CWhite Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I had the opportunity to ski in the Big Dawg at Abbotsford this past weekend. I think it is safe to say that of the 28 or 29 skiers who signed up, I was the only one who was over 200 pounds. Watching some of those guys who weigh a buck-fifty run 38 and 39 just doesn’t seem fair. Todd Kuykendall ran a 39 in round 2 that was crazy. If I tried stuff like that I would either rip my arms from the sockets, rip the pylon from the boat, break the rope, break the handle or break the ski in half (I have done the last four). It just isn’t fair. I am 6’3”, 205 pounds. I worked out like crazy this last offseason and dropped about 20 pounds but it still isn’t enough , I think I still need to lose another 10-15 pounds to have any hope of competing with these guys. I mean have you seen Dave Miller? Most eight graders weigh more than him! I have thought long and hard about this and I think the only way to address this inequity is to approach it in the same manner that they do in horse racing where they make all of the horses carry the same weight. It would be quite easy to do, simply establish a baseline weight that every skier must weigh (my vote would be for 190 pounds) and if a skier is under that weight they must carry extra weight. This would level the playing field. If Dave Goode can design the Bubble Buoys and the Power Vest I am sure he can design a vest that can be fitted with weights. I would like to see Dave Miller run 39 wearing a 40 pound vest*. I am writing this on behalf of all of the other 200 pound plus skiers out there, please take up the cause and contact Greg Davis and support this idea. All kidding aside, the Big Dawg was a great event. All of the skiers I met are great guys and amazing skiers who deserve every buoy they get. *He probably could Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 There's a Vonnegut short story along those lines. The Board of Equalization handicaps everyone. Wait, doesn't the Board of Equalization collect our taxes in CA?!! Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 It's strength to weight ratio. You have the potential to be stronger at 200 lbs. You need to look at your body fat. If your 200 lbs at 10% body fat you would be very strong and you would need that kind of strength to compete with a 150lb guy who's body fat is 10 %. It's not so much loosing weight it's more gaining strength. (muscle) Using this recipe we are all on even ground. And of course I could be all wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skihack Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 We were just talking about the Pro Skiers' height and weight just the other day at the ski club. Today, most of the pros with the exception of a few are incredibly light. Wasn't the case in the old days. I have wondered why today the pro skiers are lighter. You still need height. I wouldn't advise a weighted vest, good way to drown. Like they have in running events, maybe they should have a Clydesdale division where all the contestants are at least 215 pounds. I can tell you from experience, that at 215 I ski three passes better than at 250, so here we go with inequitity even at the top weights. I believe a Clydesdale division would be good for the sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD11 Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 @skiboyny Tell Zero Off that before a big strong guy skis and see if it agrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef23 Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 It seems that Parrish is the exception at the elite ranks. I am sure his strength to weight ratio is very high but he is a big guy and I would imagine is the heaviest of the top skiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 Austin Abel makes CP look small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller liquid d Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 only way to be heavy these days is be really tall.... The difference gets multiplied under load. The older systems didn't act like a freight train pulling you. The big skier/heavier skier could slow the boat down more and have the slingshot effect to get wide at next bouy---it wasn't a huge disadvantage. It is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 Aaron Larkin is a built guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller liquid d Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 I would suggest the biggest ski you think you could handle...and then go one bigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klindy Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 OK if the consensus is that ZO is a disadvantage for a bigger guy, what is the preferred settings to minimize the issue? What else can be done to make things less disadvantageous? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 ZO needs a F setting. :) I have played with ZO settings at 250lbs and find C2 gets me earlier into the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD11 Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 FAT Setting = C Also, seems more dramatic for bigger guys at 34 than 36 since you tend to get deeper there. Even skiing 35mph in practice I like B better, but seem to migrate back to C (FAT) at 34. Trying to fix the real issue now, but never that easy. Especially when I only ski every 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The_MS Posted July 17, 2012 Members Share Posted July 17, 2012 How about we just have Andy release the setting that all of the test skiers liked at the ZO testing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35 in the bag Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 C1 in my opinion. You want to minimize the speed variance (overall speed delta) as much as possible. If you think about it, that's basically what a very light individual does. They "hide" from Zero Off better because of the lighter load. C1 engages the soonest (less negative speed delta to initiate) and with the strongest power response over the shortest duration therefore keeping the steadiest speed. A3 on the other hand is the opposite. JIII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SkiJay Posted July 17, 2012 Members Share Posted July 17, 2012 Would equalization mean Chet Raley would have to ski with both a weight vest AND on stilts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 Isn't the ventral fin like a hydrofoil - that's Chet's version of stilts! Do I need extra weights because my skis are so light? Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Just a question, if we are going to add weight to guys that only weight 155 pounds like I do are we also going to give the short guys me (5'6" on a good day) extra line? I am no where near Cwhite's level( 28 off guy at best)and if he can compete at a Big Dawg then congrats on even being at that level. But the reason the top level guys are the way they are is because they are committed. My ski partner and I just had this conversation. The Big Dawg top guys are willing to put in more work and fully commit to winning. That means diet, training, living someplace where you can ski year round, and not letting anything stand in the way of that success. My ski partner has a freind that has done that exact thing and his results are showing it. Its like any sport, the top 1% are willing to do what everyone else isnt. And for the record even at 5'6" and 155, zero off isnt really my freind. Not exaclty a light on the line skier, but thats my deal not the boats. ML Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWhite Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 Even though Dave Miller beats me by more than a pass, my spray is way bigger than his which at the end of the day is what impresses all the non-skiers who were on the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 So what ZO setting makes the biggest spray? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWhite Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 Forget Zero Off, if you want a good spray go old school and go with the hand throttle and a driver that will juice it right at the ball! ML is right, those top guys are committed and as I said they deserve every buoy they get. I would gladly give the shorter guys extra rope as a trade off for the added weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ski6jones Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 This reminds me of discussions about equalizing the playing field due to differences in height. If it's true that the heavier guys are also generally a bit taller then perhaps the two offset. Big guys - Higher load and more response from ZO, but better reach, Smaller guys - Lower load and less response from ZO, but less reach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeMac Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Instead of Big dawg, have toy poodle division, clydesdale division, and for the really big guys a Rhino division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 REALLY . Now I think I have heard everything as far as skiing goes. Why don't we just handicap the big dawg also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Than_Bogan Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 Either I'm not getting the re-sarcasm here, or a lot of folks have missed that the Original Post is a joke. This is particularly true of whomever Disliked it. (Well, I suppose that person could dislike humor...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ed_Johnson Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 I just keep hoping for an "Old Dawg" division !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Than_Bogan Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 I did like "skinny dawg" -- pretty tempted to change my user name to SkinnyDawg except I'm not really good enough for that monicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Wish Posted July 17, 2012 Baller Share Posted July 17, 2012 I've seen some skiers that would fit into the "girly" Dawg division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixball Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 What handicap do I get, fat old decrepit knees and hips and don't ski for $hi#???????????????????????????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klundell Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I agree with @skiboyny its all about strength to weight ratio. We have a MM skier in UT Bryce Tolman who has to be over 200lbs he is built like a truck. He does stuff on a waterski that I simply don't have the strength to do (I actually spent all winter trying to gain 7-8lbs because I thought my strength to weight ratio would go up) I think its paying off I'm skiing better than last year. If you can do 40 pull ups it doesn't matter how big you are you will be strong on a waterski. Not that I wouldn't like trying to ski with a 40lb weighted vest on sounds kinda fun. ha ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiboat38 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Eric Kelly who placed 4th is over easily over 200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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