BallOfSpray

Get to Know Your Wilson Bros: Brooks Wilson
TWB

Brooks Wilson turning bouys and having fun on Lake Tuskawilla!

 

 
HO EXO Binding
Video

 

 
Jon Travers - Freestyle
General Content

 

 
Soaked - An Extreme Watersports Festival
Video

 

 
Dodd and Berdnikava start season strong!
General Content

 

ORLANDO, FL (May 13, 2012) – Honu, a leading provider of casual footwear congratulates Pro Ski Jumper Ryan Dodd on jumping a personal best 237 ft. and setting a new Canadian Record in the process.  Honu teammate and Pro Woman's jumper Natallia Berndakava also competed and jumped 192-58.5 for a Woman's World record.  The Ski Fluid Classic event took place in Polk City Florida hosted by Fluid Ski and Sports.  Team Honu is also proud to report Whitney McClintock officially tied the world slalom record just last week.

 
"Wow, what an incredible week of skiing for our team." said Mark Wilkins-Team Honu Manager, "We were anxiously awaiting Ryan's return to jumping, we knew he was in the best shape of his life and wanted him to just get the kinks worked out before the upcoming Masters, and what a day he had setting a personal best and Canadian record!" also "Nattie continues to dominate, we are so grateful to have her as a part of our team and excited to watch her raise the bar and push herself to limits we didn't think possible!"
 
About Honu:
Honu, a world-leader in innovative casual footwear for women, men and children, offers a brand of sandals combining style and comfort to suit the casual and active water sports lifestyles. As functional as they are comfortable, All HonuTM branded sandals feature patent-pending Foot-bed TechnologyTM, a proprietary and revolutionary technology that produces reinforced, fully contoured and longer lasting sandals that conform to each foot.
 
Honu has built its success on uncompromising quality, innovative technology and the design philosophy that “comfort and design are not mutually exclusive.” From design, development and production, we take responsibility for every detail to make the best sandals in the world, our employees are the life force behind Honu products can be found in quality retail locations worldwide.
 

Honu USA is based in Orlando, Florida. For more information: visit www.teamhonu.com, or call 407-310-8091!
Mike Pare
CEO
 
5/13/12 Water Skiing in the news
General Content

 

Water-ski team rescued after training drama
This is Bristol
A TEAM of water-skiers aiming to be the first team to water-ski across the Irish Sea had to be dramatically rescued by the RNLI during a training session. Dave Froud, 50, is leading a team of four in memory of Mr Froud's son Charlie who died aged 14 ...
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Mitt Romney challenges President Obama to water skiing
WTAM.com
"I don't think I'll play the president a round of golf but I'll be happy to take him through a waterskicourse." Republican Mitt Romney took the White House race into uncharted waters, suggesting he would like to challenge President Barack Obama to a ...
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Water skiing season has arrived
Austin 360 (blog)
By Pam LeBlanc | Monday, May 7, 2012, 04:50 AM I've stuck my toes in Lake Austin and yes,water skiing season has officially arrived. To get the smoothest water, something we slalom skiers can become a wee bit obsessive about (just ask my husband, ...
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Water Ski Tournament Set For Mother's Day
The Ledger
The annual Mother's Day Record Slalom and Tricks Water Ski Tournament is Saturday at 8 am at Ski Paradise in Mulberry. Skiers to be competing include 2011 Men's 7 national slalom and tricks champion Stan Switzer, Men's 10 slalom and trick champion ...
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Water ski clinic for disabled at Lake Palestine
Longview News-Journal
Lake Palestine's Saline Flats will host the Lake Palestine Adaptive Aquafest Water Ski Clinic for children and adults with disabilities July 7. The ski clinic opens at 10 am and ends at 5 pm with lunch provided for volunteers and participants.
See all stories on this topic »


Collegiate All-Stars Set For May 19-20 - Welcome to USA Water Ski
Water Skiing Wakeboarding Barefooting Hydrofoiling Registrar Login · Collegiate Registration Online Registration Setup Registration Download. Rankings Lists. Water Skiing - AWSA Junior Water Skiing - AWSA Collegiate - NCWSA. By Team ...
USA Water Ski

Blind water skier settles massive lawsuit over horrific training accident
Belfast Telegraph
By Claire McNeilly A blind water skier from Northern Ireland has settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit following a near-fatal training accident in the United States. Former world champion Janet Gray suffered horrific injuries when she collided with a ...
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Learning from Legends
Brian Detrick

 
Follow Brian's travels at http://briandetrick.com/ @brian_detrick or on facebook/Brian-Detrick 
 
Hey World!
 
