GregDavis

OK, enough for me, I'm going to go ride my dirt bike

Those who want to continue to ski three event, absolutely have at it. HOWEVER , those who choose to join the NSA, ( National Slalom Association) should be free to do so. Maybe some will ski in both. Can you imagine Boys 1,2 and 3 and Girls 1, 2 and 3 Competing in the NSA Nationals, going at it against their piers, in a Head to Head format. Then getting recognized at the banquet by your fellow skiers. Getting to ski multiple times after paying Air fare, rent a car and hotel expense. All divisions would compete in Head to Head, it would be a percentage of total participants in a Division that would advance to the Head to Head Finals. i.e Mens 4 or Mens 5 might have 16 skiers in Head to Head finals, and Women's 7 might only have 2 skiers in Head to Head.

If you keep buoys at recommended diameter, and recommended height, that is the safest, regardless of what kind of buoy you use. The danger comes if buoys are too high, even just a little too high, ski can get underneath, then you are talking possible major injury. Even if buoy is a bit large, if pulled down low, the ski will slip over the top of buoy. Problem is, some people just show up and ski, and don't take the time to snug buoys to safe and appropriate height.

My Point exactly John, Jump ramps increase insurance premiums, ( that us slalom skiers must contribute to), Jump ramps, create lots of expense for clubs, and lots of maintance. Jumping can only be done on sites that will accommodate Jumping. Lots of injuries for jumpers. Things change, sports change. Trick skiing is painfully boring to those who don't do it, small number of skiers participate in tricks vs slalom. Hey, if anyone who wants to keep three event going, have at it. Do your thing. but let us SLALOM skiers go. Let us go, change up, have FUN, EXCITING COMPETITION. WITH A FRESH START. As far as spectators, we all know, skiing is mostly a participant sport, getting large crowds of spectators is a reach. Unless we couple HEAD TO HEAD SLALOM COMPETITION, with some sort of festival. i.e. Moomba. Big Party atmosphere, BEER SPONSORS, etc.etc. It's really not about the spectators at this point, it's about the participants. If we ( as slalom skiers ) drive several hours to a tournament, maybe get Hotel, and only get to ski one round. Well, you ask why participation is down.? Or better yet, fly across the country to Nationals, rent a car, get a Hotel, and ski one round. And you ask why participation is down. How awesome would it be if slalom skiers could get at least 2 rounds, and have the possibility of skiing in the Head to Head with fellow slalom skiers. PARITY is important and competition is critical. The Head to Head format is TRUE COMPETITION.

Lets talk, let me know when good time to call. or call me at 407-617-3417

" I think he meant a new league, not a new governing body, but I could be wrong" George wrote above. We need NEW GOVERNING BODY, FRESH NEW LEADERSHIP, FRESH NEW IDEAS, FRESH NEW ENTHUSIASM, FRESH NEW RULES. etc. Same old crap isn't cutting it.

You can't just turn and flip the script all at once (as stated in the comments above). WHY NOT?

Need Three Day Nationals, ( NATIONAL SLALOM ORGANIZATION) Slalom Only, Thur. Fri. and Sat. Qualifying Thur. and Friday. All Divisions, Head to Head Finals Sat. all divisions. Hugh banquet Sat. Night, everyone in attendance, At Banquet, Recognize skiers, Sponsors, etc.etc. There is nothing more important than the recognition of your accomplishment from your piers and from Industry sponsors. Look, I am not trying to take anything away from Trick skiers or from Jumpers, It's just that there simply isn't enough time, to make everyone happy, I am into Slalom, If there is enough interest in 3 event waterskiing, the three event skiers can do whatever they want. YOU CAN NOT BE EVERYTHING TO EVERYBUDDY. I Have absolutely no interest what- so-ever of watching Tricks or Jumping, ( unless Pro Jumping) I have no interest in waiting around all day for trick skiers and amateur jumpers to ski. I do not ask anyone who doesn't care about slalom to watch or stick around and wait for me, or participate.

Sorry if I seem selfish, I am interested in Slalom skiing, not interested in wakeboard, or show skiing, or tricks or Jump, and or, all the other stuff USA Waterski has control of. EXAMPLE, if I join a racquet ball organization. I don't want that organization spending my dues on Hand ball, or volley ball or anything but racquet ball. Racquet ball is my sport, There are many other examples; USA Water Ski pays plenty for insurance ( I'm sure the Jump on water ski lakes takes a big chunk of the insurance premium) the jump also takes lots of money and maintance from club members. However probably less than 10% of members Jump. 60% or more of the resources are spent on Jump.

