Administrators Horton Posted August 22, 2011 Administrators Share Posted August 22, 2011 I learned to never loan skis to Dirt and to drive forward more into the ball Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Become a Supporting Member or make a One-time Donation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sullivan Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I feel like I learned to really ski this year. I went from making a 22 off at 36 every once in while to tonight I ran two 28s back to back and then ran 5 at 32 off. Some things I contribute this to is working on my two handed gate and bringing my hips to the handle and not pulling hard. I also learned how to get early to the ball and allow the ski to come out from under me and begin to get on the turning edge. This helped me a ton as I was able to get the ski slowed down enought to make a nice turn around the ball. I love this sport more every time I get behind the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ham_Wallace Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 After 53 years, I went to a rear boot instead of a kicker. I learned that I still prefer the kicker, but these short set ups require a rear boot. At least I did not fall getting up at the Nationals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MrJones Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 Ham. Why not just get up with your rear foot in the kicker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned that binding type, not just binding placement, has a huge effect on skier position and thus performance. Leverage on the Razor has been amazing, whereas I couldn't make the strada bindings work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted August 23, 2011 Baller_ Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned that test riding a bunch of skies over the past two months was a huge education in ski differences and a lot of fun :-) Also learned that ya can't advance your skiing much by doing that :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 When my ski partner jumped on my ski and bindings for the first time and ran 3 at 39, I learned a good skier could run a lot of buoys on a 2x6. :) But seriously, I learned how to hold on. A year ago, I would have let go when in trouble. This year I'm holding on a LOT more and salvaging buoys and passes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 The A2 is a good ski and I could ride it. The D3 Fusion is a good ski and I could make it work. The Goode Mid Ride is a good ski but its not the magic that its hyped to be. I could make it work. The Strada is still the best ski out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Member Than_Bogan Posted August 23, 2011 Gold Member Share Posted August 23, 2011 I was really focused on handle control this year. I've gained a lot more understanding and muscle memory around this, but I may spend another whole season with it as my primary focus. It feels THAT important for me to advance toward running -38 more than a few times per lifetime and maybe someday doing a little damage at -39. Net result was the best season of my life by almost any metric (avg, personal best, ranking, regionals place, nationals place, % success at every line length). At age 40 and after almost 20 years of competing, that's saying something. One of the subtle benefits that I think is under-hyped is that properly controlling the handle leads to a MUCH tighter line. This is because you aren't letting the handle out until you have to let it out because your are skiing away from it. By definition this can only occur against a tight line (else you wouldn't "have" to let it out yet). This has led to taking WAY fewer obnoxious slack hits at -38, even on days where I'm not getting anywhere. Thank you Bruce Butterfield!! Now go read that handle control article in the Tech section again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned too many things to list and it has been the best year of my ski life. I think the most important things were a re-focus on trailing arm pressure; starting on the pull out for the gate; slow down the reach; reach towards the pylon, close on the handle w/hips, concentrate on keeping the ski down and driving it through the 2nd wake. I think the trailing arm pressure precipitated a lot of these other aspects of skiing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skidawg Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned that it is super fun to travel and ski with my son! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Jody_Seal Posted August 23, 2011 Baller_ Share Posted August 23, 2011 I would like to think that we learn something new every day! Stand out items I learned this year: Ham Wallace is mortal and does bounce back from jump issues! I learned that I must ski at least 4 sets a week to maintain, one set every three weeks in the summertime does not cut it. I learned last Sunday that Clint truly has the Utopia site for water skiing even though it is a hunting lodge. Last but not least I learned to stay on the handle out to the bouy line and to quit throwing my junk at the Bouy. Oh! And that ZO still sucks and I still prefer Perfect Pass! But I am getting better with ZO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Shortenit Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned that life can change in an instant so cherish every buoy. And while there are inherent risks in waterskiing you can get injured doing anything, so keep on skiing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned that there is no money in this industry. Wait skiing wise I learned a ton, I do not have the time to type it out so just take my word for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted August 23, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted August 23, 2011 No money in skiing.... Hmmm did not see that coming Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Become a Supporting Member or make a One-time Donation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 Leave the wing on!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted August 23, 2011 Baller_ Share Posted August 23, 2011 Take the wing off!!!! (but add the mini) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kona Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned I need a new boat when I sold mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 Mostly I have learned that blowing out a disk sucks. I did learn that a 66.5" A2 turns much better for my son than a 65.5" D3X5 (2005 vintage). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller teammalibu Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned its fun to travel and ski with dawg and lildawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 Team Malibu, I also learned that it's great to put a face with a Ballers name. It was great to meet and ski with you and your better half at MS's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ilivetoski Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I learned that 28 isnt as hard as people say! I also learned that malibu will really answer with the new TXi!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I've re-learned that 38 is as hard as people say! Also that taking lots of cracks at it takes the stuffing out of a skier. I'm used up. Hard to want it so bad but realize it's time to back off for a bit...well...two days anyway. MS's tourney starts Friday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ham_Wallace Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 I've learned that Horton is right, MS is wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ham_Wallace Posted August 23, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 23, 2011 thager, leave the wing off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted August 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 24, 2011 Never!!! And MS is sometimes right, just can't spell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Razorskier1 Posted August 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted August 24, 2011 Always learning! I learned last week (from my wife and full-time driver) that I need to "stay away from the buoy at 38 off". Nice tip! I ran 2 at 39 on Monday, and 1 at 39 on Tuesday on straight thru tournament sets, and ran another 38 Tuesday (although that one took me 3 tries). That is the best consistency I've had in sequential sets and days ever. One was on Stargazer on my public lake portable course, the other two behind ZO on a tournament site. For me, staying away from the buoy is another way of saying control the handle and stay outbound at the end of the rope. Thanks Honey! I also learned (AGAIN) that I need to be light on the line when I lean in. At shortline I have to lean even lighter with ZO than with Stargazer. In effect I want the boat to not know I'm there. When I pull on ZO the same as Stargazer, I get too fast. If I pull soft and keep my wake speed down, I ski a tighter line and ski way more relaxed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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