swerveit

The people that lost were both Nate and Freddie, and to a certain extent the sport as a whole. I'm sure Nate wouldn't want the win like this and Freddie is devastated. Maybe I'm biased but he's a true sportsman. Having played other sports with him (that he thankfully is not professional in) he still does the "the right thing" when its a questionable call. I feel that both Nate and Fredd got scr*wed on this one.... I've been in judging towers and its organised chaos, been commentating and the information you get is really no better than what you heard at the masters. Being in the boat when someones skiing in 39/41; is frankly scary!!! Fred will spray you in the boat, you honestly want to hide behind the engine. Skier, Handle feels like its coming into the boat at any minute, and its going to take your head off! so making calls is extremely tricky. Having said that: I have never seen such a catasrophic debacle in any comp, Ranking or inter-club. Im not an expert on the rules but multiple score changes while someone is skiing I know is not fair, (for either skier) 3 score changes? bit of a joke, extremely disappointing. Some other obsivations: "But the show must go on" - if we had a slalom event in the middle of a wake comp it would kick off!! I got the impression it was very rushed due to the importance of wake events... Also our rules are so complicated, I mean we are talking Theoretical string theory, for going around 6 buoys?! the more complicated something is the more likely it is to fail. so many comps have these stupid situations in... the rules need to be re written and simplified. They were likely created when wooden skis were in distribution, evolve! on a separate note has anyone got the 6 ball 39 on video? that was ridiculous, and the hit out of the gates...... pfffft!

interesting no one's suggested bindings.. got to say unquestionably, its my Connelly Stealths can swap skis will never swap binders.

I had a lengthy convo the other day with a ski buddy about the release mechanism. which we both agreed on is prehistoric! baring in mind we drop 2k on a ski and we are using 40 year old tech on release mechanism's and its only half on the original design!?! its doesn't make sense to me... especially in a sport that the crash can happen in so many ways with multi directional forces, why would you use a system that has only 1 direction of force to trigger the release?? I'm baffled...

@Horton - you've seen how Fred skis right? Im sure you can figure it out.

my question is, historically he managed to put down monster scores, and podiums on an average 4 or 5 skis a year. What do you think he can do on the same ski for a whole season? *Cat amongst the pigeons and walk away

Used double reflex for 2 years couple of ankle tweeks nothing serious. Then had a fall, the rear release popped and the front didn't resulting in my toes touching my shin. Busted allot of tendons and bones. NEVER again. I now use the Connelly stealth's they are unquestionably the best binding for me. If you're looking at independents releases have a look at OB4 the build quality is phenomenal.

Your lucky it wasn't me or Stevie that wrote it... :wink: great article though!

Ive got a 12 prophecy however I think its a 67", happy to double check. Used for about 6 months, however it is in the UK (happy to ship, or give to a buddy thats going over) . If you're interested let me know. swerveit@gmail.com

My space... O'Brien 66 Quattro - 2014 JB Ski

Same as above ^

on the whole its pretty stable. only ever encountered 1 (several occasions) issue, "password incorrect" however its stored in keychain. I go through to change password, try to access and still says incorrect. even so far as copy and paste ruling out user issue. its strange its happened 6-7 times..... OS Mavericks - although its not happened on Yosemite.

@aupatking‌ I just thought I ski on cooler water than most stateside, which makes a little difference. I'm not 100% sure the fin was money but the 67 felt big immediately out of the water, the 66 felt spot on. id say try both as the both I tried felt surprisingly different. Ran 32 on the 66, had to drop a rope length for the 67 and still was a nightmare. historically I've always preferred bigger skis, this was the first time I've gone smaller as the surface area is fairly large.

