boarditup

This goes by state, but here in MI there is some case law that puts you in violation of several laws the regulate liquor licenses. The main culprit was college-age parties. A phone call to the county prosecutor would clear this up quickly.

I am done with USAWS other than being a host site. I will continue to host both INT and USAWS events, but participate in INT only. Willing to host Ballers Bash. John has final say on location, though.

Snowboard - sorta like slalom and I get to work on riding switch.

Hang on big, thick wood or plastic hangar (2" thick). Rinse off with clean water every use. Woolite for hand wash a couple of times a season. Rub bar of soap on the zipper a few times a year. Keep away from direct sunlight while drying and storage. Long term storage in plastic tub with Damp Rid.

Since it was over the length spec, it was $100 each way. My ski is a 69" and in the carrier, it is about 75" overall. It was a soaking that I did not want to take for just a couple of sets.

I thought about it. United wanted $100 each way and then having to deal with potential damage for just a set or two - it was not worth it. I thought they would have a fully equipped pro shop for rentals, but I was wrong. From a size perspective, I am in the top 4% of the US population, so I guess I cannot complain to much. I am non-standard for slalom skiers as well.

I called McCormicks but they did not have anything I could rent so ski on. The biggest binding was a large and the biggest ski was a 67. It would not even come close to my size 14 and 240 lbs. I guess most male slalom skiers weigh about 175 and have a size 8-10 foot.

I am in Tampa for a few days. Any Ballers in the Tampa area?

I never had an issue with getting AF into the block with a fake a lake. However, I do run the fake a lake off of the house hot water. If you have 40 degree water out of the hose, you may have that issue.

My routine is to get the motor up to operating temp on a garden hose. It then run through 6-gallons of RV anti-freeze and verify that nearly pure AF is coming out of the exhaust at high temp. I then drain the motor completely of AF and any residual rust in the lower block. I blow out the heater through the block and then re-fill with AF and blow out again. It does take 7 gallons of AF, it does take about an hour if you include fogging, cleaning the BFFA and throttle plate, and removing the impeller (fresh one in the spring). The result is a motor that has been flushed, has AF and the anti-corrosion properties of the PG (RV type) antifreeze fluid, and drained of all mass of liquids. Any remaining liquid is AF and will not damage the motor. This process has served me well and I copied it from my father. We have not had a failure since 1970.

I think that the stars are a great idea and that Horton can administer them with good judgement and skill. For example, I have never run -35, but have engineered a lake system, am a test site for Acme props and am know prop applications, am a decent mechanic and know how to fix/troubleshoot/maintain a boat, and have run INT and AWSA tournaments. In those fields, I can and do contribute well and have a few stars assigned for credibility. If I try to hone Nate Smith's skills....... If nothing else, it is a subject to talk about as I winterized the boat last night, the jump is out of the lake, and the course was put to bed. GVSU #4, Div 2!

They may post it on U-Tube, so you may get to see the action, but not in real time.

GVSU came in 4th in Division 2 their first time qualifying for Nationals. Congratulations team! Now, get ready for next year

Having used both Insta-Slalom and EZ-Slalom the best built and most durable is the EZ-slalom. Ed is a regular on this board and is great to work with - especially when you need a spare part to repair damage. Once in practice, we were able to install in about 20-minutes and recover in about 15-minutes.

Diagnosis: Pull plugs one by one. Inspect for evidence of excessive oil (black, slick) or water (white deposits) Perform compression test - all should be within 5-lbs of each other Harbor Freight has an inexpensive bore scope to inspect the cylinders. It is a good way to see the top of the piston and verify any scorching patterns on a suspect cylinder. If both previous tests are negative, then likely manifold gaskets need replacement. Exhaust manifolds are a wear item. They may also require replacement. You are about due. So if so, replace the entire assembly. If one or the other is positive, you likely either have a head gasket, valve, or cracked head - in that order.

Grand Valley State University from Allendale, MI, will be attending Nationals for the first time since the founding of the team just 7-years ago. The have accomplished this without a large dollar sponsor but with the support of the local water skiing community here in Western Michigan. They have put in countless hours on the water zipping past my house whenever there was daylight. If you don't have a home team in the competition, please lend your support to this upstart team and wish them success. http://www.gvsu.edu/studentlife/stuey/organization.htm?organizationId=2920C1F7-D644-C4E5-C15CBE072B7159A3

A loop in a rope is called a bight - pronounced bite. In the sea services we see gory videos of people who had a body part in a bight or in the line of fire when a rope parts.

Go to a toy store and pick up one of the spiny balls and you have a great prop to understand what I am considering. The spines would be enclosed air chambers, so the entire buoy does not sink if one is broken off.

Spines were something I think may have some potential. I have experimented with them and they are very safe and visible. The downside is they support marine growth and that changes things rapidly. So, they need to be cleaned and "fluffed" routinely. The rubber-band type material tends to lay down quickly in the sun. Air filled spines are better, but no production exists on sufficient length for a "regulation" buoy. It keeps the inflated bladder very small and just below the surface.

I am in Allendale and have one you can use. info@placidwaters.com

Just getting started, you are good. Show skiers and college jumpers use those a lot. As you gain technique, a triple-cut, and distance, you will want longer skis. Don't sweat it now. The main question is what to do with bindings that may have to be different sizes.

Yes, I have done it. You cannot drive the boat with a decent slalom skier pulling from the side in the course. The driver will be all over the place. The eyelet can be used and is strong enough, but for shortline, it will really wear out the rope. It is also higher than the usual pylon mount, so it feels just a bit different to the driver. If you are just free-skiing, it works well. In the course, take the pole down and ski conventionally. Of course, my sample size is one boat (MC), so you may experience something a bit different.

Global was the only one that covered my boat while in the course. I maxed out the policy limit. I then have a universal umbrella through my homeowners that does not have a sports exclusion.

www.crossfit.com Marcus Brown's girlfriend, Jenny LeBaw, just came in 4th at a competition. She can set you up with a program. Contact through Marcus Brown's website.

You want to be both strong and light. A body builder physique is of no help in waterskiing. P90X, Intensity, Crossfit, etc. all will help you build powerful, lean muscle without bulk. You need the entire body fit. Look at Nate, Chris, Regina, and April. Overall in great shape with incredible core strength. As for indoor rowing - excellent choice. However, if you don't have the rower, look at your gym and a low cable station and use that. Moderate weight, high reps (50-100) before failure.