lhoover

SIA under Boats-3 event, SIA44447 Ballers, this boat is a creampuff and will make someone very happy. Leo skis at our lake in Houston, is only the second owner, and has never put the boat in any lake except Okeeheelee (where he lived for a while), and ours. A former promo boat used at Natls, it has a bunch of new things just replaced, but boat has always driven great and the PP ZBox is spot on. Leo is moving up so someone will get a very well maintained, sweetheart of a boat. Check it out.

At LakePort (Deegan Lake) we were at an all-time high with water 3in above our docks. That was Sunday when the overflow was overwhelmed! We have since receded a bit, water just a tad below the dock surface, as the overflow catches up. Folks, I'm pretty sure most of you have no earthly idea how much rain has fallen these last 5 days and 1 more day forecast. The television news does it little justice (reminds me of cameras from the boat for shortline slalom--not much perspective). The inner city, downtown area is completely devastated, water over 3 story apartments and businesses. Freeways with 18ft clearance are under water. Transportation is all but impossible for anyone, especially trucks which supply the world. The 4th largest city in America has been all but stopped. Towns purposely built outside the Houston area flood plain decades ago (such as Magnolia,Tomball, Kingwood, The Woodlands) are flooding for the first time, ever. Forty plus inches of rain is a prodigious amount in a year, much less in a week. Hour after hour after hour of pouring rain is hard to imagine. And the rising waters have just begun. The peak flooding is estimated to be another 10 to 14 days as the rivers and tributaries continue to overflow and all this water makes its way toward the Gulf. We need prayers for the folks who are now homeless and if you can, contribute a little something to United Way or Red Cross or some other capable charity. It will be many months, maybe years, before any resemblance of normalcy. We thank you for anything you might do.

@skispray, you forgot to include in your necessary list what Shane started with for his list.....a stripper pole!

Bruce B made an excellent point that 41 was run 20 yrs ago by a few guys. Actually, that makes it even more amazing that for 20 yrs NO ONE has owned that pass as Nate does the last few years. Not Big Dawgs. Not professionals. NO ONE but Nate. Quite a remarkable feat that he has run it more times than all others have combined. What can you say except enjoy the greatness among us.

Better hair!

Watching the Italian tourney this weekend, I'm sure you noticed that a bunch of the men (and a few women!) ran 39. Some looked pretty good, but most everyone struggled to get through it. Then at 41, it was as if beginners were in the course....except for Nate. What is so different? Are you telling me he has better technique? Better turns? Better gate? What is it? Do we remember that less than 10 yrs ago this was a pass considered impossible? Whatever it is, what a sight to behold that he runs that all but impossible pass a lot more than he doesn't.

John, was Ski Master the company out of Wichita Falls, TX? If not, do you know that company? They also were in to vests, belts, etc., but don't remember skis.

We are in NE Houston if that is convenient for you. email me as you could join us Sunday. khoover at wt. net

Saw that Regina and Nate each won $3,000. What did Jeff win the same weekend at the Dawg?

Ballers, sorry to report that Wade had to cancel his May 11 clinic in Houston. He is going to reschedule ASAP so we shall let you know. We had 2 Ballers coming from out of town so I'll be in touch.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us on Thursday, May 11. Wade charges $75, per set, and please consider a $10 boat tip. We are located in NE Houston so drop me an email if you can join us. khoover at wt.net

And as the late, great, Ken White used to say: "STOP PULLING, BOYS!! We PULL in the shower. We LEAN on the rope."

That would be our friend, Bruce, the infamous Chad Baker. A legend in his own mind......er, time, and a nearby DFW skier. Tell him Hoov says hey.

Good point, jhughes, but the beef was the "buy promo philosophy" was dominant in their thinking and for what good reason? What is the incentive? As stated, the incentive back in the old days was a new boat warranty. And to continue the rant, if I might, the new transmission comes with the outstanding warranty of 30 days. I said thirty days!! What in the world is up with that ?!?!?!

