GaryWilkinson

You’re right Shane @BoneHead I’ve been dropping inside shoulder since the 80’s!

Yes will ski this week and do the drill and the pass at -32. @AdamCord

@skihard I still have a pair of those!!! With original bindings. We use them for pyramids (there may be some alcohol involved when attempting a few 6 and 7 person ones).

So far with about 15 sets into this year I’ve made a commitment to ski faster, higher and more efficiently. Remember this posting from @AdamCord and @Bruce_Butterfield ? “I came up with a drill to try train my brain to think understand this concept. I pull out like I would for a normal gate, then cut through the wakes and try to get as high on the boat on the other side as possible. Then just wait on the line and cut the other way, also seeing how high I can get on the boat. I don't try to run the course or even make any turns in this drill, it's all about seeing if I can pass the windshield. With some practice you'll find that you can get super aggressive with this. Since you aren't trying to get wide, you're just trying to get way up on the boat, you automatically change your trajectory and ski more along the handle path. This makes it easier to stay connected and you naturally stay on the handle a long time. This is exactly what we should be doing in the course, except obviously you'll need to reach and make a turn. I do this drill at super short line lengths, because it makes it feel super easy to do at the longer lines in the course” I’ve been doing this drill for about half the sets I’ve done this year and have gotten pretty good at at it generating enough speed and energy/momentum to get my ski to the height of the windshield about half the time (although I was only doing it at -32). I’ve got the stance, turn in, edge setting and “launch” across the CL with tremendous speed and ski following the handle path to a very high point on the boat. Cool! Great. Now what? I stay at that length and boat speed and then try to introduce buoy turn with really no success. I get massive slack and take a decent line hit when I haven’t really finished turning the ski. I literally have to really dial it down to much narrower, lower on the boat skiing to get an edge and turn into a stacked position and ski away. Long winded post to basically ask a simple question that is: How do I transition this drill into real slalom course timing and turns? I really really want to learn this because during the drill I can get SO high and generate so much speed with I’m sure HALF the amount of pull or effort I use in running -32 off. I can only imagine how great it will be once I I find the magic key to link them together.

@Than_Bogan could I impose on you to send the gentleman your paper on the stacked position ? Best article to read for Slalomers ever.

@JeffSurdej My point is why can’t we have both? Robin Lake is a fantastic site, local, easy to get to, all the things that bring a crowd. All except for the persistent backwash. I really don’t believe it would be that big an investment to put in backwash calming measures that would I’m sure take out the unpredictable and inconsistent waves that rebound off the walls and stands. So why not have a great crowd, seeing all the top names ski to their potential at a terrific site. .

Slack hits: #1 cause. Adjust technique. Got a larger radius curved handle : Big improvement Ibuprofen and ice for relief a la craiginshred.

Sorry My full comment didn’t make it, to finish my thoughts.... I saw Robert P ski last week at Rini site. Man this young man can ski and ski he did. I guess it for me would make sense to ask the skiers. I believe they would prefer the conditions of Trophy lakes for example, over Robin Lake. For their performance and safety’s sake. And I, as a viewer and customer of waterski related items and services to the tune of thousands of dollars annually, would prefer to see those that run - 41 in their sleep, do so on one of the community’s largest stages vs, seeing them struggle through -38 and come off the water “unhappy” to say the least. If we have the ability to “fix” this to achieve world class performances and have everyone come off the water with PBs and big smiles knowing they did their best, why not do it? GW

No disrespect to the skiers that win, bravo and well done. I have won tournaments where I beat Canadian team members in conditions (wind) but I don’t value that medal as much as the ones in better conditions. (I saw Robert

