Slalom Mythbusters

[BensonWdby]

While trying to research the first myth I found this entertaining little video from 1955:

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/...hips-video.htm


enjoy
Dave

[BensonWdby]

http://www.mnwaterski.com/hofdave.html

This is about all I could find on Dave Saucier. But there is reference to his lake here, and his skill in building and tuning skis. I think I would have enjoyed spending time with this guy ...

At the top of the page ther is a link for photos. You have to page through them one at a time, but worth a glance...

[BensonWdby]

http://www.ballofspray.com/joomla/in...ews&Itemid=111

This is a nice review of ski history.

In the middle of this article is reference to the warping of a flat wood ski. Best I can do for now...

Dave

[BensonWdby]

http://www.moombamasters.com.au/down...associaton.pdf

This does not support the fountain idea, but does provide a nice short record of some Aussie's and kites...

And this:

http://grafton.nsw.free.fr/ski_wing/

[Sled491]

Some really great stuff there Dave. I like the Dr Horton interview. Also the video from 55, man I remember those old two handle ropes, yikes!

[BensonWdby]

Two handles. wow ... Remember leaning way back and spreading the handles way wide at head level to take up slack... One year a friend brought up a rope from Ski Master that had an interlocking double handle. The doubles would lock together with a quick quarter turn to make a single handle. Actually pretty clever if you wanted a double for helping first timers keep their ski straight during deep water starts.
I remember at one friends, all they had was double handle from KMart. I must have been skiing two handed at the time, because I used an interlocking grip where I put one or two fingers from each hand on the opposite handle to fake single handle.
I can only imagine how much time it took to unlearn the bad habits from those days.

Dave

[ABUCKOTOMAMBO]

My family's boat house is a museum of skiing history. Two handled ropes, shoe skii's, jumping skii's, etc. Both of my parents were part of a ski show team called the Aquanauts. They have long since disbanded but there are some awesome photos my father has of delta kites, barefoot tricks, pyramids, jumping, boats going over ski jumps... My grandparents also have several reels of 8mm film of my parents performing in these shows. Anyway when I was about 11 my father and I replaced the deck at our lake cabin with green treated wood. One of the excess pieces of wood warped with a perfect curve in it. I cut the piece of wood and it is about 18 inches long. I would put the piece of wood between my back and my life jacket, get up on two skii's then drop my dominant front foot. I would pull out my board and place it on the water and use my foot to put pressure on the board. Once I was skiing on the board I would drop the other skii. Kind of fun. Once I had figured out how to do that I also skiied on a canoe paddle, and a cedar shingle. When I was in senior high many of the children of the aquanauts put an informal group togeather. We would practice on weekends and over Labor Day weekend put on a "show" for the people around our lake. What fun...

[kaneboats]

That's awesome. I remember my Dad had to have the old take apart - lock together handle. A few years ago I tried to find one for him but no luck. I did find him a taperflex ski with the white-wood bottom like he (and Mom) used to ride in the 70's. He kept it in the house. He wouldn't leave it in the boat cuz he was afraid it might get stolen. ha ha. He's 68 and hasn't skied since last year so he may be all done now though.

[Sled491]

My family's boat house is a museum of skiing history. Two handled ropes, shoe skii's, jumping skii's, etc. Both of my parents were part of a ski show team called the Aquanauts. They have long since disbanded but there are some awesome photos my father has of delta kites, barefoot tricks, pyramids, jumping, boats going over ski jumps... My grandparents also have several reels of 8mm film of my parents performing in these shows. Anyway when I was about 11 my father and I replaced the deck at our lake cabin with green treated wood. One of the excess pieces of wood warped with a perfect curve in it. I cut the piece of wood and it is about 18 inches long. I would put the piece of wood between my back and my life jacket, get up on two skii's then drop my dominant front foot. I would pull out my board and place it on the water and use my foot to put pressure on the board. Once I was skiing on the board I would drop the other skii. Kind of fun. Once I had figured out how to do that I also skiied on a canoe paddle, and a cedar shingle. When I was in senior high many of the children of the aquanauts put an informal group togeather. We would practice on weekends and over Labor Day weekend put on a "show" for the people around our lake. What fun...

Heck mine is just full of Junk

[BensonWdby]

A neighbor at the lake has a Northland Shark. I skied on one once - long ago. Held an edge great, but I could not turn it. Instead of a radiused concave it has 90 degre steps carved in on the bottom. Like riding on a rail...