Zman

If HO would go back to the older version Animal with the thicker, more flexible rubber wrap and more durable boot I would gladly spend $30 a year on a new wrap just to have that old comfort and reliable release again. But, until then I'm going elsewhere.

Thanks for the info Ed. I am in the process of moving to deep south Georgia and have not located any slalom course or ski lakes as yet (one possibility). But, as soon as I do find a lake I can obtain permission to use or have access to, I will be in touch for one of your course kits. (Have you sold a course to anyone near Valdosta, GA?).

Also - check out Ben Favret's book on waterskiing (and wakeboarding). It covers a lot besides just your time on the water. http://www.amazon.com/Water-Skiing-Wakeboarding-Ben-Favret/dp/073608634X#_

I have to agree - in spades - that since the Animals moved away from the thicker, but more flexible rubber overlays they are no where near as comfortable and form fitting as they were. The thinner "leather like" wraps cramp my instep and do not release near as well. Also, the boot that is under the wrap tears very easily. In almost 10 years of using the older Animals - I never tore the boot portion, but with a 2010 model I tore it the first time I tried to put my foot in, soap and all. Unless they go back to being like they used to be, I am likely moving on to the Reflex or Strada. I have a pair of twice used RFF mediums I may sell in the spring after I get use to the Reflex or Strada. I have always loved HO products and customer service is tough to beat - but IMHO they missed the mark with the Animals since 2010.

went downhill when I moved north and gained a healthy respect for northern skiers who do so well. hit rock bottom with same injury as T8skier. Good news is I am heading back south to south Georgia soon! Now I just got to find a place to set up a course! @OB has given me some ideas, nothin definite yet.

Ed - how long have you been making the EZ slalom? Did anyone else make a course with the rope mainline? In 2004 we installed a poly mainline course (I thought yours) that my ski buddy said was alread 12-15 years old and well used. We pulled it too hard one time and collapsed one PVC spacer at the gate, but easily replaced it and still today that course is in and working great.

Saw my Dr for 1st time in 3 weeks today. He gave me some heel lifts to put in my shoe and I no longer have to wear the walking boot! I'll sleep good tonight without that thing on! At rehab we started with some light resistance work with the right foot as well. Probaly only a few more weeks with the PT sessions then I am on my own to continue to get ready for next spring. Hope the rest of you are progressing well!

@Than_Bogan - just ski smart my friend. @MikeT @Garn, @T8skier and @BobS 's wife do not want any more members to our 'club'. Hope your ankle heals up soon!

@OB - when I get my move to Georgia wrapped wrapped up soon, and a few more months of healing for my achilles - we'll ski together some and get you whipped back into form! I could use some of your coaching! Of course - we'll have fun with your young one skiing too. I'll put you and @Than_Bogan on my fantasy team.

Good luck @Horton!

My Goode 9800 SL will whistle when I am skiing well, sometimes. But, that doesn't happen often. Always wondered if skiers who are on it more consistently hear this sometimes too?

Good call @Paul_k ! Having a spare impeller around is always a good move. And, they are always just a few days away from ski-dim. @D3-Skier - also a good idea is to brush some anti-sieze on the impeller shaft and hub before you slide the new one on. You'll be very thankful the next time you have to tug the sucker out of there again. These can be tough to get out sometimes.

Maybe we should start a thread about "vintage slalom tournament"? I like the classic inboard boat and hippy look idea too. But, instead of using old skis with big hard wakes - maybe a two round tourny: one round with modern boats, 20+ year old skis; second round, modern skis and classic inboards - like a Ski Tigue.

@T8skier - good to hear your progress - that's great!

I second what @T8skier advised @BobS wife. First couple days after surgery are the worse; mostly just aggravation and discomfort for a few weeks after that - then things start getting much better after that. It is a long road - but as winter passes by, we'll all be well on our way to recovery. And, I'm moving south - so hope to be back on the water early spring.

Off topic a bit - but always thought it would be fun to have a tourny where everyone has to use a slalom ski at least 20 years old. Who has done that? Was it fun?

@BobS - really sorry to hear about you wife, def a tough break. To all my fellow "achilles injured" - yesterday, at 5 weeks and 5 days since my surgery my physical therapist had me make one lap around the facility with my walking boot and no crutches. This is the first time I have walked since my injury (which was one week before surgery). And, it felt great! A little awkward at first with the boot making my right leg longer - but darn good to be walking again. They told me to continue to use the crutches most of the time, but tomorrow they expect me to walk in without them. Today I did a few chores around the house, and did some more walking without the crutches. A couple more weeks, maybe next week, I could give up the boot next. Yesterday we also started some upper leg exercises to get the leg ready to be walking again. And, already my calf muscle has regained a little of what was lost to atrophy. Progress! @MikeT @Garn @T8skier - how are you guys coming along? Best wishes.

@Wish The back of my Tee shirt my read a little different - I'm a water skier. Ask me anything about the sport we love - except why I'm not on the water today.

@Wish I believe that ski venue you mentioned near the mall north of Orlando was Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs. They had a few really fun eventsthere with a pretty good draw.

@T8skier @MikeT I expect to start walking some without the crutches, but with the boot sometime this coming week. If all goes well (it will) I expect to have a couple right shoes fitted with a heel lift and start some walking in shoes. Within this period the PT folks expect to have me start exercising the upper parts of the injured leg to help prepare it for the transition back to walking again. Keep up with your progress - but don't push to hard! @T8skier - I don't like sleeping with the boot either - but, be careful without it. I toss and turn too much and would risk stress on the tendon if I tried to sleep without. Also, I stumbled a bit the other night walking up concrete stairs at a Chicago restaurant. I was so glad I had my boot on or it could have been scary for my repaired tendon as I planted that foot to prevent falling.

@Than_Bogan Looking forward to reading your upcoming post about "wrap around the pylon; step in behind".

@dave_n since you have been using your reflex set up for 5 years, can you comment on how effective you think the release mechanism is for times when you stuff the tip and need the front foot to release? (if you ever do this)

So, who is going to take it down first? Does it go down in 2012?

Gators do run from boat noise, except for the ones over about 8-10 feet long. 12 footers don't move anything, except dinner.

@T8skier Not exactly. Maybe that is one side benefit of the early PT, keeping things from 'binding up a bit'. I do have tightness between the inside ankle bone and the tendon area. So, maybe this is a little of what you are talking about. I do think the "pulling" you are talking about will go away pretty quick once they start working on some active ROM exercises and massaging the tendon area for you. T8 - what do you think about you, Mike, Garn and I exchanging emails and use email to keep up on how everyone is doing? I was just wondering if others really wanna hear about our "injury details". I guess they can just not open this thread? Your thoughts?