Boody

Link for Gifted?

Step away from the crack pipe....

We occassionally have SG surges. This weekend, I was driving when the boat surged towards the end of the pass. Had a 7.24 3 ball but finished with a 95. Did this a few times during the weekend, but most passes were perfect. I don't believe the surges were driver error.

Isn't this ski 2K? Please don't post anything positive, I can't afford it. Feel free to post negative comments however.  ÂÂ

I have to doubt its a great ski, but better than than an A1, D3, Prophecy, RS-1? Is it $1000 better? I judge skis by their success in the AWSA tournaments and talking to the skiers who ride them. If they work, people will buy them and you will se a lot of them on the starting dock. The problem I see with the Elite is that it is so expensive not many will buy it so there will be few at tournaments. I honestly think skis are sold by word of mouth and actually seeing their success. They have to be priced so that people can buy them before they can be "proven". I still see people buying and riding the A1 and Z7 so far this year. I have yet to seen anyone ski on an Elite and I can tell you I am not going to pay that much money until I am convinced. I can't be convinced until several people have had success.

On my way home after a week at Swiss Ski school in Florida, first time we had been there. The place is awesome. We had some really really crappy weather; wind, rain, cold. When we got there, it was mid 80s, water was 85. By Tuesday, the water was down to 70, the high was only getting up to the upper 60s. Rained several inches almost every day. With that said, everyone still got their sets in, amazingly enough. It was all because of the staff and instructors. They waited on us hand and foot. If the weather broke, they would pull us, there were there at 8:00 a.m. and left at dark. They are all about customer service, I was impressed. I went with a group of 23 people that have been there for the last 9 years. This is the first year they had weather. One of the best things about this place is how protected the site was.  The wind was blowing every day, but the trees blocked most of it. They also had 09 Correct Crafts. I am still amazed we skied as much as we did considering the weather. The houses were nice, had pools and some had hot tubs. Large backyards that overlooked the lake. Every morning I woke up to the sound of a Nautique wizzing by. Jumped in our golf cart and headed to the starting dock with a cup of coffee in hand. We have been to a few ski schools in the past but this is the first time we were treated like royalty, I highly recommend it.

I want to see Bob competing again, that guy was the man for many years. Looks like he still has it. I also like the idea of an interview.

No webcast this year? Does anyone know if there are going to be any webcasts this year?

I am not that much of a believer in the promo program. I had two different friends buy a CC last year, one from a promo and one from a dealer. This dealer was adament that he could match a new boat for the promo price and he was right, the dealer had a much better deal and the guy who bought the promo was pissed. Also why is Malibu and MC so much more expensive than the CC? CC in high 30s and the other two in the mid to upper 40s! Doesn't make sense. They need to be more realistic with their prices, especially in this economy.ÂÂ

I am on the E series as well. I moved them closer together from stock and they feel great. Good release and very light. Finally, a hardshell that is safe, performs and light.ÂÂ

Wow, I am still trying to absorb it. Amazing....

Skidawg is in the big Bid Dawg? Congrats!  Mind sharing your real name so we can follow? I like following the big dawg more than the pro tour because I actually know a few of the skiers, makes it more interesting. Thanks.

Hey Richard, I sent him a bunch of 32 offs (5) for one set, then sent him an up the line for the second. 12 passes all together. Based on his comments, he talked a lot about problems that were exaggerated at 35 and 38 so those were probaby more valuable than the ealier passes.

Just got video lessons from Seth and was very impressed. I thought it was pretty cool but when I tried the things he said, I was pretty psyched. Had I not got the lessons I would have continued doing what I was doing, spending countless passes and hours practicing the wrong things. Best $65 bucks I have spent. Wife's turn to get lessons.

Five passes and your selling? May I suggest giving it another try, its an A1, a proven ski.ÂÂ

These are my wife's e-series I got her and she doesn't like them. They are left foot forward, size 38-40, which is a medium small. I did move the rear boot closer to the front, but it can be moved back if needed. The liners can be re-molded if necessary. These were used about 10 times. For what its worth, I have some e-series and love them. Not sure why she didn't like them, she is a chick so things don't always make sense. She is on the FM quattros and likes those. Will sell them for $375 + shipping. I will be taking a huge loss, but I suppose its better then them sitting on my shelf collecting dust. THanks

Scott, I am laughing at your last comment about humiliation. I have done exactly that, when mad that vest will not come off. I have looked like a fool a time or two flailing around the dock trying to get the damn thing off!

Steve, I am tracking with you on 100%. My "main" focus is to keep my mass moving in the direction I want to go, this concept alone gives me good results. But of course I want to make it better so I am constantly toying with other concepts, but the "mass" concept is one that is proven in my mind. Most mediocre skiers are too far back on the ski, so the ski is never really able to do the work like it should. If your mass is leading, there should be no way you can go back on the ski, accross the wakes, into the turn and out of the turn, you will always be over your ski. Still playing around with the handle control. Regarding the E-series, they are a winner. While I only have 8-10 sets behind them, they are working well. Do they perform better than my regular FMs? Not really, about the same, even though they are lighter, no obvious improvement in performance. Hopefully they will contribute to taking me further in the long run.ÂÂ

1998 Ski Nautique. Bought it new and sold it in 2008 with over 1000 hours. Still ran / drove great. Now I am getting all choked up, I hate goodbyes...

Great interview, pretty cool chick. I remember a video from the boat last spring of her running 38 and thought, "What the hell, she is way better than me". Then, she really made a statement at Diablo Shores. She is not doing much for my ego, but she is one hell of a skier. Nice to get some background on where she came from.  ÂÂ

I also have a bad habit of rotating my hand palm down during my off side reach. I have been trying to correct it for years, but its very difficult. I can see the handle rotate over in the corner of my eye every now and then and think "Man, why do I do that?" I am glad Bruce doesn't get too excited over this. I had a great season last year by focusing on one thing, moving my mass, after reading one of Bruce's articles. Hopefully this year I can include handle control. But I am not going to get twisted up on how many degrees to rotate my my hand. I don't want to feel like a robot out there.

This stuff is what makes this forum great. In addition to the social aspect of the forum, I am into equipment and instruction. Great article, thanks Bruce, I respect and value your opinion on this stuff. So, is it just me or does Jamie B. seem to ski with his handled 12" from his body the whole time (slight exhageration but not much)? How does he make that work?

Pretty good skiing, especially for February. You are not helping with my theory of not shortening the rope yet. Now I want to go out and chop it. Must resist....

Everyone gets keg'd up at 2 @38 for some reason, including me. I am with Richard, I am going to run a 38 in a tournament this year for the first time. 39 or Bust!

There may be some truth to this, but the edge change is one area that I am continually struggling to get right. I think the edge change is one thing that really separates the good skiers from the great skiers. Great skiers are not making incredible turns, they are able to stay ahead of the game by making quick, crisp edge changes. I have heard different things over the years, but my only concern about the "arm kink" is to not pull yourself up out of your lean, to cause a change of direction down course. If you can keep the arm in tight, causing a hinge point, for the bottom of your body swing out, while your upper body continues the proper direction.  I would like to see Bruce Butterfield chime in on this, he seems to have a good grasp on proper skiing and is able to convey it well too.