shaking trying to find efficiency and hold on a little longer. Everybody is different and has to find what works for them. I'm just sharing what I was led to after researching and experimenting with my L5 herniated disk.

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. * 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. @EFW I did write it. However, there is not an original thought in it. When I hurt my back, I researched a lot. Read two of the McGill books and lots of other info. The above is my distillation of the information into something hopefully useful and actionable by skiers. The absolute best at putting the info into an actionable format is Mike Robertson. Has a masters degree in biomechanics. Ignore the hokey marketing, the guy is really knowledgeable. Not promoting it; just citing it as my main source of what I believe to be great information. http://robertsontrainingsystems.com

The body's capacity to heal is amazing. You can definitely heal up and ski again. Forgive me if this is too elemental but, if you have not, pursue the best imaging option to determine specifically the degree of damage to the bone. Is it bi-lateral? A copy/paste about the limitations of various imaging techniques is below. IMHO, without the best imaging, one has to guess at the correct treatment protocol. Unfortunately, since a misdiagnosis of spondylolysis is often made, an early recognition of this entity is essential. A complicating factor in the early stages of the disease that leads to a misdiagnosis is the fact that plain radiographs, even with oblique films, may not be helpful at the stress fracture stage. Other imaging techniques, such as bone scan possibly with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or magnetic resonance image (MRI) should be used early in the diagnostic process. In the primary care setting, an early diagnosis of posterior element involvement related to low back pain either at the stage of pars stress fracture or early spondylolysis can prevent progression of the disease and obviate the need for an aggressive intervention of a more significant defect.

"You look like the wheel man fleeing from a liquor store robbery"

@Wish Glad I asked because I may have misinterpreted the GUT stuff I read. When I say "shot out of a cannon" I did not mean from a slow position or in a hole. I meant it in the same way a jumper can wait later to cut to the ramp in an effort to generate more speed as a result of the increased angle. Not slower at turn in; just later. That move in to the gate seems to vary a lot with skiers I have watched. One coached: be moving/start move inbound when the nose hits the gate (@34.2) Another one: wait till you start to panic and then go down the lake some more. I scared myself doing the latter but it definitely demonstrated that I could move a lot faster than I had been. I was missing the 2nd wake out skill set to handle it.

This is the very core of my continued confusion. Rotate hips back to handle, set angle (at the apex) and wait for the boat to create the tension or load? Or, carry as much speed through the turn as possible and ride the ski to the first wake and kinda blend into the load? Have been coached both, by very well known coaches, in the same month. I have watched from the boat someone run 39 where the gate shot started early and most definitely looked like nothing was happening until the first wake (blend). Have also watched 39 gate shot of another skier that waits way late to turn in; looks more like shot out of a cannon. The ride down the course for the former looked more blended in terms of speed and had a longer pull. The latter hauled ass and was done at the center-line. Both very respected skiers. Tomato, Tomatoe? If I have understood the Adams GUT material, they are advocating shot out of a cannon? A person of one methodology will say the other is wrong if they are coaching (or at least they said it to me). I'll leave it to them to say a methodology that runs 39 is wrong. I have a hard time seeing it that way. One thing that really stood out to me, was the Adams demonstrating that the faster we are at the center-line, the less load on the skier (double benefit). Because I pursued the flowy method for so long, I don't think I have learned what to do from the center-line out with the speed of the shot out of a cannon approach. Then there is Mapple's no gate 39? 38? to really muck up the discussion of what is "required" in terms of speed at the gate. Perhaps merely a demonstration of off the charts athletic ability. Another random bit is a current top skier who has run 41 said that he gets his best pull after the second wake. Not strongest pull but, best pull. Hmmm.

It's a long way to travel for us but, my daughter and I are going. Want to support this path. Sure it will be fun. Kinda sick and tired of the old way which turns something that is supposed to be fun into something that feels more like going to work.

Use all longer screws with open nuts. Tighten all down and use a dremel type tool with small cutting wheel to cut the extra screw length off. File them relatively smooth. Takes 1/5 the time than wrestling with the short screws and cap nuts. Also allows really tightening the horseshoes as much as you like as the screws are not limited by hitting the cap nut.

TravisNW I identify. Injury forced me to a different view of working out. Hiking with lots of elevation change is great. Strength, cardio, balance, proprioception and it is so enjoyable to be in the wide open spaces. There really is no crime in doing something enjoyable. Planks, planks and more planks of varying kinds. Offset (one arm) farmers carry is great core and creates strength with your arms straight. Also increases grip strength considerably and, as a result, I hold the handle "lighter" when skiing. My previous pulling exercises actually made it more difficult to ski with straight arms and I found my self pulling on the handle more. As stupid as it may sound, being weaker pulling wise and much stronger core wise made it easier to stay with the handle. Lifting heavy makes us heavier too. Sprint up a steep hill and walk to bottom; repeat. So different than the typical gym workouts I used to do but, for me, better in many ways. Report back when you start skiing to tell us how it goes with the new workout.