I got a 66 and I'm (189 lbs/85kg) I ski at 34mph, tried the 67 and felt like an oil tanker, couldn't turn it. 66 feels great. @aupatking‌, what do you weigh? what speed do you ski at/line length?

nice job @moggie! just a note: I always video from the very first movement set up and gate pull out, I believe this dictates the style and course i.e. start from the troff, wake or the flats?, does skier loose balance or momentum on there gate pull out? this is often overlooked. I personally try to have skiers start in the flats (white water to the left of the boat) pretty cool that both skiers have completely different styles. mint skiing from both these guys. observations on Mr Radar skier: -The first movements and 1 ball is dictating the course and style. - on his gate glide the water is breaking between his binders (too far back), i suspect from the straight front leg/ankle. This in turn means his first movement to the gates is backward (frame 0:05 moving the ski like a windscreen wiper) which dictates that course management. This then translates to going hard as the skier is committed/stuck and has to shift weight to the side. id advise getting allot softer on the ankle/knees on the glide. this will engage allot more ski on the turn in, meaning he won't need shift back then to the side when he's behind the boat. (on the gate glade) Get the weight balanced between feet and shift hips not shoulders to engage the ski onto the edge. -The above has a knock on effect to 1 ball, because the load isn't progressive, he edge changes a little late this then means out the back of the ball its defensive skiing and on the back foot. (frame:007) onside turn should have more ski in the water. might be worth checking the rear binding tightness, if too tight the brain/CNS gets more response/feedback and uses this as its frame of reference or sets it as a priority. a strong skier that if directs his strength efficently could easily get down the rope. a slight change in approach and positioning would see a massive change, really good work load behind the boat. Mr D3 -I would love to see more of his gate, as it looks like he's got a 1 handed gate, with a 2 handed setup. Got a nice setup into the wakes, could possibly benefit in driving through them as apposed to lifting off and trying to edge change that soon. 55-18 the ski will slow quickly. - needs to insure his hips are in line with shoulders, at the moment his hips are trailing, because he's a light skier he can get away with it. its possible he's light on the line because he's not got his hips. - Into 1 ball i would say he needs to stay on the handle a fraction longer, and allow the ski to cast out and come back with angle at the back of the ball. "ski back to the handle" he's getting back on the handle a smudge to soon and shutting the ski down at the back of the ball. Meaning ball to wake he's skiing bent arm which in turn causes his chest to come forward and hips to drop back. he can mange this now but will struggle when the rope gets shorter. -I might be wrong but i think he's looking at the buoy, which drops the head, chest a looses hips. interested to ask him where he's looking on the edge change? Nice light skier, with good efficient style (with hips), strong onside turn.

@Horton‌ , Jodie brought one over this summer, it looked and felt phenomenal! the finish was epically flawless, no carbon bobbles or twists, edges were flush like the RTM (orange, blue, yellow) fishers. I know a skier thats Boris made a ski up for (extra carbon/stiff) and again the finish was epic! that and he skied a equal PB within the first week something into 43. Its the only other ski I will look at. I like a ski thats fast, by fast I mean less effort behind the boat, I really hope the MC is like this... (??) generally I find these skis sit higher on the water - correct me if I'm wrong?

I got my hands on one a while back, unfortunately I wasn't able to try it as my binders are a bit of a fidget. The finish on it was flawless! Speaking to a pall of mine who's a top level skier he rates it highly. However I wondered if any "normal" (32 up to 38 off) skiers have had a go on it and if so what are its characteristics?, sits high/Low in the water? is it considered a fast/slow ski? etc etc. Im currently on a Quattro which I adore, however I'm looking to change this year. I seem to get on with the Mid (ish) ride, the MC does look wider than the normal.

@Horton‌ if i went with entertainment id probably go with Todd R....

@Horton‌ not sure if thats a rhetorical question leading to a bad example of mine... but yeah I like his approach & thought process. He looks at it from a mechanical/physics perspective which I can relate to. I prefer the cause and consequence approach, Im not very good and applying immediate change on the water. taking info away and analysing works better for me, this is where MB helps. (Also I took a year out and free ski'd best thing I've ever done)

intersting: In the UK we have a number of ski clubs with annual membership and price per tow £400 membership £20 to £24 per tow current exchange rate $600 membership $30-$34 per tow behind a SN 200 gas converted. edit: I ski around 6-8 times a week for May-August probably 5 for the summer. October- April maybe once a week if that..

