Gern Blanston

I've had good luck with Zapz. I got them at amazon. I don't have any experience with superfeet (other than in a pair of Animal Bindings). The Zapz were neat because they are custom molded in the microwave. Has anyone tried both superfeet and Zapz?ÂÂ

I have a question for all the Strada/RS-1 users: do they feel snug? Does your heel move at all? I just get the impression that when you don't want the laces too tight that they won't fit all that well. I have FM E's and like the fact that I can crank the ankle cuffs down and that in no way affects my release. Oh yeah - you may wish to fill your bouys half full of water like TW suggests. That may help as well.

In attempting to better my technique, I've pretty much given up trying to have my back knee tucked into the bend of the front knee like I was taught many moons ago. Doing so allows me to better rotate my hips and have my legs work a little bit more independently of one another when they need to. Am I off base with that? I also find that when I need to concentrate on technique that I can pretty much only focus on one thing. The most helpful thing is to keep my shoulders level. If my shoulders are level, everything pretty much aligns itself down - assuming I'm centered on the ski, of course.

Marco - should you decide to sell some lots to help recoup the costs of your investment, it might be a great idea to throw some covenants onto the sale agreements. A short list of things to consider would be limiting the size of the homes, setting minimums for the size of the homes, number of boats that can be docked and where, type of boats allowed on the lake, etc. I'd bet there are others on the forum like ELeeSki that have experience in the types of things that you might wish to restrict. I was just in CO a month or so skiing at Vail. I didn't note your property from the air, but then again I wasn't looking for it.

Marco - that's VERY impressive. You showed great vision to turn that desolate area into something very cool Congrats on a job well done.ÂÂ

Many places take a reservation. With this being spring break, you may be hard pressed to get an opening. OWC is right near the airport. http://www.orlandowatersports.com/ Last I was there, you pay for 1/2 hour sets. I've also gone to the Swiss Ski School http://www.swissskischool.com  Julien Beaufils is one of the coaches there. I like SSS better than OWC. It's in Clermont about 40 minutes away from the airport. There are TONS of places you can try in the immediate vicinity. I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations. Good luck and have fun!

Horton -  does smooching heinie work? if so, I can do some, too.

I actually enjoy cutting the lawn for the same reason I hated doing it as a kid - it's mindless. It's a nice escape to sit on the tractor for an hour and do nothing. I have noise cancelling headphones that I wear and listen to my ipod. I live on a public lake. We couldn't really ski past 11:00 anyway because the wallys come out. So, I just ski and foot first, then do some chores.  Marco - sounds like it will be very cool when you're done. Congrats!

Marco -  what size chest and waist do you have? I normally get a large, too.

Of course I'm appreciative of an opportunity to win, but if they showed up already, I would assume we don't have an opportunity to suggest a size? thanks for thinking of us, Horton. and of course, thanks to the guys at HO.

if they don't have to be nautique cleats, try this http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=71758&pdesc=Black_Nylon_Dock_Cleats&str=cleats&merchID=4005ÂÂ

Tadd -  I have a helium vest, not a Jet Pilot. I had a Jet Pilot and didn't care for it. But I would be interested in getting an Eagle with added padding.  I just sent you an email. Jon

thanks, MS. Yes, I'm on public water and I'm aware I'd need a permit. The tend to look the other way if you want to treat your shoreline with aquacide, however. "Oh, I spilled some aspirin" the lake is over 500 acres, so there's no way we'd all pay for Sonar for something that large. We have 3 cutters that work 2 shifts to keep the lake clean. The hand cutter that i have is used predominately for the celery weed that grows near my pier. That's supposedly a "good" weed so I don't want to get rid of it. I do want my kids to be able to swim, however.

Mrs. MS -  what about the NDT water ski rack pictured here: http://www.newdimensiontowers.com/accessories.htmlÂÂ

MS -  can you please tell me more about sonar and reward? Aquacide an be obtained from www.killlakeweeds.com I've had mixed results with that. I currently have a cutter. It's a Y shaped blade with a 5 foot handle and rope attached. On the outside of the Y are razor blades. You throw it out and drag it back. As you drag it, the razors cut the weeds. It works well enough to clear my frontage but not the lake in general. Those weeds that don't stay on the blades drop to the bottom where they create muck and potentially grow again.

Steven -  my vest has a velcro strap at the top of the zipper. After the vest has been zipped up, I do the velcro but make sure the zipper can't come down. The zipper "handle" goes over the top of the velcro. hope that helps you out Jon

I've found a good compromise between the two extremes. If you can find a USCG approved vest that doesn't have padding on the sides next to where your arms hang down, the bulk doesn't get in the way. I have a Helium Celtic vest and like it very much - sorta feel like Batman with fake muscles. www.heliumwake.com I also have a thin (swat wake) one. I prefer the thicker because of the impact protection. The thin one feels like sitting in a car without the seatbelt on - just a bit unsafe.

The Radar Lock gloves that RD refers to are the same as my HO Clutch gloves, more or less. http://www.wileyski.com/shopcategory.asp?catID=85 Only problem I have with them is they're a pain to drive with. So, I end up putting them on and taking them off a lot.  I like www.performbetter.com for therapy type supplies. ÂÂ

My favorite is Edged II, then Edged I. Third is Gifted (primarily because of the June Fladborg section). I've been watching them all winter while on my mag trainer.

everyone has a different idea of "reasonable" Bennett's has them on closeout for $595. Here's the link: http://www.3eventstore.com/closeoutslalom.html  hope that helps, Steven

Please pardon my ignorance, but in RD's picture of the rope above, I was surprised to see that it was not looped over on itself. I was always taught to not let the rope sit loosely on the pylon like that. I suppose that extra 2 inches could mean the difference between making a buoy or not. What does everyone else do?  Am I also to assume that is the loop referred to in another thread that makes Brenda's ropes unique? thanks! Jon

My problem with board shorts is the lack of an inner liner to hold your junk in place. I end up having to wear a swim suit underneath. Do most people go commando?

To me, the pertinent question is why does she want to take something from you that love to do? Is she feeling left out? If so, include her in on it. Is she just a manipulative b1tc#? If so, dump her.  When I first started dating my wife, I was all set to move to another (warmer) city. The deal we agreed to was to someday live on a lake if we stayed together. When we found the lot, I had sticker shock. She said "if you don't do this, you'll be kicking yourself for the next 10 years." She was right and so the next day we put in an offer. 10 years later, we're still there and loving it - our kids do, too.  My point is there's someone that understands what (also) is important to me and doesn't want to be the controlling, nagging spouse. That's just one of the reasons I married her. Now if she could only drive the boat the way I want....

No one ever doubted Favre's toughness.....but I submit he's got his issues as well. ÂÂ

If TW is going to throw out movie lines, I've gone one for him (that is not intended as a slight in any way) "Alaska - where you can't be too drunk or too fat."  Homer J Simpson but to be on topic, I believe Tea has more caffeine in it per ounce than coffee does....