skigirl

I am looking for different ideas on what people bring for your tournament waiting/relaxing space for only one person. For me shade is key, but also portability and ease of set-up. I see most people have a large portable canopy, but that can be a burden for one person. I am thinking of switching to a tent. Luckily I do not have to worry about fire ants where I ski. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone have the schedule and running order? The link on the waterski pro tour site does not work and I have been unsuccessful in my search. Thanks in advance.

@VermontSkier , Joel is listed in the running order! See caproam.com/skiers

@lauskis I am a similar build but a little taller, and I have always skied a 67. I would definitely ski with the 67. I think the benefit of a 67 for slower speeds is important because that is where you likely will spend the time working on your technique. Good luck and have fun!

@klindy , I noticed you ran the men and women brackets together and liked it!

Congrats on your booking your trip. You will love it!! Excellent recommendation from @pregom regarding time in the water after dropping at the end of each pass. That is when you get your coaching. Personally, because I am used to (and like) cold water, a heater top in March in Orlando has worked for me. But if you have a shorty, bring it too. You want to be comfortable. Remember to take these next 2 months to be as fit as possible. Because you drop after each pass, 2 sets a day (6 passes in a set) results in 12 deep water starts each day. That is a different experience for free skiers. Also, I highly recommend a trip to Performance Ski. They have everything and I can always find something I "need". HAVE FUN!

I highly recommend it! I was a free skier that first went to ski school in my 40's. It was awesome. I too wondered about being a newbie. As already mentioned in this thread, everyone was very welcoming and I started meeting so many wonderful people in this water ski community. I too got addicted to skiing the course, but I still love my free skiing. I highly recommend @lpskier suggestions about physical preparation and pacing yourself. I recommend finding a place that has a fun, low key vibe, where you can ski and learn, but also has room for you and your lake buddies to hang out between sets. It is your first ski school, and I think it is best to go with an mindset of low pressure, wanting to learn and try something new, not set expectations on performance, and instead enjoy getting to spend a week doing something you love and hanging out with friends. Nothing is better than a day skiing and hanging out by the lake with skiing friends. You surely will have some good stories to share on the dock. One will likely be, "Wow those buoys come fast" I haven't been to many FL locations, but can recommend the @theboardingschool . I think they would be a great first ski school experience.

Love that April got 1 at 41 at age 41. Impressive!

I think there is a lot of it depends here. There is definitely a balance of a new normal in social distancing and wiping things down/sanitizing practices while we are learning about the disease, individual susceptibility, transmission rates, asymptomatic rates, searching for an effective and safe treatment, working on a vaccine, etc. We still have much to learn. And I think availability to hold tournaments may require flexibility because we likely will have different localized outbreaks. I also think the liability question is tough, or do the releases change so that participants release any organizers, etc, from liability if an outbreak occurs. I am hopeful that individual responsibility will keep people home if they even have the slightest feeling of being unwell. I would stay home if I even had the slightest bit of feeling unwell.

Agree with @harddock. TSA not only opens the tube, they also often go through your ski's bag. On my recent trip things did not come back exactly like I had packed them, but it was close enough. I purposely do not try and pack it too perfectly or include too much gear. I try and make it obvious how things should be put back together.

I have used Ship Sticks several times and would recommend them. Easy to work with and easy to get a person on the phone if you have issues. Once my ski was delayed due to an ice storm and they tracked it down in the warehouse and got it out for delivery on a Saturday so I could ski on Sunday and not lose any water time. Works great when traveling for work with multiple locations and really can't drag the ski around.

Sparkler. You kind of already named it by describing the sparkle. Plus you brought it home around the 4th of July. Beautiful boat!

Definitely abelskischool.com. Austin is a great coach and makes it fun too.

@jkill_88 So exciting to hear about a new skier hooked, female or male! Like the other posters, I too encourage you to take your turns in the course. Even as a new course skier, it can be so much fun. Practice splashing the buoys, or run the mini course (it is a blast), or take passes without gates and start at 1-ball. You already received lots of great advice on skis. I wanted to second the advice on taking some lessons. A lesson could help refine your body position so the ski doesn't feel washy. You got some a lot of suggestions here for some excellent places in Florida. An additional suggestion would be Coble Ski School in Lillington, NC. April (Coble Ski School) also has 2 Women's weeks in Sept and they are a blast! She gets women skiers of all ages and levels attending, from those learning to ski on 2 skis, to those skiing the course.

@savaiusini , How did the mold change from the 2014 CX SuperLite? I have been on that and a 2011 S1. Thanks!

Madison skiers, anyone use the slalom course on Lake Monona off of John Nolen? Who owns it and maintains it? Is there a club to join? Thanks.

I often see posts where people had their skis damaged when flying with them. I want to travel more with my ski, have a sportube, but worry about my ski. I would like to get a feel of how rare/frequent this is, and need to get an idea of how often people did NOT have a problem. Can we restrict this to people who fly with their ski at least once a year? And define damage as significant damage and can't use the ski. The scientist in me wants to collect: how many times you have flown with your ski, over how many years, and the number of times your ski has been damaged. And also collect details on the type of damage and type of case used. But I think that is too much for the poll. :) Thanks for the information!

Thank you @matt_b, @Moskier3ev, @ToddL, @lakeaustinskier , and @Beastmode ! I am finalizing my schedule and will pm you if I plan to call and ask questions. A huge thanks in advance for being so willing to show me around. Gotta love this waterski community.

I will be traveling to Austin next week for work and I want to learn more about skiing options in the area. There is a remote possibility of relocation. I have heard of Austin Aquaplex, and SMRR. Other options? Clubs? And can I drive to SMRR and Aquaplex and look at the lakes? Or are they gated communities. Thanks.

Apparently I like @Bulldog son's boat too!

Can anyone give me the rundown on places to ski near Tyler, Texas? Considering a job opportunity there. Many thanks!

@supersonicus , unfortunately no, didn't directly compare the two. Can only speak for the Free Ride. The Free Ride is my play ski for choppy days, I have an S1 when I ski the course. I am sure the TX is also a great ski, just might want to check recommended speeds as far as how fast she wants to go. I am sure any of the options discussed above will work well. And I second @lcarnes , comment about Coble Ski School Women's Week in September, it is a lot of fun, and women of all levels attend.

Yes, HO Free Ride. Fun ski, makes deep water starts very easy, can cut hard if you want, but also very stable when going straight, it is not always searching for an edge. Pretty effortless too, I tried one and could have skied all day.

I have some business travel to Austin in December. Is anyone still skiing? If not, also curious when you may start up again next year. Our season in Wisconsin seemed to end rather early this year and I am looking for off season options..... Thanks!!

@SusanT.... thanks!