MB - I understand his thought process Freddie Winter - my best ski buddy, him and I can't talk ski cr*p all night long (and he can drink)

RFF = left hand on top or knuckles facing down..

@londonskier‌ - mate its another 5 months until we are back on the water anyway. :smile: as you're aware I'm a firm believer in doubles, but i have worn the cr*p out of my rear boot around the heal section. I suspect from shifting the foot around, or more likely heal lifting within the boot.. But i think i do it at the ball after the edge change. I'll try dig out the video that Marcus Brown did (think it was called getting stacked or allignment), which suggests that more common issues of COM is the hip flexors are to tight "stippers butt". looking at the physics of your body and how it determines your COM or position. heel lift is just overcoming the lack of flex in your ankles and hips - i think found it - not sure how relevant it is having seen it, but still very valuable watch!!

@MrB summary: Right elbow, inside (golfer elbow), right foot foreword, Right hand on top, Right turns, Same handle and Rope. I dont believe its PP-ZO related, however the settings may help or compound the issue. Observation: firstly you are a righty, your left hand should be on the top. Theres a handful of skiers that ski well with a reverse grip, on the whole a switched grip will help you out. took me about 3 months but it made a huge difference! This will help with balancing your off side and behind the boat - (i also had to switch my grip) but this is a different subject. Some ideas that may help: (through my own trial and error in golfers elbow) the fact your spinning right, your likely to engage more bicep & forearm which causes golfers elbow. Check your gloves and hands - ideally you want to engage your fingers. imagine rock climbing, you can hang from a rock with just your fingers for a long time. the minute you engage your biceps you will burn energy/strength. 1. on dry land put your hands into a ski grip – draw a line through your fingers/grip. You will see its curved, if you have a broad chest this curve is even more bent. If you use a straight handle the pressure goes through your elbow trying to straighten, and the tendon gets raw. get a curved handle! Also insure its a good fit, personally I go for a size the fits my fingers with gloves on. 2. Water start with both knuckles up, this will stop you engaging your bicep/forearm, try to have a loose grip. Curved fingers – not white knuckles 3. Get a good handle and glove combo that maximises grip! I personally use Masterline custom and Obrien elite glove, But try them all out. I like a tacky sensation that allows me minimum tension through my hands. 4. Keep your rope new! If your rope is all stretched out and your getting late and you take a big hit out of the ball that energy is going to come straight out of your arms, shoulders and back! If you have a well kept line allot of the energy will be taken out, dampened before your poor body takes the hit. Bungee cord vs a cable – if your car was being towed which one would you prefer? 5. Check your weight – power to weight ratio is critical. (I had to loose a lot of weight) it will stop a lot of aches and pains. 6. check your grip on your pull out, if you have a good kit set up you should only be engaging your fingers. if you watch rock climbers hanging from fingers they can stay there for ages, through technique. try to avoid making a fist around your handle. Try stretch and massage your arm, yes I know it kills (“golfer” elbow is such an understated name for it…its agony) hope the above helps, peace out.

@mrb Interesting, having had my share of elbow pain and cortisone injection's I may be able to shed a little light, out of interest: - which elbow hurts? - where does it hurt, inside or out ? (closest to the ribs = inside) - what foot forward are you? - with your grip, what handle is on top? - which direction does the driver turn at the end of the lake? - did you take your standard handle to the new lake? - did you take your standard rope to the new lake?

living in the UK we go from Hot (warm) to cold all the time (and vice versa) . The difference being is cold water is tight & fast, warm is loose and slow. you tend to find the bigger 34mph skiers like tighter water, all depends on your style/size/ski size IMO. in hot water: Spain, US i struggle to maintain speed on the my ski size. UK is fine. cold water = less effort, unforgiving, fast warm = more effort, forgiving, slower - 36mph prefer you can feel when the water gets cold, the skis is a little more twitchy, back of the ball can snap turn on the ski. often overshoot your gate, ski rides higher on the water.