OldGuysRule

"pull the trigger"

"Let er rip tator chip"

The Indiana State Championships were this past weekend at Cindonway Shores near Syracuse, Indiana. On Sunday the host site sponsored a "team skiing" event that was thrilling! Three teams of 5 skiers of differnent ages and abilities and 1 team captain were formed using previous averages and the results from the Saturday event. Team leaders included Nate Smith, Casey Contos, and Kim Contos. The "trash talk" began the minute that team formations were published. Just imagine being on one of the opposing teams against the Nate Smith team. Accusations of incompetent driving, of sand-bagging, un-equal conditions, etc, quickly came into the discussion! Team members standing on the shore as team-mates skied, team captains sneaking into the judge's stand to obtain statistics, and strategy planning made for an interesting and fun 2 round event. What fun and at the same time each skier's score was recorded as this was a sanctioned "C" event. Even though Nate Smith skied 1 @ 43' off, his team was not the winner!!! The Casey Contos team aka "See You Nater" team won the event. Organizing this concept did not involve much effort and produced a very memorable event.

We need to spice up local tournaments. We have experienced light turnouts at local tournaments in the past couple of years. Somehow we need to attract some of the younger skiers and get them involved. The folks at Boonedocks Ski Lake in Indiana hosted a "night ski event" on June 25th. The first round was run in the daylight of the evening and the second set began after dark with a skier skiing down the lake with roman candles launching from his backside! The second round didn't produce any PB's but every skier landed with a smile on their face for skiing in the dark! A local skier with contacts provided 6 portable generator lights along with glow sticks taped to balls and led flashlights at the turn balls. Most skiers requested a third round to the pleasure of the drivers and judges and the event ended around 1:30 AM! This full house event attracted all levels of skiers from our own Nate Smith to numerous grass roots level and novice skiers. Now some of the same officials are hosting a "ten buck tournament" this coming weekend at Silent Shores in Indiana. It will be interesting to see how this venue works out. Ten bucks per round entry fee...every skier pays ten bucks per round. No free skiing for officials! Most of the officials are "mature" skiers and entry fees are easily affordable for them. Let's bring the cost of the tournaments down to encourage more participation from all levels of skiers. Hats off to those clubs and skiers who are putting "FUN" back into water skiing.

I witnessed this last summer at the Midwest regionals. The skier had 2 drop skis...one at each end. We "mature" skiers need every advantage we can qualify for! Go For It!!!

This is a new one!....water skiing, jet skiing, snow skiing,......MUD SKIING!

I went to Eden around Thanksgiving in 2015. Excellent site, superb coaching, and competitive rates. Easy to get to from Ft. Myers.

I can really sympathize with "Dirt." Last spring, my ski buddy Bryan, said, "Can I try out your 67' D3?" Never saw it again! And then....he confessed that he had sold the 68' D3 that I'd GIVEN him the previous year. Just call me the "ski-fairy!"

This was always one of the items on my "bucket list." Came close several times and then the stars must have been aligned right in February of 2013. I watched the weather for several days in advance and started planning. The day arrived and we launched the boat in the morning for a free ski ride on my home lake Sweetwater Lake in Indiana. I then took off for a little snow ski resort, Paoli Peaks, in southern Indiana for the afternoon/evening session. And...for the whipped cream on top.......it was my birthday!

I had the opportunity to visit Eden Ski Lake last week and came away really impressed. It is already a first class site with club house construction to be completed in 2017. Arthur Havas who studied under Chet, gave me some great pointers on my 2 sets during the afternoon session on the day before Thanksgiving. If you're on the West Coast of Florida near Fort Myers, you need to put this on your list of places to visit. The rates per set were very competitive and the hospitality super! www.edenskilake.com

Three years ago at the Indiana State Championships hosted by the Angola Ski Club, Chuck Walker, landed his seaplane right in the middle of the tournament. Chuck is a club member and lake owner. It was only the "warm up!" Later in the day Chuck entertained the audience with acrobatics in his other stunt plane. It was a great "embellishment" to the tournament.

How did Trophy Lakes and Stischer's lake fare? My thoughts with all in South Carolina.

Couldn't make up my mind! I think the Connelly that Wish posted wins! Can't beat the woodies!!

