Chuck_Dickey

Phase 3 Split the tail piece and attached the factory molded corners to the shortened ski with JB weld and once dry, filled the center and bottom with marine epoxy putty. Sanded smooth and ready for paint. Fin box should get mounted Friday. http://ballofspray.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=870&fullsize=1 http://ballofspray.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=871&fullsize=1 http://ballofspray.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=872&fullsize=1 http://ballofspray.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=869&fullsize=1

Project progress - Phase 2 Cut off 4.5" of the tail, then cut the last 0.5" of the molded tail off the trim piece, then split that 0.5" piece in order to make the tail corner pieces. JB welded to the ski. Once dry, I'll add epoxy putty to fill the gapsmooth everything out and finish out the fin slot. http://ballofspray.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=867&fullsize=1

 Got balls? New 65" MPD cut down to a 61" !!! Phase 1 - Sawzall off a 4.5" piece of tail - http://ballofspray.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=868&fullsize=1 Got the idea from Matt Rini, then saw his little 7 year old rippin it up on hers! Had to try it for my daughter Carly, she's 9 years old. This is phase 1 of the project, should have it completed by the weekend.

You are right on, John! Trigger at the gates then GPS. Also will work on a standard mag set up for ABT and GPS controlled the speed.

John, Remove yourself if you want. You are in charge. You may think yourself not qualified but I have seen you at junior development for severals years now. It takes a great coach to teach all those kids. You may not be qualified to coach a pro, but a lot of folks could benefit from your keen eye from the boat.

Not sure if this helps but Rossi writes - think "load is bad, get rid of it" This article is from his site Handle low In order to keep that ski rolled over longer through the wakes, I suggest "pushing the handle down" from finish of the turn through the 2nd wake. Most skiers at your level are putting too much fight into running the course. What I mean by this, is that you are trying to pull harder to get early to the next buoy. This is an impossible action as the cruise control will apply more gas as you apply more pressure, thus just sending you faster and narrower into that next buoy. Get rid of that upper body fight and you will be on your way to your next breakthrough!! When you place your outside hand back on the handle after a turn, think "load is bad, get rid of it" To do this, as soon as you feel load or pull from the boat, push the handle down. I think the big word here is "push" the handle down. Almost everyone I watch ski instantly "pulls" on the handle after the turn. Any pulling of the handle results in you holding your body upright, thus minimizing ski angle. By pushing the handle down your leg, you are letting your body fall more off the edge of your ski, thus increasing edge angle. The great thing about this is it takes considerably less energy to do, and you gain a lot of space into the next buoy. This lesson applies to every skier at every level. If you are having a hard time visualizing what I am teaching, try this. Hook a handle up to a post or the pylon of the boat. Now put your self in your wake crossing position. From here I want you to pull harder on the handle. The visual for this would be to try to bend the pylon or post you are connected to. When you do this, what you'll find is that your body actually comes higher than where it started. Since the post doesn't move, any pulling force, will inevitably raise your body, thus reducing ski angle. Now get back in that wake crossing position and "push" the handle down your leg. Your body naturally falls away as far as it can, thus gaining maximum ski edge. I'd like everyone to give this some thought and on your next ski set, see what you feel.

After the unexpected cancellation of some business meetings, I had the chance to ski with Matt Rini last week, what a great guy! His lake is about 1/2 way between Tampa and Orlando, not far from Polk City "Waterski Hall of Fame"  Old sand quarry filled with water, nice long course North/South(6 ball) and a short course East/West (4 ball) . A jump course as well as plenty of space to trick or whatever. Matt was patient with me the first set, since I hadn't skied in months I did everything wrong possible. Once I remembered how to ski, on the 2nd set he was able to impart some of his wisdom on me. The next day we worked on my one handed gate and some incourse body position. Had the great pleasure to meet his two lovely little girls and his Dad. You should have seen his 7 year old daughter rippin up the full course on a cut down Radar MPD, including a one handed gate and everything. Can't say enough good things about Matt and his coaching, one of the best in Florida.

