Spraymakers Episode 5 - Gates
Today the guys are having a chat about gates, the piece of the pass that can easily set you up for success.
Spraymakers Episode 4 - Ski Design
Trent gets into Rossi’s brain and they discuss all the pieces it takes to make a ski come together.
FlowPointTV 20.9 - Coronavirus can't stop the Werewolf
At 240 frames per second, its easy to see why Terry Winter is one of the best in the world on the water. Last night, here at The Ridge, he took a stroll through the slalom course as the sun went down on another crazy day in our World. Slowing down can be a good thing....the recent times have started to teach us all that.
From MasterCraft
Since our humble beginnings in 1968, MasterCraft has been committed to delivering the best on water experience for you and your family. Today, every MasterCraft is a reflection of that commitment — we are passionate about ensuring your time on the water brings maximum joy.
We recognize the days ahead will be challenging. During this unprecedented time, we will remain true to the very core of our company — providing you and your family with valuable time together.
Our thoughts and hearts go out to those around the world currently impacted. We are confident that by standing together and supporting each other, we'll emerge from this stronger than before.
Boating season is just around the corner, our lakes, rivers and waterways will remain open. We are staying positive during this time and looking forward to spending time with friends and family in a safe environment.
Please stay safe and stay strong,
Your MasterCraft Family
GOODE 9970cc: Odvarko
What do you get when you take the most successful ski shape of all time and pair it with the biggest technological leap in water skiing in the last 25 years? You get the 9970cc. Learn more at http://store.goode.com/9970cc/
FlowPointTV 20.8 - BOB LAPOINT
Bob LaPoint, true life Hero that changed my life -
The year is 1987. The World has 2,700,000,000 less people than it does today, the Giants beat John Elway in the Super Bowl, Richard Branson makes the first Transatlantic flight in a Hot Air Balloon (2,790 miles) & Freddy Krueger is a serial killer....and a 3 event skier. I remember that Plane flight like it was last year though, because it was my first time in an Airplane. Scared, excited, and eagle eyeing out the window harder than anyone in history...there was soooo much to see!!!! And everything looked unlike anything I'd ever seen before....houses, roads, lakes, mountains....all the stuff I'd already become familiar with in my 8 years of life....but it all looked so different from up here. As we made our approach into West Palm Beach Int'l Airport, I remember looking out the window and pointing to the trees and asking my dad "DAD DAD, look at those trees!!!....they look like pine trees!!??...how is that possible??!" See, on the west coast, in my world, I had only ever seen pine trees in the mountains...where it snows. I knew Florida had neither of those things, so it blew my mind.
A couple days later, after my brother competed in his first U.S. Water Ski Nationals, my mind was about to be blown again. This particular year, 1987, was the first year the Nationals week would be capped by a US Open on the weekend. It was my second year skiing, and I knew all the names of the best in the World...but I'd never seen them ski anywhere other than ESPN (remember when water skiing was on ESPN?). The weekend didn't disappoint. As an 8 year old kid with stars in my eyes....I remember standing on the shoreline thinking, "These guys were INSANE!!!" Some guy no one had ever heard of, Jeff Rodgers, showed up and cranked the shit out of some 1,3,5's. I remember the rumor being that he'd just started skiing a few years before and ran the slalom course the first time he ever tried it. That, to my little pea-brain, was hard to fathom. And here he was already fighting to beat the best in the World. A West Coast legend, Carl Roberge, ended up tying for 2nd at that US Open, right before my eyes. In 1987 he was the defending Tour champion (5 years later Terry Winter and I were chasing Carl's Jr Boys Western Regional slalom record...3 @ 35 off). I had 2 hero's before getting to watch that US Open..Bob & Kris LaPoint. They were West Coast skiers, and legends around the World. In 1987 Bob LaPoint won the World Slalom Title at Thorpe Park, London (5th World Title) and won at Marine World and the MasterCraft invitational. And when I left Okeeheelee, after witnessing the greatest sporting event I'd ever witnessed, I had a new goal: I wanted to be out there someday, doing what those guys did. The US Open was the seed planted...it was everything I needed as a kid looking for something to hold onto..and it was a pivotal moment in my life..the moment that sparked everything that was to come.
