lakeaustinskier

45 but I took one of those Internet "How old are you in your mind tests" and it said I was 30. Does that count?

I own a lot at Aquaplex but do not live there (I own a home on a public lake-Lake Austin). Due to drought Aquaplex was dry in 2009 but recovered in 2010. Aquaplex is fed by run-off from a large watershed. SMRR is also a great place, however, it relies on pumping from a river. During drought conditions pumping from the river is restricted at SMRR. Both locations are great - Aquaplex is very close to Austin whereas SMRR is not as close.

Nice video! So tell us about the "nonskiers".

Call Tim White at 334-301-2729. He just helped me convert my 1998 205 Mastercraft LT1 to PP Stargazer. I paid a little less than going directly through PP and Tim was able to give me some good advice about the conversion. For example Tim recommended that I go with the Wake Edition (and not 3 event) since the LT1 doesn't always like Stargazer at low speeds. You cannot use a DBW system for a non DBW boat. Also, the comment by Richard about too much throttle at the start is accurate. I've started my season two weeks ago and the speed just didn't feel "right" Like any good skier I immediately blamed my wife for the bad speeds :) but we finally figured out that she needed to run the throttle up slower - and that fixed the problem. I'll get my 2007 196 back next week after converting to ZO from Stargazer so we'll see how that conversion feels.................

"Sounds like a Radar guy" MAD11 having a preference for one ski or ski brand is like Charlie Sheen only having one girlfriend. But back to the original question - when I was looking a new ski I tried an Elite, Z7ST and Strada. All three had different personalities. Unless you are going to pick up a used one on SIA super cheap always try before you buy.

I know some people think this is too serious of a topic but definitely go see a dermatologist on a yearly basis. My doc has me completely strip down and checks everything from between my toes to more "sensitive" areas. I've never had anything serious but considering how much time I spend in the sun, peace of mind is priceless. Think about it. You take your dog to the vet once a year so why aren't you going to the doctor for a physical exam once a year ..................?

I agree with skibug. Good bindings, never had a problem, just be sure to check the side screws every other set or so to make sure the tension is set to your liking.

I've also had my E-Series for 2 seasons and I recommend them. They seem to be the best of both worlds (hard and soft shell)........and besides I can't get comfortable on the "low" cuff bindings like Radar. I've had several OTF's and they've always released. My only complaint might be that the adjustment screws on the sides (that provide the tension) need to be checked every week or so for proper adjustment. Supposedly the new O'Brien bindings are very similar.

We have these problem people because I have never met a slalom skier that is not a Type A personality that knows everything (like me). IMO slalom people have the largest egos of any of the disciplines.I could have used a different word but I don't want to be banned J. Good work on BOS!

I've learned the hard way that it always best to write an e-mail (or post) and NOT hit send. Wait a bit then review what you have written. Sometimes what you have written is crap, sometimes it's mean and yes, sometimes it's irrelevant so don't post. It's true that BOS tends to have a clubbiness to it since lots of guys have known each other for years..but who cares? IMO that adds to the fun of the site.

I finally slowed down enough to make this post so here goes…….my real name is Ted Thomson and I live in Austin Texas (some trivia - my family came here before Texas was a state).I never skied the course until my mid 20’s and when I did – discovered that unless I had access to a slalom course I could forget about competition.  SO because I’m extremely lucky to live on Lake Austin I became a serious Wally. In my late 30’s I realized that skiing was my life so I bought a lot at Aquaplex.  I told my wife “ it’s about the same price as a golf membership†- and somehow she bought that argument.I’ve finally gotten serious about skiing with people better than myself and getting good coaching. Trent Finlayson lives and trains in the area so I take lessons from him (great coach). I skied in my first tournaments in 20 years this summer and have a tournament pb of 4.5 @ 32 (practice is 4@ 35). I have a 07 CC 196 Ltd at Aquaplex and a 98 MC 205 on Lake Austin. The most notable BOS guy I occasionally ski with at Aquaplex is Mad11 (Marc Austin). I love my Strada and FM E-Series bindings.I anticipate that soon again my skiing will suffer since all three kids (6,8,and 10) have started competing in tournaments.  They currently take trick lesson from Kay Nichols.My oldest son will soon be crossing over to Boy Scouts and I’ll be the “water guy†since I’m a sucker and current Scout Leader. Some of you’all might know a guy called Floyd McCreight. He lives at Aquaplex and at the age of 72 he still skis 4-5 times a week……….that kind of longevity is my goal. Â

This advice comes from painful experience.........always demo something before you buy it. Your local shop should accomodate this request.Â

Might as jump in here since I'm one of the people that has also taken lessons from both Jodi and Trent. I've also mentioned before that Trent trains in the area (Aquaplex) and I take lessons from him on a regular basis :). IMO Trent has very clear advice that I can understand. Jodo told me the same thing about aligning the hips with the tip of my ski. My "take away" was that by aligning the hips you were more likely to maintain cross course speed and outbound direction. I've also considered that Jodi was Mapple's long term training partner (always good). Trent has always worked on trying to get me to aggressively move the handle to my hip starting from the pullout from the foam all the way through the course. At first I had a hard time reconciling Jodi's advice (alignment of hips) with Trent's advice (handle to hips) and then the light bulb finally turned on. If I come out of the turn with proper body position (stacked and connected through my hips and core) and place the handle to my hips........my hips are automatically aligned with the ski. Of course, I tend to lose it coming off the second wake.

