I for one pretty much agree 100% with MB. I too, understand the reason for the 4 bouy course. If it gets it in places where the public eye can see it, I'm good with that. I have attended the 4 bouy at Disney years ago, and I will say that it was very smart to have it there. I have been to Disney a few times after in recent years, and I look over the lake and then look at the crowd and always think what if there was a course out there with all of these people from all over the world, It would have to spark an interest of at least a few people and make them want to get into it.
What got me into skiing was similar as another baller here. I grew up on the Potomac River, and became friends with a ripper and part time coach for VT WS team. I would watch him rip up and down the river behind his new 91 MC PS190, after befriending him he taught me to ski in return for mowing his river lot and helping wash the boat after the weekend. Years later, Thanks to him, I now have that passion and now own that very boat. I still return to our family River lot on the Potomac, and love watching some of the guys rip it up. One has a new LXi and one rips behind a beautiful MC BF200. I may not ever make it to extreme shortline or need to go spend 65K on a new ZO boat and 2K on a new Ski. I am very happy with my 91 PS190 and my 2010 HO CoX SL. I always try to get people to see Water Skiing, be it on a DVD, Online Video or bringing them on the boat, it doesn't matter. I try to get them to see it in my eyes. The fun, the drive, being behind the boat.
I for one, didn't mind the Big Dawgs at the US Open this year, but I was surprised that they were paid as much as they were. I still want to thank them, and all the Open skiers for coming and competing at the US Open though and putting on a great show regardless of the purse size. Do wish it was higher for the Pro's though. Also agree about describing the rope length so newbies can understand it. I too have been asked over and over again what 32 off means. I believe it would be beneficial to start saying feet left of the rope along with line off the rope. Danno did a decent job, describing how far the handle was in relation to the bouy, but I think it was still over some peoples head. It was a start though. I end up describing it that way to newbies so they understand difficulty level though.
I have thought about 3 event being on the X Games as well. We need a boat manufacture to step up, contact ESPN and the X Games committee, and get some other sponsors. I would think it would do well on there and would be one step of getting it back on cable TV. I miss the days growing up where I could turn on ESPN and watch my childhood water ski hero's.