GOODESkier

What was the highlight of your season of skiing? Did you meet any of your goals? What goals are you setting for next year? Our season isn't over yet here in WA, but my tournament season finished last weekend. My goal for this year was to run 38 in a tournament. I actually ran it 3 different tournaments including the last tournament round of the summer! I seem to be around 4-ish@38 almost every round since regionals. This exceeded all my expectations of 38' Off at 38 Years Old. My PB moved to 2@39.5 from a previous of 5@38 (only saw 4 ball a few limited times last year). Pretty exciting year. I think saying 39.5' Off at 39.5 Years Old might be a little ambitious, seeing that 38 doesn't go down every round and I haven't gotten to 2 ball @ 39.5' Off very often (yet....). However, I do think getting half way through 39.5 could be a good goal for next season! I think that could get me headed towards a MM rating. That might be the goal in the next couple of seasons, but definitely achievable in the near future. In reality, the biggest highlight of my season was my family's skiing. My daughter (4 yrs. old) skied several grass roots tournaments. I got my wife to ski in several tournaments as well! My son's skiing rocketed ahead! He is 6 years old and went from not running passes at 15.5 MPH to running 21 MPH 5 of the last 6 rounds and setting a PB of 3@23 MPH (3 of the last 6 rounds!). Can you imagine gaining 4 passes every season! I think there is a distinct possibility he will see 30 MPH next season and see some rope on the floor of the boat! Excited to see what next season has to offer!

Echo the above....... or move south where you won't need it.......

Simple to fix. Ski with "so called wrong hands" for the rest of the season. First thing in the Spring, start with "so called correct hands". Easy fix, and yes it will pay dividends in my eyes. I had the same issue about 3 seasons ago. You'll miss grab, or reverse your hands a few times, but then it will be so comfortable and feel like home that doing it the other way will then feel wrong.

Worse thing that has happened is..... had a guy loop the rope on wacky and it popped off the pylon at 32' Off in my opener and I ate the first wake with chest and ribs. Ruined my winter ski training vacation, but no serious long lasting injury. Just reminds me to not trust just anyone. I buy a new rope and handle every season, but I also ski 2 sets a day, every day from about May 1 - Nov 1. So it doesn't owe me anything after that duration of time.

I think people think they know more about what happens in the factory and who is actually testing the skis then they really do.............. Those that know aren't posting that info on here.

@MrJones can you speak more about CP and not backsiding the balls on earlier/easier passes? Anyone else able to say more on that one?

Hang on to the rope....... Or crash hard enough to blow out of the bindings and fly towards shore. Kill two birds with one stone. JUST KIDDING! Some lakes have a LONG swim unless you want the really long walk of shame barefoot! I am guessing if you get the issue of removing your feet from the bindings faster, the swim part won't be as stressful. Also, remember, you only really need to get yourself clear of the course and skier path so don't fret too much about it. Secondly, if the tournament is so stressed they can't wait a few seconds for you or provide a little help on the shore...... or maybe ask the tournament official. Or atleast let them know you struggle with those two things currently. There should be a little help and understanding. As a Dad, I worry about my 6 year old in this regard. This past weekend, he fell for the first time in a tournament. I happen to be driving the boat, and my wife and daughter were not with us. So he had the long swim at Warman in Vancouver. I was surprised by the time I finished his pass at 23 MPH and returned at 36 MPH he was almost up on shore.

AGREE - New rope and handle EVERY year.

@Ed_Johnson I would have the same comment about the above, if he were evaluating the new Nano One FT.......... Not picking on @Than_Bogan at all and sorry my two freeze frames high-jacked the thread (Not my intention). I was just surprised at the posted video. I worked hard to line up skiing out here in Oregon for Than and his co-workers when he came this way last summer. Would have done that for him NO MATTER WHAT STICK HE WAS ON! @AdamCord and @adamhcaldwell Send me one to try? @Ed_Johnson if I like it I might change my screen name to @DENALIEEEEEESkier See if it can get me to 3 Ball @ 39.5

SO Much Fun as a family! GREAT JOB!

Is it possible that you have the wait timer set and that is the beeping you hear?

SWEET!

@Than_Bogan what other skis have you demoed or skied on in the past couple years?

