John Brooks

@JeffSurdej @Chef23 It seems there are not really that many events that require a score qualification. I would think you set up two schedules of scores, one for the standard ranking system and one for the individual/hdcp score submission system.

My inclination is the beer league type format but maybe less formal. I'm thinking along the lines of those who would like to participate, wherever they are skiing, CA, FL, NY, ect, they log in and submit 2 scores per week, from practice, no officials, honor based. Very limited rules, submitting their "off the dock score" After some number of scores, a HDCP is established. For those interested, there might be some type Regional, State or various other area events, these events will offer both HDCP and straight up scoring and placements. Maybe everyone finishes the Summer up at the BOS World Championships. The area events would be run as Class C or higher.

Would I ski any better? Second to @Than_Bogan comments about sports organizations. Although I think any sports organization needs to be run (officers and board members) by those who participate as athletes.

I can see this type of certification and training in certain situations, such as where there is a kids team and the coaches and officials involved go through this. An example might be the officials for a Jr US Open or other type event. I have a hard time understanding why it would be necessary or valuable for those running tournaments and other similar activities that are not limited to kids only. Seems like asking all your officials to participate is not addressing where you need it.

@Horton I've bought them on Ebay, around $50 and perfect for what you want. My current one has lasted for 3 years.

@klindy which flips are you incorporating in your routine, with all those equipment upgrades?

Buy more beer for my fellow M6 competitors, the night before we ski.

@Horton I think a great episode would be interviewing April and Chuck Forrest in the same show.

Winter is for keeping my wife happy, working on honey do list, building up credits to ski in the summer. Occasional winter sets for fun and keeping in tune my deep water starts.

To get the effect of wider or narrower buoys, I'm thinking to take a narrow noodle, cut off 10 or 12", tie a light line to it and the other end to some type of weight, half a brick, coke bottle full of sand, ect., and place that where you like, narrower or wide. I would probably just do 1 and 2 ball since for me those are most important to get my rhythm.

Which side of the ski do you place your rope on a deep water start? Apparently I'm backward, rope is on the right side of the ski and I'm right foot forward.

@drew I agree with most of what you are saying but I also see instances where the speed acts as a barrier to entry in the sport by new skiers, kids and families that have not started the sport from earlier in age. Many times these kids don't start skiing until ages of 10 or older. If we push that group too soon, I've seen a number of instances where those families leave the sport.

I recall a recent AWSA survey with these questions. I think it was around the end of summer 2018.

@AdamCord Is the guy in the picture with the sunglasses from the Worlds, Secret Service for Kyle or a stalker? He looks unhappy to be there.

@roger good point and a beautiful spot, although I bet it is very moist and skies like mud in August.

Took a set this past weekend, water 53, air 57, full Camaro Blacktec. Always great to be back out.

As far as boat cost, why not split the cost with 3 or 4 others and as others have said buy an older boat. If you have a public lake nearby, buy a portable course, drop it in the lake, ski, pick it up and go home. My point is there are a number of options to participate and enjoy this wonderful sport, it just may take some effort and coordination to make it happen. With respect to tournaments, for me it's a great environment to meet a lot of wonderful people. You can make it as serious and all business as you like or some combination and enjoy the environment. I believe the tournament environment is all about relationships and friendships. I remember 10 or so years ago, my friend and I decided to go to our first tournament, a local class C, and found a bunch of great people and lots of fun for kids and adults. I now take my grandson, he skied his first tournament this year at 7 years old, he had a great time, whether he was swimming, fishing, skiing or playing with the other kids. My experience was and continues to be a great experience whether going to a class C or a record event. For me, offering to help, getting involved, meeting new people is a lot of fun. I hope those of you not involved give it a few tries and don't be bashful.

@Horton, I guess Crazy Scientist Mrs Horton fits well with Crazy Baller @Horton.

@lpskier is another who I think has a lot of experience with public water and courses. In fact I believe he was the leader who held a Eastern Regionals on public water.

@Stiles my experience has been working with whoever has control of the lake for permits. Where I am the local club spent a lot of energy convincing the utility company who controls the lake and the local marine commission of the value to the lake and community. That club also did a nice job of building PR, such as learn to ski events open to the public and financial contributions to various lake related causes. They ended up getting permits for 3 courses on one large public lake, although 2 of the courses, due to location, needed to be submerged when not in use. In addition, @JeffSurdej, my opinion I would like to see AWSA and USA Waterski spend a lot of energy building programs that promote courses on public lakes. I think when USA Waterski is looking for member benefits, this is an important investment and feature. Maybe building a "program in a box" to help local groups understand and give some step by step guidance to help in the permitting process. I believe the key to growing our sport is building access on public water.

@jercrane I've used this approach for years without issue. I don't live in the cold dark north (live in NC), although my ski partner used it in Maine without issue, so we don't get those long stretches of super cold weather and our summer is longer than 2 or 3 months :-). We typically experience 2 snows per year and normally each is melted and gone within 24 to 48 hours.

I have been a fan of having them close together, rear binding set up so big toe touching back of front binding.

Only 8.2% alcohol!

I believe they were conducting this years boat test this week, although I do not know any particulars, hopefully we will see some results soon.

@jercrane what I have done is taken a 5 gallon bucket, drilled a hole in the bottom, attached a valve and 1.25" heater hose to it, attached the other end of the hose to the intake side of the strainer basket (after the engine has been warmed up). Put a couple gallons of rv antifreeze in the bucket, draw the coolant through the system, emptying the bucket. When the coolant comes out the exhaust, I'm done. No draining the engine required.