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Chet

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Chet last won the day on July 20 2023

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  1. Absolutely not. Reckless abandon is the opposite of what I recommend. Many people that ski have either been discouraged or injured. Skiing is a tough game. It requires a certain level of dedication and hard work. Doing it is fun. Improving and overcoming obstacles can be hard and at times discouraging. Smart ,effective and efficient training can create pathways to amazing improvement. Lou’s hard work is undeniable. His spirit to improve absolute. And the path at times elusive. But the combo paid off in a score that at times looked unattainable. Yet here we are. Now it’s a great story to tell as is any great story when it works out well. When it’s time to move on which it can and may be my only hope is you move that passion and hard work onto the next adventure. In the mean time Lou’s story is a story of hope and commitment , hard work and endurance. Not a bad lesson.
  2. Lou is a warrior. I wanted to both congratulate him for an amazing feat and encourage those who have been struggling and trying hard to find a path. Sometimes the steps forward seem so small but often those baby steps lead to amazing results. And in our sport even the effort to move forward is so worth the journey.
  3. A couple of weeks ago I attended a tournament in Palm Bay Fl. It was a great event and I think everyone had a good time. While there my friend Lou Alcamo had an experience that he shared with us and his kids. I thought I would share it with this group. Lou writing to his kids ”As a father it’s my job to teach you as much as I can. That being said…its been 6 years and 7 months along with 7 major surgeries, 8 broken ribs, a punctured lung, , a broken leg and a coma since I’ve run 38 off in a tournament. I did it today. lesson is never give up no matter what. Set goals, write them down if it helps but never quit trying… never give up.”
  4. Some things are hard to put into words. It was not long ago I watched my buddy Steve make a 39 at 72 years of age. He and Melinda made an amazing couple. He was the Yang to her Yin. I remember the first time I met Steve he had been crushed at the US Nationals having taken what he said was last place. He told me he didn’t want to be last anymore and I think he more than surpassed that expectation. Naval Academy Grad, he landed big aircraft on tiny aircraft carriers. National champion so many times we almost quit counting. Multi time senior world champ, Regional, State etc. etc. One of the best and tough as nails friends a man could have. One of the best students I’ve ever coached. A blend of strength, athletic ability and wicked smarts. In fact one of the smartest guy’s I’ve ever met. Rarely saw him stumped. Can’t believe that big ox used to be a diving champion. Who would’ve thunk. He was one of those guys that when you really needed him he was there. A die hard patriot he loved this democratic republic that he served. He was a man’s man but tender and caring to those who needed it. As a husband he modeled the blueprint. His son Scott was the apple of his eye. He was so proud of that “still” young man. Scott inherited a ton of his papa’s smarts, in fact, according to Steve he was way beyond his linage. I will so miss him. I was texting with Krista Llewellyn this morning and I told her Steve has now joined a group of friends and family that are waiting for me to (someday) join them. This brings home the idea that life is short and I can tell you my man Mongo lived this one well. My condolences and love to all of Steve’s friends and family. You will be missed my friend.
  5. I can’t wait. So cool! Don’t care if it’s tough I just want to learn it’s rhythm. If it’s consistent that’s exciting.
  6. Oh my when you say amazing the name Liz Allen Reid should go to the top of the list. I’ve only asked for a few autographs in my lifetime but hers was one I really wanted. It hangs on my wall today. My prayers go out to the family. She was an amazing lady and she will be greatly missed but always remembered.
  7. I’m sorry he got hurt. As for the score I gave him a full 4 just for the try alone. Man that was an amazing effort.
  8. I would have loved to participate in Nats. this year if I didn’t have a regional mandate.
  9. Once again I think Mr.Caldwell is so on point but that is no surprise as he is one of the baddest cats on the planet. I too was the recipient of Andy’s go harder comment. I was somewhat argumentative with him referring to my ability to end up on the beach if I did what he said but there was a caveat he said go hard but don’t move. When you are perpendicular to a 3000 lb. boat and you can hold it without collapsing or being pulled apart you are going to be going pretty hard. To then see how easy or smooth the best can make it look reminds me of watching a world class gymnast performing an iron cross. The cross is both pure power and incredible technique. But when being watched by the casual observer they make it look easy in fact they are so proficient they might might choose to wink at you in the audience making it look even easier. But don’t underestimate a real iron cross it takes power, skill and training. To Andy’s point they do call it the “still “ rings. If the guy performing the cross was shaking and wiggling all around it would immediately look more difficult. As many have already eluded to in this thread in different ways it is a wicked set of skills that are not easy to master but smart high quality training can take you far. With all that said it is still an extreme event not too be taken lightly or attempted haphazardly.
  10. So smart so talented a ping pong wizard. If I was ever in real jeopardy no one I would trust more to have my back. Awesome video/ radio skills. One seriously good buddy.
  11. Great guy...awesome dad...loved our game. We will miss you. Prayers for all the family.
  12. So my take on the 9970 comes in the form of a recommendation. I say try it. I don’t necessarily think it or any other ski is for everyone but this shape was Dave’s personal ski. When he switched to the carbon core tec. He told me he had spent approximately 25 man hours tweaking the molds with his own hands. If ever there was a ski to try this might be that one. On a personal note I am (as of now) a traditional shape skier. I’ve tried most of the shapes in history and didn’t remember how connected to the water a traditional shape is compared to an overall wider front end ski. There are still things I can’t wait to try or hope to see in the future but I have not enjoyed any ski in a long time as much as I flat enjoy riding this ski. Performance is one goal but I really enjoy skiing ...so when the ski acts like a good riding horse and does what I say instead of having a mind of it’s own I consider that fun. Dave told me he wanted to build skis that you just stand on and ride. He wanted the ski to do a lot of work for you yet also perform. I think this was one of his best attempts at achieving that goal. Hope this helps. Go ski!
  13. I totally agree with Bruce the 54 is a blast. It’s easy to ride and you will learn fast on it. I call it ski boarding. One of my students did a T7 on it so anything is possible. If I could start from scratch I’d probably make it a 50 but I think it has a fun factor that’s hard to beat for any one wanting to play without all the difficulty.
  14. Regina is a force of nature. Her balance and strength combo is uncanny. 1,3,5 is her bread and butter. She is consistently better on that side than the 2,4 and her onside is amazing in and of itself. When I saw her overrun on the gate I wondered how she would even get out of one. My buddy Noah pointed out that no matter how bad things got in the pass she always got her hips back into alignment by the wakes. As Freddy said while announcing at the Nats. that is like a super power. To do it consistently is hard enough but to do it on an overrun gate and having to survive the absence of line support when needed is why the the phrase pro athlete means so much more than how much prize money is on the line. We are witnessing historical greatness.
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