Let me start off by saying that I have been a waterskier and a fan of waterskiing literally for all of my life. Even though I became a wakeboarder, I feel my induction to the Waterski Hall of Fame this past April was because of my Overall  love, passion, and dedication for all aspect of water sports. Even though I may not ski as much now, I still watch the live webcast from Masters and Moomba every year, and love to talk sking anytime I’m around my old three event friends. 

I am always thinking ways I can possibly make Wakeboarding better or different and I have been thinking about slalom and talked with many skiers over the past year. Now, let me add, one of the coolest things about waterskiing is that they protect and keep the past relevant by keeping rules and variables the same through the years to protect past champions. With that said, this idea I’m thinking of would not change any records from the past. In my mind, this will just allow skiers more strategy to get the score they need. 

Symmetrical Slalom Course. 
The skier has the option to go through the gates in either direction, for choice of an onside one ball or for an offside one ball. It’s undeniable in slalom, you have a good side and a bad side. That’s just the way it is when you have a sport with a left or right foot forward stance. I’ve talked to skiers and they’d roughly say that 80% of professional men’s slalom events are decided between 2-4 buoys at 41 Off. I feel having a symmetrical course will give the skier the option to strategize the conditions for the score needed and very very critical moments at slalom tournaments. 

Traditionally thinking, I know this sounds crazy, going through the course the other way. But if ya think about it, really on any ski  level, not just professionals, this can help. When you only need 3 or so buoys on a run you often have trouble with  having 2 out of 3 on your good side as opposed to bad side, that could possibly be the difference between a podium or not. Maybe some people would never try it, just  because of what they are used to, and that’s ok. But for people getting into the sport or kids learning, It would be amazing if they only knew a slalom course as a symmetrical course. I think announcing events having this course will be easier and more compelling as they are explaining to the crowd why the skier is opting to run the course this way. Is it cause of bounce back rollers on 2 and 4. That their avoiding an offside?  Is it the 15 mph cross wind why they opted to go the other way @ 39 1/2. It will really add a level of strategy to the sport or than just opting up a run due to head and tail winds. There will be many variables why I feel skiers would sometimes (maybe not always) but sometimes would want to go the other way. Conditions depending. 

All in all I feel this could be a great addition to competitive slalom skiing, while still protecting all the old records from years past. Give it a thought, I’d love to hear what everyone thinks about it. I’m sure this is not the first time someone had this idea. But I think it would be cool to watch as a spectator and a fan of waterskiing! Thanks everyone for the time. Ttys

-Parks Bonifay : : : : : :

The company that forever changed water skiing with the introduction of carbon-fiber skis has done it again with the sport's first ever carbon core slalom ski. The new-for 2020 ReVOcc is the turbocharged version of the ski that won a Big Dawg Season Championship and topped the podium at major tournaments across the globe. The ReVOcc features:  

• The all-new Carbon Core: Greater rebound, more stability at the ball and increased durability.
• A thinner profile: The Carbon Core's increased strength allows for a thinner side profile, leading to a deeper-riding ski that offers skiers a more connected-to-the-water feeling.
• Softer flex patterns: The Carbon Core led to the holy grail of ski design - soft flex patterns that produce indestructible, symmetrical turns, with quick rebound out of the turn that generates amplified side-to-side speed.
• Larger, rounder bevels: Working in concert with the thinner profile, refined bevels provide a more stable, predictable ride, resulting in more buoys even when things don't go as planned (read: better scrambling ability).

https://radarskis.com/products/2020-senate-pro

Celebrating the launch of the Omega in West Palm Beach, Florida, we're stoked to release a Limited Edition Miami Syndicate Omega!

In conjunction with Miami Ski Nautique to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, the Miami Syndicate Omega will be available on site at the 2019 US Nationals in Okeeheelee Park on August 6th - 10th and at MiamiSkiNautique.com!

See more at hosports.com/waterskis

Get yours before they're gone!

The Vapor name has become synonymous with balance and speed. As we moved to our 2020 shape, we simply wanted to build on the foundation we had created. The overall width of the ski has been decreased in an effort to create more efficient water flow and allow the ski to have a more level ride. Rocker was modified to increase the drive behind the boat and allow the ski to create more angle before the buoy. Lastly, we increased the concave and let it run through the tail of the ski to give more support and consistency at the apex of the turn. All these simple changes allowed us to build a ski that is faster than its predecessor, has more automatic turns, and gives a truly consistent ride from turn to turn. You have to ski this thing, welcome to 2020 Vapor.