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USAWS - Statement Regarding COVID-19 Virus #2
Based on the recent recommendations from the CDC regarding events and large gatherings, and after consultation with our Executive Committee, USOPC leadership and insurance broker, USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has made the decision to suspend all sanctioned competition and activities until May 17, 2020.
With the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) escalating daily, the need to suspend sanctioned activities is a complicated but necessary resolution to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our members and the public at large.
All events, including tournaments, basic skills clinics and practice/exhibitions, that have been sanctioned through May 17 will have those sanctions removed. Please be aware that without a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports sanction, there are no official tournament scores or insurance coverage for the LOC or participants.
We will continue to monitor the CDC as well as Federal, state and local government for guidance on the Novel COVID-19 Virus. We hope to resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
As a reminder, all members, volunteers and supporters are encouraged to stay home if they feel sick and should practice good hygiene habits as prescribed by the CDC. This includes refraining from touching your face, thoroughly washing your hands throughout the day, wiping down surfaces, not shaking hands, and practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports.
Nate Boudreaux
Executive Director
Creative Spirits Unleashed podcast - David Benzel
“If you know how you got there, you can create culture.” David Benzel guides parents, coaches and leaders on the world of influence. From the earliest moments in his career, he has been helping people grow, change their habits, acquire new habits and gain skills. This conversation is packed with wisdom on leadership, change and dealing with the discomfort of going from point A to point B. His special gift is helping parents of elite athletes positively impact their children in a world where the pressure to perform can test the strongest relationships. As a an elite athlete and parent of two elite athletes, he has an insider’s perspective on how to best equip the parents to be at their best. His lessons translate to every domain where performance counts.
Read more: Creative Spirits Unleashed podcast - David Benzel
Keep on the water this spring!
With the developing situation affecting businesses everywhere, Bennett’s Water Ski & Wakeboard School are doing our best to operate as normal with group bookings and ski school deals. Still looking to take advantage of our April special? Collegiate skier with a little more time on your hands? Or just want to book short get-away to tri-lakes? Bennett’s will be sure to cater to your needs and keep you out on the water!
Please call Anne Bennett on (225) 938-1498 for more information and pricing information.
Forthcoming: The Matteo Luzzeri Interview by Pete Shoemaker
In this Winter 2020 edition of SkiTips, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a guy that I become more impressed with the more I get to know. He runs 39, runs a pro tournament, runs a podcast, and has already psychoanalyzed you in the meantime. For the 1st of my new interview format titled Forthcoming, meet Matteo Luzzeri:
So what's up? You are a pretty busy guy right now.
Hey Pete. Yeah, quite busy at the moment. I was just cleared to defend my dissertation, which will take place on March 12th. Five days later, I am moving back to Italy for good after almost 13 years living in the US. So right now, life is a juggle between boxes and PowerPoint presentations.
Tournament organizer, waterski coach, pro division skier, podcast host, and PhD. What would you like to be most recognized for?
Probably as a strange combination of the first four. Throughout the years, I have always tried to keep my skiing separate from my career. However, after I started the PhD program in Sport Psychology here at Florida State University, the connection between the two sides of my life became stronger. I am trying to be what you could call an ambassador for the sport of water skiing, trying to grow the sport and promote it the best way I can.
But the podcast is consuming the most amount of your time.
I would say it became a strong component of my scheduling. Trying to fit time in for travel, learning equipment, recording, post-production, promotion… I knew it was going to be an adventure when I started, but you always end up underestimating the time commitment.
Read more: Forthcoming: The Matteo Luzzeri Interview by Pete Shoemaker
Spraymakers Episode 3 - Skiing In Adverse Conditions
The boys discuss skiing in adverse conditions and what you can do to step up your game.