A skier friend/pilot flew over and sent me a picture....looks sweet.....islands at both ends. Wisdom Lake near Greensburg is listed with a local realtor...whole project is for sale.....I don't believe any individual lots ever sold. Kodiak has a ski club that was active this past summer.

Jerry, one of my ski partners is on day 14 of skiing every day at Brewski Lake in Indiana. Our water temperature has actually increased be a few degrees this week to 80 degrees! Forecast looks good for at least a few more days.

I think I just realized I'm a "horder!" I've skied on every one of them except the Lil Monster. 1957 Kimball Slalom (first fiberglass skis) 1957 Kimball Combo Pair (first fiberglass skis) C G wood trick pair C G wood combo pair C G wood slalom D-3 single trick Beginner Pair 2 Jobe fatties Connelly combo pair HO combo pair Connelly Big Easy Connelly Big Daddy 1 pair wood shoe skis 1 pair plastic shoe skis 1 white kneeboard 1 Obrien kneeboard 1 Hydroslide surf board 1 Taperflex formica/wood ski 1 Taperflex multi-color formica/wood ski 1 KD CR 7 slalom 1 HO VTI slalom 1 Maheraja slalom 1 D3 Quest slalom 1 HO A3 Radio Active slalom 1 Lil Monster slalom 1 round disc w/stool 1 air chair 1 Reclinoski - homemade plywood platform w/Adirondack chair attached 1 Lawnmower man ski - homemade plywood platform w/mower attached

Hmmmm....deserted vessel......salvage rights?

2013 TXI....best boat I ever owned. Previously owned '91 Mastercraft, '96 Mastercraft, 2000 Nautique, 2004 Mastercraft, 2010 Mastercraft. Presently own 2015 Mastercraft. The Malibu drove like a dream, skied super, sipped gas, had a terrific hole shot, progressive throttle, didn't submarine the open bow. Why in world did I sell that boat?!

Water Ski in the mailbox.....stop right there and page through to see the newest and latest. Just like Christmas when it comes! Greatest bargain there is when you consider the cost/price of water skis and new boats. How can they print a glossy magazine for so little!!!

Skiing for my first time on a Reflex System. Didn't tighten the springs tight enough, (I'm a real estate broker not an engineer!) Came around 5 ball aimed for 6 ball (Hail Mary Style) and the binding released prematurely......skipping like the proverbial rock.... tumbles on the way to a too close beach. Came to sitting in approximately 1 inch of water facing out to the 6 ball and the ski laying upright beside me. How did I get here?!?! Luckily no lasting injuries other than some equilibrium issues short term and my pride injured from some of the hilarious comments from the tow boat crew. Certainly no match for the earlier post from dstone124....one of my ski partners.....I always wondered why he was a bit off!!!

My partners and I would have to change the name of our ski lake from BREWSKI to WATERSKI! Not going to happen!

Kevin Day and the Missouri Disabled Water Ski Association conducted their annual Polar Bear Water Ski event on January 1st on the "mighty" Mississippi River at the Arch. Water was 32 degrees and the air was 32 degrees. Acts included a bare footer, pyramid, kneeboard, slalom, pairs, and an appearance by Santa on the reclinoski. The event raised nearly $6,000 for the association's summer activities. No sissies in the Midwest!

I was fortunate enough to hold the state slalom record for Men's 6 until my fellow ski club member, Gary, with a new hip replacement came along and blew my record away. The next year, I "matured" into men's 7 and posted a new state record. The following year my fellow ski club member graduated into men's 7 with a second hip replacement and posted a new men's 7 record which blew my record away for a second time! Then...he came back this year and broke his own state record by skiing into 35' off. I think he's related to the "Everready Bunny!" Get those replacement parts and 'keep on skiing!'

I played with the Kevin Day of the Missouri Disabled Water Ski Association and the Alton Water Ski Club on the Mississippi River under the Arch (St. Louis) on New Years Day. A pleasant 48 degree day, 40 degree water, and smooth conditions on the Mississippi River encouraged approximately 15 skiers to perform. Pyramids, doubles, barefooters, wakeboarders, kneeboarders, and trickers made the event into a regular "ski show!" And now....I'm out the door to "shovel out" the driveway!

Warm weather brought out the skiers in southern Indiana today. We all had to stay away from coves that were iced over! Some skied the course at Sawmill and I just cruised at home! Water 40 and Air 50. Snow coming tomorrow! Happy New Year!