Zman

@richarddroane Nice Skiing! Was that an Australian Sheperd along for the ride?

Hey @AB Jack Nichlaus used to swear by water skiing as a second sport. Claimed the added leg strength gave him his power for long drives. I think he just loved water skiing and was trying to justify it....

I like to snow ski, golf, barefoot and windsurf. Sure wish I did nearly as much of any of those as I used to. We also have two Kawasaki stand up Jet Skis, 650SX. They are a blast!

Well, I am going back to work next week. Going back to work also includes a transfer to south Georgia. So, I will be leaving the good care I had from my surgeon and physical therapist.

Like the others, I have been working diligently with my PT sessions and some additional workouts in between. At 10 weeks post-op I now have normal ROM in all 4 directions, can walk down stairs with an almost normal step, and can walk slowly with little noticeable limp. So, I can say I have been very fortunate that my surgery went well, my healing went well, and my rehab has gone very well.

I had my final session with PT today. Over the last couple sessions I was able to do multiple 60 second sets standing on a BOSU ball with one leg, with each leg. And several other balance/stability exercises. It still is not as easy to do some of these with the healing leg, but getting closer all the time. To keep the progress going, and to continue developing leg strength and overall physical conditioning I will join a health club in south Georgia.

Now I look forward to the rest of the "off-season" to get back in shape and look forward to the March time frame to get back on the water!

As for avoiding a similar injury I am leaning toward trying out either the new Strada double boots or the new Reflex hardshell front boot/binding with the R-Style rear. I am also open to any comments or recommendations here.

To all the others with the ATR - I'm sorry you have experienced this PITA injury and I wish you all the best in your recovery and for getting back on the water! I'll continue to check in here occassionly to monitor everyone's progress.

@BobS FYI I am now 9 weeks post-op and walking with a little gimp and I go back to work in a week. The first 4 weeks are the biggest PITA, but things start looking up after that. My PT has been excellent - doing lots of leg exercises with lots of emphasis on doing one leg drills. At this point I already feel as if my balance and stability is almost right there with the uninjured leg.

Keep her positive and stay in touch with the doctor if anything doesn't feel right.

@BobS I do not recall any numbness. How is your wife comomg along?

Make sure she wiggles her toes frequently throughout the day. My Doctor emphasized this, particularly early on. It helps keep the circulation going, and with the leg elevated and with frequent ice packs (20 minute intervals) does wonders to keep swelling down and maintain feeling.

Interesting discussion. Glad to hear of all the progress by everyone!

My surgery was Jul 19th. On Sept 4 (6 weeks, 5 days post-op) my Doc had me ditch the boot completely and start walking in shoes with a small heel lift. I had been off crutches a week or so. I continue to do rehab. I have full range of motion side to side and extending my foot down. Raising my foot (dorsiflex) I can do 7-8 degrees versus 12 degrees in the uninjured leg. So, I feel pretty good about the progress. My Dr's plan has always been the more agressive apporach - I was in a cast only 5 days, after 7 days in a splint.

The first few days walking without the boot, my lower leg would swell some, and my heel gets a lil sore. But, that is to be expected. After a little elevation and ice, all feels pretty good again. Like some of the others, I have been working out some on a stationary bike, along with all the ROM drills and exercising the upper legs and hips (to get used to walking again).

I will do a couple more weeks of rehab with part of the plan during this time to train me to continue the rehab on my own, which at this point should be pretty easy to do. Plus, I am in the process of moving south and starting a new job on Oct 1. Looking forward to an earlier spring and getting back on the horse!

I have an old wood ski also with rubber mounted backwards. Used this for backward barefoot step offs. Although I learned backwards by deepwater starts, a couple ski friends learned by stepping off a slalom ski going backwards. Both ways are fun, except for the slams on the back of your head.

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.