If you can believe it, I am on the road again! At the beginning of the month I left California and headed to the east coast; Florida to be exact. This past week has been full of  skiing, experimenting, learning and observing. As well as extremely hot temperatures, high 90's - low 100's. I don't know why I bother to take a shower when I feel like I need another one after being outside for 3 minutes.
 I am staying at the LaPoint residence; which is full of skiing knowledge/experience with former world champions and world record holders, Kris LaPoint and Jennifer Leachman LaPoint.
 
Throughout my skiing career, I have never "played around" with skis, experimented with fin settings, learned what more/less rocker does, what round/sharp bevels do or how soft/stiff the ski is. I usually just find a ski that works and I don't change anything. Well maybe not anything, I sometimes change the angle of the wing.
 
Bob LaPoint was also in FL for a few days as well, so I was able to learn from two of the best our sport has seen. Over the past week with Bob & Kris, I had the opportunity of learning how to flex skis, measure the rocker, play with fin settings, learn about designing skis and I was able to pick their brain about any other information they were willing to share with me. And yes, we were still able to get a lot of skiing in. Basically, it was 16 hours a day of nothing but thinking about skiing. We were up at sunrise skiing and up past midnight changing skis, settings or anything else they could think of.
 
I knew skis were complex but I didn't know they were this complex. There are so many variables that go into making a great ski, the same way as there are variables that go into making a great skier. The LaPoints said they have learned a lot of things by trial and error and they try things a certain way based on an educated guess from their knowledge of skiing and testing over the years. Without people like Bob and Kris, our sport would not continue to evolve. They are continuing to push the limits in our sport.
 
My favorite line while being around them when they were working on something was...."You may be witnessing history!" It could be a huge success, a failure or something that may or may not have potential.
 
I will be in Florida until the end of the month. I am currently training for the Last Chance Qualifier for the Masters which is May 18-20 at Jack Travers' Sunset Lakes in Groveland, FL. Then I will head to Georgia for the Masters Memorial Day weekend.
 
 

 

 
Overton Johnson inducted in NC Sports Hall of Fame
Video

 

 
Arvin Area Tournament Association Jr Dev
General Content
 
 
Calling all Junior Skiers!  Come join in for some incredible skiing and coaching.  Meet up with friends and meet some new friends.  If your child is interested in learning or further developing their water skiing skills, then this is the place to be.  Details are as follows:
 
Sponsored by:  Pacific Slalom
Organized by:  Arvin Area Tournament Association
Where:  Arvin, CA
When:  Mon. Tuesday June 25th and Tuesday June 26th
Includes:  Slalom / trick / jump coaching, boats, gas, drivers, lunches on both days, and T-shirt
Abilities:  From first timers to advanced experienced tournament water skiers.  Coaching groups will be based on ability and disciplines.
Coaches:  Brian Detrick, Steven Brooks, Kirk Lee, Eric Larson
Contact:  Celeste Gaharan at cgaharan@verizon.net for any additional information and details.

 

 
May GTF of the Month: Jutta Lammi
GTF

 Hometown: Finland

Current Location: London

 
How did you get into skiing?
I grew up at the lake with my whole family skiing but it took me a while to get the hang of training seriously. My older siblings were already competing and it felt a bit intimidating at first. 
 
When did you decide to commit yourself to the skiing and take it seriously?
By the time I was 9 and had skied my first competition (winning with a score of 0) I was hooked, I wanted to keep winning.
 
Do you consider yourself to be an adrenaline junkie?
I’m not very good at trying new things, but then again I will always try and be as tough as the guys
 
Can you give us a rundown of your average day during the season? 
I ski with my family and my cousin Emi. My brother Jarno coaches us and I drive the boat most of the time. If the weather sucks, we rely on the sauna to warm up after a ski. Luckily the past few summers have been amazing. We ski mainly evenings, thanks to the long days in the north and we try and get in as many sets as possible, this would normally include a jump set and a set of cutting. Our lake is massive and not always sheltered around the courses but its great for riding your jumpers.
 