You all make good points in that whoever skis the best that day in those conditions is the winner. But, I have 2 points that address the conditions vs outcome issue. First, the rough water is caused by the boat and the terrain, not wind and nature. I’ve skied lots of tournaments in windy rough conditions and the results for everyone were down of course but generally the best skiers won. In my humble opinion the “randomness” or unpredictability of backwash waves mixing with skiers path waves make it just that, random, and unsafe. I’ve badly sprained an ankle because a rogue wave from backwash in the course causing my ski to bite unexpectedly and then skip out. The second reason I believe they should take steps is for the viewing audience that they’re surely trying to build. I believe if you were to ask a bunch of fans that tuned in, if they would prefer conditions that produce a more random result at a full loop longer in slalom and 20’ less for jump, or would they rather pristine conditions that allow these athletes to not only achieve tournament PBs, but hopefully knock on the door of world records. While I might have the answer of about 50/50 from us ballers, I think the viewing public, (you know, those highly sought after numbers the sponsors are looking for) would prefer great conditions. I also believe if you asked them privately, the athletes would prefer much better conditions but they will never be quoted because it would not be proper and stink of sour grapes. I was lucky enough to be with some of these very same athletes last week and they weren’t training in rough conditions or having someone give them backwash from another boat. They were giving it all trying to get over 11k points and through -41 respectively. In FIS racing they go to extraordinary measures to ensure everyone gets the same conditions. I know, I’ve slipped many many race courses to achieve that goal. In tennis if someone yells while Serena is at the top of her toss, she gets a let. 3event waterskiing is decided in 16, 20 and 10 second performance time blocks. Shouldn’t we give them the best platform to achieve their full potential ? Especially when it’s under our control. Thanks for listening.

When will this org committee figure out the backwash problem.? Seemed like perfect conditions,... for backwash! Starting dock has a stone wall. Every return to the dock produces huge backwash waves down the course. Then the stands also contribute right at the start of 3 ball. I find it somewhat ridiculous that this tournament that generally has the largest world wide audience never produces PB’s never mind records. Doesn’t seem like it would be hard to put in swimming lane ropes, fences or Something to reduce the backwash. It’s a shame we don’t see these awesome athletes at their best.

@cragginshred isn’t PF adhesions between tendons and the fascia? Caused usually by micro tears? Given there’s not much room or circulation down there the adhesions or scar tissue is inflammation and doesn’t move out. Deb (the wife) gets it bad from running and impact related sports. Her cure is a visit to massage therapist for deep tissue massage (read in physical breaking up of bonds and adhesions) that are really (really!) painful but after the second treatment, she sees a significant reduction and sometimes elimination of all symptoms. That and rolling a tennis ball at night. I’ll let her know about the rolling of frozen water bottles. And,... the beers in the mail!

June. How crap is that. Sometimes in may if the ice went out early but last year ice left the lake in mid April. So it’s dry-suits and boats heaters on full blast for us Canadian Slalomers.

Geez @TallSkinnyGuy get to a dr, then get an Xray and maybe even MRI. If a rib is detached it will be easy to diagnose, muscle, ligaments and tendons not as easy but have a look first. And really, get the diagnosis, don’t rely on advice from the internet and even from in here. You don’t want this to turn chronic. (Ask your dr what that means when you see him/her).

I used to use pure glycol antifreeze poured into the block from the highest hose connections till it came out the back. This year I sucked up 4 containers of RV antifreeze because I don’t want to dump all that AF out on the driveway or grass at spring startup. Do you guys know a way to capture the glycol antifreeze in the spring without trying to hold a bucket to the exhaust hose port at the rear of the boat?

Took control of the winterizing this year as my mechanic hasn’t had the boat ready at the agreed day for the past few years and plus, I like to do the oil/filter change in the fall. Fogged the engine, RV antifreeze throughout the system and then for the first time in a while, sprayed on an engine cleaner, scraped of the heavy belt dust and then brushed it down with the hose spraying. Looks 15 yrs younger! Unscrewed a couple of the brass plugs to check that the AF was everywhere, changed all the front of the engine water hoses and voila. Looking really good. Our lake requires we put an oil absorption “pillow” in the bilge that at the end of this year, got to the back of the boat and got shredded by the drive shaft coupling next to the stuffing box. Cotton bits everywhere. So we took off the engine cover and started washing what we could reach with hot water and Dawn. Got all the area below the engine clean then took off the rear floor, rear panels and went to town. Sparkly! So easy to get at those areas I’m going to clean that area every year at layup. Now looking at the outside and am wondering if the product that had a thread in BOS called HC-1 is still available. I emailed the owner with no response (so far). Any Ballers know a great hull cleaner?

@Chef23 ya mark, that's the drill I was describing above but only had the chance to do it one time this year. With our season coming to a sudden end this week, (forecast low tonight is for just above freezing) I may get out one or 2 more times and will definitely do the drill. But I really like your advice on developing a better reach by "skiing away from the handle" gives a great visual for extending at the apex of the turn.

@John Brooks great idea John. I shall try it.

