Baller jhughes Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 I'm not a teetotaler and I love good beer. However, one thing we don't really talk about is the profound affect alcohol consumption can have on waterskiing performance. So I wrote about it. Let me know what you think and/or how it's affected your skiing. Improve your waterskiing this summer by taking a beer break Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 2Valve Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Good article but a few beers in the cooler with a late evening set hits all the right buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mastercrafter Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 This.  I have had 5 beers since December versus my usual 5-10 per week. Like you, as much as I love a good craft beer especially in summer, I made the decision to quit drinking to improve my overall health and well-being. Hoping for better skiing was a big motivator as well.  I’ve been exercising regularly too, getting a lot of cardio in, and eating clean. Down 20 pounds from November and I feel wayyy better.  I got halfway thru a can of Coors Light last weekend, felt gross, and dumped the rest out. Really no interest in drinking anything anymore, which is nice. Makes it easy.  I would encourage others to give it a try. It’s well worth the effort and self control it requires. Heaven forbid I drink 100% water, so a bottle or two of Kombucha (fermented tea) and a few shots of apple cider vinegar every week provide a good alternative.    Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Hard for anyone to down a Coors lite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mastercrafter Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Touché.. but I used to consume those like water, ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller VermontSkier Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 I appreciate your piece. Summer, being on the boat, and skiing are tied with enjoying craft beer afterwards for me. I did dry January and lost a lot of weight, slept better, was far more productive, and less anxious. I'm not sure I want to completely give up drinking beer, but I think my skiing and wellbeing would benefit from taking more nights off (my usual is 1-2 beers, pretty regularly.) I too came to enjoy the NA craft beers and they definitely met that craving at the end of the day. I better run to the store and grab some NA IPA's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jjackkrash Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Anything you can do to cut weight (fat and excess water not necessarily muscle) is good for skiing. Every pound matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller igkya Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Is it wrong that I read the article while enjoying a cold beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mfjaegersr Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Respectfully, @Mastercrafter - two shots of cider vinegar is *not* a ‘good alternative’ to anything. ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rogerw Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 I'lll drink to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjm Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Athletic Brewing Company. Google it. Last summer I was on a 12 week antibiotic protocol for a bone infection. Doc said no booze will help antibiotic work better. Not skiing was hard enough, no beer was a nightmare. This is a non alcohol beer, but you’d never no it. They have several flavors. Some better than others. Upside Dawn is my personal favorite. I am not involved with the company, just sharing info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjm Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller igkya Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 @mfjaegersr I'm assuming you're joking about the ACV. While it may not taste good straight up, a shot in a glass of water with lemon helps and it does have several health benefits. But Coors light is just horrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjm Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 So I just read @jhughes paper and see he did mention Athletic Brew. So I guess I’m agreeing with him, it’s very good beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mastercrafter Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 @igkya na, straight up from the bottle. I then proceed to make weird noises and shake my head for 15 seconds while my wife rolls her eyes at me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rawly Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 And I thought this was about crap talking on @Booze Continue on …..actually don’t , let’s get this to page 2 . ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted May 20, 2022 Administrators Share Posted May 20, 2022 @jhughes yes your are right.   ( now ignoring you )  Goode ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki ★ Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ski6jones Posted May 20, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2022 I don't need this negativity in my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted May 20, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 20, 2022 The buckets of frozen Pina Colada are killers. One summer my wife kept coming home with a bucket of Pina Colada mix where you stir in 16 oz. of rum and keep it in the freezer. Every day after work we were into the bucket, and then I skied. It was fun and my skiing wasn't great but not terrible. Does that qualify as skiing under adverse conditions ? Fortunately I skied every morning too so it all worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ScottScott Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 Blasphemy!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mfjaegersr Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 Ok @igkya - I’ll give you that one; ACV is a good alt to Coors Light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Taynton Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 100% the easiest/hardest way to improve your general health and vitality. Alcohol is poison the sooner you realize this the better. N/A beer is also very hard on your body with inflammation, gluten, high calories and with craft types usually high in sugar as well...still better than the booze but if your trying to improve, I'd just cut beer out completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted May 21, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 21, 2022 I feel sorry for people that don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s the best they are going to feel all day.  And remember, you can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 3 biggest preventable causes of morbidity and mortality by far: alcohol, obesity, tobacco. Independent risk factors for nearly all disease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjs1295 Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 There's only one thing that prevents me from being a better water skier, and it's definitely not booze. It's having to work full time due to staffing issues. I'd be much better at water/cross country skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking, shooting, cycling, lifting, rowing, chilling out, and yes... drinking if I could get back to my 0.6 FTE. Working as much as we do, for as little as we get paid, is one of the greatest hoodwinks of all time. And no thanks on the light or non-alcoholic beers. I need taste, and I'll admit it, I want the buzz. Everything in moderation folks (especially work and alcohol). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller pugs Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 Cheers to lpskier, referencing Sinatra and Key West in the same post. I would toast, but on a sober break for May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted May 21, 2022 Administrators Share Posted May 21, 2022 @jhughes you had to know this was not going to go well with this crowd.  