Milford

@scoke I agree with you and felt the same thing with regard to it feeling slow. So...we started timing each pass with an iPhone to see if it was slow. Now keep in mind, we were only looking at full pass times and not getting each buoy, but the times were within .01 of actual. Using an iPhone is not ideal, as the thumb can easily miss .02, so to really test we would need get a ZO head unit reprogrammed to time each buoy, in trick mode. I believe Nick is working on that now. BTW - I matched my 5 year PB on my first set using trick mode, so I was very skeptical as to if the times were legit and to my surprise, they were. This was in 54 degree water in a dry suit. I think the shorter the line gets the more benefit this setting offers. Really starts to become noticeable between 35 through 41 with the biggest benefit at the 39-41 lengths. When you listen to the video of how the boat reacts in trick mode, it just sounds right. Only applies power when needed and doesn't keep throttling after the release off the second wake. If I could choose today, this would be my setting. Really need to play with it more, but unfortunately our lakes turned solid a few weeks ago. Really think Nick is on to something and is talking to the right people to explore this further.

Nick is always playing with ideas and constantly trying new things to improve the sport. I have skied Trick mode now 4 sets and have to admit, I prefer it. I originally had the attitude of "why even try, it's not available in a tournament", but Nick convinced me to give it a shot in the spirit of trying to improve the sport. Glad I did and hope that he can make headway with the powers that be to have something like this as an option in the near future. Really love the way it applies power when you engage the boat and then immediately shuts down at the edge change.

Fins down, as shown on the instruction sheet. I also matched the wing angle to what I was running before. In my case that was 7 degrees.

I picked up one of these at Nationals and tried it a week after I got home. First set, definitely noticed a difference, just couldn't figure out what the difference was. I went back to my regular wing for the next 4 sets and then tried it again. From that day forward, it has been on my ski ever since. I absolutely love it. It seems to engage more ski during the turn, especially on the offside. The turns seem faster and it holds better. It definitely likes shortline. The benefits really come alive at 38 and 39. I now own 2 of these raptor profiled wings, just to have a back up. I would recommend giving it a try.

@gregy - yes, I skied 2 sets with it last weekend. I like to drag a foot on the deep water start and then kick in, which is the main reason I am interested in this system. Worked great! First set I had the laces a little tight and it did take a little effort to get in, but after I loosened them up a bit, no problem kicking in. I am a size 11 and it fit great. I don't think you would have any problem with a 13, as the laces are completely adjustable and it has plenty of footbed to accommodate a 13. I am coming off a double hard shell system. Have spent a little time using the R-style. This is definitely a hybrid between a rear toe and a rear boot. Great support side to side and frees you up completely front to back. In fact, my biggest problem was mentally pushing my hips forward far enough to weight the front of the ski on my offside turn. It is amazing how much levrage a rear boot provides, but also restricts that center of mass movement. Just going to take some time to get used to. Going to give it another try this weekend. Still early here in Utah, so we are taking it slow.

Just mounted my HRT up and am going to give it a rip this weekend. Very light weight, quality product.

@DanE - There a few sets of stock numbers floating around. You also have Rossi's and also Rini's. The factory seems to be sending out skis with the numbers that were being used at Nationals, which are: 67" Ski Bindings - 29.50 6.965 2.465 0.735 9 degree Great place to start and tweak for personal style and preference. I have tried factory, Rossi's and Rini's and honestly don't know which ones I like the best. Try them all and see what works for you.

The blue vapor was an incredible ski and the 2016 is an improvement to that ski. Very predictable and reliable, which creates consistency while working on your hardest pass. Like Rossi said earlier, this ski is very efficient, which translates into less effort which allows us to practice more. Everything the blue ski did well, the new ski does just a little better. Radar definitely did their homework on this one. If you haven't tried it you definitely should. Just set it up with stock numbers and go get a PB. Something to be said for all of the R&D that went into this ski and the stock numbers being dialed in.

@garn - got it at Walmart. Same isle as the tampons....

Prior to making a carbon fiber plate, I was reinforcing the pvc plate with additional material and attaching with stainless steel screws with countersunk threaded nuts. Not sure what they are actually called, but here is a few pics of what I did to keep the plate from cracking.

