jdarwin

"what's required for a class c tournament could be greatly improved upon" That's why God created Class 'E" events! We try and accomodate the rules as best we can but the reality is tower proximity at some sites makes it impossible to accurately determine gates - even if their location falls within the guildlines. Gate cameras w/ replay is the only true means of determining gates. And that's an expense some aren't willing to invest.

"Tower heigth and proximity makes all the difference." Isn't that dictated by the rule book? It may be "recommended" for Class "C", but I believe it is "required" for record tournaments.

Richard: I think if you tracked your path from 1 to 2 ball, 2 to 3 ball, etc., you would see that the path would be similar to tracking over the left side gate buoy. Trying to sneak inside the right side gate buoy is a hard habit to break and we tend to panic somewhat when we feel we are "late" thru the gates when in reality, we're tracking pretty close to how we will ski the remainder of the course. I agree, some of the best gate-shots/1 balls I've had were when I felt I barely made the gates.

I wouldn't classify it as "outrageous" - that's a bit of hyperbole but "interesting" would be more accurate. It would not limit the course to 5 buoys - the skier would still have to go outside of 1. If the need to travel thru the entrance gates were eliminated, I would bet that most skiers would still begin the course in a similar fashion in order to establish a rhythm and provide some speed coming out of 1 ball. I seriously doubt that most skiers (especially shortline) would hang out wide of 1 ball and start the course there.  My recommendation was simply to either eliminate the need or limit the consequences associated with them. And as far as the exit gates, my point was that they establish the completion of 6 full buoys - only need the right side buoy to establish that. The skier could conceivably turn inside the exit gates and still get scored 6 buoys - why must we travel through them?ÂÂ

Horton is like me - we have an unhealthy obsession with 38 off. It would be healthy if we were any good at it!

This issue has bothered me for years - leave the gates as a reference point for the skier but change the rule to either: 1. Eliminate the need to go thru the entrance/exit gates. The exit gates only exist to establish a full 6 buoys - no need to go thru them. And the entrance gates? They don't score so why penalize the skier for not going thru them. If you go thru the entrance gates and drop the handle on the way to 1 ball you score..............ZERO! So why require the skier to go thru them at all? 2. Or....allow a "second chance". If the skier misses the entrance gates and runs all 6 buoys, allow them to continue. If they run the NEXT 6 buoys (and get both entrance and exit gates) they are allowed to continue. This adds some intrique that some of you find so facinating. My biggest issue with the gates is their subjectiveness. Judges sitting 300 ft away are expected to make a visual judgement of literally centimeters. Doesn't make sense to me when (again) they don't calculate into the scoring.

Works good for guys like Scoke but some of us aren't willing to commit 9 days to this event. http://www.usawaterski.org/nationals/nationals/2010AWSANationalsSchedule.pdf

I have two drysuits for sale: Bare Polar Heat XL - brand new neck and wrist seals - suit looks brand new. Includes polar fleece undershirt for extra warmth. $250 Ski Warm Women's Sahara. Size 6. Used very little $175 Both suits are in excellent shape and stored indoors when not in use. Email me for pics. jdarwin (at) lakesatcottonwood.com

Richard - good point - obviously, WB's have evolved since the rule was implemented. Skiers should alert the chief judge that their WB falls within the guideline. Adam - we have done the same in the past when time was an issue. I thought it was a good idea.

Richard - I'll let Eric answer the question w/ regard to one pass. If time is the issue, then only 2 jumps should be allowed - that's just me. As for 1/2 values, wakeboards actually shouldn't be allowed in the trick event as described in the rules (dimensions of the ski) but an exeception was made for NCWSA events that allow them to score as two ski tricks. WB's were seen as easier to accomplish surface turns and therefore were alloted the same point value as two ski tricks. If the WB falls within the dimensions of a trick ski, it would score the same as one-ski tricks. I viewed the exception as a compromise between "old-school" skiers and those that wanted to expand the sport at the collegiate level. It has worked well I believe.

Chris - I can't remember exactly why I didn't like the CBR fin on the RCX but it could be that I had been on the ski for a couple of months and had it dialed in w/ the aluminum fin. Not sure. But the CBR fin tones down the off-side turn on the Z7 - it still comes around quickly but much smoother.ÂÂ

Wow - I guess it's a little tamer in the South Central. ULM and ULL have their fun but it's serious business on the water. The other schools are mostly from Texas and are made up of pretty competitive skiers who take it seriously as well. They have a good time but it is never out of control. ÂÂ

TeamMalibu's rig - one of the best combinations I've ever seen: http://www.nlta.org/Mike's%20Rig.jpg

For Sale - brand new custom water ski flex testers. Built by a professional tool and die maker. These are heavy duty units utilizing all aluminum and stainless steel construction. Includes a 330 lb. digital scale with .2lb increments. Operates on 110 or 9 volt battery. 1 inch travel dial indicator with .001 inch graduation. I've attached pictures for review. The complete unit sells for $600. Contact for details: teammalibu2000 (at) yahoo.com http://www.nlta.org/Flex%20Tester_2.JPGhttp://www.nlta.org/Flex%20Tester.JPG

SOLD

My 2008 SS and 2007 SN - one of only a few times the boat has actually been on the trailer - usually sits lift. http://www.nlta.org/2007%20Ski%20Nautique%20003.jpg

in order to perputuate the thread that will never die..... Tried one of Horton's fins on my Z7 for the last 4 sets. WOW! The ski has come alive at the back end of the turns. Went a bit deeper than my aluminum fin and the ski carries out just as well and tracks nicely side to side. The big difference is at the completion of the turn; it flows very quickly out of the ball and with great angle - maintains fantastic speed also. I did not like this fin (106) on my RCX but it fits the Z7 very well. John - I know the economics weren't there to sustain production but I could sell 4-5 CBR fins for D3's today (a little late, I know!).

Thomas - what's ironic is that today's generation "joneses" for product from Columbia - it's just that there's is coffee!

FA - I stated in my previous post: The important aspect is to meet with the host team to make certain that YOUR rules are followed and gain a sense of confidence that they will abide/enforce those rules. If your rules require no alcohol on site, so be it. With the new sanction requirements placed upon LOC's from USAWS, I would think the "no alcohol" statute would be even more critical.

FA - I own a lake but no jump so I can't hold collegiate tournaments. That being said, if I could, I would. On-site camping is not a big issue. The underage drinking is but I'm not certain what liability you would incur unless you provided the alcohol. Each state has different tort laws regarding "host liquor liability" and typically your General LIability policy would cover you in the event of an incident. The important aspect is to meet with the host team to make certain that YOUR rules are followed and gain a sense of confidence that they will abide/enforce those rules. If not, don't go there. Most college teams are comprised of responsible individuals. Certainly, a few have behavioral issues but for the most part, they are good kids. I wouldn't let any unfounded reputations deter you from consideration.

John - Emily's ski is a D3 Z7 - her avg tourney score is 5 @ 32 off

We're her PFD's Coast Guard Approved or were they for competition only.

it is if your current system is over 3-4 years old. No areas to rust/fail like the older models. My release is about 2-3 years old and plan on swapping the release next season before failure occurs. You have to replace the block on the back of the boot - it is different w/ the 505 - but not a big undertaking.

Cool - thanks, John.  But when you export , you must change to file extention to .xls or it will save it as a .csv file.

John - add 64" to the options list. I was going to put my daughter's numbers in there as well - she's on a 64" Z7.