skibrain

Back to @greghayes original challenge: “My takeaway and challenge to us all is to figure out how kids broadly can get more regular access to slalom courses and connect with that rush that we all love.” I’m fully aware this site is largely devoted to slalom skiers chasing buoys. But back up the bus a bit. With a quick show of hands: how many Ballers as kids had early access to a slalom course? Much more likely we had exposure and fell in love with slalom on open water, with neighbors, friends, summer camp or family behind a non-inboard runabout. There was something about THAT that kindled the rush we all love. Somewhere down the road maybe we went to a college with a ski team, or we were making our own money and decided to buy a boat and find a course. Maybe we even exposed our kids to skiing. But I suggest the funnel to grow the sport needs to be much much wider, and doesn’t need to be ringing by six turn balls. More skiing, more skiers. Of every kind. Behind any boat. On any lake. Lots more people started on the journey. A very few will actually catch the bug. But they’ve got to experience skiing first.

One of my 61 yr old ski buds had a hip replaced 6-7 yrs ago. He’s also an avid road and MTB biker. Super fit and did all the PT and more in recovery. He quit barefooting and then used the HO Exo binding system for six years following - fearing a fall that would result in the splits. HO Binding wore out and he’s in T-factors now. No issues. But he’s cautious.

Skied Sat. in MN. 36 degrees at 8:00 am start. No wind, but had to wait around a bit for fog to lift.

Above tips + cooler filled with hot water in boat. Dip hands before set and after set.

Not all ski handles are created equal. Not all gloves are created equal. With a new grippy handle (Masterline, InTow) and good gloves, my grip is automatic, I don’t think about it. There is enough traction hat I use MUCH less grip strength than trying to ski with someone’s shitty handle.

@Skico Thanks

Cool. Looking forward to it. A ton of people that have had a Redline or 7000 20-25 yrs ago. Other than touting KDs heritage and rebirth, there is scant info on their website and lots of links to pages that are empty. TWinter has moved (back) to D3. Who is the driving force? Where are they made?

Update: didn’t even use the dry suit this spring. Pulled it out of my closet today for a mild-weather test before I REALLY need it. My DIY repairs pretty much worthless. Leaking water all over. Poured water out of sleeves and legs after taking it off. Maybe the seam sealer and flex seal dried out when stored during the past 10-11 months. (Indoors, dark closet, etc). No regrets on the effort, but its time to buy a new dry suit.

The internet is a beautiful thing. I’m sure there are a dozen Ford Mustang forums out there with exactly the info you need.

We have a 1/2 dozen different combo options, from wide-body skis, to O’Brien Performers to older HO with higher quality bindings, to ancient wood skis with vinyl bindings. Not a huge amount of difference in success based on which pair of skis. We typically try bindings on on the dock and orient the skier to mechanics of getting their skis on. Then there is a lot of finesse required from driver. Light start squeezing into throttle and backing off smoothly to skiing speed as boat comes on plane. Boat driver has a huge factor on success.

I think it depends a great deal on the size of the lake you ski on. There is wind (head/tail/cross) and then there is rough water. Wind, but protected shoreline. Wind, but it’s a narrow ditch. Wind, and its white-capping. Time to go sailing.

Happy to own two! They do last. I think I’ve had mine for 12+ years. Like everything else, keep them out of the sun.

6:00 a.m. Monday. Double rainbow. with Reflection. This week is off to a great start.

Cutting out hand pads and my 4 yr old grand daughter insisted she make some too. “So when I learn to waterski I won’t get owies on my hands”

I always wear two layers of neoprene pads inside gloves. (HO 41 tails, or various Radar boa K) by mid-season, skiing 4-5 days a week I occasionally get a big callous tear too. Yes, even when I work to keep them shaved or sanded down. Duct tape protection while it heals. I think I saw this first in a post by Natalie Hammerick years ago: 1/2” wide strips of D-tape first bone of finger down to wrist. Do this on 1-3 effected fingers. Wrap tape around finger securing the finger end of each “strap” tape around wrist to secure other end. Put on gloves or pads and gloves.

Here is a some info about flags and boat width without a course. Flag Slalom

Buy a second tube. Because pulling your daughter plus 3 of her friends on a couple of tubes is 4x the fun!

Agree with Wiley’s on rear. Their CBO version is less restrictive option too.

My buddy’s Evo has the extra set of front inserts. Not using them with his D3 bindings mounted.

I’ve got low-arch feet. Sz 10-10.5 I first tried sz med TF and ended up going with sz Large. I snug the forefoot down tight to get good foot to ski contact, then never change that adjustment. Even ran zip ties on forefoot for a season. I Only loosen top lace for on/off. Used them now for 7 yrs and just rebuilt front binding with a new heel piece last yr. I ordered some back up laces and slide clips just in case. Replaced a clip after a buddy tried my ski, pulled off clip and dropped it in lake.

Stokes

2 ball, 3 ball...

We jump up and down every spring after the ice melts.

Verto - Latin for “turn” Seco - Latin for “carve”

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