@rpg - yes it does protect the lower back and will eliminate that tightening up feeling. As long as you are in a stacked position, you are receiving some benefit. How much depends on how tight you run your straps. I try to run my straps as loose as possible, as it helps get free in the edge change coming into the buoy. If you break at the waist during the turn, let go. In those situations the vest does not protect the lower back. Having had 2 lower back surgeries, with a 3rd probably in my future, I have decided to use it all the time and not mess around. It really is a great option for those who need it. @horton - Build muscle in the gym. Much more controlled environment. Use that muscle while skiing. Also, if you can ski without the vest, I believe you will ski better, so the goal should be to use it to heal and then when you feel 85-90%, lose it. Anyone planning on going on an off season, week long ski vacation to Costa Rica or Mexico would benefit greatly, as you will be able to ski every day and not be so sore that you can't move.

Heat molding the plate certainly makes it more comfortable. I don't think it causes any weakening of the material. I have had non heat molded plates crack as well as heat molded crack. Reinforcing the material just under the area that the strap runs through certainly helps. Or you could go with the option I did last year, which is make a custom molded plate out of carbon fiber. Made a cast of my back with plaster of paris and then used that as a mold to to lay up the carbon and vacuum bagged it. End result is a much stronger (bulletproof) custom fit back plate that you barely notice when wearing.

@RAWSki At each end of the lake, once I swing out to settle to shorten the rope, as I am sitting in the water, I reach back and open the latch, which removes the binding from the ski. Once I deep water start, I clip in and I am ready to go. Short set ups are sometimes a little stressful, but in those situations you have the option to deep water start with both bindings attached to the ski, so you don't have to stress about clipping in. If you think about how many deep water starts you do in a week, they add up. Someone skiing skiing 2 sets a day, 4 days a week would average 60-80 deep water starts. That a lot of stress on the lower back. For someone who is trying to manage lower back issues, this set up is magic. All the benefit of a hard shell system with the flexibility to drag a foot on the start. I ski with a guy who is 72 and is still getting into 35 off. He is convinced that the reason he can still ski is because he uses an RTP and drags his foot on the start. I agree with his logic.

@Chef23 It is very simple to get the back binding in place and snap in. It is similar to placing your foot in a rear toe plate. Once the latch on the back of the binding locks in, it does not come off. I have been using the Goode Powershells with this system and depended on the interlock as the release mechanism. Now with the Reflex Supershell, no need for interlock as the front boot releases independently from the rear boot. While using the Goode interlock system, I always feared that the back boot would somehow come off the ski and the front boot wouldn't. I don't think that would end very well. With the R Style, the liner simply comes out of the shell, so no need for interlock. For the record, the interlock system worked very well and I never had any issues with both boots releasing as they should. Had some pre-release situations that have motivated me to move to the Reflex system. Keep in mind, if for some reason the rear boot did come off the ski, it is attached to your foot, so I don't think it will go to far.

@gregy the contraption on the back of the rear boot is actually kitchen cabinet hardware. It allows me to deep water start with the rear boot off the ski. Once up on the water, I slide it into place and snap in. This significantly reduces stress on the lower back. I had the same system on my powershells and have been using it for approximately 7 years with great success. Here are a few more pics with the boot off the ski:

I have been using double power shells for the last 9 years and decided to make the jump to the Reflex Poweshell with R Style this spring. Ordered everything from Miami Ski Nautique and had a great experience. I have modified a Poweshell and turned it into an R Styke and added buckles. Have not skied it yet, as our lakes are still frozen, but am excited to give it a rip. Here are some pics of the set up:

@Horton – I was the very first customer to purchase a PowerVest in 2009 and agree it is a controversial product. I have talked to a lot of people and everyone has an opinion on it. The reality is, this is just water-skiing and if you have an injury that is preventing you from skiing, why not give it a shot. I agree that diet, fitness level, flexibility and the amount you ski and the decisions you make while on the ski, are a huge factor. Injuries are painful and that pain can be extremely motivating. Choose a healthy lifestyle, get in the gym and try to tighten things back up. If you are not comfortable with your progress, then the Powervest is there as an option. The body takes time to heal, so don’t rush it. I have had 2 back surgeries and have a lower lumbar spinal instability that I can’t “train” away. I am in the gym 5 days a week and am doing everything I can to manage it, but the reality is my body will never be the same, so I have to manage it. The Powervest helps me manage my instability, but I still get hurt and still have to take time off the water. It is not a cure all. It does restrict movement, but I have learned to accept it and adapt. I am sure a lower lumbar spinal fusion is in my future, but until then, I will enjoy skiing and skiing at a high level. My advice would be to use the PowerVest until you are confident that your arm can handle it, then start skiing without it. Definitely take the dowels out of the gloves and heat mold the back plate. The vest is legal in any and ALL competition. I have worn it in class C, L, R, Regional, National, Big Dawg and World Championship events. There will always be people that disagree with allowing its use, but don’t worry about those guys, they are not going through your pain or concern for re-injury. I think it comes down to ego. Some people would rather sit on the dock and look cool than participate and wear a vest that might look a little funny. I choose to participate. Those that have never had such an injury won’t understand, so don’t try to convince them. It is your body, take care of it. As far as improving performance, what do you think, if it was improving performance, don’t you think you would see more of them out there? Most people that I know that have used the Powervest to heal an injury would all agree that they stopped using it because they felt that they could ski better without it. I think this is why you don’t see a lot of them out there. Good Luck! Jeff Milford

