vernonreeve

Are the INT League tournaments still around? They were fun, and allowed you one fall. They put people into similar ability groups, and if you did too well, you got bumped up to the next group. Lots of fun extras, like the wide ride division.

I saw something else that might work, it's at www.globalsmartrepairs.com and has a cool process of making an impression of the grain, then sealing the cut and painting it with a color mixed to match, then pressing the grain back into it. Not sure if there is anything similar or not. I'll check out the local guys and the vlp product. Thanks!

I have a couple small puncture holes in the rear seat back rest. Any ideas in something that could fix it and keep it from tearing further?

If you drag a leg, be sure the leg that is dragging is extended backwards, and that you're not pushing against the boat's pull with the other foot. I've seen guys that have might as well have both feet in, with how they were pushing against the boat. With one foot out, you should be stepping with your body weight forward onto the ski, similar to how you would step up onto a bench. There is way less resistance with one foot out, and therefore works better with low horsepower boats.

Yes, I agree with @Oldboyll, extending the front leg straight and getting your upper body pulled forward is a sure why to tear your hamstring. I've actually found it easier to push with both feet, pushing my body away from the boat, instead of letting my body get pulled forward. I'm 6'1", 205 lbs, on a 69" ski and can get up without my face getting wet. I've been thinking about trying to show someone new how to get up using the following: Have them place their feet on the engine box, hang on to the handle with the rope going around the pylon and back to the rear platform where I'd be holding on to the rope. I'd make the rope tight and have them say hit it. I would then fall away from the boat, which would pull them forward, and they'd have to use their legs to push against the motor box while they are standing up, and pull me back to vertical. This might give them an idea of what it will feel like. I haven't tried this yet, however.

To expand on what @mwetskier was saying, this applies to all coaching. I've read where the brain doesn't understand negatives, so when you say "Don't Miss", or "Don't Fall"...the brain only hears and imagines missing and falling.

I know people who are old, heavy, and/or out of shape and was wondering if the rave aqua buddy would help. Of if maybe something like this would work better? It's the Cabelas Clark Fork Pontoon. I was thinking it might work if I tilted the seat back so the boat wouldn't pull the skier out of the chair until the speed was good.

We have the typical friends that are too heavy, old, weak, and/or inexperienced to get up on one ski. I was going to make something, but found the following that might work. Has anyone used the RAVE Aqua Buddy Trainer for 180lb adults? https://overtons.com/product/details?pdesc=RAVE-Aqua-Buddy-Trainer&i=314026 Also, has anyone tried something like the Clark Fork Pontoon from Cabelas? https://cabelas.com/product/CLASSIC-ACCESSORIES-CLARK-FORK-PONTOON/1907270.uts?productVariantId=4937551&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04646914&rid=20&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl7nYBRCwARIsAL7O7dG5Vmr9VMEbv9dXre753HcSw--oscgqYmWCXeavwWC47_mnzRFWATEaAhbHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm also 6' 1, 200 lbs, and really like the 2017 graphite senate. It's noticeable lighter and, surprisingly, is easier to get up on than my 2015 alloy senate. I think maybe because the tail is more square shaped than rounded, but not sure. My weight was 225 last year, and been down to 195 recently, and it has responded well and has been stable through all of these weights. I previously had the Theory and liked the 2015 Alloy Senate better than the Theory, but this 2017 graphite senate is a noticeable improvement above the 2015 Alloy. The Lithium seemed too expensive so I never tried it. I also do 30 and 32mph, but based on how easy the 32mph was with this ski, I'll hopefully be doing 34mph shortly.

The Wakeye Cylon seems like a great idea, but I'm guessing you would have to remove and re-attach the red ball each time you shorten the rope? So the red ball must have a slit in it to make this easy?

For me, it's a clue that I'm not letting my arms go straight when crossing the wakes. A strap that goes just under the elbow eliminates the pain, but ultimately I should be letting my arms go straight. As soon as I let my arms go straight, the pain will eventually go away. I have the radius handle, which I really like, but I still get the golfers elbow if I bend my arms. So I agree with what MlSkier said.

I haven't seen the video from April Coble, but for the last 30 years, we've always used those exact same two methods of determining which foot goes forward. Other tricks are to have them put their feet together and have them stand on one foot. Another is to have their feet together in front of a bench and have them step up onto the bench.

Having them intentionally put more weight on the back foot is for after they get up and the ski starts going side to side under them. It does this because they have too much weight on the front. I've told them to put more weight on the back, but they really didn't get it until I told them to try to pop a wheelie. This caused them to put more weight on the back, and their ski immediately stabilized under them. Remember, we're talking about first timers, not how to ski with proper weight distribution. Telling them something to exaggerate the point your trying to make is very useful in making them understand. And this has proven to be helpful many times for beginners getting up for the first time. So you might disagree, but I've had really good results telling them this. After the ski stabilizes under them, they naturally tend to find a good weight distribution between front and back.

More weight on back foot is what give you the stability. The ski is narrower, and the fin is back there, which both help give you stability. A good example, is when you drop a ski, it feels really unstable, but when you get your back foot in, and place your weight on it, it becomes very stable. I usually tell beginners to pretend like they're popping a wheelie.

I got the Radar CGA vest for exactly that reason. It is comfortable, and doesn't get heavier with soaked up water. So it works perfectly for me. Plus it provides good rib protection. And here in Montana, the boat police did check the tags to be sure our vests were CGA.

What is Cords 39 off windshield drill?

My physical therapist used the graston technique to break up the scar tissue on my hamstring. He said muscles have so much blood, that they can back to full strength if the scar tissue is removed. Worked well for me. Here's a site explaining it www.grastontechnique.com .

In additions to seated rows, chin-ups, and dead-lifts, the Chest Expander Pull Exerciser hits the same back shoulder muscles that get sore the first time out.

Ham string pulls are caused when you have your leg extended straight, and your body is pulled over the front forcing you to touch your toes. If you keep that front leg bent, you won't pull the hamstring. I start with both feet in and have tore my hamstring twice. Both times I got pulled over the front because I straightened my legs too soon, and thought if I just hung on, I would get up. But nope, the hamstring popped. If you stand on the floor, put one foot in front, and bend over to touch your toes with your legs straight and again with your legs bent, you'll feel the difference.