The Blue Monza LTD made for the Nationals, loved that ski! Set my PB 5@28@34 in a tourney on that ski. Hated the black one. I'veowned a 9500, 9700, 2 black Monza's, a Jobe MPD and a Radar MPD, all sold and gone. Now own a 2007 67" Radar MPD and a 2008 Monza, one of them will be for sale in May.

I have a 2007 MPD and a 2008 Monza and like them both. They feel much different than the Goode's I've owned, 9500 & 9700. The Fischer is very close to a Goode, IMO. Only rode the RCX twice and can not give much of an opinion, but it didn't feel anything like a Goode or Fish. Definitely ride everything you can but if you like the Goode ride, get the 9800 or the Fish. 34mph PB 5@28 on a Monza.

John,  You have all the factory spec's from the '07 & '08 ski tests?

 Entered and edited data. Maybe add other things like canting / rotating of front or rear bindings, maybe type of wing / mini, standard, big,... Worked very well, nice going! Thanks BTW: Are you going to Florida or having a Pro come to Bako? Like to make my average look better this year, maybe I'll get more Pro coaching this year. Sign me up!

Launching is caused by hitting the wake flat and or with stiff legs, right? Fear factor is right on! When Pinky does it correctly, she slices through the wake and then the look of surprise hits her face. Then she has a bit of trouble with the speed coming into the next ball. IMHO, teach them the correct positions from the start and drill it in as much as they can take it. Maybe a better way to put it is, explain and enforce in the most palatable way for each student.

John, Are you talking about Homer? As far as Pinky's instructions, I noticed you were much more forceful with her about body position in trick than in slalom. I think you just have to be as forceful as your student will allow. Some need gentle coaxing and some of us need the boot camp method. I would not do well at Lucky Lowe's. Yes, kids (and us) need strength and repetition to do well, but technique wins out over strength. I learned everything the wrong way in skiing and golf, now I'm trying to relearn the right way and it's very tough. Had I had the correct instructions in the formative years I'd be far better off. OK, off the box!

No, I think all the fundamentals are the same and bad habits are hard to break. I am having a hard time getting Pinky to stop sitting on the tail of her ski as she is rounding the balls. Turns are huge as the tip of her ski is high and she get later at every ball. When she does it correctly, centered on the ski, she has all the time in the world. If you teach her @ JD this year I hope you get more agressive with your coaching!

I just make sure to pull the liner up higher than the cuff while heat forming it. Never had a problem with it. Saw DW shim up the inside edges of his rubber bindings with washers, stacked under the plate, quite high to allow for a better / mor natural stance on the ski. Very interesting approach.

Pending you setting an official date, count me in! Pinky and I will be going to Bennett's or Coble's for her spring break, usually in April.

So John, How's the group ski trip planning going ? BTW- Happy New Year!

Chet is a great coach and a heck of a nice guy, same goes for Wim Decree. Trying to include a 3 day side trip to Chet's in January's business trip to Atlanta. Probably go to Bennett's with my daughter in April, we had a great time last year. Would also go back to Chet's in the spring if we can get John to plan a group trip!

John,  Thanks for volunteering to organize a trip to Florida! Matt in in the cooler North, Chet is farther South towards Miami. Boynton Beach is 200 miles south of Orlando. $60.00 per set. Jet Blue goes to Ft. Lauderdale and Southwest to West Palm Beach.

John, Greg uses the flat method like shown on the Goode site.  BTW - Thanks for the package! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Badel really promotes the carbon fin, are you on the CBR106? I got these numbers from Greg for the carbon fin. Same as what you wrote L = 6.925 tips L = 6.820 jaws D = 2.520 DTF = .725 Wing 8.5 USD

MS, Let's hear about it!

John is right, if I told you he'd have to kill me!

I have a pair of the new Goode liners. Brand new, have not been heat molded yet. crdickey at hotmail dot com

I used John's numbers and the 116 redim. I weigh 165 and liked it much better than the stock MPD Gold fin. 29 3/4 Front heel 17.5 Rear heel 2.485 D 6.8685 L (tips) .785 DTF