JTDixon

@Andre Yeah it kinda sucks. Planning on making it back up frequently though for snow skiing. I'll be in Burlington, VT, so only about 90-100 minutes away from Montreal (assuming little traffic). I'd be more than willing to make the trip to get some more skiing in.

Hi guys, I'm moving to Vermont in a few days and will be staying there until I move to D.C. permanently in January. I was wondering if anyone skis in either of those areas/ knows of any clubs in those areas (I'm not sure what the waterskiing scene is like in VT, or if anyone will be skiing there this late in the season, but I figured I'd at least ask). I am relatively new to the sport, have not skied the course yet but am dying to start trying. Looking forward to hearing your responses, Tyler

Hey guys, I'm fairly new to slalom (just got into the sport seriously last season) and live in Northeast Ohio in the Youngstown area. I currently ski behind a '96 19' Sea Ray (not exactly the best ski boat) and own a Radar Senate C from a couple years back. I'm by no means a good skier, but am invested in getting better as quickly as possible. I currently do not have access to a course, but would love to try it if given the chance. I was wondering if there was anyone that skis in Northeast Ohio that would either want to ski some time or that could recommend a lake with a slalom course that I could start skiing on. Thanks, Tyler

So I have recently taken up an interest into trick skiing and am looking to snag a cheap pair of trick skis to continue to play around on. I recently used my aunts old Connelly tricks and am pretty comfortable skiing backwards. Ideally I am looking for something like the Obrien Pro Tracs, a pair of trick skis with the RTP's in the back in case I want to switch to one. A pair of wake skis like the HO RAD's also intrigue me. My question is does anyone have a pair of trick skis or wake skis laying around that they would be willing to part ways with? I've checked ski-it-again and haven't had much luck. I'm also not really looking to spend 350-600 bucks. Thanks, Tyler

Just wanted to post an update. I purchased the Senate C with Vectors and am loving it. I'm making pretty decent progress as well. I'm skiing 32-34 mph and am skiing at 15 off. I've also learned how to do one-handed turns. Thanks again for the help everyone. Tyler

Awesome write-up. Brought tears to my eyes.

@behindpropellers I'll be living in the Youngstown area (Poland). Skiing mostly on Lake Milton, with a week on Salt Fork Lake, and some random days on Berlin Lake, Lake Tomahawk, Conneaut Lake, and the Allegheny. How about yourself?

@eddie_roberts_jr wouldn't I be better going with the XL Vector? I'm a size 11 (occasionally an 11.5) and the Standard only goes up to size 11 (it's 7-11 I think), while the XL is supposedly 10-14.

Ok so I found a 2012 Senate C with a small blem on the top sheet for a really good price. I'm pretty set on buying it, but I'm torn between binding options. The place I am buying the ski from will mount a Vector/ RTP combo for $150 extra, but I also found a really good deal on a 2011 Strada boot that I can get for $100. After I buy the RTP to match with the Strada, the price would come to be about the same for both options. I wouldn't mind being able to share the ski with my dad and brother at times (advantage Vector), I always put my ski on in the water (is the Strada easy to get on in the water?), and it would be nice to have the ski mounted when I receive it (advantage Vector). I also don't have access to someone that could properly mold the Strada's Intuitions to my feet properly and I am a little unsure about sizing with the Strada (usually wear an 11 in shoes, particularly Nike. With all of that being said, is the difference in performance and comfort significant enough for someone at my level to go with the Strada? Or is the Strada kind of overkill? On a separate but related note, the site that has the great deal on the Stradas is called waterskiequipmentstore.com. Does anyone have any experience with this site? I've never heard of it so I'm a little weary of purchasing from there.

Ok thanks!

@kmenard you didn't get it recently did you? I'm not seeing a Senate C in the closeout section. Or did you get the '13.

@Than_Bogan thanks so much for the detailed response. I'm 18, have been slaloming for roughly 4 or 5 years now, but have just recently (within the last year or so) really started to love the sport. I can't wait for my season to start and am really anxious to learn as much as I can so that I can improve as quickly as possible. I read Horton's article as well as yours and they are both great. I will definitely be referring to those in the future. Concerning the expert coaching, I'm not sure where I'll be able to get that at lol. I live in NE Ohio and am not aware of a lot of "experts" in my area. I think my best bet in that regard will be just uploading some video on here once I can get on the water and opening the floor to some brutally honest feedback. About the temporary position, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe almost like springs on a bike???, in that they have an ideal resting position (analogous to arms straight), but that they can compress (analogous to bending) to absorb inconsistencies or whatnot (analogous to a slack in the rope or something like that). Idk I could be thinking of it completely wrong but that's just how I'm visualizing it right now.

Ok that makes sense. I was thinking more about the beginning of a run before you're able to get those shoulders back. But I do have another question. Should we be trying to avoid the position seen here? http://www.fantasywaterski.com/pictures/640_borgvik.jpg

So, and pardon my lack of knowledge here, when we say "arms straight", do we mean forearms or entire arms? Because if my entire arms are completely straight, then the handle seems like it would have to be an arms length away from my body, and thus away from my hips. I'm a little confused.

So I know that the Senate C has been widely recommended, but its quite hard to find one at a good price in a 67 right now. I've been checking SIA but havent had much luck. My question is....how do skis like the Connelly V or the HO Coefficent X/ HO Coefficient X SL compare to the Senate C for a skier like me and would those be good options for me as well?