The following is a true story, based on actual events. All of the innocent and most of the guilty shall remain nameless, but the whole darned thing still chaps my butt. Some tourney skiing friends formed a partnership 2 years back and decided on a particular brand of boat to purchase. They began a nationwide search based upon their budget, but were inclined to and limiting their wants to buying a promo, if at all possible. Indeed, wasn't that what they had always been told in order to keep the 3 event sport alive and kicking? Tis their duty, don't you know, to support the sport. We have all heard the 54 reasons why purchasing promos are best for the sport, including it's already dialed in, keeps newer boats at tourneys, protects used boat prices, fewer hours, blah blah blah. So they passed on some "real deals" and purposely bought a promo. This particular one was older, had more hours, not a favorite color, and was more expensive than several used ones at that particular time. No problem. Did I mention they were supporting the sport and happy to do so? The boat was a 2012, so mind you, that boat had taken 3 years to sell. But all parties were ecstatic and just think, 3 event skiing has been saved! They have done their duty and all is well. At less than 600 hours and only 2 years later, this boat must have a new transmission just shy of $4,000. So the only person who got to enjoy the warranty was the promo owner? Nothing wrong with their being protected, for sure, but why in the world should not the folks who are declining less expensive, newer, (sometimes) fewer hours boats by purposely purchasing promos not enjoy a new boat warranty? I know they used to as I was a promo owner back in the 70s, and I handed the new buyer the keys AND a brand new warranty. When did that kind of incentive stop? And why? Well, you might say, none of the companies do that so that is just the way it is. Fine, and next time this partnership purchases a boat, their search will certainly not be limited to promos. Understood, it could happen to anyone, but certainly leaves a sour taste knowing they were trying to do the right thing for our sport. Screw that. It's open season.

@MISkier methinks you have a good point. How about ".....accept his money to be yanked by the spheroids?"

Many Thanks.

Rookie buddy of mine going to be in Tampa from XMAS on for a week. Anybody willing to accept his money to be jerked around the balls?

I have always wondered if there is a constant or driving theme in raising children to be or do or participate in pretty much what we want them to. You and Kim have seen your children move into the elite of JR skiers, on a path to the top 1% of athletes worldwide, and I know it makes you extremely proud. But what was the key? What is the current track to improve? I’m not talking of watching our kids put on a pair of skis and go to the lake every now and then and maybe enter a tournament. I’m talking of just your case, where they enter that rarefied air of elite. If you can take a little time, write out what you think has been significant over the years in pushing or not pushing, forcing or not forcing, listening or coaching, etc. I understand it is not simple at all, but am curious to hear of what you believe are the key(s) to the outstanding success your kids have enjoyed. Congratulations to your children, but maybe even more to the proud parents.

Good point, Pat, could well have been a Hydrodyne.

If memory serves (don't be afraid to correct the ole geezer) Wayne did hold the record for several years at 180. So a big jump tourney in 1977(?) was held in Dallas at Bachman Lake and tons of folks were there, many of them sporting Tshirts with "181" on the back. I recall it was Yamaha Outboards in MasterCraft boats as the towboat and everyone was stoked because outboards provided a quicker throttle response, therefore more whip. We went both Saturday and Sunday with no record until John Mondor was up as the last skier of the tourney, #1 seed from Sat. His final jump was a killer and we all knew it the instant he popped it, but were totally floored he had gone 187! Quite a day for a really nice guy, but now the race was on to see who could be the first to jump 200.

Eric, would you be so kind as to provide some details on the financial support that the skiers receive (or do not receive!). Airfare? Lodging? Food? How much does USAWS provide, if any? Just curious.

We are in NE Houston, about 20 mins N of Bush airport. If that fits your location, email me khoover @ wt. net

Does the woman skier in that pic appear to be LFF? Yet Rhoni is RFF! Wassup wit dat......

Big Tex, where is your lake? Nice boat.