Last year BD, big problems, however the 10 Prior years, the Big Dawg Finals was EPIC.

Tyler, " I'm not sure a slalom only tournament is very exciting to potential viewers." As far as Nationals three weekends, Not even a remote possibility. Have you ever been to a Big Dawg finals, Head to Head? Not sure trick skiing is real exciting to viewers. Now Jump, yes, exciting, however incorporating Jump. ??? maybe , but limited sites and other logistics, would prevent Jump from being included. At one time, I sold ALL sponsorship for Big Dawg events. Feedback from sponsors was off the charts positive.

Maybe it's time to start with a clean slate. You can't be every thing to everyone. I just re-newed my membership to USA Water Ski. $175. ( for wife and myself) we slalom only, go to several tournaments a year. In the past have participated in the Nationals, ( boring, long and drawn out, not much FUN ) That's it. We're only interested in Slalom. My guess is less than 10% of my dues goes toward Slalom activities or improving slalom etc. Things change, and smart people ( and organizations ) make adjustments and change as necessary to move forward. WHAT WE HAVE NOW, OBVIOUSLY IS NOT WORKING, SO TO KEEP DOING THE SAME THING AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT RESULT IS, NOT REAL SMART. With a head to head format, All the slalom skiers ( all divisions) would be Big Dawgs ) I'm not down on tricks or Jump, however, lets be realistic, tricks and Jump probably takes up at least 50 or 60% of the time at a 3 event tournament. ( for 10 % of the participants) If the group of skiers who enjoy slalom want to have their own organization, and Slalom only Nationals, so be it. Others can do whatever they want. I'm not talking AWSA, or USA Water ski. I'm talking NSO ( National Slalom Organization ) or WSO ( World Slalom Organization) NEW FRESH IDEAS, NEW FRESH FORMAT, NEW FRESH LEADERSHIP, NEW FRESH SPONSORS, NEW FRESH ENTHUSIASM, ADD THE FUN FACTOR.

What we have now is not working. If we keep doing the same thing do we really think the results will be different.

With a head to head format, All the slalom skiers ( all divisions) would be Big Dawgs ) I'm not down on tricks or Jump, however, lets be realistic, tricks and Jump probably takes up at least 50 or 60% of the time at a 3 event tournament. ( for 10 % of the participants) If the group of skiers who enjoy slalom want to have their own organization, and Slalom only Nationals, so be it. Others can do whatever they want. I'm not talking AWSA, or USA Water ski. I'm talking NSO ( National Slalom Organization ) or WSO ( World Slalom Organization) NEW FRESH IDEAS, NEW FRESH FORMAT, NEW FRESH LEADERSHIP, NEW FRESH SPONSORS, NEW FRESH ENTHUSIASM,

Need Three Day Nationals, Slalom Only, Thur. Fri. and Sat. Qualifying Thur. and Friday. All Divisions, Head to Head Finals Sat. all divisions. Hugh banquet Sat. Night, everyone in attendance, Recognize skiers, Sponsors, etc.etc. There is nothing more important than the recognition of your accomplishment from your piers and from Industry sponsors.

TIME FOR A NEW SLALOM ONLY ORGANIZATION. NEW IDEAS, NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW EXCITMENT.

I worked for Master Craft in the early 80's ( at Factory in Tn. ) We weighted many boats, Rob, was adamant about keeping weight to a minimum. I'm 99% sure the 81 or 82 MasterCraft was about 2100. With 240 HP, and a gear reduction, and 2100 lb. boat, the pull was great.

After many years of racing motorcycles, and weighing them, DO NOT BELEIVE EVERYTHING YOU READ, FROM MANUFACTURES SPECS. Must weight them yourself.

Thanks Jody, I'm gong to make a bench with it, for my dock. SOLD

Jody, please give me a call, Greg Davis 407-617-3417

Eric, and Bob, Great Job with IN HIS WAKES HEAD TO HEAD. I will be there. Can't wait to compete in it. Greg Davis

Best to UPS your ski and your equipment to Fl. I can't imagine having not skied for several months, then renting a different ski, a demo with different bindings etc. It doesn't cost that much to UPS your equipment.

I did some diving that day, helped set some anchors. ( when Ed Put course in at Kris LaPoints Lake), Still haven't skied there, just haven't got around to it. I will in near future.

Call Skip Dunlap, He has 45 years experience with Props, and 40 years experience with Nautique. 865-605-0340

I would like to ask any skier who participated in a Big Dawg Finals Tournament in the past 3 years to please call me when you get a minute. Thanks so much. 407-617-3417