ToddA

I do the same as @matthew, nice and low profile, nice and adjustable as needed. I use foam pipe insulation over the shelving rung to protect the skis. ToddA

Ted, you have improved A LOT over this past year! Yeah, we can all get into a better stacked position, but you are getting there!! We are all very blessed to be able to ski up there at Hilltop, and @GOODESkier‌ you are right, Gordon is the best!

I am a Physical Therapist and I have been certified as a Functional Dry Needler (FDN) for years. It is a great tool to sort out the difference between what is myotomal referral (muscle generated pain) and neural generated pain (nerve).

I get to ski with one of the HO pro's, and he was using the Legend Gloves at the end of the season last year, and he really felt that they will be "the new glove of choice" in that they were grippy w/o bunching in the pre-curve. I didn't try them on to speak to the issue of the knuckle strap as spoken of above in the forum, but I have to say that I am going to be getting a pair after having seen them first hand.

Love the Carve Diem title! Now there is a Ball Of Spray shirt for a quote below the logo! :)

Oh, and @GOODESkier, your buddy was one lucky skier to have had you in the boat too...

@GOODESkier, sorry for the errors in the details! :) Yeah, it has been awhile since I have chatted with your buddy over on Planet Nautique (I am really glad that he is doing well!). Your points made up above are really worth taking note of...thanks for writing in and clarifying the situation and some of the things that all of us could take to heart.

@John Brooks, the idea of "turning someone over who is unconscious in the water" is no joke. I heard of one particular incident in a public river where a multitude of things happened. One, the skier took a hard OTF fall, knocked unconscious, the driver (only one person in the boat with his drysuit on but unzipped) responded quick, didn't want to jump into the water with his open drysuit, so leaned over and did roll him over and pulled him onto the platform. Obviously could have been a life-altering problem as the skier did have a non-displaced C/S fracture, severe concussion. Anyway, skier was ultimately fine, but did bring up more than a few issues that we should all keep in mind, especially the driver-only scenario in a larger public water forum.

@Wish, I found the same thing with the HO S2. May not be the most "forgiving ski" to many of my bad habits, but it is a ski that I found that I could grow with and actually "learn" better technique. @mbabiash, I am right there with you in just shortening to -22 and -28, and I feel the HO S2 has been a great ski for me.

Practice PB of just inside 5@-28. Great year with some crucial coaching, as I had never run into even -22. I felt great having increased my PB by 10 balls.

@gator1, what is a gatormod?

@gregy, I knew I might get called out on that point... :) I have been told I am around 4-inches back from the gunnel step...not adequate! @OB, I haven't seen someone taping the gunnel for reference points, but makes complete sense.

@jhughes, Joel, I am right there with you too! Finally this year have been getting through -22 consistently, and into -28. I have been able to get 4@28, but it was only after doing what most on this thread have recommended. Stacked position for me is key. NOT reaching for the handle early and letting the ski finish (including on my gate) IS KEY for me. Loading into the first white-water and staying stacked to get cast out has also been key for me. The other thing, FWIW, I have been able to be in the boat and watch consistently a pro that skis at our lake. He begins with -28, but more importantly this principle was noticed: at -28, in his glide the rope is at the back-side of the of side step of out '07 196. For the rest of that pass, turns 1-6, the rope meets that SAME POINT on the pendulum swing. Now, -32 it is "mid-step" on the 196, and same thing: turns 1-6 the rope meets that same mid-step point. -35 and deeper, he is at the bow side of that step. Point is this that I have noticed: What ever point your rope achieves on that glide for your gate is the furthest up on the boat you will achieve in the pass. A narrow gate (or getting sucked in) will result in a narrow pass. We will knock down this yellow loop Joel! Keep on pluggin' along.

@bogboy, Hey Ted! If you see our black/silver Nautique, give us a wave, we'll come over and pick you up! We will be out there around 1pm or so. Todd

@richarddoane, hey Richard! We are going to opt out of skiing Hilltop tomorrow for some longer Lake Stevens runs! See you in the summer at the tourny. Todd Aalbu