JohnCox

You wear a wetsuit down there, @Wish?

Have someone else zip it too. On my way for test #3.

Second test yesterday. 55 air and 60 water. Hands and feet got cold, but body was just fine. Going to test one more time in a lake that's probably a little cooler today. Wish I had bought this 2 years ago.

A few weeks back, I decided I wanted to try out a full suit, because, even though I have a great drysuit, and I seem to be able to wear it in February and March, I just can't make myself put it on at the end of the season. So, I stopped by Trophy Lakes to try a couple on while down there on business. A medium titanium was too tight, I thought, and a large 1mm black was definitely too big. So, Austin got his hands on a medium 1mm for me to try just for fit, and it was great. I wanted a 2mm, and Trophy was not able to get their hands on one to fit me, so I found and ordered one from Robby's Ski Shop. It arrived last Friday, and I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, when I tried it on alone, I managed to put a small tear in it (there's a "pull" strap below the zipper...requires care when using, and I think I will remove it...). I sent Robby a note with a couple of pictures of the tear, and the fit, and talked to her on Monday. We talked about the tear, and the size, because apparently, I'm built a little differently than an Austrian water skier... Robby told me that she thought the size I had was the right one, and to go ahead and ski in the suit just to be sure, and she would replace it with whatever size I wanted, or give me a full credit. I will add that Robby certainly knows her stuff on these suits! So, yesterday was my first opportunity to go test it out. Our lake has dropped, so when we got there, the entire course was laying loose on top of the water. Normally, that means someone dives, and is too cold to ski, but everyone else gets to. My main purpose for being there was to try my suit, so I offered to swim. I put my suit on, and then put a shorty on over it to both protect it, and maybe give my core a little more insulation. The temperature at the surface was 60, and I'd guess at the bottom of the lake was closer to 50. I swam for over a half hour, and dove and adjusted every buoy in the course. No problem. I took the shorty off, and put on some socks and sweats over the suit while my partner took a set. Normally, I can't stand to keep a suit on but this one was not an issue. He skied, and I hopped in for my first set in the suit. Wow. Warm. Flexible. Not binding or cumbersome at all. It was almost like I didn't have anything on, and felt free enough to ski like it was June (it is more comfortable than my normal top...). I got out, kept the suit on to drive, and then skied another set. I'll be trying it out again today and tomorrow.... This suit has certainly extended my season on both ends, and I'd say has a chance of eliminating the use of a drysuit for me. When I talk to Robby Monday to make arrangements for a swap, I may have to add a Camaro top to the order... Thanks, Robby!!

That looks very interesting... Perhaps you could partner up with binding manufacturers and have that incorporated in to new bindings (not that I'm ever going to buy any new bindings...)

You'll have a problem @Skoot1123. Be prepared. :)

I had a nano one. One set on a Mapple 6.0 got me off that. Skied 100 sets on it and tried a 6.1. Love it too....so been on it since June. No interest in trying anything else.

My only hangup with the front zip is, if I don't remember to tuck the zipper in the place for it before I get my gloves on, it flops around, and pokes me in the neck sometimes. When I do that, I usually pull the zipper down a couple of inches. From a feel standpoint, I like the front zip as much as the rear.

Most of my crashes are pretty tame...usually more danger for the people in the boat from the handle that becomes a missle. My worst feeling one was actually this past Sunday - a buddy thought it would be fun to have a wide ride "tournament" on our second set. I've never ridden a wide ride, and haven't gone 30 mph in about 30 years. The pull through the gate was terrifying. At 1, the ski kept going in the same direction, and I went back towards the boat, starting with my arm/elbow/shoulder in the water in a violent explosion. Left shoulder is still sore. No interest in ever riding a wide ride again.