The Omega was designed to improve the efficiency and stability of the modern tournament slalom ski. Tournament slalom skiers can run radically short line passes, but can they run them the way they want? Can there be a ski that helps skiers do it in a way that is as easy and effortless as they know it can be done? This is Omega’s reason for being.

Ying and yang, Alpha and Omega, the dualism of the Syndicate design philosophy describes how contrary ski designs compliment the full spectrum of skier needs. The Omega ski shape has increased surface area in the back of the ski in relationship to the forebody. The result is a ski that rides more in-trim or parallel to the water surface. By reducing how much water the Omega is pushing, efficiency is improved and skier turn speed is carried deeper into the cut, helping hide the skier from the speed control. The Omega’s 4-stage rocker line with a true flat spot located under the skiers front foot, moves through the wakes and outbound better than any Syndicate ski to date. A reduction in concave volume, compared to the Syndicate Pro and Alpha, allows the Omega to maintain skier speed more easily for improved efficiency and less skier effort.

PRODUCT FEATURES
• Narrow width profile with Relaxed Tail Taper
• Low Volume Concave
• 4-Stage Rocker Design 
• Torsionally Stiff Flex 
• Carbon Fiber SpeedSkin
• Handmade in Seattle, Washington, USA
• NEW! Syndicate Adjustable Fin

See more and get yours at hosports.com/waterskis

The Vapor name has become synonymous with balance and speed. As we moved to our 2020 shape, we simply wanted to build on the foundation we had created. The overall width of the ski has been decreased in an effort to create more efficient water flow and allow the ski to have a more level ride. Rocker was modified to increase the drive behind the boat and allow the ski to create more angle before the buoy. Lastly, we increased the concave and let it run through the tail of the ski to give more support and consistency at the apex of the turn. All these simple changes allowed us to build a ski that is faster than its predecessor, has more automatic turns, and gives a truly consistent ride from turn to turn. You have to ski this thing, welcome to 2020 Vapor.

Shape:
The overall max width of the ski was reduced slightly for 2020. The width reduction in the area forward of your front foot allows the ski tip to ride lower while on plane. This gives the ski a more level riding attack angle which makes the ski more efficient through the water and makes it easier for the skier to engage the front half of the ski for tighter, more predictable turns.

Rocker:
The rocker line has been lowered under your feet in this new shape. This increases the sweet spot, inspiring confidence to push the limits with more predictable results. The new rocker gives the ski more drive side to side, allowing the skier to hold more angle from the finish of the turn to the centerline. It also allows the skier to start initiating the turn in a more level and controlled attack angle. Essentially, the tip of the ski can initiate earlier and there is a larger sweet spot to base your turns from. The increased tip engagement allows the tip to override the tail more, which results in more ski rotation prior to the buoy. The more the ski can be turned before the buoy, the earlier the skier can start to accelerate out of the buoy.

Concave: 
For 2020 Vapor, the concave was increased in the back 1/3 of the ski and now runs out the tail. This allows the ski to harness more water under the back of the ski and creates a higher riding tail that feels more supportive at the finish of the turn. The ski is faster as a result but without that loose, slippery feel. 

Bevels:
The Vapor features a hybrid bevel which allows us to get the best things from both a round and a sharp bevel. This lets the ski roll from edge to edge considerably smoother while also producing a more dynamic range of turn shapes. Ultimately, these bevels help create a ski that holds maximum angle side to side, rolls from edge to edge at a very predictable and confidence inspiring rate and is super forgiving for more ability to crank turns when you need them.

Thickness:
The max thickness of the ski has been lowered through the middle. By reducing the sidewall, the ski is able to sit deeper in the water, allowing for a more secure feeling to the skier with more feedback from the water.

Available in: 63.5, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69.5

https://radarskis.com/2020vapor

For the third consecutive year, the American Water Ski Association is supporting its athletes by raising funds to offset the financial constraints of participating in international events. The International Water Ski Team Funding live online auction will be held from 8 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, July 22 until 6:00 p.m.(EDT) on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Through this live online auction, you will be able to purchase outstanding products, memorabilia, instruction from world-renowned ski schools and instructors, or the ultimate Regina Jaquess Limited Edition 2020 Malibu from Minnesota Inboard Water Sports.

To view and bid on items, visit https://www.32auctions.com/AWSA.

Come join our funding team!

Go Team USA!

About The American Water Ski Association The American Water Ski Association (AWSA) is one of nine sport discipline organizations of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Organization- recognized National Governing Body (NGB) for organized water skiing and wakeboarding.