klindy

@Detrick Cool Spray! :)

Again @Wish Here's a link to the FAQ's which explains the OM/MM division calculations, cut-off, etc. - http://www.usawaterski.org/rankings/news/FAQ_Rankings.htm#EliteQual

No more user polls?

@ToddL -"I guess the main thing is you will get out of a tournament what you put into it. Take advantage of the time by getting involved and meeting your local skiers." <-- best advice on the thread!

@Brent I remember that too!

There's also a couple lakes in northeast NC which should be an hour or so from Norfolk. I don't have any contact info handy but seems they pull a couple tournaments a year so a quick peak at a Southern Region regional guide should find something. Check out the Google Earth file under the "Home" tab for more info.

I'd say you solved the tip rise problem on that turn!! Coming into #3 you look terrified about what could happen next!!! Awesome skiing man!!

Here's a few thoughts - First thing - Have fun! Waterskiing is a competitive sport but it's important to remember everyone is there because they truly enjoy the sport so enjoy yourself and have fun! Getting involved is a great way to learn what's going on and support the sport. When you get onsite look for someone registering skiers. You'll need to fill out an entry, sign a release and pay an entry fee (all of which may have been sent in or filled in online but you should check in anyway). You'll need to be a member of USAWS so be prepared to show your membership card or you can sign up on site. The competition is primarily aged based so you'll be in a group with others close to your same age (Page 7 here - http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/3event/2012AWSARuleBook.pdf). Tournament organizers can mix up groups in lots of different ways so look for a running order to determine when you ski. Take a few minutes to read through the rules for slalom (same link above starting at Page 41. Go to other sections for Jump and/or Tricks). We all know what a slalom course looks like and some of the rules may not apply to all the tournaments but it's a good idea to understand what the judges are looking for and how your performance will be scored. The suggestions above to see if there's a grassroots division is a good one. The division is perfect for newcomers and offers a little more flexibility meant to help flatten the learning curve and keeping things fun. Most times you'll essentially get a potential mulligan if, for example, you don't make your first pass, etc. Once you perform to a certain threshold (max speed @15off?) you'll need to ski in your age division from then on. When it's close to your turn, get all your stuff together and head down to the starting dock. You'll get a sense of the pace of things pretty quick. Ask around to see who skis one or two people in front of you and keep an eye on when they head out to ski. Sometimes running orders are adjusted on the fly (non-seeded tournaments like typical local tournaments only) to accommodate officials so just go with the flow. When your turn arrives, be ready to ski when the boat gets back to the dock. If you have your own handle pass it to the boat crew. Tell them your starting speed and rope length and perferred ZO setting. Some folks like to chat a lot others are pretty quiet but generally the skier sets the tone so if talking to the boat crew at the end of the lake helps, go for it. Here's a good primer on possible subject matter - When you ski, expect a good pull. Drivers and judges are there to make the competition fair and enjoyable for everyone and the goal is to follow the rules. When you fall don't expect the boat to come pick you up, usually we swim to shore and start the long walk back to the starting dock. Pay attention to where most folks walk back, nothing's more miserable than having to walk back on the "wrong" side of the lake! If you have a hard fall and assuming you're alright, wave to let everyone you're fine since there are folks responsible for safety looking for some indication. Since most tournaments are multi-round, it's basically - lather, rinse and repeat! While you're waiting for your turn, get involved! Tournaments everywhere are run by volunteers. Scorers, judges, drivers, safety, tech controllers, etc. are generally skiers doing what it takes to make things work. Every tournament has a chief judge, chief scorer and chief driver. Each slalom pass has a driver, scorer, and three judges (or 5) determining your score and recording it. If judging or scoring sounds interesting, ask the chief judge/scorer if you can help. They'll put you with another scorer or judge to 'shadow' what's going on and they will be more than happy to walk you through the responsibilitiies. If driving is more your thing, ask. Beginning drivers help with moving boats around, refueling, etc. but certainly a chance to ride in the boat for a group or two will give you a good idea of how things work. For any of these officials positions there are simple 1-2 page forms which get filled out to record your 'work' history. Once complete you can aspire to a higher level. Getting involved (and/or other skiing and non-skiing friends and family!) keeps things interesting and really does make a difference running the tournament. Finally, again, have fun! Don't expect to set a record at your first tournament but DO expect to meet some great people eager to get you involved and always happy to share their passion for a sport we all love. Good luck this weekend and let us all know how it goes!!! By the way, look up @Dirt while you're there.

haha...go off the corner first is traditional jump coaching. However it would be difficult to angle the boat enough at your place to make that work. The goal is to drive at approx a 45 degree angle to the ramp and let the skier just 'feel' the ramp by going over the corner. Go too high up the ramp and the left ski is much higher (and on the ramp longer) than the right which can make landings odd. So just let them get a feel for the hard, wet-ice on wet-ice surface a time or two then go for the gold.

