davemac

Uggh...thanks for the advice...I guess. Surgeon confirmed obviously an inguinal hernia and also pointed out an umbilical one to go along w/ it . I had one on the other side about 18 years ago, although lower. This one is higher, no pain yet...but I know its there. No chance of laproscopy...scalpel w/ min 4 week healing.  Dang...ski clinic in 4 weeks, and vaca at the lake 4 weeks after that. What ticks me off is I went to my primary care dr 6 weeks ago, and he wouldn't diagnose this as a hernia...told me to keep an eye on it. Now, I'm into ski/golf season...which is valuable and short here in the northeast. Dr told me I can attempt to delay thru summer...unless pain really starts to kick in.   Thanks again for the responses.

Anyone had a hernia repair done lately, that might have insight as to amount of down time before being able to ski again?? I've got a surg. consult this afternoon, and antipate needing repair for an inguinal hernia. I'd rather it not interfere w/ summer vaca and ski plans. I'd prefer to have it either done immediately, or delay til Fall (if either is an option). Just wondering what the down time is post-repair. Thanks, in advance, for any advice.

Check out the following webpage. In the top right (red) box, click to access the pdf for "Plate Mounting Instructions". There is a diagram showing all the applicable hardware..... www.radarskis.com/boot_tech.html

Interesting post, Shane. I just want to make sure I follow this correctly. Obviously you are referring to the upper bungee. Did you tie the knot below the cincher to take it out of the equation, or just above it- so that the cincher will be unable to loosen and to get a consistent tension each time out? While on the topic, at the end of your run, what method are you guys using to get out of the ski? Do you pull your foot out of the shell along w/ the liner, or do you try to leave the liner in the shell....which requires the somewhat difficult task of loosening the bungee with gloves on? Similar to you Shane, I found a bit more "slop" in the (Strada) heel then to my liking, even after heat molding. I sized down which remedied it, with the tolerable sacrifice of some big toe space. My liner seems to want to shrink in length after getting wet, so I occassionally jam a spring loaded cedar shoe tree in til it dries. I hadn't thought of a thicker insert.ÂÂ

that fabric was loose in mine. I put some glue under it, then duct taped it down.  Its holding up fine after about 5x out on it (duct tape still there).ÂÂ

Safe so far w/ me...using that setup

I've got two coworkers each w/ 1998 SN w/ GT40 (500 and 1700 hrs)...both original ECMs

"its just a flesh wound"...glad you were able to manage a smile through it all. Hope the ER wait wasn't too long. On the bright side, at least you weren't in salt water, the sharks would have come calling.

Hey Cobber, Following up the earlier reply post I had "whispered" to you. I usually "lurk" here, but have followed this thread closely.   I'm not the level skier of OF or RD.  Mostly open water (not many courses around here), but hoping to get into the course much more this season. I've been on the regular Senate the last couple years while getting back into the sport (42yrs, 5-10,190 lbs, 34mph), and felt ready and the need to step it up a bit. I was considering bumping to the Senate C or jumping to the Strada.  Anyway, I was a bit trepidatious & and also skeptical about the Strada being advertised as catering to such a broad range of skiers, and thought it might be too much ski for me. After email w/Matt Rini and talking to Tadd, I decided to pull the trigger on a 67" Strada. The new ski arrived this week (it is so light, I thought the box was empty). We had an early ice out here in the northeast, and today was 80deg/44water. Unfortunately, we had some fuel issues in my bud's 196 so we each only got one run in.  I was bit nervous, and my goals were just to take it easy,  "wake the ski muscles up", and "feel out" the new ski. My Verdict...the Strada is the real friggin deal, and as-advertised!! This ski simply rocks!   Coming off the Senate, I was amazed at how well it holds its speed. Personally, my biggest struggles are keeping the tip engaged in the cut and being patient enough to let the ski come back under the rope before hooking up. With the Strada, I had NO problem accomplishing this...which had been just so difficult to me last year. It takes a great bite in the turn all the while holding speed in a stable & predictable manner.   The other thing I noticed, is that I was able to maintain a much more consistent line tension than in the past, without even having to be as conscious of countering (particularly on the off side) as I was before. Initially, I let the ski do most of the work, but couldn't resist "getting on it" a bit.  My finding was that you predictably can get out of it as much as you put into it. I began the day nervous, and now couldn't be more excited about this season. I can't wait to get back on the water now, and feel the sky is limit w/ this ski...which I can really grow into. Hopefully this is of some help...coming from a slightly different perspective of an aggressive recreational skier. Instead of foolishly being intimidated by this ski, I'm now appreciative of its design.   A suggestion might be to demo both the Senate C and Strada...but if you've got the coin, give Tadd a call and pull the trigger on the Strada. Dave Hope this has been helpfulÂÂ

Chef, I just now re- molded my Strada liner for a second time, after reading this thread. I don't think I cooked them long enough initially. This time 225F x10 min on a cookie sheet puffed them up pretty good. For additional toe space, I simply took two sheets of paper towel, folded in half and rolled up like a cigar. Lay the "cigar" across the front of toes and duct tape onto foot, then I put on a lightweight sock for the molding period. The only slight struggle I had was that the liner shrunk a bit when heated, making the footbed seem too long when re- inserting after heating the liner. Things seemed to stretch back out okay while the liner cooled. Shane's trick of wetting the boot also helped the hot liner slip in. Before molding, I tried boot w/ the footbed both in the liner, and under it.  In my case, the footbed in the liner was a better fit. As you probably know, the Strada boots now come w/ the separate insole/footbed.