Goode ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki ★ Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Nashotah Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 tjs1295: WELL SAID!!! C’mon, a few beers to relax? Let’s face it, no one on this forum is going out on tour. Chill out and enjoy life. Maybe some people skate through without any serious difficulties but not most. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Clydesdale Posted May 21, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2022 Funny, I’ve been considering giving up waterskiing to improve my drinking, ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted May 22, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 22, 2022 @Clydesdale Yeah, like I’m a pretty good drinker for a guy with a really bad skiing addiction. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted May 22, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 22, 2022 Alcoholics are people you don’t like that drink as much as you do. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller liquid d Posted May 22, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 22, 2022 God i sure picked the wrong time to stop shooting heroine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted May 22, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 22, 2022 @liquid d You’d have to give up golf and softball, too. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Garn Posted May 23, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 23, 2022 I don't drink alcohol. But being the world's biggest Rush fan, this is tempting me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller OldboyII Posted May 23, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 23, 2022 Those who decided to live forever should stop drinking any alcohol immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted May 23, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 23, 2022 I heard @booze is a nice guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Robbo5252 Posted May 24, 2022 Baller Share Posted May 24, 2022 This beer released in Aus seems appropriate for Water Skiers & this thread. I'm yet to try it. Cheers Robbo  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ swbca Posted May 24, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 24, 2022 The serious comments on this thread have precipitous relevancy with age. If you ever speculate about your athletic and cognitive horizons, your hopeful expectations should be adjusted considerably if you are drinking enough to enjoy it. As one of the few BOS subscribers who was skiing in tournaments 60 years ago, I am speaking from experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted May 24, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted May 24, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jhughes Posted November 7, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted November 7, 2022 Quick follow-up on this: I stuck to this all summer and kept going. Over 6 months of cutting out alcohol completely and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I'm not preaching this, you do what you want with your life. Ski results have been great: Last year I ran enough 32's that I could count them, this year I ran more than I can count or keep track of, it became a regular thing AND most importantly I ran the pass in two tournament rounds, getting my first scores ever into 12M. Weight is down to the low 170's, BP is down significantly, cholesterol is down significantly. Sleep is amazing, digestion is perfect. I'm doing more meaningful work than ever with all the extra time. I get constant compliments on how I look from people that have not seen me in a while. So, I'm sticking with it. YMMV, for me it's a very basic cost/benefit equation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mastercrafter Posted November 7, 2022 Baller Share Posted November 7, 2022 Love to hear this.I gave in a little but could probably count the number of drinks I had since 2021 on two hands.. so it was minimal. Felt good, skied well. Off season is here so time to get in the gym regularly and add some more passes next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted November 7, 2022 Baller Share Posted November 7, 2022 During the pandemic, working from home I got myself into a one-very-nice-IPA-per-evening habit. I even have three buddies with whom we started a beer text thread sending each other pics of our ever-changing line up with lots of thumbs-ups and discussion. Then, after that beer, sometimes a glass of wine with dinner. Not that you have to live here to get good wine and beer, but in Northern California I am seriously surrounded by really, really good stuff. I'm 64 and realize that that's pretty dang stupid if, like I do, you want to remain as active and athletic as possible for as long as possible. It was, however, very nice mentally after the day's work, ski rides, workouts, whatever to sit outside with my dog (literally the best part) and have a nice craft IPA, DIPA, TIPA and relax a bit and chat with my bros. But...it was starting to take a toll. So, ditch the beer and wine, but lose that nice mental break. Last week I had a catheter ablation procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. Not a full-on surgery, but a big, invasive deal nonetheless that I'm just now recovering from. A-fib was starting to get a little too often and too prolonged and getting in the way of activities. Alcohol certainly could have very well been a factor. Didn't have a beer for a long time after the procedure - like 3 or 4 days! It's time to look in the mirror and get my S squared away. A non-alcoholic beer sounds like a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jhughes Posted November 7, 2022 Author Baller Share Posted November 7, 2022 @jimbrake oh I should mention- my heart palpitations went away completely. No joke. I had them to a point where I wore a monitor for a full day or two to figure out what was going on. Harmless in my case but very annoying and disturbing for sure. General anxiety way down as well due to the chemicals your brain has to constantly spin up and spin down to counter the ethanol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Keith_Menard Posted November 8, 2022 Baller Share Posted November 8, 2022 @6balls From everything I have read...mortality is still at 100%.I was getting fat in between snowboard and waterski season as I normally do. I gave up beer for a month as I am just not as active. It helped me drop some lbs before water ski season, and I started off much better.The trouble with living near Tree House, Proclamation, Trillium, and now having easy access to Fiddlehead on tap is it is very easy to consume a metric ton of empty calories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted November 8, 2022 Baller_ Share Posted November 8, 2022 There are so many great non alcoholic beer alternatives. Clausthaler, St. Pauli, Bud Zero, Busch (yes, Busch), Old Milwaukee (again, yes Old Makemewalkfunny), Athletica, and others. My current favorite is Omission. They make a great IPA and a really good golden. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted November 8, 2022 Baller Share Posted November 8, 2022 @Keith_Menard when and by what matters to most, but not all, that I see in clinic. I prefer Landshark for what it's worth--good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rogerw Posted November 8, 2022 Baller Share Posted November 8, 2022 One of my best slalom results in a comp was after i'd been on the lash to about 2AM , got to bed around 3.30AM then on the start dock at 8.30 . Chucked up after shortening. Ever tried having a ralf when youre floating in water? Not easy. I think i climbed on the swim deck. After the purge - all ok but boat judge not impressed. Only tricks and jump to go. Rock and Roll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted November 8, 2022 Baller Share Posted November 8, 2022 @rogerw - I think a lot of people that started their skiing young enough, and especially if they skied on a college team, has a story like that. I certainly do. If you skied tournaments in the '70s and '80s like I did, then there's a good chance you would have more than a few stories to tell and some that didn't even involve alcohol, but other mindbenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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