JohnCox

@Andre we would start at the 55m buoys and go away from the course and spin in - right against the shore. When the boat settled in, it was time to pull out. Now, we can almost go straight in with the 8 buoy course, with a slight dog leg, which actually helps with bow roll. We are still tweaking water levels and set ups, but the lake skis great.

Plenty of room, and you don't need an 8 buoy unless you just want it. Ours is 1,340 feet, and we just installed an 8 buoy after 4 years using a 6 buoy. Short, but doable.

For what it's worth, I'm running: Front binding: 29-3/4" Length: 6.8295" Depth: 2.4945" DFT: 0.789" Wing at 9 Is that close to what he sent you?

Good attitude, @Horton, and whatever the ortho says, do it. The moment I realized I was done, all I did was exactly what he said. Rest as instructed, and rehab as instructed. And do it as long as he says to. Mine assured me that when he told me I was good, I was just as likely to rupture the other one... I did exactly what he said, and since he said "go", I have done just that with no concern about my arm. I'm stronger now than before. Other than it looking a little different, it's just as good as the other arm. You are not looking to break records....so no need to rush back.

Listen to your body. The Wednesday before my season ended last year, I strained my left bicep. That Monday with no hit at all to speak of off the ball, my bicep was rolled up at my shoulder. Cost me a season. Give it whatever time it needs to avoid what I did...

@OB, he doesn't need any practice sets to run 39... ;)

I am skiing my tail off, @Texas6 ....on my Mapple T2

Good grief, @OB, don't post stuff like that! I would quit skiing before I skied on a goode!! I will NEVER ski on on of those. For the record, I am now on a Mapple T2, and did run 38 on it! @Texas6 - the paw on the front is a Clemson Tiger paw. I actually got that ski before the 6.1 was available, and Andy painted over the logo to keep it under cover. I didn't do a very good job removing the paint, so the paw was an easy cover. ;)

As much as I hate to do it, I guess I need to sell one of my skis..... ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Slalom&postid=32267

That looks just like me...at 32 off....

I guess I am mostly doing volume now. In January, I took 9 sets at Mapple over 5 days (on 3 different skis), and only ran 28 and 32. Didn't even go to 32 until set 5. I went back in early March. Day 1 was nothing but 28. Day 2 was 28 and 32 about half and half. Day 3, I decided to take my first look at 35 since my injury last May, and it felt so good I managed to screw it up thinking how easy it was. We have just started skiing at home (water in low 60s), and I have not even thought about going to 35 yet. I won't look much at it for the next few weeks, I suppose.

I will probably have to start stretching soon, but I've always used my opening pass as the stretch... As for food, I generally treat it like I do a workout. I eat a meal about an hour before if at all possible, and try to take something in within an hour after.

I've done a little different this off season. Eat more (of everything - fats, carbs, protein), do more. I'm 2 lbs less than I was when I got hurt last May (190) but SIGNIFICANTLY stronger. I'd like to drop another lb or so, but frankly would just assume stay the same weight with slightly higher muscle content and slightly less fat.

I can't believe I failed to mention our visit (too short a visit) with Brian! We will be back to ski with you!!