@Wish http://www.usawaterski.org/rankings/news/FAQ_Rankings.htm#EliteQual Not that the info on that page will help clear things up.....

@skidawg - Reports are Blended Duck a la Malibu didn't sound too awesome during the 'blending phase"

@Chad Scott .... Meany!

I'll be there...arrive Thursday morning will stay for the duration. ACJ this year.

I'll be there the entire week. I'll be carrying a radio and a rule book.... :)

@Kelvin the 2w version worked flawlessly at the last two record tournaments at Cottonwood. Receiver near the center of the lake about 5-6' above the water with a transmitter in the boat with antenna on the windshield. I was the TC and had no trouble with it.

Live video feeds from the boat happen all the time in class L/R tournaments. Usually there are some gremlins that need to be knocked down but the hardware is pretty much all the same. Like @GregHind mentioned the most important component will be your antenna. What's worked well for me is using an omni directional antenna near the center of the lake primarily because it minimizes the overall length of wireless transmission. Once you get it on shore you can use coax to deliver the signal from there. I've had (and seen) good results from putting the shore antenna low on the shoreline (as long as nothing else interferes from there to the boat). There's likely several options for wireless transmitters but the BADA 3w transmitters/receivers have been reliable at a good price point.

OK if the consensus is that ZO is a disadvantage for a bigger guy, what is the preferred settings to minimize the issue? What else can be done to make things less disadvantageous?

I had to actually remove the dual lock on the ski where it was under the nuts. The thickness of the nuts didn't let the dual lock completely engage.

It would also work fine for toes. While some elite trickers prefer a hard edge for wake (hand) turns and a rubber edge for toes, for you mean and 98% of the rest of us either would work fine.

What was the BOD rationale for saying no?

I don't know for sure but I doubt there are any significant changes.

Hardshells generally offer better edge control and are (or should be) significantly more comfortable than a snug Wiley binding. Given a choice I'd opt to go to a hardshell binding right away. You could always switch later too as you improve since you have a rubber binding already.

@tap

Hard edge may be slightly less expensive. Rubber edge is a good toe ski and hard edge generally better for wake tricks. That said, a rubber edge ski is a good overall ski. At your stage either would work. I personally think a 44" ski it a bit big for you but it won't hurt and will likely be better than what you have currently.

I'd suggest a 43" ski (42" at a minimum). A rubber edges ski is probably more 'universal' and would be my first choice until you start getting into more advanced tricks. Use the factory recommended binding placement for the front binding (IMPORTANT! - Binding screws are SHORTER for trick skis than they are for slalom skis!!). Any binding that's comfortable (but snug) will do as long as it's non-adjustable. Many are opting for a hard shell binding but a good Wiley Trick Wrap will be fine too (but less comfortable). Rear binding should be mounted 45 degrees +/- so your foot is essentially 'centered' over the ski. Put the front binding on and stand where you're comfortable and have someone mark it for the rear binding placement. Rope length and boat speed are next - Choose a speed where you feel the ski is "on top" of the water and not 'dragging'. Probably start with something close to 17mph and go up/down from there. Once the speed is close, make the rope long enough to find a 'flat' spot between the wakes. Usually, if you're comfortable on the ski, you can jump both wakes with "average" effort. Adjust accordingly. For learning tricks, learn the basic surface and wake tricks very well - think "drills". Obviously they're the building blocks of every trick from then on. Bent, flexible knees are important! Staying balanced over the ski with your weight evenly distributed are a must - head up, handle in close to your body. Like has been said already "side-slides", back/front, front/back (and reverse) surface turns are first, wake back wake front (and reverse are next). Do them correctly and deliberately. There are variations of them (back wrap position) which are next. Post a bit more detail of where you are on the learing curve and post a video if you can.