It Takes a Friend

[2Valve]

I haven't skiied since last September as I had some foot surgery in October. As a result I have to go back to a RTP after using double wraps for the last 20 years. It's been a struggle trying to re-learn that technique of getting up.

Thought I had it this morning, but after four tries, I was trying to shove my rear foot in too quickly and kept falling. Initial thoughts of selling the boat, lift, ski, vest quickly ran through my mind. We've all been there.

Even though it was pouring rain, my buddy Mark said, "come on, just one more time and don't be so quick getting that rear foot in".

It worked! Sometimes, it just takes a good buddy with a lot of patience.

[Shell]

Patients and positive influence is “key”!

[FullFlavorPike]

So maybe I’m just too ignorant here, but is the idea that you have your foot outside the rtp when you’re doing a start, then you slide it in later? 
 

do I start wrong by having my foot snugly in the rtp before the driver hits it? 

[Shell]

@FullFlavorPike it’s all personal preference, I would think if your coming from a double boot, you would push your rear foot into the RTP as far as you can vs dragging it. I ski with a reflex R-Style and feel IF I had to change to RTP, it would be easy as my rear foot it barley inside. 

[morfoot]

12 hours ago, FullFlavorPike said:

do I start wrong by having my foot snugly in the rtp before the driver hits it? 

 As mentioned, it's all about personal preference. I ski with 5 of the same guys on a weekly/daily basis. 3 of us use a RTP while the other 2 are double booted. No one drags a foot. I learned 40 years ago to have both feet on the "stick". Just for kicks I tried dragging a foot as some of my other buds drag a foot and suggested I try it. It wasn't pretty and after 4 attempts I gave up at went back to my foot in the slot. Some like it some don't.

[2Valve]

14 hours ago, FullFlavorPike said:

So maybe I’m just too ignorant here, but is the idea that you have your foot outside the rtp when you’re doing a start, then you slide it in later? 
 

do I start wrong by having my foot snugly in the rtp before the driver hits it? 

Yes, I drag my left foot outside and then slip it in, essentially getting up on one leg. I've been doing that since I was 12, so it should be like riding a bike.
At the moment, my foot is getting torqued (Pain = 10+) if I keep it in the RTP on a start. Hopefully, as it heals I can leave it in, but for now........

[MitchellM]

Ski buddies are the best.  He understood your frustration and continued to work with you.  That's what it's all about.

[Shell]

5 hours ago, 2Valve said:

Yes, I drag my left foot outside and then slip it in, essentially getting up on one leg. I've been doing that since I was 12, so it should be like riding a bike.
At the moment, my foot is getting torqued (Pain = 10+) if I keep it in the RTP on a start. Hopefully, as it heals I can leave it in, but for now........

Correct me if I miss understood? I thought you have been skiing in a double boot for over 20yrs? Which means dragging a foot would be brand new again as far as training the body. I wish I was twelve again, lol. I hope your foot feels better soon and the “get ups” are getting easier. Getting old…er sucks! 

[2Valve]

1 hour ago, Shell said:

Correct me if I miss understood? I thought you have been skiing in a double boot for over 20yrs? Which means dragging a foot would be brand new again as far as training the body. I wish I was twelve again, lol. I hope your foot feels better soon and the “get ups” are getting easier. Getting old…er sucks! 

Correct. I got a new Connelly F1 in 2005, with double boots. (Draft bindings I think). And several skis after that, I stayed with double wraps. Before that it was Obrien's, Connelly's, all with a RTP.

I'm sure it will feel comfortable again. Going out in a few min. actually. The lake is a mirror. 🙂

Getting old...er is just a small impediment if your mind is still young. The key is eating right, keeping the weight off and good blood flow. And it helps to have lots of friends who are still passionate about the sport.

 

[Shell]

@2Valve just took a set too, our lake is a mirror as well. And your RIGHT about age, your as young as you feel! Ski Goode!

[Cent]

Age 79 this month. Still slalom  ski in the summer. Short Northern season in Alaska. Love the sport. No longer have a  personal slalom course. Public lake. 
 

Get out early  3 days a week and  ski for pleasure and the benefits for strength, balance and coronation. Good for the mind and the body. 
 

The whole lake experience good for me and for grandchildren generation.