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Thanks for the advice! Will do so! Met the man once here in Paris, but I don't think he'll remember me. Is he on this forum or should I try his email on his website? Again, thanks!

Hi everyone! So my family and I are contemplating going to Miami for our X-mas break this year (France is nice, and snow is cool and everything, but some sun might not hurt!!). Thought we could maybe rent a nice big waterfront house so i've started checking Airbnb and other sites, but it made me think maybe, just maybe, someone here knows of good deals? Here is the deal: 8 adults, 1 baby, 1 teenager. Would need 4-5 bedrooms at least Pretty view (lake, ocean, something.) appreciated Waterfront or "water-very-very-close" is a must have Optional access to ski facilities greatly appreciated (6 out of 8 adults are slalom skiers) We're not in town to party and cause any trouble, ages ranking from 25-65, good'old family vacations. We are Respectful decent people, will commit to not deteriorating / breaking anything. Budget : no more than 1,000 USD / night. Dates: December 22nd - january 4th or 5th (approximately) I'm well aware that this forum is not about real estate or anything but just in case I thought I might ask. We are looking in Miami but are open to WPBeach in case a grat deal shows up there? Or any place with sun, water access, ski facilities close-by? Anyway, just in case, if you know of anything or hear about anything, please let me know! Thanks for your kind help, Romain.

Ooook; so How do I get myself one of these green card things and where do I find an American Job? Anyone hiring in AZ? ;) That lake looks like the dream place to own a Ski-Home! :)

Hi there, I'm probably a crappy skier, but am and have been in love with my X7 ever since the first time I set foot on it. It is indeed an incredibly reliable and stable ski, as well as fast. I bought it onine from Paul C and recieved it and tried it last year during a one week break in Cancun in october-november (right about this time last year actually). Terrible skiing conditions for 8 consecutive days, windy, choppy water, most skiers were staying on the dock, but hey, you've got a new stick you wanna ride it right? So I did and almost immediately rode it to my then PB (22off@34mph) and knocked a few buoys at 28off. Everyone was complaining about the conditions and indeed they were absolutely terrible, but the ski was so stable, so quick, I couldn't care less. I perfectly understand what people calling it a "slow ski" mean. It is very very stable so the offside to this is that it IS glued to the water like on said earlier. So if your style is agressive and heavy on the line and everything, you will definitely feel like you're spending a lot of energy on your pulls. Now just wait until you come in yelling on a turn, having "forgotten" to brake, and simply feel the ski carve a big wall like you had hit the brakes in perfect timing, and send you back flying in the opposite direction. On the other hand, like many people have said, if your style is more kicked back, easy on the line and letting things work for you (the boat, the line, the ski), it gives you a feeling that you're simply un-destructible, and it is easy to imagine how people skiing on X7-kind-of-skis can be very very consistent. This summer I haven't really skied that much (15-20 sets max) and consistently took it to my new PB, 28off@34mph but most impressive (for me) I only crashed once in that process. So I know people are gonna say "if you're not crashing you're not trying" blablabla, but I skied so little this summer I was never really skiing multiple sets in one week. I kinda skied one or two sets every 10 days for 10 weeks and called it a season. So I was kind of eternally "riding for the first time in a long time", and wasn't going for PB's, and this is were this ski's stability is amazing. even if you're out of shape and under-trained, you're still consistent.

There is another way to look at this issue (or to try to understand it): If you guys have ever heard car manufacturers, they are always trying to lower what they call "unsprung weight" on vehicles. Unsprung weight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_mass) is all the weight (or mass if you want) that is directly connected to the pavement, and not supported by suspension. Therefore suffering directly from road bumps etc.. Please forgive my approximative English, but if you try an "analogy" (?) you could say that the ski and the binding on a skier are the Unsprung Mass (maybe even his lower legs, up to the knee), and the rest (above the knee) is the Sprung mass (given that your knee is your highly-evolved suspension device ;) ). And from there on, please read the Wikipedia article stated above, (specially parts like ) and you'll see many reasons why a lighter ski / binding (and lower leg, but that's not something we can adjust haha) are better for your skiin' Hope people will understand what I tried to say here, and hope it helps.