@BG1 Agreed. My first go with ZO was in an 08 MC TT. That boat roared. My first few times down the course pulling a skier, I thought that there was no way that could be right. Major rpm swings (made obvious by the Johnny Cash MC). However, it felt fine skiing behind it. Would be funny if after thousands of hours of conversation about ZO we ended up where we started.

Cracked ribs. Rotator Cuff surgery... so, the skiing didn't go anywhere. However, my daughter had something click toward the end of the season. She no longer needs encouragement from me, she is now hooked. Even when I was gimped up, was still going to the lake to ski my daughter. It is a beautiful setting. Dead quiet, see deer grazing on the dam, surrounded by trees...my blood pressure drops just being there. I was reminded by a friend's passing to slow it down and try to enjoy every moment. Way to easy to get distracted by things that, in the big picture, really don't matter.

In addition to ski setup, Jay is also a very good ski coach. In the same manner that he made sense of all of the seeming contradictions with ski setup, he can do the same with coaching. My own experience with get coaching from different but indisputably great skiers and coaches is that there are a ton of contradictions in the advice given. Maybe Jay will write another book on skiing technique or, better yet, a video.

Can't comment on the Radar boots. However, my daughter has used Wiley junior h/w. They make the horseshoe narrower than the regular bindings. She has used these from age 10 and is still on them at 16. You can just move the horseshoes apart and add new wraps as her foot grows.

Not skiing but, cool.

I love it when the good guys win. Congrats Brooks

@Bdecker As all of the comments above suggest, you will be fine. Every time I get hurt I first see the Dr. then talk to skiers. The skiers' prognoses are most always more positive and, so far, more accurate. The positive comments from other skiers have always been so helpful. Mindset is a huge part of the equation. I dislocated my left shoulder and skied six weeks to the day. Took a while longer to reach maximum recovery but, eventually all good. Good luck.

@liquid d What temp water are you skiing in and where do you have your boots? I thought I had my ski working well but, went from 90 to 100 degree water and it went nuts. Thanks

With close to stock fin settings on a 67, the ski was hard work, couldn't get up on boat in pull out. Moved the boots back and it took off, was fast and smooth. What were you feeling that made you want to go forward with the boots @Horton ? I was @ .745 2.450 6.940 7* Numbers Crawford sent with the ski. Thanks for sharing

@Horton Who chose the 67 v the 68 for you to ride; you or Connelly? Thanks

As @DanE pointed out, the head of the caliper sits in a different spot when measuring each side. The head is closer to the tail on the right than the left. The bottom of the ski flattens more toward the tail. This could account for some or all of the discrepancy. Use the needle of the caliper in the exact same spot for each side.

No reason that the Masters has to continue as "the most prestigious tournament". I enjoyed watching the Swiss Pro more than the Masters. Better webcast, better announcing, great conditions, site better set up for judging, most of the skiers live next door or thereabouts, and, could easily expand to include three event. Oh yeah, I liked the octocopter. While I have nothing whatsoever against wakeboarding, wakeskate, tubing or bass fishing, I just don't think any of them belong in the "most prestigious" water ski tournament. I still have not seen the slalom final for the Masters as the video hasn't been posted (I was out skiing myself whilst it was going on). Why not start a new tradition and call the Swiss tournament the "Galactic Spectacular" or some other over the top moniker; better than "mere" Masters. Make it three event only; top of the elite list; keep the last chance qualifier (nice drama); maybe run head to head for slalom... For inaugural year, spend almost all of the money attempting to guarantee a BS free internet connection and the best damned wi fi connection technologically possible. Make it the best ever webcast of any event ever in world history. Second year, charge $2.00 to view the webcast. Do not make any of the video available anywhere without charging a fee for it. Third year, charge more for the webcast/video; every paying customer is entered into drawing for something cool (how about a day of skiing with the winner of your favorite event); interviews with each of the athletes that gets into the personal side not just skiing...allow people to know them... create a connection...somebody to cheer for (ever noticed how every other sport on earth does this). All of the above is just rambling on my part and maybe none of the ideas are good. If not, what are some good ideas to make for a better waterski tournament experience for the skiers and the viewers?

How does it sync with and overlay the video? How accurate is the speed data? Unless I'm missing something, Cole is going 50mph at 1 ball (hey, nice turn). Horton 25mph at 2 ball. I am not just being a critic. I really hope this works and if it does, think it will be more useful than a thousand conversations about "carrying speed through the turns", fast this and slow that.

@skidawg and @markchilcutt Are you both still running the shorter deeper settings 2.465 6.940? Thanks