greghayes

I have experience with the Connelly V and Senate C. For my style, the Senate shape is a far superior 34mph -22 ski (my current ability level). I only use the V for 30mph wide-ride (where it is very comparable to the Radar Theory). I do not like the V at 34mph - I find it to be kind of a whale to turn but plenty fast across the wakes. Do some demos, enjoy the shopping experience - but for my money I'd go with the Radar.

Than wrote:

 

"Explicitly offer coaching.

 

Perhaps this could be done in a class F or even completely unsanctioned portion of the event, and allow a participant some fixed number of passes in each round, regardless of success. Have one of the veterans watch all these passes and give the skier some things to work on.

 

Obviously, this should only apply if the skier *wants* coaching. But perhaps it would draw in a lot of aspiring skiers and turn the intimidation factor into more of a feature. Instead of skiing "against" the best, get advice from the best!"

 

+1 on this idea. If this were available, I would have been back skiing tournaments ten or more years sooner than I did. For those without regular access to private water, offering a tournament-like experience with practice/coaching makes the long drive, motel room, entry fees and time all seem worthwhile. Guarantee four passes or four falls and you've got a winning proposition.

 

I think this would help grow the sport from the middle - those who have already invested in their time and equipment to become proficient, but have to balance other life factors that prevent them from skiing every week. It won't get total "newbies" coming out, but I suspect there are many mid-level skiers who are intimidated by the prospect of "one and out" who would flock to this format.

 

My 2 cents...

+1 on the 1997- early 2000s era Ski Nautiques.

 

I'll ski behind a closed or open bow any day of the week.

 

I routinely get compliments on how my '97 SNOB skis.

 

Check out the video - is this a funny artifact of the past...or the future of the sport?

 

Slalom looks very different, but possible behind a cable system.

 

Would you ski behind a cable?

What if gas were $8/gallon?

What if AWSA sanctions cable systems as an approved tow boat?

 

I have experience with the 67" Theory @170 lbs - and you can't go wrong with it - definitely don't go bigger. It has plenty of surface area.

 

I recently switched to the Connelly V for my "wide ride" ski - that might be a consideration for you too. I find it very similar to the Theory at 30mph.

The merits of the new technology are TBD - the proof is in the skiing and until the rest of us can try it, it's just fun to speculate.  It won't affect my scores this season.  :) 

 In the meantime, great exclusive Horton!  You are "winning." 

 Seriously.

Apparently the folks in Australia agree - I had a hard time finding this ski (sold out everywhere).  One shop said they were all shipping out for the beginning of the Australian ski season. 

My impressions are based on one set two weeks ago - but largely in agreement with Horton's original review: 

 http://www.ballofspray.com/gear-reviews/574-connelly-v-review

It was 55 air temp, 55 water temp. Hello dry suit.  Notes based on 67" ski at
30mph 15-28off, factory fin setting (I didn't try it at 34, so no opinion of its suitability as a true shortline ski). 

• it turns on demand - I mean wickedly quick, but it still seems to guide you through a carving turn
• it has a huge sweet spot across the wakes
• it aggressively hunts an edge (more than any other wide ride qualified ski)
• it holds an edge as well or better than any other ski at 30mph

As a wide ride ski - I felt like it skied equal to the Senate C overall (but the Senate 67 doesn't qualify for wide
ride). 

This is shaping up to be my wide ride for next season...anyone else out there with more water time feeling similar or different?   

That is a fine piece of work - thanks for sharing that photo. 

If you can do that in moderate volume, I bet trakker would sell that as an accessory. 

Don't try this at home...

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/19810c34bfac15c1b2df96449eb27707/video/20141011

This was the combination of a loose Trakker mount and loose pylon (both noticed after the fact).  After the handle pop, the FlipHD plastic body separated from the metal mounting bolt (which was still tightly screwed down to the Trakker). 

 Anyone else having durability issues with their Flips, before I write this off to a fluke and buy another one?  

I have been very happy with my Oneill Assault drysuit. 

It is baggy on top and tight in the legs - but totally dry.  I was not brave enough to go totally "baggy" for slalom skiing.  I like the wetsuit fit on the legs - no worries about dragging the suit in the water.  

 Happy hunting.  

I find that the best way to shake a slump is to get out to a different site, behind a different boat.  http://www.ballofspray.com/vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif

The Waterski Magazine readership is a little more encouraging than the AWSA numbers - and there must be a reason that they have reinvested in both a larger, more expensive print format and richer online content.  

-------------------

Distribution 50,000 

Own a boat 85%
Own a slalom ski 88%
Own a wakeboard 84%
Own a combo pair 71%
Ski at least once a week in season 81%
Average spent on equipment annually $748
Average Age 43.7
Average HHI $157,600

--------------------

These statistics correspond with my real-world experience of families where mom and dad grew up skiing and the kids are interested in a mix of wakeboarding, skiing, towables, etc.  On the private lakes in my area where I ski - I'd estimate a 50/50 split between 3-event skiing and other disciplines.  I'd suggest that instead of viewing this as a sign of skiing's demise, this is a good thing for the sport, because more people are participating at some level and are exposed to skiing.  

I wonder how WSM readership lines up with the BOS regulars?  Any takers...

I love these gloves too and they are true to size - I am a L.  They are tight when dry and perfect when wet - no stretching that I have noticed.  Maybe the dial helps with that.   I give these gloves two thumbs up. 

Another vote for RS-1 - but it is not for everyone. 

Having switched from rubber double boots to RS-1 the feel was very different.  I found myself overtightening the laces (despite all the warnings) to get a more snug feeling on the front of my feet. 

Now that I have many sets in on them, I barely tighten them down anymore because I realized that the boots fit very snugly laterally (side to side), but it made no difference how tight they were front-to-back on my performance. 

Now that I am used to them, I don't think I'd go back.  And having recovered from a slalom ankle break a few years back, I am comfortable about how they release in all situations.   

I put Superfeet into Radar intuition liners and have been very happy with the result. 

I am waiting for them to disintegrate in the water - but so far so good.  At least 30 sets and they have not fallen apart yet (but starting to look a bit worse for the wear).  

Anyone else figured out the mean time to destruction on SF?  

Thanks Steve.  I've been wanting to try our Ski West.  

I am on Ironwood every other Friday - but do make it out for an occasional Thursday.   We'll connect.

Thanks Rawly - I am in touch with Joe.  He was really helpful and knowledgeable about the area. 

Anyone out there with a 3+ BR place on one of the Bakersfield/Arvin ski

lakes interested in a lease or maybe sale?   I need a place to rest

with the family between sets...