All these crushed Sportube comments have me thinking, maybe these sportubes are not easy enough to handle? I'm no pro and do not intend on making sportube look bad, but I've seen one (ok only one) up close, and had the feeling I wouldn't know where to start picking it up? it had little to no handles (one I think in the front) and was evidently heavy as it can be. Maybe going for something that has numerous handles / straps etc will ultimately help the ground crew carrying it around and not throwing it - pushing it - dragging it around? I'm just thinking out loud, and maybe your sportubes had plenty of handles, as I said, i'm no pro ;)

Hey great skiing! Both of you ;) Imho your technique is high above average, and the only thing I can think of is that you seem to rush your turns. it feels like you always slam your turn and get an untight line when you could easily take a liiiittle more time and simply ski back to your handle. But this is just me, I'm not a big fan of messing with bindings and fin and everything, i'm convinced 90% of our problems come from us. But again, that's just my point of view :) And again, great skiing! Both of you! Your son is very light on the handle, very smooth, nice to watch ;)

Ps: pipe alone is close to 10lbs, I'm not saying this is the perfect solution, just sayin' this is a not-so-expensive solution that is tune-able. if I'm only travelling by train / GreyHound then the bag is plenty enough, If I'm travelling small airplanes (private), same thing. if you're going cross-world with two-three plane connections...the pipe might come in handy ;)

Hey Guys! The pipe is obviously heavier than just foam around your ski, but I've found it's worth it! With 2 skis, 3 bindings, 2 RTP, rope, jacket, gloves, handle, + neoprene and small ski bags (for the lake), the total bag weighs around 50lbs in deed. Since 23 Kilos is the Weight allowed (49lbs), no biggy. @Garn you have to take the fins of if you want to put 2+ skis inside the pipe! Else they just sit on top of one another, not to mention damage to the ski lying under...

ps: Forgot to mention I had made the exact same one for my sister's Goode Maikai, with a PINK Dakine bag obviously, and it proved efficient starting from the first flight, the bag arrived all nice and neat, but inside the pipe was all cracked and you could see it had taken a HUGE fall / load / hit, well somthing you wouldn't want your ski to have to deal with... But the ski was good as new, 30$ well spent. As @Killer mentioned some brand make very good cases, try them if you can!

Weeeeeeeell it depends on so many factors... To tell you the truth, I've personnally been skiing for 5-6 season's now (seriously I mean, buying my own ski, hitting the course, wanting to ski with my own gear etc.. And I've noticed a dramatic change in Airlines behaviour regarding waterski equipment. My advice would be to check that you can travel with SNOW skis OR Surfboards (often stated in the terms of contract) and NEVER EVER EVER mention anything like waterski, wakeboard or anything like this. Why? because, our sport is a low diffusion sport, not many people actually know about it, and many mistake it for KiteSurfing, Surfing, Paddling, whatever... I've notice donce you start to mention waterski, then they notice it is not stated in the contract, and almost systematically want to charge you big big $$$ for transporting it (i've been asked 70$ PER FLIGHT on a Paris - Mexico -canun - mexico - Paris...that's 4 flights...do the math, obviously I got outof that one but it was a close call) Now, this was about legal / authorizations / cost etc... Regarding transportation technique look at your dealer's website, there are plenty of brands that come up with great baggs / boxes / with or withour rollers (prefer with obviously). I myself made my own N'destructible slalom gear transportation bag from a Dakine SnowBoard Bag (90$ for Sale) and a plastic pipe from a construction dealer close to my house (30$ so so + some effort to cut it to the right size) Result is I can store 2 -3 skis without fins or bindgins INSIDE the pipe, have them mega protected, and pack up all the rest (vest, rope, bindings bla bla bla) in the big bag. See pictures attached with my old KD7000! (Please DO NOT MAKE FUN OF MY TINY TINY FRENCH CAR, If I lived in the States I'd be driving some V8 muscle car, this is as good as it gets inside Paris lol) Hope this helped, and have a good flight ;) Romain

Spooky, I once had my thumb tangled in the rope and the boat simply in gear...will never forget that feeling of your thumb being stretched beyond your craziest imagination. I guess from reading this article that I got VERY lucky that day... I managed to reach the rope (the part between the boat and my finger) with my other hand and the boat crew saw something was wrong and stopped the boat. had lost my nail but the finger eventually recovered. I've been rope-o-phobiac ever since, when I'm waiting in between sets I always know exactly where every inch of rope is, and needless to say when I drive I always have that little thought before I tense the rope for my skiers...

