Baller_ Wish Posted September 20, 2021 Baller_ Share Posted September 20, 2021 Cirencester UK. Looks like a blast from their FB page. Does anyone have any insight? Pipe dream perhaps but would love to see this in the States. Especially at the pro level or a Pro-Am. This one looks like amateurs but well organized, cash prize and even recorded. Great showcase for the sport!! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dvskier Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 I’m pretty sure that was done at Ski Paradise in Acapulco many years back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted September 20, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted September 20, 2021 @dvskier yes, it was. Nice to see it come back and branch out to a new location. Looks like there was 28 competitors bracketed. Also looks like a bunch of age differences. Maybe handicapped? Where could this actually be done in the states? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwcrotIp1O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 I was one of the event organisers - this has been 2 yrs in the planning. The idea was simple - make a slalom waterskiing competition spectacular to watch and awesome fun to ski. The format can be applied to Pro events, Proams, league & backyard. Also, how many other sports can you have elite men and woman competing with each other on an equal level? The event was a huge success! Nobody died - although my iphone took one for the team and a drone became temporarily MIA at the bottom of the lake as it was taken out by some huge spray. We are now in the process of collecting all the footage - from the development trials last year to the recent competition. We will be making a punchy PROMO video that we can take to sponsors. The aim is for BIG CASH PRIZES.. Note: the aim is not to replace the existing competition format, Pro Tours or other cool competition events out there. This is an addition. However, just like Dual Slalom in alpine skiing, or Dual Mountain Bike Slalom etc - this event is easy to understand by the masses, and is super exciting to watch. We want to draw in crowds and create real excitement in our sport again. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=105895201847343&set=a.107233335046863 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 This sums it up...The Drama!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted September 20, 2021 Author Baller_ Share Posted September 20, 2021 @gavski this is exactly what could make slalom fun to watch by the masses. He who falls first or misses loses. Almost as easy as understanding jump. Hope you bring this vibe to the states and make it a big thing. There’s gotta be locations around Central FL for something like this. Lake Ivenhoe comes to mind. Or the Central Florida Fairgrounds (Barnet Park) to name a few. And like the downhill, each course may have slightly diff conditions depending on maybe wind, shoreline and the like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Vernon Reeve Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 Would definitely make it more interesting. And the head to heads would go much faster, also making it more interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 @Wish That is the plan..but for now we need to build the hype, create the PROMO and go for sponsors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 20, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 20, 2021 This is Alfie. The British U14 National Champ winning the event… And this is him post win.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 21, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 21, 2021 The concept video from last year.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ETskier Posted September 22, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 22, 2021 There's that word again, FUN. To watch, to follow, to ski in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aussiemc Posted September 22, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 22, 2021 We did a Head to Head comp at Myuna Bay in 2017. Was awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted September 22, 2021 Baller Share Posted September 22, 2021 Which ever way you look at it - it looks awesome…just spent the day skiing with Jeremy Newby-Ricci and Glenn Campbell. To see the these boys ripping it through 41’ is astonishing..seeing them do it side by side is something EVERYONE needs to watch.. We had a gourmet coffee barista wagon at the comp..he couldn’t keep his eyes off the action, even whilst making the espressos.. There are very few sports that are exciting to watch live…it’s how it’s presented, vibe created, camera angles, live feeds/ replays etc etc that make even the most boring of sports captivating… In some ways, technology has killed off live sports, as it’s all too easy to sit at home and get the same, and arguably better experience. But, new technology has made it easier and more affordable to capture the most incredible camera angles and create a spectacular live event with all the razzmatazz that we love…watching a Bruce Springsteen concert at home is not the same as seeing him live… This is what we are trying to achieve.. @aussiemc - that’s fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted February 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted February 24, 2022 Here is a roundup video from last years comp: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted February 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted February 24, 2022 UPDATE: we are on the Pro Tour Calendar.. 22-24 July 2022 Details to follow and the format is yet to be confirmed…But, it will include the Pro’s shooting out against each other for cash prizes and then elements of past masters, amateurs, Pro-am/ team event.