As many of you know, I ruptured my bicep last may skiing in the Atlanta Pro-Am, and had surgery to repair it in early June. My season was done. I rode my ski 6 times in November and December just to remember what it felt like... Well, it just happens that I had a time share week that was set to expire in early February, so I used that as an excuse to go spend a week in Orlando. My ski partner and friend Chuck Byrd headed down the highway last Sunday, the 18th. No real plans other than to ski. We knew we would be at Mapple's on Monday and Tuesday, but didn't know if those guys were booked all week, or whether we might get to spend more time there. Once again, Andy and the rest of the folks at Mapple exceeded my expectations..... We arrived Monday morning to nice water, although the air was a little chilly. Mike was there, of course Andy, Katie came out for a while, and Tom Brantley had come to town to get his season going, too. I skied Monday on the 6.1 that made the trip down with me to get the feel again, and, much to my surprise, it didn't feel like I had missed a beat. Chuck spent the first day on the ski he took with him as well. We knew we would be back on Tuesday to try some new things, so we didn't want to push too hard. Tuesday we were obviously a little sore, but showed up anyway. We mounted up a 67.5" T2 for me, and I took it out...2 passes, and Andy made a small change (even though I liked it). Dang, I liked it more...finished out the set with those settings. Andy mounted up a 66" T1 for Chuck, and he looked like a different skier. Headed to lunch with Mike and Tom, and headed back for another set (after Andy tweaked my fin just a little). We both loved the skis that we rode, and as the day wound down and we packed up, we had no idea what we were doing for skiing on Wednesday. Andy looked at us and said "10 in the morning?" Naturally, we agreed. On Wednesday, I skied a little later in the rotation, and as I was getting my things together, a car pulled up and out stepped Kris LaPoint. I've met Kris before, and I knew he came by Andy's and is skiing on a Mapple so I didn't think much about it. Until I turned around and he was getting in the boat with Andy. So, for my first set that day, Mike was driving, and I had Andy Mapple and Kris Lapoint sitting in the boat to watch...the two biggest slalom legends there are. No pressure.... I ran a pass. Don't think a word was said. I ran another one. Andy stood up and pointed something out for me to focus on. Ran a pass down and felt like I had done what he said. I shook my head and smiled as I came out of the gates. When the boat stopped, Kris asked me what I liked better about that pass, and I told him. He said "OK". So I asked if I was wrong, and he said that I was right. Pass 4. I could see them talking and all I saw was a nod. When we got to the other end, the boat sat for a bit, and I assumed that I was about to hear something about the pass. Mike looked out and said "you've sparked a discussion." I asked about what, and apparently what I did and how I responded to what Andy said sparked a debate over the different body positions that people use behind the boat. The rope got tight without me hearing a word, but I was excited that I had sparked a conversation between those two. Back to the dock without missing a pass. One of the coolest sets I've ever skied. Chuck tried the T2 and learned that it just didn't really suit him, and we went to lunch again, with Dave Macchi joining us this time. I took another set in the afternoon, pushing harder each pass, and feeling better and better. At the end of the day, Andy said "10? tomorrow? I want you to ride the 66" to feel the difference. Thursday morning, we mounted up the 66" for me to ride. Loved it (didn't miss a pass on it, either), but felt like it didn't suit me quite as well as the 67.5" Just to be sure, I rode the big one again after lunch. Truth is, I could have only ridden either of them and been happy. Chuck took Thursday off. Friday turned out to be the only day with less than ideal conditions. At home, we'd probably have bagged it. But, Andy said "you won't always have perfect conditions, so you should see how it feels in this." When I got up, the tail wind was so strong, there was no wind in my face...wow. But, ran a 28 down wind and back in. When we moved to 32, I got tentative, and missed a few (I had missed one pass all week). Andy shared some of his usual wisdom, and ended my week running a nice 32 with maybe the strongest tail wind I've ever done it in... Chuck hopped back on the ski he brought down to see if he could feel the difference. Considering the conditions, he did great, but he was convinced then about his decision. I left with a new 67.5" T2, and Chuck with a 66" T1. I guess I should sell my 6.1....but, until Tuesday, it was the best thing I'd ever ridden...perhaps I'll keep it as a backup... One of the highlights of the week was meeting and getting to know Tom Brantley. I knew who he was, but had never seen him ski, and obviously never met him. Tom is a genuine good guy. Level headed and practical. No BS. Young, but mature. After spending 4 days with him as well, it was obvious that Andy continues to build a team with quality people, not just good skiers. So, Chuck and I, a couple of hacks that ski on a farm pond in the northwest corner of South Carolina, went and spent a week with a group that I am proud to be connected with. We were treated by Katie, Aidan, Tom, Andy, Deena, Scott, Marion, and Kris like part of the team - like one of their pros. It could have only been better if Jeff had been able to make it! I've said it before...I'll be on a Mapple as long as Andy will let me! In addition to all that, we watched them put a new jump in, and got to see Jon Travers take a set. All in all, one of the best weeks a skier could ever hope for.

The newest "sweetie"...

Other than being sore, I'm feeling great! Haven't missed a beat!! It was awesome skiing with those guys in the boat, and watching Kris coach Andy after.

It has begun. Spending the week at Mapple. 2 sets Monday on my ski knocking some rust off. 2 sets yesterday on a T2, pushing a little harder each set. I feel like I haven't missed a beat... But, my entire body hurts! And hands. Spray leg will probably bleed today... Loving it! I absolutely love being part of Team Mapple!

I agree, Jim. My experience has been that more get injured doing things like cross-fit than more conventional exercise. I'd say it has much to do with your trainer, too. People like Jenny Lebaw are absolutely the best in the world, but it's not that hard to become a "certified" trainer in just about anything. As part of my own weight loss and fitness journey (and perhaps OCD), I actually went through and became an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer..... As with anything, just be careful.

If it gets someone that needs to exercise off the couch, then great, but I'm not a fan of cross-fit, especially as we get older. I've seen several friends get injured doing things they have no business doing, and I have friends in the health care industry that tell me they see lots of folks with injuries from doing it. I train. Hard. But weight training, and I do include some cardio and some yoga, etc to help me with some flexibility, but my primary training is old fashioned lifting weights...

Not to wear anything like that picture.... And to run 38 in a tourney.....plus some other fitness goals...

Took a set on the 14th... air 58, water 48. Cold....

I hit the gym much harder than during the season. Of course, I didn't really have a season this year, so I will put on a suit and try to ride my ski every week or so...for as long as I can stand it, and have someone else crazy enough to do it with me...

It has begun....151 days later, and I took my first ride on my ski yesterday since the ruptured bicep. Was very nervous....wasn't pretty, but felt really good to ride again. Just stayed at 28 off, and did my best not to push at all. Only 4 passes...but it was a start. Technically, I am not supposed to really ski until the end of November...but this was just riding...

Yeah...he doesn't really practice. That 2@43 was at a tournament only 2 weeks after the senior worlds, so that was like having recent practice.... He's just an incredible skier. And a great guy, to boot.