Deep11

Been far more consistent at 12m this year (last year was a wash out with a fractured ankle). tonight i ran 11.25 for the first time ever!!! looking at the video I'm not too sure how i actually ran it - 13m headwind ok, tail wind 12 was quite ropey and the 11 looked all over at 2 ball. definite props for my young driver who largely kept it straight. cut to 10.75 for the first time ever - missed the gate but who cares - i cut to 10.75 !!!! to say I'm ecstatic would be an understatement. there is clearly a whole lot to work on BUT now i know its possible. dont know if ill ever do it again - but I have the video evidence so will sleep well tonight. Many thanks to the guys I listen to: Dimitri Kourounis from Ververoda waterski school in Porta Heli Greece and TWhisper "Train with Terry Winter" (FYI - from another thread, this is a go pro on a tracker with a $15dollar 52mm zoom lens off ebay) https://www.dropbox.com/s/j0ts7mph1pw3avn/first%20ever%2011m%20august%2018.mp4?dl=0

Our “ man on the ground “ at the event reports that skiers were having issues on Thursday - boat was tweaked and reports from skiers after are that its a different beast. Interesting. FWIW homologated and all times are legit with world class drivers as you would expect. Looks like the boat gets it done at the top end :)

Photos other way round :)

FWIW replay of the video makes it look like rollers that took out Freddie - ski was airborne (photo1) then a “sink hole” opened up and pretty much swallowed him (photo2) . The release looks like the best outcome :)

That Mapple video is also interesting in that is shows the skier being much more “leaned over” at 28 compared to 38. Even coming off the wake - this to me suggests that the initial 28 connection was likely more aggressive than the 38? But even so I’m guessing most skier swoudl expect the skier to be more leaned over at 38. ( argument about taller skiers having it easy doesn’t seem to hold here?) Can’t really see if the point of release is different - in terms of being pulled up on the boat before releasing keeping you more vertical as @adamhcaldwell mentioned in his reply to me.

@adamhcaldwell this has been a really interesting thread and I think my question applies here. Assuming that we are on the upswing racing the boat - how much are you happy letting the boat pull you over to the inside before you feed the handle out? This is not about maintaining connection to race the boat but specifically being pulled over (not “in” - shoulders still square to the course) and the amount of “lean” you have towards the wake before you turn, vs the amount of lean you have after the turn. Seems to me that its one less variable although there seems to be an argument that the “taller” you are before the turn the better as you can drop into the turn? In my head though the issue is that for a tight effective turn we need to get our mass - which is sliding out the way - to slide back in towards the wake, ready to accelerate on the downswing - I’m unsure which method would be more efficient ? Any thoughts ?

@gavski this is where i am coming from, I have been working a lot on deadlifting technique over the winter And found that for my knees to track and align correctly I need to “root” my feet , effectively trying to grip the floor with my toes to raise my arch and engage my gluteus. Without the foot bed I was definitely teaching towards the the inner edge of the ski just getting out the water - hence some very dodgy starts. With the foot bed (and cut down cuff) I don’t have to think about it and everything tracks straight. Now from what @adamhcaldwell said I’m willing to pull out the arch support and see what happens, perhaps a more challenging start is paid off by better control in the course - will give it a go. If I still have anyone’s attention - this one long tread- then a little more mod advice would be good (if we all have the energy for it): There seems to be agreement that the preferred position is 20-25deg forward for the cuff. @adamhcaldwell mentioned cutting the back of the cuff down to allow the lower leg to come more vertical at the finish of the turn(I think). Do you think it is important that the cuff is fixed forward for this point in the course? meaning as the lower leg comes more vertical and meets the resistance of the forward fixed cuff, is the possible resulting leverage on the rear of the boot (and then the ski) a good thing? Put another way - if, without a forward fixed cuff, the lower leg comes vertical meeting no resistance do we miss out on the potential effects it might have? I hope this makes sense and someone who’s tried the various options chips in.( I suspect its more the influence that the pressure has on our overall body position that actual effects on leaveraging the ski, but would be interested to know what other think.) It is qute pertinent as having added an alloy bar yesterday to hold the cuff forward, today it bent :) so clearly not thick enough - watching my video I’m actually quite happy with position / balance, it looks like the stack point is where the pressure is greatest. I’m wondering whether just to leave it off and allow the cuff to come back or toughen everything up??? Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this :)

Ok @adamhcaldwell thanks for the advice - I got busy with the tools and cut the cuff way down so I had just enough space for the buckle to go back on. It’s a supershell 3.0 so loads of toe space - cut up an old wetsuit and glued a few layers inside the front of the liner until, when in the shell, all the pressure is down on the ski. Found that like this my arch was flattening out and actually tipping my ankle inwards, so I threw an arch support orthotic into the liner too :) - don’t think you will agree on that bit but my arches need support :) Now it’s super comfortable with all the pressure down on my foot and full 360 movement of my ankle and shin. Tried it on the water today and, crucially in the deep water start the pressure was bang on - the ski was not interested in going under the line and it felt just as good as when using the vapor. Best thing now is the additional controllable downward pressure which is really hard to get with the vapor boa thingy. Just added an alloy plate now to hold the cuff forward. So thanks again

Lateral thinking @skierjp - modifying your foot rather than the boot :) was only a matter of time..... i made mine point the other way in a vapor but so far no real benefit :(

Thank you very much for that Adam - cuff cutting will be the first step.

