Well I ski behind a 20 year old Nautique once a week on a public lake 3 mos out of the year with a portable course. Me and my ski buddy and our boys are learning the course on our second season. The most challenging sport I have ever attempted to learn ...and I always look forward to the next set. Even with the technology there is nothing easy about it... at least to me guess that's why I keep going back. I know it's a different level than how you guys live, but it's all relative.