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted February 24, 2022 Author Baller_ Share Posted February 24, 2022 PERFECT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller chrislandy Posted February 26, 2022 Baller Share Posted February 26, 2022 Looking forward to it, it's in the diary :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted February 26, 2022 Baller Share Posted February 26, 2022 Fantastic! Wish there was a double awesome button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller chrislandy Posted July 22, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 22, 2022 The Duel is this weekend, haven't seen anyone else post the livestream so here it is https://theduelwaterski.com/live/ live from 14:15 BST (9.15am in Florida / 6.15am in California) Saturday and 13:00 BST Sunday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted July 22, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 22, 2022 Top skiers onsite ready to ski, Saturday and Sunday Will Asher, Thomas Degaspri, Freddie Winter, John Travers, and many more top skiers, Ali Garcia, Allie Nicholson. Watch the live stream, @chrislandy has posted the link above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted July 22, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 22, 2022 I freaking love this concept. Shame more sites aren't able to run parallel courses like that. How distracting must it be going through your gates without trying to watch the guy on your right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller JayG80 Posted July 23, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 23, 2022 Glenn Campbell is male announcer, who is Jenny? It is a 4 ball course The start dock announcer is a professional broadcaster and former Olympian https://www.aimeefuller.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 23, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 23, 2022 Chemmy Alcott - a former Olympic alpine ski racer, now professional tv presenter.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller chrislandy Posted July 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 24, 2022 Having watched this yesterday in person, it was absolutely amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller JayG80 Posted July 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 24, 2022 Great fun to watch @gavski you talked about your web site in the interview but I missed the web address. Is it the duel waterski.com or another? Congrats to you and all the organisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rayn Posted July 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 24, 2022 That broadcast was next level. The two presenters were top notch and you could tell they had experience broadcasting multiple different sports and leveraged that experience. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ghutch Posted July 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 24, 2022 Anyone hear about how the pro's feel about this format? Looks like an awesome event. I would think they would like it since it changes things up a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjs1295 Posted July 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 24, 2022 That was a very cool event/broadcast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 25, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2022 The event exceeded my expectations and was a great success all round. Catch the action here: https://theduelwaterski.com/live/ Hopefully we have done enough to take this event/ format to the next level and bring our beloved sport back out of the sidelines and into the mainstream.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller chrislandy Posted July 25, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2022 @ghutch there was a lot of banter on and off camera so I'd say they enjoyed it a lot, winding each other up at each end of the lake, spraying each other, then on the bank it was very relaxed with the pros mixing with the kids and generally having a good time (although I think some of our American friends found it a bit chilly!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 25, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2022 Typical…. Same wind - normal direction….this as rough as it gets 95% of the time… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Broussard Posted July 25, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2022 Kudos to The Duel organizers - they did a phenomenal job with the event. The two former olympians did a great job on the microphone and picked up the sport and the details of slalom skiing quickly. The attention to detail separating the event into blue and red from the boat to the skier's bibs down to the carpet on the starting dock was impressive. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 Just a bit of background for those that maybe wondering why we hosted the webcast on Vimeo… Because we had a DJ playing music to the crowd throughout the whole day, YouTube wanted a significant licence fee for each song that may or may not have been picked up by any of the camera mics…I did try and argue that this would fall into background noise - like the wind, crowd, birds, but to no avail. I had already paid for a music licence to cover this event, but the added restrictions imposed made it impossible for us to live stream the event without killing the music and atmosphere… Now that the event has been lived streamed and you can hardly make out any distinguishable music on any of the camera shots etc, we will be working to get the event up on YouTube asap. Having watched the webcasts, the best experience is to play them back through the Vimeo app. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 Although I am probably biased - the webcast alone far exceeded our expectations. Yes there were a few mistakes with names etc - but you will always get this with a live broadcast… To me it was like watching ESPN, SKY SPORTS or the BBC. Chemmy and Aimee managed to put everyone at ease - even the pro skiers. Those characters that are known for ‘being in the zone and focused’ to the point of being unapproachable, came out of their shells. I think Glenn Campbell, in particular, has a new career ahead of him as a tv sports presenter. With Chemmy and Aimee being ex-professional athletes - olympians no less, and now professional TV presenters made all the difference. It reminded me of the hayday of waterskiing with Wayne Grimditch etc presenting.. Chemmy spoke to the pros before the event and explained the parallels with the this event in the alpine world and how she has been at the forefront of helping launch dual alpine racing to where it is today - a fully funded and integrated event in both the FIS calendar and olympics…she was so excited to see this event launch successfully.. Everyone played their part. I few more tweaks to be made to make it slicker and simpler etc…I think we created a really fun event for anyone to watch. The atmosphere at the event was electric, hopefully that comes across in the webcast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 Just for clarification - this was a bonafide Pro Tour event - sanctioned by the IWWF, not just some ‘fun event’ to be dismissed. It just so happens to be great fun to ski in.. We are not trying to replace traditional formats. We have taken a previous idea, tweaked it and launched it into the world to make an exciting ‘spectator sport’ that can be watched and enjoyed by anyone, with the aim to significantly increase awareness of our sport to general public. Almost all professional sports have had to adapt and evolve to keep them exciting to watch..just look at fencing or curling. I would like to acknowledge the great work by TWBC and the others out there trying get the sport to the masses..we just have a different vision and at no stage are we looking to do anything other than co-exist in the same way that WWF, UFC etc share the same platform.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 Without serious money from alternative sponsors and revenue streams - our sport will, sadly, remain a fringe sport withering on the vine… Our pro skiers should be standing toe-to-toe with every other elite athlete on the public stage..the only difference is money.. Semi-rant over..sorry.. Mic Drop.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 @gavski Is there enough room for 6 bouys courses? Great job both on the webcast and the competition.Hoping for more pros to do the european part of the calendar next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 Good question and I get it a lot..the problem with 6 buoys is that you will struggle to fit the course in 99.9% of ski lakes…it’s not the width, it’s the space at the end of the course for both boats… This has been 5yrs in the planning and I have reached out for advice and help from pros, coaches and lake owners.. there has to be a compromise, and this was what we ended up with..who knows, we may develop into a 5 buoy duel..now that would make for interesting skiing… Almost every mainstream sport has had to change and adapt whether to fit into tv schedules or shoot for Olympic status. I don’t think that having a 4 buoy course is that much of detraction or lessens the sport..it was such a shame that we had the wind..we were hoping for some sub 41’ off duelling..now that would have been amazeballs.. Look at alpine dual slalom - bmx start, snowboard style gates, 6ft jump halfway down the course, equally spaced turn gates, and on a shallow gradient because it runs into the ski resort…who would have thought that skier cross would be a major hit with skiers and spectators alike? Reinvent, reignite and improve whilst still remaining true to the core… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 @gavski if you can fit a 4 buoy course you should be able to fit an overlapping 8 buoy and get 6 in each direction. How long is the lake? Webcast was amazing. Loved the Olympian commentators. I think getting them on tour with the current host of many other webcast would be a great benefit. Enjoyed the less screaming, less strange phrases, and less inaccurate facts was a nice change of pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 27, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2022 @MattP interesting suggestion. Thank you. The lake is has an existing 6buoy that I used to line up the new 4buoy course, I then converted the 6buoy to 4buoy for the event. The lake does look busy at first glance, so we tried to reduce the number of buoys to a minimum. Nobody that has skied it has then subsequently asked about making it 6buoys… The other main advantage of having 4buoys is that it easier to spectate. The whole point of this event was to create a live ‘spectator sport’. From one viewing area, you can see all the action in close up detail. It’s a mute point, but for example, F1 and downhill ski racing only really work as a live sport because of the cameras. Without them, you get a 0.5sec glimpse every couple of mins… I will take another look and I am already looking at tweaking the format to make it slicker and more exciting..sadly, I can’t book the weather… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rogerw Posted July 28, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2022 Watched the highlights. thought that overall it was bloody fantastic. I get the 4 buoy course. coverage was great. Weather - well it is England Well done all of you (From an ex watersports centre owner) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rogerw Posted July 28, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2022 And you had spectators! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gavski Posted July 28, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2022 @rogerw ? if you get the chance, watch a little bit of the webcast…before you know it, 30-40 mins has disappeared…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller chrislandy Posted July 31, 2022 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2022 The 4 buoy was perfect, if they'd had 6 then the spectators would have missed 1 or 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted August 1, 2022 Baller Share Posted August 1, 2022 If you want to try and engage more public and it,s just a suggestion Roundhay Park,Leeds, the Council there can be more open minded than some, if it was tied in with another public event it could go well, more public more sponsors. Waterloo Lake what a name for a Battle, when water skiing was more popular, I know that there were water skiing events held therein the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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