Congratulations Nick! I have been lucky enough to ski with Nick for the last 15 years and have witnessed him develop not only as a skier but as a ski designer. He really knows what he is doing and has been instrumental in the ski designs coming out of Goode for the last 8 years. Nick really likes to tinker and is constantly trying new ideas and pushing the limits. It also helps that he really understands ski set up, so he knows the difference between set up and design issues. I think D3 just grabbed one of the best assets in the industry and am 100% confident that, with Nick on the team, a new world record will fall with Nick's fingerprints all over the design.

@Ed_Johnson I have been riding a 68 2016 Vapor since Nationals and think it fits my size nicely. I am 6'2" and 195lbs. I skied the 67 and think the 68 supports me a little better. If I was you I would definitely consider the 69. I think it will support you much better, especially as the water gets warm in he middle of summer.

It appears that you are dropping your hips as you approach your offside turn. This is causing excess weight transfer to your back foot. I would suggest pushing your hips forward as you approach the turn. As you change edges and start your reach, bring your hips forward as the handle extends. Pushing your hips forward does not mean straighten your legs or push on the ski, it simply means bring your hips forward a few inches which will require you to bend at your ankles. Knees need to stay soft. This will ultimately place more weight on your front foot, which will engage the ski and commit to the turn.

I think the Powervest offers excellent protection and allows someone who is injured to get back on the water, doing what we all love to do. I have had 2 lower back surgeries, L5-S1 and L4-L5 discectomy and decided to use the Powervest years ago. I am a firm believer in training off the water and putting in the work to keep your core strong. I think of the vest is similar to a a knee or ankle brace. It offers support and allows muscles to heal while allowing you to enjoy participating, instead of sitting on the dock watching everyone else have fun. Once her back has healed, she can try skiing without it and monitor how things are doing. Unfortunately, I struggle with pain on a daily basis, so I use it 100% of the time, but I am able to continue to ski at a high level. Even with the Powervest you have to ski smart and not hold on to junk. You will find that the muscles are a lot less fatigued while using the vest, which allows you to enjoy other things, like pulling weeds in the yard, without throwing your back out, due to skiing the day before. Highly recommend.

I ran a really nice 39 at the Sunten Lakes tournament in Utah on the new 68 Vapor this weekend. Bindings at 30" measured from the heal of front boot 6.960 2.462 .735 9 degrees I am going to make small adjustment and go to: 6.953 2.465 .735 9 degrees Hopefully those are the magic numbers for me to get through that pass more consistently.

My front powershell malfunctioned at Nationals, where one of the plastic tabs than runs underneath the upper cuff popped out on every pass, causing a locked out position. Not sure why it happened, but motivated me to look at other options. Purchased a front boot only and replaced the Goode boot on my system. Still using Velcro, but now have the new Supershell up front. 3 sets on it and am loving it. Very comfortable and allows the ski to get out in front better than what I was on.

I had the opportunity to ski the brand new 68" over the weekend and ran a season personal best on it on the first set. The ski takes everything the 2015 has to offer and makes it better. I can't wait to get my hands on one that I can keep! Really tried to talk the guy that loaned me the ski into taking it to Nationals, but he seems to be very attached to it, so I will be skiing my 2015 and then making the move right after Nationals. Exciting to have such great options. Can' t wait to spend more time on this new ski.

I am really enjoying my Radar Vapor! Ski is very predictable and provides and incredible platform that builds confidence at any line length. Here is a 28' off out at Sunten Lakes in Utah.