@Bruce_Butterfield Thanks for the info. I guess I'm just surprised that it might be as simple as that. (Although I'm not saying it's easy!) I, at one time thought about going to 36 mph as it would give me more speed while wide and high of the boat. I bailed on that idea while remembering some of the spectacular falls I had in the 80's while competing in Open Men. @Rich I will definitely put a piece of tape on the boat to make a marker to achieve the width and height for -35. Great idea. I recall in The GUT articles there was a drill that talked about going super wide, doing a front foot slow turn in for 1ball and following the handle path higher on the boat. Then no turn, just glide, then turn again like a 1 ball turn to get used to the speed, angle and timing. I did this drill one time at Phillip Tellier's place on the st Lawrence but haven't done it since. It's interesting that we spent all of the 80's working on the turn trying to slow down, now in the new millennia speed and control are king! I've learned early speed from a very wide position is the best, allows us to get wide and high earlier and bleed off speed well before the oncoming ball's turn. I found during the whip drill I have killer speed that might be delayed or late. Got to work on that aspect too.

With the change in technique and equipment over the past 3-4 years my ski buddies and I have been getting through -32 off consistently by using, and I guess rwefining, what I call "Behind the boat" slalom. Where a decent stacked position after the ball will get you far enough and fast enough across the wakes to run all 6. The problem for us seems to be at cutting the rope to -35 off. It's like we're in a different world and it in my case, might as well be 38 off. I find I'm coming in AT the ball with very little chance of getting it and typically only score 2-3 balls. Honestly I'm not close to running this pass yet trying to improve by free-skiing at 35 off with consistent decent turns! It's like there's 2 worlds: Behind the Boat slalom, ("BHB") 15-32 off, and beside or High on the Boat ("HOB") slalom. I have read the GUT articles dozens of times and can't unlock the secret. In the videos I've watched, (many dozens of them!) -35 off seems so,..well, easy! Set up a good glide, stacked position, cut decently, but briefly for 1 ball, keep the handle close till course width, reach with a small counter, fully turn the ski, hook up in the great stacked position you started with and zoom across the wakes in the early and wide position you came in with! Voila! "Lather, Rince, and repeat" I swear it looks like I'm pulling harder at 28 off than it seems any of the guys or gals running to 38 are doing at 32 off! I have coached guys going through -38 off on proper technique, and can recite each detail and aspect of a great pass at very short line. Translating it to our skiing is a different matter. It almost looks like I have to do a drastic style and strategy change that includes cutting and gliding much higher and wider for 1 ball setup, cutting with much more intensity enroute to 1 and gliding out super-wide and high to run this advanced pass. I mean a drastic change, not a refinement of my present technique. My issue / question is to that point: is 35 off such a significant difference in technique that I should effectively throw out what we've got vs refine and do more? I feel that the skills and strengths we've built getting through -32 at this top of the scale for Behind the Boat (BHB)slalom, don't serve us well enough to have a decent chance at -35?! So what were your breakthrough techniques, thinking or strategy changes that clicked and made -35 off consistent? Here's a link to some 32 off practice, I put it here to show where I'm at, but I'd really like to comments on keys in breaking through to decent -35 off. Thanks.

Is there a link to the results?

Great thread. I ski at -32 and get to 2.5 on -35 so I only started free skiing this year at -35. Got to ask: do you guys slow the boat a couple of mph to get to know the shorter line? Or just go out balls to the wall? Takes me a good dozen or so turns to get the timing so that I don't leave my arms attached to the rope while I sink into the lake. But I am getting it. Got to try some -38 but I made myself the promise to not try it till I run a legit -35. You see when I was young and skiing competitively, George Athans was world champ and the WR was 5 at -38. Just gotta try that one time!

@Chef23 Continued good health and therefore good skiing my man. One of the most popular trainers at my gym finished every workout with "be happy and grateful you can do what we do each day" Amen to that.

Both. Especially if you have both gals sometimes "guest hosting" BD and Manon, Breanne Dodd could also help. Whitney,... Sheesh I think I've gone off,... SQUIRREL!

The "counter" I have been thought is really an extension of the proper reach. I have started using the "hide the shoulder" (per Matt Rini) as a way to stay more square and outbound. I was being drawn in by reaching forward and staying inside. The "light counter" I do now, when I do it, keeps my chest up, continues my separation from the handle after the spray, and just generally gets my SH!t out of the way so I can make a delayed or should I say, better timed turn.