Scot, Having been threw a nasty bout of golfers elbow a couple years back, I can empathize w/ you. That pain sucks. I thought the pain would go away in the non-golfing/non-skiing winter months, but it never did. My experience required me to seek physical therapy to get over it- after I got tired of wearing the forearm band and chomping down ibuprofen.   For me PT consisted of icing, stretching, massage, electro stim.  I suppose cortizone is another option you may wish to discuss w/ your dr. If you can get rid of it, get on a stretching program so it doesn't come back. If you have access to P90x tapes, the "X-Stretch" video has a few decent forearm stretches in the early part. On a more humorous note, my coworker (who is a very strong golfer) became unable to play last year, after getting elbow tendonitis from playing too much Guitar Hero w/ his wife (after kids went to bed). He embarrassingly ended up in PT, where he was immediately diagnosed w/ "Heros Elbow". Apparently it has become quite common.  There was a big league pitcher who missed a playoff start a while back because of "Heroes elbow". Presumably his employer was none too happy.  Good luck finding the solution.ÂÂ

Thanks, Tadd. I dropped you an email. I would definitely be onboard...especially for a group by if others here show interest. Any other deep water skiers or those "void of natural bouyancy" have interest in this?ÂÂ

Hey TS, Awhile back, there had been some discussion and interest about the possibility of Eagle offering a vest w/ a bit more padding and floatation then their norm. Any idea as to whether this idea is still alive? A "natural sinker" like me would certainly have interest.

just resurecting this thread to update my experience here (for anyone researching Radar binding options), IMO the Radar ARTP (aka "sandal" here) is best matched up w/ their Vector or Rail boots.  As much as I like the new ARTP, the extra thick and comfy footbed does not match up as well w/ the Strada boot...for which their traditional TP seems a more complimentary  match. My $.02ÂÂ

anyone else subscribe yet? I got an email that looked to be the second issue w/ some interesting stuff (ie. comparison of Radar Senate C vs Strada). I subscribed, but don't seem to have access to any of this second issue stuff (still just the original freebie issue? Perhaps the second issue is not available for viewing yet.

Digressing somewhat, but I've often thought one of the ski schools (in conjunction w/ ski coaching) should offer a 2 or 3 day boat driving seminar for wives and/or girlfriends of skiers. Let some stud with a valium prescription (and far more patience than me) be the driving instructor, and offer pilates, yoga or something between driving sessions. For the safety of skiers being coached, these lessons would obviously  have to take place on an adjacent lake...with a deep,sandy bottom and a heavily padded and fortified dock. My wife doesn't bitch about my skiing (especially since I involve my young daughters whenever possible). She would love to be able to drive the boat for me, but merely lacks the confidence to do so. I'm not sure whether it is a hopeless cause, but (through experience) I've learned that I'm not the one to teach her.

just got the follow up email on it....$29.99 to continue w/ 12 "issues"

If interested I have a 2007 HO Esprit 64" (used one season by my daughter), that looks like new that I would sell cheap (figure $100 plus shipping). I'd be glad to email pix if you'd like.

Thanks, Richard. For the very point you mention (warmth in cold water), the closed toe double Strada boot appeals to me. I've had no luck w/ prior attempts to convert from RTP...it seems to only exxagerate my flaws, and gives me a terrible off side.   I have already picked up a single Strada to run as a front boot.  Might be time to bust open the piggy bank this spring, and demo that ski.

Hey Richard, If you care to expound on "Post 161", I'd be interested in any further explanation you may have with regard to that skiers ease of transitioning (from RTP) to the double boot w/ the Strada. Specifically, was he able to attribute this more to the boot design, or the ski design?

Having had the pleasure of taking a couple runs at the Lake Placid bobsled course,  (even starting from the halfway point) the force through the turns is insane. That thong is a pretty risky choice in undergarments. The "dark side" of that sport is that you can actually pull enough G's in the turns to experience what the sledders refer to as the "mud rush".  Gillian deserves praise for electing Fashion over Function (I'd be stylin a pair of Depends).

Both SA and TWs work fine for me (cutting and pasting). Great shot...wonder if I saw that cover at an early age and got my grip crossed as a result.

For those interested, it looks like Radar has updated their website www.radarskis.com .

Richard, Stopped by a little Ice? Where is the dedication to the sport?? I half expected to see photos of you guys building a roaring campfire in the hull of an aluminum boat, then motoring around in it to melt/break up the ice- like the big Russian Ice Breakers do. (Looking forward to resumption of this thread when weather allows... and continued posts by those in warmer parts)

Richard, (Great thread you've got going here) Having indicated that you are partial to the 66", what is your height/weight?