What’s your favorite lake to fly at? 
Our site at home in Finland. My family has worked so hard to make our site world class (this includes 2 ramps) for training and I appreciate it so much.
 
What has been your most memorable moment so far? 
Winning the u21 Europeans at my home club in Tampere. It was the first time my whole family saw me jumping at a big competition so it was like a win for the whole family.
 
How do you prepare for a big competition? 
I try and build up my jumping gradually and I time the peak of the season around the biggest competitions. 
 
Do you still get nervous before a big tournament? 
That would be a definite yes. Either I shut myself off or I get completely awkward, I never know which one its going to be. I just try and work with my nerves.
 
What is the atmosphere like behind the scenes? What is your relationship with the other GTF? 
Some of these girls I’ve known since I was 10. When I skied in the junior divisions in the Scandinavian championships I looked up to the older girls who were getting better and better. I wanted to ski at their level so bad and kept working hard on my jumping. I would love to spend more time with all the girls, and hopefully I can spend some more time in the US next year.
 
Do you think the jump suit will ever evolve to be figure flattering?
I only wear guys models as they are much slimmer and better with the arm sling. I’m really happy with the suit I have.
 
What are your suitcase essentials when you’re on the road? 
I’m really good at packing as little as possible. This might be because I rely on my sister or cousin bringing the hairbrush, shampoo and the rest of the girly stuff (and they know this).
 
What have been your biggest career setbacks? 
My degree taking up so much time. Its been super difficult balancing my time on and off the water. Sitting in front of the computer 14h a day has paid its toll.
 
Any words of wisdom to share with up and coming jumpers? Especially girls?
Learn to take advantage from riding your jumpers. I ride my jumpers everyday, it’s the best way to get rid of bad habits without worrying about hitting the ramp. Enjoy the competitions and try and inspire all the girls to jump! 
 
Where would you like GTF to be in 5 years? 
Its been great to see so many pro tournaments take on the girls event as well. I hope we get more and more exposure and possibilities in the next few years and I’m really looking forward to taking part in more competitions.
 
What’s up next for you? 
I’m graduating in early summer 2012 with a BA in interior architecture. After this its all about jumping. I’m hoping to be able to carry on with some design projects straight away but most importantly I want to take part in all the comps I’ve missed because of uni. I miss home a lot and I also miss my second home at ITS in Florida.
 
Why should everyone read this buy a GTF calendar?
When it feels like the days at the lake are passing too quickly it’s a good idea to get distracted by some girls that fly.

 

 
Mexico!
TWB
 
Just got back from a quick, fun trip to Mexico! It was a great tournament and we got to do lots of exploring and sight seeing. Mexico is an awesome place and the trip was a blast!
 
 
 
 
2012 Radar Vice Review
General Content

 

The Radar Vice is perhaps the most overlooked high end ski on the market today. With a list price of $750, who would think that this ski should be considered against skis costing nearly twice as much? I was skeptical, and in the end, I was impressed.

This ski is made from the exact same mold as Radar’s flagship ski the Strada. To put it another way, the shape of the Vice is identical to the Strada. The difference is only materials. The Strada is made from the highest tech and most expensive materials. The Vice is made from materials that are less “cutting edge” and are not as light.   

With a blend of carbon fiber and fiberglass, along with a polyurethane core, the Vice has dampening properties that more expensive skis do not.  An analogy for a more damp ski is that it rides like a car with softer suspension. Edge change transitions are smoother and slower resulting in a longer and wider path from the wakes to the ball. Speed through the course is more constant. The Vice feels exceptionally comfortable and stable underfoot approaching the ball.

The trade off is that, after a major mistake, a damp ski like the Vice does not accelerate as fast as an all carbon and PVC ski like the Strada. On a Strada, if you do something ill advised at one ball, you can scramble and recover by three ball. Conversely, on a Vice, if you do something ill advised making up ground is much more difficult. The other side of this argument is that you may make less mistakes on a more stable ski like the Vice.

As with the Strada, the Vice is a very stable ski. Turns on both sides are consistent and even. On side turns are practically automatic and off side turns only require a little patience and a centered stance.

If money is not the issue, perhaps the Strada is better for deep shortline. For longer rope lengths and/or slower speeds, the Vice is an easy choice. 

Read more...
 
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