Thanks for the reply Adam - that was my initial thought (the shin pressure was influnceing things) but the cuff is nice and loose in first clip (I have embarrassingly thin ankles!) and Does not seem to be putting any significant lateral pressure. What it “feels”like is that when my foot is relaxed there is too much pressure on the ball and inner heel. That said cutting down the right side of the cuff is kinda easy to do - more so than heat gunning the base. I’ll dry everything out and fiddle around a bit - would just like to limit the “water trials”. Thanks again, Kevin

Apologies if everyone thought they’d seen the last of the boot questions! I have just had first set on my new supershell and R style setup (new vapor) moving from double vapors. After reading all the stuff here i got the front boot set up so it feels the same, and just as comfy with generally downward pressure all along my foot when the buckles are done up, as the radars. There is no restriction to forward ankle movement at all - its now probably easier than the vapors to bend forward. In the course actually all felt OK - I’m just running 14s (28) because its damn cold and i just want to condition myself a bit and get used to the new set up before the season starts in a month - did it miss any. The most noticeable main issues are: 1. the starts - i am RFF - when the pull comes on from the boat the ski tries really hard to go to the left and under the rope (it managed it once and i failed the start). 2. Turn in from glide - the ski wants to stay out there (probably on the left edge), so less control and more tricky timing to turn in. My view is that whilst my foot is pretty much on the hard shell (just the liner) that this is clearly favoring pressure on the left edge. My question is should I go buy a heat gun, start padding out with orthotic foot beds, or is there some other idea I haven’t picked up on? (With the super shell and moulded plate i cant adjust or turn the shell to favor weight distribution at all.) Many thanks for any ideas :)

Many thanks guys - looks like a little DIY on that liner is required. As far as google will tell me the Aqua liners aren’t available in the UK.

Quick question - All this talk of optimum boots had me starting to set up my new reflex super shell for the oncoming season. (Previously on vapors / broken leg etc etc). Anyway the liner is a good fit and quite thin but the “tongue” is about half an inch thick and about as flexible as a bit of wood. I can get all strapped down but there is zero give in any direction. Anyone had this issue and have any solutions ? Can I fillet out the stuffing ? Cut if off entirely ?

This has been a good discussion and I’m Not sure if anyone has the appetite for more “smear” but from this still (28 vs 38) and Andy’s conversation in the video it does seem as though as the line gets shorter we want less smear and more carve with maintenance of momentum/speed through the turn. Smear would be bad because it starts the ski turning too early at shorter lengths. Would that be a reasonable take home message or i do need to read all this again?

@bulldog - that was our second - the first was yellow and orange - it was my fathers favourite because it was so stable when dropping a ski :)

I won ski races on a DTx which gives sone idea of my age !

I’ve been “foiling” (with a kite) for over a year now. A couple of things of interest here: 1. I think the Reflex binding here is to sell Reflex bindings. Strapless is actually the way to go - you are never “edging” with a foil so simply don’t need that level of control. Strapless (or a loose single front strap to help get up) is the best for safety as when you fall you leave the whole thing behind you. Also with kitefoiling we “tack”and change feet - whilst on the foil! 2. It looks “lame”because it’s not easy :) despite that, just being able to do it is a lot of fun and hard work. Good core work out. 3. The video shows flat water but where it’s really fun is when it’s too rough to ski, because you are above the water you cut through the waves like you are on glass - amazing sensation. 4. Interestingly when learning to kite foil I was always told “ don’t try it behind a boat as it’s way more dangerous” I think that is because the pull is more horizontal ( wake board tower to learn?) so if you get it wrong you can get wrapped up in the board rather than being pulled up and away from it. 5. Helmet a good idea 6. Buy a kite too - perfect for those just blown out days

Listen to @mwetskier that is the best advice you will hear - leave the ski and the course alone - work on you. Learnt to Enjoy the small progressions rather than going round bouys - video yourself more so your can see the changes you are making - post them here too

https://instagram.com/p/BZ8cx0DD4Lc/

Probably a more important reason to wear ear plugs not mentioned is for anyone skiing in cold water - the development of "surfers ear". Effectively the ear canal closes up with a boney overgrowth from repeated exposure to cold water. 3 of the guys i ski with have significant overgrowth already - I've been advised i need surgery - look it up, not a very nice procedure.

Here is everything you need: https://www.gymnasticbodies.com You may never achieve the "gym" moves but the approach is to slowly condition the body before building the strength - avoids injury. Have done all sorts in the off season - this makes so much more sense. Listen to the podcasts of coach sommmer to understand what its about: https://tim.blog/2016/05/09/the-secrets-of-gymnastic-strength-training/ Oh - you can cancel the gym membership too :)

Here is everything you need: https://www.gymnasticbodies.com You may never achieve the "gym" moves but the approach is to slowly condition the body before building the strength - avoids injury. Have done all sorts in the off season - this makes so much more sense. Listen to the podcasts of coach sommmer to understand what its about: https://tim.blog/2016/05/09/the-secrets-of-gymnastic-strength-training/ Oh - you cancel the gym membership too :)

Guess not : here's the full link , anyone want to shorten help yourself LINK to Video

Hi Ballers , Young friend of mine went to the Mapple proam and at the request of john Battleday put together a promo video. Please like and share - he is trying to make a name for himself in a very competitive field. I think he has some talent, certainly got the hairs on the back of my neck standing up :) Have tried Hortons short link (10x) so hopefully this works - if not I'll drop the long link. Enjoy goo.gl/ukPvwF