The two gloves are very different. I've tried the "Clincher" type gloves and I can't always release to my satisfaction. BUT my ski partner loves them. The 41 Tails are the same as the old HO RPM gloves. I like the Tails because they have the Kevlar palm yet........they don't have a bunch of heavy stitching on the palms. Gloves with heavy stitching tend to not be as pliable (at least for me). I also don't use glove liners but instead use a smaller glove than my hand size. My hand is a Medium but I use a Small or XS size glove. I've found that the smaller gloves I can avoid bunching.

This issue strikes a personal note with me - I've been there.  Use factory settings and work on form. I used to have an old ski partner who was always messing with his settings and equipment etc. but what he really needed was to concentrate on his body mechanics. I made a decision 4 years ago to seek out good coaching (HUGE) and concentrate on my form and I've really improved my skiing (4 @32 TB and 4 @ 35 practice). My old ski partner is still messing with different skis and different settings and he hasn't really improved.Â

I'm an owner at Aquaplex (along with Mad11) and either he or I will pull you. Send me your info at tedgthomson@gmail.com. I could also probably get you into San Marcos River Ranch.

I came off an X5 and I tried a Strada, a ZST, and an Elite. Could never get comfortable on the Elite so made a choice between the Strada and the D3. In my opinion, the D3 has a sliding turn while the Strada has a carving turn.  The Strada has much more speed coming off the ball................so I picked the Strada. The downside is that if you don't have good form out the turn.......the Strada is not as forgiving.  Â

Sorry about the new topic. I only saw the second part of the original topic. Your comments are exactly what I tell people - I just needed some confirmation.

I also "teach" several people to slalom. Most of them are open water skiers but usually they have the dream of moving to a course. Forget the ski right now.............what does everyone think are 3-4 (no more) basic skills/techniques that I can tell these guys?  I'm working on my 35 off pass so some of the things that I'm working on don't apply to them.Â

I just want to talk (and dream) about a bunch of women sitting around talking about skiing.....................

As someone that has recently started skiing tournaments again tournaments are fun for my family. I would not ski them if my family could not be involved. I also believe that there's some life lesson value to learning to perform under pressure. Tournaments also tend to focus my technique during practice.  Think of it this way - I'd rather be baking in the sun all day at a tournament than watching a soccer tournament go on and on and on.  The ski tournament allows everyone in the family not just one kid (well not the wife) to participate. Â

Great topic. " The culture has changed. There are so many forms of entertainment in the summer that did not exist in the '70s and '80s. Wateskiing is not dying, it is adapting to the culture. " Good news..................I have a 6 girl, 7 boy and 10 boy. Everyone skis. We spent a week at Bennett's in June. I own a home on the water on a public lake in Austin with a boat and.............also own a lot and a boat at a private ski lake (Aquaplex - several US Opens and two Big Dawgs). I'm constantly teaching every neighborhood kid how to ski and as a Scout Leader.........the Cub Scout Pack.  SInce my kids can now ski I just started skiing in tournmanents again (after being absent 15 years). Bad news...................most people on the public lake wakesurf or wakeboard - not ski.  Believe it or not!.........some people wakesurf/board at Aquaplex.  No one has time to spend an entire weekend at a tournament ( I don't).  And who the heck has time for 3 Event with 3 kids? Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts has the same problem with relevancy. My entire family just spent last week at the BSA training center at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the Scouts are also struggling to stay relevant in today's society. I mean when you think about Scouts you think about "outdoors, and hikes etc."..............but yet, Scouts just came out with a video game badge that can be earned as an achievement?!  I read that they specifically came out with the badge to become "modern" and I guess relevant. BUT I agree that traditional skiing is not dead..........traditional skiing just needs to adapt. Don't just complain - do something. For example wakeboard tournaments are an "event" with music and fun whereas most ski tournaments are......yawn........a tournament where everyone stands around and talks geek speak about slalom technique. Food for thought. Ted Thomson

I used to ski on an X5 and when I was looking for a new ski I demoed a ZST, Elite and Strada. I felt that the new ZST was definitely faster than the X5 but yet it still has a lot of the same turning characteristics. But......I bought the Strada because I felt like it was the best ski for me for trying to run 35 and beyond. I echo the smaller ski selection. I'm 6' 3' 190 pounds and I used to ski a 68 X5 but now have the 67 Strada. The Elite and ZST were also 67.  Call Tadd at H2Osmosis.  I've purchased several skis through him and they are great to do busineess with. I demoed the Strada and ZST through him. The Elite came from a guy at my lake.Â

I completely understand how some people might think that small kids drag tournaments out longer than they should be. BUT as the parent of a 7 and 10 year old boy and a 6 year old girl..........you gotta do it to grow the sport.  My kids see other kids competing and this really seems to motivate them. Also, I don't know about you guys but as the parent of small kids I simply cannot attend tournaments w/o my kids also competing. In other words, I can't be away from the family just to attend a tournament. I did not ski tournaments for several years since I had really young kids and now I can. We've had success with smaller "mini" tournaments where you limit your tournament entries to make it a smaller tournament and make it go faster.Â

We are fortunate enough at Aquaplex (Austin) to have regular coaching sessions with Trent since his training lake is located in close proximity. We all know that just because someone is a pro skier - that does not make them a good coach. Trent is a good coach beacuase he is a good communicator. After all.........he has the gig with WSM. I am not an expert in slalom theory or technique, however, Horton's observations about Trent's philosophies on speed are very accurate. If I can do the gate correctly (like Trent tells me to) I have lots of angle and speed into one ball - but with very little load. Speed is not a problem - speed with load and bad angle IS a problem. Hips and handle together.............come around the ball and connect the handle back to the hip (stacked) while still maintaining that speed. I would also agree about the new school versus old school comment.