Skiing with Nate

[Buoyhead69]

 

What a ridiculously fun day last weekend skiing with Nate Smith. Second time I’ve met him, just an unreal & genuine nice guy. Our local CC dealer let me in on this- ski behind the 2019 Nautique with Nate in the boat & bring the family. Are you kidding?? My son took this video of me, here I am hammering out 4 ball at 34.2mph with Nate looking on & coaching. He gave me an amazing piece of advice, I’ve run more -28 passes this week than I had the whole summer previously (even in rough water). -32 here I come, already getting some good looks at 4 ball. Thanks Nate!!! The camaderie and generosity of those in the slalom world is beyond words, in no other sport would I have an opportunity like this. No wonder I’ve become 100% hooked in just a few short years. BTW the 2019 Nautique is amazing, a flat out ski machine- so impressive I’m considering pulling the trigger... Thanks Patty from Silver Spray, and thanks again Nate you’re the man!

[Beeker]

That is so cool you had that opportunity, memories are made on the water.

[Buoyhead69]

Also it’s a testament to real coaching from a pro. Nate’s advice was a game changer for me. Skied today and -28, without sounding overconfident, was automatic. Unfortunately only got 1 look 4 ball at -32 then the surf boats & jet skis came out. Hard for me to time the gate at -32.

[Zman]

And, the amazing piece of advice?

Or, is this a teaser?

 

Ski all 6?

 

 

[MDB1056]

@Zman got it. The amazing advice is___________?

[lpskier]

@Zman @MDB1056 I can fill in the blank. ...”Just ski like me.”

[Zman]

Perfect. I'll get to work on that.

[Buoyhead69]

OK, the amazing piece of advice; he said “You’re dropping your front shoulder. Keep your front shoulder up and back.” My prior 2 main thoughts in the course were 1. “stay on the front of the ski, stay on my front foot” so I can finish my turn and maintain angle. And 2. “Back arm pressure” to maintain adequate stack and speed through the wakes. But, as I got into -28 I struggled with the increased load and apparently, as Nate noticed, started “dropping my front shoulder.” So I’d get pulled forward by the boat, lose my stack, ski straight at the ball, etc. it was a mess. Now as soon as I finish my turn (or turn in at the gate) I think “point your front shoulder/chest at the sky” (this would be my right shoulder going from 1 to 2 ball). It has made a world of difference in terms of maintaining my stack and angle and getting early to the ball. Just got off the water & ran a smooth -28 behind a tailwind which I never would have done prior to Nate’s advice. Didn’t have time to get into -32 this morning, gotta get some stuff done (damn work!) but I’m getting to 4 ball at -32 and I hope to run that pass at some point. Can’t say enough about Nate, such a humble nice guy, he made a real difference in my ability have fun & improve in the course. Makes it real easy to root for such a dominant skier when you know he’s a good guy.