At what speed to you slalom? (and other ramblings about my technique...)

That acceleration is hard to describe - but it is da bomb.... And seriously - did you not feel you were in better position for the pre-turn (if you could handle the slack from the extra speed)? Do you remember where your eyes were looking at the start of the turn?

One of the things that we sometimes forget is that the hulls that are designed as three event ski boats (slalom, jump, and trick) are designed to have a large wake at slow speeds 17-20? for trick and a low wake at 36mph for slalom. So at 30 mph the 22 off bump can be unpredicatable from boat-to-boat, but it seems to be there for all of them. The new Nautique 206 looks like it may have conquered that however.

One of the things about a V drive is that the pylon is noticeably further back in the boat - probably as much as 6-8 feet? That will put the skier at a significantly different location in the wake and may make the bump noticeable even at 28 off... Probably why there is only one V drive sanctioned as a 3 event boat (and it is not a Skiers Choice boat)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BensonWdby

Do what is fun - and push yourself every once in a while to keep things inetersting..

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That is one for the ages.

Sled, Benson, really valuable replies. Thank you.

I'm going to take the advice of you both. That is, I will remain @ 15 off when focusing on technique. I'll also be shortening up the rope substantially on occassion, as a novelty to see what it's like, and to to try get in front of that blasted hump. Just occurred to me that in my mind, I thought one needed to progressively become proficient at each shorter length prior to advancing (shortening) further. The hell with that.

Anyhow, all that is forward looking to next year. Got lucky with some record temperatures this week in Alberta and skied two evenings; might get out one more time, but it's pretty much a wrap. The water will chill down quickly and us Canucks switch mindset into hockey, etc.

Two recent learnings to share:
1. Had a driver last week who had competed early in life until his knees went wonky. He observed that my weight dist/technique seemed good, but that I seemed a bit sunk in the water, so increased my speed by 2 MPH to 34. Of course, I only knew this afterward, but I did have a good ski. I'm 5'11" 170 on a 67" HO Vengeance.
2. Had no idea about fin and wing adjustment. When I took the lesson, the guy said at my calibre, the wing drag will just amount to more work. So I took it off. I noticed the lack of deceleration, so put it back on but took out much of the angle. The factory placement was at max angle.

Cheers!

My experience is that short rope amplifies your style defects - thus maknig them easier to spot. And the tendency is to not go wide enough.

Just for reference, I spent an entire season at shorter rope and when I went to Ski Paradise at the end of that season they eventually had me back to 15 off at 28 in the course to try to undo bad habits. It was a good eye opener, but not enough to make me go back to 15 off forever.

Moombadaze - Some observations. 1. you have a 'real' ski boat, 2. You are on a forum discussing style and form, 3. You have been to at least one instructor and sought advice from others, 4. You are skiing at 15 off instead of long line ... Like it or not - you are probably more than just a recreational skier. It would not surprise me if you have a ski video and/or a subscription to Waterski magazine, and at least once in your life you asked someone if you put up a big spray when you turned.

Enjoy the winter - the water in Western Wisconsin is still warm enought to not need a wet suit but that will change quickly.

Astute!

Re: your points:
1. I believed that my V, being the lightest V on the market @ 3000 lbs, would thus have a relatively good ski wake, in V-terms. Glad I bought the V, for overall family reasons. However, my lesson was behind a Nautique 196, and OMG!...what a tremendous difference in wake!
2. Yes, I'm keenly interested in improvement. Late life starter; 4 years in (& 50 is not far off). On a quiet lake...no others to ski with / learn from, so this forum is a valuable resource.
3. Yes, one lesson. Much chatter with the two guys I know who ski (on other lakes).
4. Yep, 4 vids: Rathbun's Beggining Slalom; Slash; Edged; and the new Edged 2, acquired from the World Water Ski Champs last month, which I went to great trouble to attend. Read Water Ski mag cover to cover. But...honestly, I've never asked someone to comment on my spray, but just 4 days ago with a buddy who I ski with a couple of times each fall, caught him (and he confirmed) looking over his shoulder admiring his own spray!

OK. I'll concede; might be beyond Rec in the above aspects. For sure, I leave nothing in the tank when I ski. Flat out; almost have to get beached onto the swim platform when I'm done. No particular objective, course-wise or other, just want to be the best I can at it. What a sport!

PS (It's ...bound, not ...daze).

Man winter is going to be long this year :( I'm gonna miss this. Skied this morning, 22 off 34 mph. Worked on some "off side" stuff, and still nursing the injuries from last weeks crash. Still wearing my shortie and don't expect to have to get into my dry suit for at least 3 more weeks.

True to my word (my first post earlier in this thread) skied 3 sets at 15 off yesterday, then dropped it to 32 off (never tried that short before). What a blast! Finally felt the ski "bite". Great acceleration, and turns are so much more crisp. Seemed like I was suddenly a much better skier. And best of all, I was in front of the hump. Might be a converted short-liner (if 32 off is considered short line territory).

Oh yeah 32 is short. Basically they consider down to 28 off one group, 28 off to 35 off the next the 35 to 41 the last group.

I spent most of this year at 32 off - my ski buddies rope did not go shorter and I was too lazy to bring my own rope. But for sure 32 off is short line. All that is left is 35, and 38 and then you get into serious Pro territory.

I knew you would dig it. I recommend some video once in a while to make sure you are not picking up too many bad habits. The bigges thing is that if you did not get good angle at 15 off, you probably will not get good angle at 32 off. But what I found is that the acceleration at short line actually seems to give you more time to set up the turn, but only if you get good angle. This is probably more true for open water than course skiing.

Our boat came out today - no skiing - just get to the cabin, get the boat on the trailer and get to the dealer before they close.

I have run out of people to ski with so may as well pull the boat.

Glad you are having fun at shorter rope.

Dave

The last two summers, since I had my neck fused, have been pretty lacking on the slalom course for me. Today I tried again and kept being slightly late, late, later, really late, doah! Then on the third pass the timing was there and it was so easy. Yay! Zachary even told me I looked good and made it look easy. By the way I was NOT at Hyper light speeds like yall are doing!

The really funny thing is that we bought the Ski Paradise DVD that BesonWdby recommended. Before we watched it and I would ask for any coaching advice and Zachary said Mom, you are the best skier I have ever seen. After we watched it Zachary was FULL of recommendations for me! :)

Ah the apple of your eye :)