jdarwin

WPB most likely.

I just received: To all, As of today it is official that we will NOT – repeat NOT – be returning to the San Marcos River Ranch (SMRR) for Nationals in 2015. It is imperative that we scour the country for a new site and very soon. We have shown that it is possible to conduct a very acceptable national tournament on a two, three or four-lake site and reap a nice profit for the LOC. Now is the time for anyone who has talked, or even whispered a consideration for hosting, to step forward. Please talk with any and all about the possibility of being a host. Before I lay prostrate before Charlotte M., I want to be very sure that we have exhausted all possibilities across this country. Please spread the word. Time is of the essence since this is the time of the year when we should be negotiating for hotel rooms. Please let me, Gordon or Bob Crowley know of any possibilities. Bob Mayhew

Invite Horton to your site. He'll put the damn things on anything that doesn't move - and probably the back window of your truck when you aren't looking....

Just got a note from the Chief Scorer - 39 was run 18 times this past weekend. Those guys put on quite a show!!

@MrJones‌ - how toasty was July tourney? Ha! We were all in hot tops - crazy weather this summer.

Six skiers ran into 41-off on Saturday - it was insane. There was something in the water this weekend. It will be one to remember. Thanks to all the skiers who made it memorable.

It was the boat (Centurion Carbon Pro) and the site (Olde Oaks / Ward's Pond). I was just holding on and hoping for the best.

I can honestly say I've "helped" skiers from time to time in some backyard tournaments (Horton benefited from my generosity on one occasion) - most often out the gates. It has an element of self preservation added also. But, I don't condone intentionally weaving to assist the skier. And, if you try to weave at 39/41, you are most likely making it MORE difficult on the skier.

As @klindy will attest, this was kicked around a bit at the summer AWSA board meeting. Most of the discussion was getting the participant number closer to 1000 to satisfy the fiscal requirements of the LOC and the on-site vendors/sponsors. To me, that is easy to achieve - simply relax the entry requirements. But, that reduces the "prestige" of the event in some people's minds. Personally, I don't share that view. I don't believe Nationals (as currently constructed) is a prestige event when most of those who qualify fail to show. Making it smaller and therefore more "exclusive" and "prestigious" has some merit but the financial ROI has to make sense to the LOC. In the end, something has to give. Changes need to be made. Smaller or larger? I can see the benefits of both but tend to agree (hard to admit) with Horton. Most of us who participate are "contributors" more than contestants. Smaller wouldn't change the ultimate outcome - the same individuals would take home the hardware. They just wouldn't have to wait thru 50+ other skiers to determine placements. My $.02.

In the end, the losers were those of us who came to see the show. 99.8% of the people in attendance and 99.9% of the general water skiing public couldn't care less about the politics, egos and misapplication of the rules.

That place looks familiar............wish I could have seen it live.

I am fortunate enough to drive multiple examples of the Big 4 each year. Skidawg's 2014 CP is one of the best driving/skiing boats I've encountered. For what it is ( a tractor), it serves its purpose well. Is it on "a rail" like a 200? No. But, as long as I feel connected to my skier and know where he is at all times, I'm fine. With the CP, I always know where my skier is and the boat is nimble enough to allow for proactive corrections that do not adveresly affect the skier.

66" Mapple 6.1. Purchased late fall. Handful of sets. Condition will satisfy new ski buyer. Email for pics $1200.00 jdarwin@lakesatcottonwood.com

In 12 years of running my site, I have learned that paying a little more for a good product is well worth the investment. The Polyform round buoys that Ed sells last MUCH longer than any others. The Wally buoys are a good alternative and last very well also. We use the Bubble Buoys for tournaments and pull them afterward. Too expensive for daily use IMO. Therefore, don't always focus on the price - focus on value.

@OBI like to call it driver participation...nothing wrong with that So, that's how you ran 38 at Cottonwood last year?

Skied Sunday 2-23. Air 76 / Water 60. Felt great to be back on the water!!

Sold

Size 8 Right Foot shell. Brand new. Never used. $90 shipped to US. jdarwin@lakesatcottonwood.com

For clarification, I am not "advancing this" but simply reporting what is to be voted on at the board meeting.

At the AWSA board meeting in two weeks, the board will vote to add the following to the optional Class X format: No gates - entrance or exit. The skier must simply be to the left of the 55's before making a move toward one ball and must be on the right side of the 55's at the exit end. This is an experimental format to allow sites to play around with the idea and submit the scores for analysis. Personally, I like any idea that eliminates the judging of the gates (since gates don't score) but I think this could be a fun format and I intend to add a 4th round to one of my Class C events in order to see what impact it has on scores. All scores from a Class X ARE NOT reflected on the rankings list - only submitted for analysis.

@OB - it's a step in the right direction to make the sport more inclusive.

At the upcoming board meeting, there is a rule proposal that would allow the skier to miss the entrance gates on their opening pass, complete the pass, complete the subsequent pass and score. In other words, miss your 22-off gate, ski all 6 buoys, come back at 28-off, make the entrance gates and run all 6, you get a "pass" for missing the 22-off gates. But if you miss or fall at 28-off, you score zero. Thoughts?

@razorskier1 @6balls - shoot me an email with your address, shirt size and color. LSU won but I lost. I'll take my lumps! jdarwin@lakesatcottonwood.com

@ShaneH - I would think so. Beautiful boat. I'm not sure what constitutes "all new" but the 2014 is a much better driving boat. I believe they moved the engine, reconfigured the rudder and some other improvements. It's certainly "new and improved".

4 sets this weekend in WPB.-.done