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SHORT END of THE LINE - FlowPointTV
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Over 10 years ago, when I was skiing for @MasterCraftBoats I had the opportunity to film with the talented Mark Bame and Eric Jeffcoat. At the time, I didn't know it, but that trip ended up inspiring me to ultimately pick up a camera and learn how to create. Just one year after that shoot (see edit here, its quite insane, actually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-MMs3urFuw&t=146s&ab_channel=MasterCraftBoats) I was injured and life took a huge pivot.
Since that project, over a decade ago, I've been wanting to shoot a completely slow motion water ski short film. But Phantom cameras had always been too expensive ($100,000 +), and I could never find the budget to pull it off. Last year, @Freefly Systems released their super slowmo WAVE camera, and I maxed the credit card just to get my grimy paws on one. So, with camera in hand, the best water ski company behind me and the best water skiers in the World in front of my lens, the goal was to build on those MasterCraft projects from years past, that had originally sparked the madness within me.
2022 Vapor Boot
The all-new Vapor boot rewrites what is possible in waterski footwear by creating the pinnacle in hybrid boot technology. For the first time, a rigid lower skeleton is connected to a Carbitex upper cuff to create the perfect blend of connection and control. The rigid lower skeleton gives a skier complete control over the edges of their ski while the Carbitex upper cuff allows a skier to move over their ski with ease to find balance and connection to the water. A Boa dial completes the package to give a precise fit every single time. Anyone that’s ever owned a Vapor boot in the past now has a reason to upgrade to our latest technology, strap it on and see for yourself the difference, skiing is believing.
Spraymakers Ep. 30 - The Season’s Over
It’s the end of the season as we know it, this episode marks the end of the second season of Spraymakers and thanks to all that have tuned in! The boys felt it fitting to talk about the end of the waterski season and what the off-season looks like.
Metamarine RTK Demonstrates World First Precision Marine Autopilot
Waterloo, Canada — December 7, 2021 — A large crowd at the 2020 Pan American Waterski Championships in Chapala Mexico cheered the debut of a precision autopilot system by Metamarine RTK. International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) President Antonio Perez was excited and eager to be the first skier to try the new system. The demonstration tow boat was operated by Alvaro Lamadrid, tournament organizer and host at Boca Laguna. The pair made a number of passes through the course, with Lamadrid holding his hands high and even standing up to demonstrate the boat was steering hands-free. Afterwards, Perez commented, “it felt very smooth and natural”.
Driven by Precision
The autopilot system used a high accuracy RTK (real-time kinematic) GPS receiver to provide 2.5cm precision to the steering system. “The advantage of RTK,” said Larry Prong, CEO, “is not just in the accuracy, but the ability to repeatedly perform at that high level of precision, pass after pass.” The skier benefits by getting the same consistent pull, regardless of who is sitting in the driver’s seat. In competition, the repeatability of passes adds another degree of fairness and impartiality to the event. In the training environment it allows the boat driver, often the coach, to focus almost entirely on the skier.
Product Development
Metamarine RTK forecasts the first release of their product in Q3 of 2022. The company plans to implement an advisory committee representing a cross-section of the sport: judges, drivers, coaches and skiers. “What we heard at the Pan Am’s”, said Prong, “is both excitement and caution about the technology. This will redefine the sport, just as speed control did over 20 years ago. It only makes sense that the participants be part of the development process”. To stay abreast of Metamarine RTK developments join their newsletter at www.metamarine.ca.
The Company
Founded in 2020, Metamarine RTK is a world leader in RTK autopilot systems for the recreational marine market. A tech-integration company offering innovations to waterskiing, they partner with industry leaders in GPS, autopilot and power boat technology. Metamarine RTK offers the ultimate ski boat modification - a precision high-speed autopilot.
Read more: Metamarine RTK Demonstrates World First Precision Marine Autopilot
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