@RB, I don't intend to be a smart**ss or anything, but shouldn't your hands be the other way around? I'm guessing you've tried it and not liked it maybe? But just asking? Now to everyone, when it comes to hands, wrists and elbows, well to the entire body actually, any minor change might make a huge difference. From sitting 10 hrs / day at a my laptop I had developed some kind of "cold finger syndrom", you can look it up on google, one of your fingers starts aching, burning, and eventually feeling coooooold. Not just the feeling in the finger, but your finger actually IS cold, if you touch it with your other hand it will strike you. I simply added a regularly-oriented keyboard and a bluetooth mouse (instead of the track pad) and VOILA, no more pain, no more cold finger.. So really Yes, any slight modification in your handle, your keyboard, even your mouse may help, it's just a matter of finding what works for each and everyone of us.

Being Half-French Half-Mexican I can't advise you enough to try the Mexican Brand "Squalo". Initially Surfer shorts but still, light, lot's of space, one pocket with velcro lock for anything you might need, and not too stretchy so will not fill up with water upon startup. + Sold in Mexican Pesos, good for your american dollars si señor ;) lol

Hey guys, thank you all for your advice, I gave him all the info and he will most certainly be trying the Conn' HP. For those of you who wanted to know which ski he was (is) skiing, (I'm thinking of you @Phil2360, haha), the ski is an "EP Comp, High Definition Series". Real piece of Waterski History!

Hi there, @MickeyThompson! I also have a 9.1/2 and I also bought a T Factor last summer, I use it with a RTP behind on a 66" X7. I bought an L, but couldn't try the M so couldn't tell you if there is a big gap? Imo the T Factor doesn't need to be ridden to tight. I feel comfortable, and have felt that way right-away. I do not tense the laces too much, actually I only bring the little plastic thing to about 1/8 of an inch to touching the boot, and even I sometimes un-tighten it in between passes inside one given set. The boot is pretty stiff on the sides so it naturally holds your foot quiet well I feel. (Although it allows for front / back movement) As far as security is concerned, I tend to take skiing smoothly and haven't had any big big crashes this year apart from one weird "HOOOLD IT RIGHT THERE SOLDIER" going to an offside Buoy 28off 34mph, my ski kinda sunk, and I just stopped and did a front flip with the ski and everything it was actually almost fun, except for the part where I saw the handle going underneath me... That's never something you want.... Anyways, my foot didn't come out, now it wasn't really an OTF fall as much as an "out upwards" so I guess I just lifted the whole ski with the binding and flipped. But still I believe when it comes to crashes you either want "everything out" or "everything stays put". I had both feet stay in place so I can't complain, but again, I don't crash that often, so this is just my little experience. Hope this helps? One thing I can say Is that when I purchased the T factor, I also bought a leverage Front Boot size L for my other ski (KD 7000), and I felt like the leverage was 3 sizes smaller than the T Factor. To this day I still have issues getting inside my leverage boot with 1 gallon of soap, whereas the front-lace system in the T Factor allows for an easy entry with a little spray of soap.

Hello everyone at Ballofspray. Well I'm new to this forum and definitely wouldn't want to sound like those Smart A*** that seem to know everything on their computer, specially given that I would like to ski at your level. i've only started seriously skiing 5 years ago and I'm working my way into 32 off. One thing I love is technique, and I must admit I've studied about every skiing style that I have had the opportunity to see in these past 5 years. I've definitively noticed that many many people (and many here will hate me for saying this) go with double boots or double hardshell bindings for it increases your control over the ski, your safety etc etc, and I perfectly understand. Now, one thing this does, is it gives skier the "ability" to control the ski with the rear foot, which is actually NOT something we are looking for theoretically. In my very very humble advice (again, I would love to ski into 38 off, but give me some time haha), i think your are simply lacking weight on your front foot. As often as I can I try to ski "only" on my front foot to get the feel and these happen to be my cleanest, smoooooothest passes. I myself am on a D3 T Factor front and wiley's RTP. I've seen waterski legends ski 41off with wiley's front and RTP... So I'm guessing it's doable :) Again, this is only my humble opinion, and I know it is like Waterskiing 101, from what I've seen, people (even good skiers) tend to bypass it. If it helps look for a guy called Scott Reardon on Youtube, I don't know him personally, but Scott has only one leg and Skis incredibly well into 28off @36mph.... Pretty impressive to look at, and forces you to consider skiing on your front leg ;) Hope my beginner's point of view helps in any way! Cheers Romain

@Phil2360 I don't remember!!! I'll post pictures next time I see him and/or his ski ;)

I think the comment is "MUY bueno" actually ;) Nevertheless I can't help you with your whistling sound for my ski hardly ever whistles....sigh....