SO COOL! I look forward to that day as well!

Sorry I came off as nit-picky. Just at this level of skiing, things matter..... gates matter.... boat path matters..... I support @Than_Bogan in his quest to tear 38 off the map every round of a tournament! I hope he supports me the same way! WISH WE COULD GET TOGETHER and SKI FOR A WEEK!

@chef23 that wouldn't fly with our sr. drivers out here, BUT this thread is about skiing and I am PSYCHED for Than to have found his MOJO! I know that feeling when you get on a ski that just dances with you. Keep ripping it!

@Horton was that a pep talk? @Nautique96 I have a neighbor who just finished his masters degree and is currently working in the ski industry. I can put you in contact with him if you like? His day sounds pretty sweet to me: 1. Wake Up At The Lake 2. Ski 3. Test a Ski 4. Drive a boat while others ski 5. Build a mold 6. Build a ski 7. Test a ski 8. Eat 9. Sleep 10. Ski some more...... 11. Drive to CA ProAm 12. Hang with all the skiers 13. Sell some stuff 14. Get a set in 15. Etc.......... Also, what @swc5150 says as well. With all the ski companies located so close to home here, you should get in touch with them and talk. If you need a few contacts, PM me and I can at least point you in the right direction. I never followed the pay check. I'm a teacher. We pay the same college tuition as an engineer and make about 20% of an engineer is I am lucky. BUT I GET TO DO WHAT I LOVE along with enough skiing to keep me and my family happy! Follow the dream!

@Than_Bogan not to take anything away from the ski or your skiing, YOU ARE KILLING IT! But, if you miss the gates at 35, do you get to try 38? Pic here from freeze frames around 6 seconds......... Also, I always get a little worried when my driver has turned his head all the way to watch me turn the 1/3/5 balls.........

@6balls TOTALLY AGREE! Get water time at home with guys that know their stuff. Then treat yourself to a day clinic somewhere on a private lake. KEYS TO IMPROVING: 1. Time on the water 2. Skiing with people better than you 3. Good equipment/boat 4. Understanding wife OR one that skis too! Put the above into action and you will meet that goal of skiing the course at a decent line length!

I had a ski partner that fractured their scull, and was unconscious when I spun the boat to render aid. He was barely floating. So I agree with what @Wayne says. I would suggest doing the following regardless. Test if you float with as little air in your lungs as possible. Also see if your ski partner can haul your fat arse up on the swim step if need be. After retrieving my buddy face down and drowning, I had my wife try and load me at least onto the swim step alone if I was unconscious. She is a littler lady (But a Canadian......) and she could get my 190 lbs of dead weight out of the water if need be. I often consider who I am skiing with, and would I trust them to save my life. Much like traveling into the back country snowmobiling or skiing. You place your life in your friends hands........

My son got his first comp vest from EAGLE SPORTS and skied it for the first time this past weekend. IT ROCKS! Even at 6 years old, he said the vest was easier to move in, easier to get up in, and it seemed to run his hardest pass 3 straight rounds in a row............ PLUS HE LOOKS WAY COOL IN IT! My 2 cents, if you are skiing private lakes, tournaments, or have a somewhat controlled environment, I am not concerned with the non USCG approved vests. If you are skiing in other locations with possibly less experience boat crews....... I might stick with the USCG version.

Jayden ran 3@23 MPH every round at the TATE LAKE Tournament this past weekend! Mr. Consistency! From first pass at 15.5 in June to 23 MPH in September is PRETTY COOL in my book!

I have done a little small experimenting with the wing. Here is my simple and limited conclusions: 1. I Suck without the wing. I feel all out of sorts and nothing good comes of it at 34 MPH 28 off and shorter. Just end up fast and out of control. 2. My wife struggles to run passes at 30 MPH 15' OFF when I remove the wing all together. The attitude of the ski in the water is just all wacky. 3. My 6 year old can smoke 21 MPH WITHOUT the wing........ put it on and he struggles to run 19 MPH........ He seems non-effected by stability, but the drag kills his ability to create space before the ball.

I tried to look up your last name, but couldn't find a boys 1 or 2 skier. Different last name?

@bigtex2011 has your son skied any tournaments yet? My son's ski is working pretty well for him............