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@ejj has the correct theory here. I work for a large online ski and snowboard retailer and with changes in snow ski technology in the last ten years we are seeing more people young and old either switch back to skiing or pick up skiing for the first time. For midwest skiers the park twin tip has made it more fun for skiers to go into the terrain park which can be half the resort for smaller midwest hills. Out west fatter skis with rocker and better torsional stiffness have made it easier to ski powder and then still carve a turn down groomers. Alpine touring is also becoming more popular and it is easier to skin up a mountain on skis than hike up one with a board. I have a feeling that a decline in wakeboarding has a lot to do with a rise in surfing. The people that can afford a 100k wakeboat are typically older and are going to prefer the low impact and social aspect of surfing. The customer can also buy the best surf boat out there and it will help their riding, whether beginner or expert. However, buying the flagship wakeboard boat is not going to help a novice wakeboarder get their first wake to wake. If anything it would be easier on a less expensive entry level boat with a less intimidating wake.

Here is a great animation for the clove hitch. animated clove hitch

Cool stuff, @Horton what was the camera mount setup for the slalom video?

If my memory is correct the Nautique is allowed because it only has two positions and other systems have not been allowed because of there being multiple positions.

@web I have seen one ski lake where there was probably a 15 foot difference. The soil there was nice clay and they took the clay from the high end and used it for the damn end.

@jimbrake one last comment for your son. If he is unable to get other students at his school interested in a water ski team he can still compete as the solo member of his team. I have done that in the past and in the midwest we get a lot of community college skiers that ski as the only member of their team before transferring to a school with a team. Once he is at the tournament he won't feel alone, all the teams are welcoming to new people.

@ToddL , I've seen that video before and the two contractions are the coolest looking dry land training devices I've seen.

One of the Michigan lakes has a landing strip running along it. Kinda funny to have to be told to look out for planes while walking from the parking lot to the lake.

As a college skier at the bottom of the rankings I am fine with the few pros competing. A good question though is do the teams with pros still have a B-team? I could see a down side if their was a team cutting skiers for not being good enough.

Thule and Yakima both make great products, I have had both and the quality is similar. If you are looking for more of a long skinny box then Yakima is what you want. When looking at the length of a box do not just look at the listed exterior dimensions. Look in the description for "fits snowboards and skis up to " to find the interior length. Here is a link showing their longest boxes. https://www.yakima.com/product-type/cargo-box?length_skis=17094

Where are all the hungover college kids? Or do other regions not take 4th event as seriously as the Midwest?

I have been on a xstar with it and for the most part liked it. The only time I didn't like it was after riding in 50* weather, the texture really hurt my feet once cold.

@DefectiveDave let me know what you need and I can make it out of Dyneema. Since your concern is losing your equipment I would go with @DW 's idea of using a leash as a back up. I'll do it for free so long as you get some data and share it with us. I have been looking for good data on how much load skiers and wakeboarders actually put on a rope.

I think everyone has pretty well covered the liability aspect of this. I would like to add my perspective as a collegiate skier. I am very supportive of collegiate skiing and want to see it grow. Most of us are responsible kids just looking to get some bouy time. However, as it has been said there are a few spoiled, disrespectful and inconsiderate collegiate skiers out there. If it was my lake I would want to meet with the team and spend some time with the leadership. If they seem like responsible kids then let them ski but make it clear that if they abuse the relationship than the deal is off. Also, make it clear that you have the option to ban specific members of the team. I have seen teams take tons of pride in maintaining their boat/site and I have seen other team destroy a boat/site in half a season. Meet with the team and try to figure out if these are the good ones. Another options is to take care of the liability but instead of an open invitation just invite them out every once in a while when you feel like being charitable.

If a custom vest from Eagle doesn't work out I would find a NRS dealer near you and try on some of their rescue kayak life jackets. They sit up on your chest and some of them have some side padding for rib protection. They will have tons of extras that you do not need but they probably will be able to tighten up around your chest. Here is one for example http://www.nrs.com/product/2161/nrs-zen-rescue-pfd .