buski

Their site isn't available at work for me but last time I checked it wasn't up on their website yet. Anybody have one? How good is the 100 degree vs. the original 140 in terms of what you can see?

This was my first season in the course. I started at 28mph and kind of just banged my head at it until I made it through. I was still pretty inconsistent after getting it. I hit a small stride near the end of august/early sep or so where 28's were falling pretty consistently but not 100% automatic. I still worked on speeding up to 30 and almost found a measure of consistency there but it was still pretty hit or miss. As the season winded down I could only get out once a week or once every two, and 28's became a bit of a struggle again. I haven't decided how I want to approach next season yet. I really want more consistency at the slower speeds, I feel like they should be almost automatic by now but maybe I'm rushing myself. @ctsmith - There's a section in Andy Mapple's Ski Paradise video of Gordon/Andy doing 15 off at various speeds. Gordon runs 26 and Andy runs 28 on their normal skis. Granted, they are obviously a lot better than us. I think that says though that with proper techniques that keep you connected and keep your speed up that you shouldn't really be sinking (within reason). Is it quicker progress to bang your head at a slow speed and try to learn those techniques, or speed up? Or stay slow but get a wider ski which will alleviate that somewhat but perhaps is letting you get away with bad habits? I don't have any idea. The only thing I've really found from a lot of research is that everybody is going to tell you something different :)

Maybe these http://www.proskicoach.com/skis/ho/s1/2010

I use them but I have Strada's. I think I have 1.5mm ones but they make thicker. I feel like they help a bit in the cooler water, but kind of wonder if 2mm or 2.5 wouldn't have been a little better. A side benefit is that they help a lot in terms of putting my wetsuit or drysuit ankle seals on. Your feet still get wet with the neo ones though so if it's that cold you might want the hot water anyway depending on temps. For colder water I have a pair of latex socks but might consider wearing the neoprene ones with them for extra warmth. I have the NeoSport ones you can find on amazon.

Here's the new HO freeride which seems like it is for the same idea, but a different approach. http://player.vimeo.com/video/49747021 There's an ad in the fall Waterski mag for the Connelly Sonic which also looks to be for the same idea. 2013, year of the free ski? Interested to hear feedback if/when people start trying them out. Maybe something fun for a 3rd set or something where you don't want to wear yourself out.

I'm picking up a drysuit for the first time and looking at some options for gloves. I've seen some threads with lots of helpful suggestions, normal gloves over dish/nitrile gloves over kevlar liners, some kind of silicone over the backs of the fingers to help wind chill, hot water when you can get it, etc. I was curious if anybody had tried dive gloves that have kevlar palms and if they're worth it/strong enough for skiing in cold water/air. If so would you go for a 3mm or 5mm? I'd guess 5mm would be a bit too bulky but are probably a good bit warmer. Something like: http://www.amazon.com/Scuba-Neoprene-Water-Kevlar-Gloves/dp/B001NO9JEK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_4 http://www.houseofscuba.com/gloves/glv17.html http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/38835.htm

Your suggestions are not lost on me.

I was more thinking to record the path. The readings would change depending on where the ski is and maybe someone smart could make sense of that and construct the ski path from it, and make some software to do it.

How about magnets at every ball, a sensor on the ski, and lots of math.

Thanks guys. I have a top but that answers the question. I'd rather be warm than cold so I'll just put it on and deal with the ribbing.

Anybody routinely use a wetsuit vest? I've got pretty much no fat and have been known to shiver in the water even on a warm sunny day in pretty warm water. Certainly too warm to break out a full top. Just wondering if the wetsuit vests alone help keep the core temp up enough, or if they're really not big enough to help beyond minimizing the shock of jumping in.

No experience with that one, but I'm pretty happy with the flotation in my Camaro compared to the older obrien elite comp vest I had.

Do you have the 3/2 or 4/3?

@thager - how is the psycho 2 when you're in the boat between sets on a chilly air day?

I'm pretty happy with my playsport Zx3 for recording my sets. Worth picking up an extra battery though if you plan on recording a lot. With just 2 people skiing it's fine but with 3 I tend to run out.

Ski settings aside is there a 'common' cause of the bouncing/porpoising on the offside? I get this from time to time (still too much for my liking) but I mostly blame myself since I'm still pretty inconsistent, am not always in a good position, etc. Then from ski settings it sounds like not having enough length can cause it. "Too much length causes the ski to shut down faster and ski narrow". Is it the quick shutting down that's causing the bouncing? @ShaneH what binding change are you getting at related to this?

@Skoot1123 are you keeping up with the videos during ski season? If so what's your ski schedule vs. when you're doing the videos? I did X and X2 over winter but since I started skiing I've mostly been taking a break and was going to pick up again in the fall.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CONDOR-Light-Weight-Kevlar-Glove-1AJ44?Pid=search (for large anyway, or same thing in another size)

For us laymen, what does a different lay up translate into in terms of ski performance?

There's a 65.5 S2 on Ski it again for 650.

For what it's worth, I'm skiing probably slower than you and at 15 off, and I love the S2. Really feels like an improvement for me and I've been skiing a lot more consistently on it.

Somebody try this http://www.ehow.com/how_7583436_make-solarpowered-glow-sticks.html

Thanks I figured it wasn't the S2 since it was already out and was an 'everyman' type of question so probably a little more of a price point ski. Found the freeride picture, wonder if it's just the same shape as the existing freerides/venture/etc or if there's a new one. Guess we'll see.

On the subject of HO 2013, I was browsing some older waterski mags from this year and in that Bob LaPoint interview he mentioned a new ski they were working on that was a departure from what you'd expect and you could ski it in the course at 26 and have fun. It was in a section about opening up skiing to a wider audience. Anybody know anything about this ski? Just planning ahead for either a ski for the wife or a kids version.