For what it's worth, I've skied over 800 sets in the 4 vests, including about half of them in my first one...they wear a little, but I use them a lot. Nice vests, @Eagle1

I have had a total of 4 Eagle Vests, and love them. My first was a rear zip that I wore for over 2 years. I had some issues with the top of the zipper, and the flotation liner wearing thin, but Eagle fixed at the end of my first season. My second was also a rear zip, and had the same issue with the top of the zipper, but again, Eagle fixed with no problem (if I get another rear zip, I will just ask for additional reinforcing at the zipper). My shoulder caused some problems with the rear zip this spring, and I apparently spent too much time in the gym last winter, so I got a larger front zip that I absolutely love. In June, a friend of mine added a camo front zip to my collection. Now on a 2 set day, I wear a different vest each set. The camo vest has a bit more flotation, which probably explains why it is a little tighter than my black Eagle One. I don't wear it when wearing a top...

And 2 pairs of gloves (with a backup) and 2 vests. And now that it's cooler, 2 tops.

I have my rope with a handle. And a backup rope with a different diameter handle. And one more backup-backup with a backup handle. :)

Good question, @Texas6. I've heard stories about MULTIPLE sets back during the pro tour days, spinning and running back to back passes (SHORT passes), long sets, and the like. Crazy stuff. But, at least now, with me, Jeff skis basically the same format as me. We meet after both of us get done with work - usually around 6:30 PM. The norm has been that we each ski 2 sets, about 6-8 passes each. With the days getting shorter, it's getting harder to squeeze that second set in (which is why Jeff did 3 passes last week in his second - 32, 39, 41...). I don't think he gets to ski more than 2 or 3 days a week, and not every week. He has a family, runs a business, and has all the other things in life that us "normal" skiers have. It is a lot of fun to ski with him. Obviously, his coaching has helped me tremendously, but, even though the focus is on skiing well, remembering that it is just a fun hobby for most of us is key. I really appreciate his patience with my driving...I've always felt like I was a decent driver, but I have never had the opportunity to drive someone that skis like Jeff. Somehow, I must forget what he does when he gets to 38+ sometimes, because there have been a few times that at 1, he just about pulled me out of the boat path! But, he runs it, anyway, I apologize at the end, and it doesn't happen again. He's always smiling when he pulls out after running one of those...and is extremely gracious about it. Not only is he helping me become a better skier, he's helping me become a better driver. Jeff is a genuinely good guy, and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to hang out at the lake with him. Skiing (and the rest of the world) would benefit from more guys like Jeff.

I will post pictures from the tourney later. An awesome event!

No. :)

Here's my friend and coach Jeff Rodgers ripping it up in round 1. On his Mapple 6.0. There are quite a few Mapples here.

As unual, had a blast. Jeff is always such a huge help to me. I ended my second set because I didn't see the one ball at 38 until I realized I had turned ahead of it. But Jeff wanted a couple of passes. At his 32 opener, I had to almost stand up coming around the turn to find the course. I asked at the end if he wanted 35 or 38....he said, "let's go one more." So, with barely enough light for me not to hit the shore in the turn, he ran the 39. Dang. Fun times.

@MrJones - 175 is just fine. I'm 182, moving to 175...

That would be cool @9400. I've had the good fortune of skiing with Jeff a good bit this year, and he is a really good guy. He's been a huge help to me with my skiing. And it's pretty fun to drive for him, too. Last time out, he had just put in RevR...so when he got to 39, he just kept changing settings (drastically) and running them. Really fun. I'm skiing with him tonight. :)

It's a pretty cool concept. The top half (I think) will be one half of each team, in order from rank from top to bottom. The other half of each team will be the other half, in reverse ranking (i.e.: top seed paired with bottom seed). Then handicapped somehow....every team has a chance of winning the cash. I think it will add some interest from top to bottom. It doesn't hurt that there are numerous serious opportunities for national and/or world records (7, I think) in various divisions.

That is extremely cool...I have thought about a carbon fiber binding. And am interested in one...

Voted arm, meaning elbow(s). Last 3 years, elbows have been a problem. Also destroyed my ankle back in 2010. But my elbows hurt now!

One more. Tail blow out...but I'm still holding the handle. Just in case. Photo cred on both of these Will Keown

Summer gear