Hey @andjules, thanks for the comment. I didn't say the tunnel ski would eject him into outer space, I said the edge-to-edge concave would. It's just, you should see this guy ski, I have never EVER seen anyone put so much energy into his pulls. I swear I sincerely believe he could end up on the shore if he were to pull like that with a newer kind of ski. The point is, I agree with aaalll of those who will hopelessly try to get me to convince him that full concave is not bad, but guys, he just will not settle for that. He has tried and he is sure he doesn't like, so why not look for something similar to what he has if it makes him feel better? ;)

http://www.connellyskis.com/uploads/images/connelly/products/Connelly_2012_HP.png

In deed carburators seem to exist still in Waterskiing! lol http://www.connellyskis.com/uploads/images/connelly/products/Connelly_2012_HP.png Now seriously, @Horton, I understand your point of view and believe me I've tried to talk him into at least trying my old KD7000 and progressive skis, but he never felt good on them, just wants a "tunnel concave ski". To tell you the truth I'm CONVINCED it's only his mind playing games with him but hey, if the fact of knowing he is standing on some sort of 2012 tunnel helps him out then so be it! ;) I'll defintively recommend him the connelly HP and the Theory! Thanks guys!

@Horton, well you do not sound like a smart ass, I just haven't had the time to read all the reviews for all the skis selling out there. So I was just wondering if such skis existed and if people knew about such skis. For instance @skier2788 's post was pretty helpfull, I'll suggest my friend to try these Radars. I'm pretty sure in deed there are no more skis with that 1" flat spot between the side and the concave, but if anything vaguely ressembles the touch&feel I might just suggest it to my fellow skier!

Hello everyone, Does anyone amongst you fine ladies and gentlemen know of recent slalom skis that are not concave but "Tunnel Concave"? A friend of mine in his 50's skis with an ooooooold tunnel ski and will not even consider going to anything close to concave carbon skis. Nevertheless his ski is getting worn out and he is looking for something new out there. I want to help him out, and by searching Google I have found skis as the O'Brien Siege or HO Mach1 but I was wondering if anyone knew of other skis like that? Let me stress out that this friend is actually a formerly very decent skier (35off...) and still runs the course though out of shape and overweight. He is just not into the new craze of carbon concave skis. His style is very muscular VERY VERY VEEEEEERY HARD PULLS, shoulders facing the next buoy, a little old school I must say, but i can foresee how he would be ejected into outer space coming out of his pull if he tried a Goode for instance ;) Any advice or info greatly appreciated! Thanks, Romain

Hey Guys! Interesting topic! My name is Romain and I ski in Paris on the Seine River. We do have a Slalom installed and despite adverse conditions we try to get the most out of it. In deed the current (or stream I don't know which word should be used) affects your skiing and your speed over the course. Everything that's been said earlier in this topic is true, it is exactly as walking on the Airport's moving sidewalk. Though people tend to not really comprehend how this affects "since speed over bottom is what counts", let me try (I said TRY) to explain it to you graphically. When you are going down stream, if you have a perfect pass, it'll give you the correct speed over the course, but with the water-feel of lower speeds. For instance, if the current is (as an example) 2mph, and you're skiing 34mph, then the water will feel as it usually does when skiing 32mph. When you're going upstream it's the other way around. If this is not obvious for you, try to imagine it with and EXTREME current (in your mind). Imagine the current is 34mph (I know it's not realistic, but just to help you understand), then, the Perfect Pass would detect an already given speed of 34mph, and set the boat speed to...0mph. (Downstream).Good. So you would have to ski the course while being pulled by a boat travelling at 0mph... Said differently you'd be swimming your way through the course with lifejacket and ski on, while the boat peacefully drifts at 34mph down the main buoy channel.... See how this could be a problem? Well the same thing but less exaggerated happens when you're skiing downstream. When you're going upstream it's actually the other way around, the water feels harder, you get better response from your ski and plenty of time to get to the next buoy. I don't know for the other rivers but what affects us most is actually not the stream, but the profound "rollers" or "regular bumps" (forgive my lack of vocabulary) that form perpendicular to the stream as often as a really big boat cruises by, and that take for ever to settle. I have noticed on my personal experience that skiing at 32mph on the Seine river equates to skiing 34mph on any quiet closed lake. Skiing 34 on the Seine River where we ski is almost impossible needless to say 36....