swardco

A bit like the ill-fated nighttime barefoot story. In my defense this happened over 30 years ago and I was probably at the ripe old age of 19 or 20 (so not too bright). Skiing with a buddy and one other girl in the evening. We finish skiing and decide to watch the sun go down from the boat in the middle of the lake, and have a cold one (maybe more, that memory isn't clear). It is a small, private lake and we are the only boat so we sit for some time drinking and talking. As we are slowly motoring back in, it seems like a perfect night to ski. In hindsight it would have been an even better idea if there had been any moonlight. I realize after getting up, that I can't really see the boat, it is that dark, and the spotter in the boat can't really see me either. I start by just riding behind the boat because I can't really see much. But after a bit I decide to be less timid, I pull out to the right side, and feel the boat turning left. Since it is so dark and I can't see anything, I was mostly looking at the tip of my ski. The next thing I see is the the shore 6" off the tip of my ski... So I hit the shore at something like 30-35 mph. Miraculously the shore where I hit was a muddy, even surface. I have no idea how far I flew and tumbled, but I remember slowly picking myself up and seeing if all by body parts worked. Somehow I came out unscathed, except being a bit stunned and maybe a bit in shock. The boat driver said he couldn't see anything either until he saw the shore and cranked the boat hard left, then his spotter says "I think he might be down" and my buddy thinks "I think he might be dead". His only other thought was "Thankfully the boat is fine so Steve's Dad won't kill me" Moral of the story is 19-20 year old males do NOT have good critical thinking skills.

... why does a ski boat need a roll bar???

Minority opinion here, so take it with a grain of salt. I tell beginners, once they are clear of the water, to lean back and get weight on the back foot... It probably isn't really all that different from what is being said here. By "leaning back" they are really just standing tall and probably getting the eyes up, but I think it's easier for the beginner brain to grasp. Once they get "back", they get stable and out of crisis mode...

Live east of Boulder, ski near Longmont. Not sure my setup would meet most Baller expectations, but happy to give a pull. No speed control, older boat ('91 Prostar), little bit of a short setup....

85 and sunny here in Colorado. Took a couple sets at lunch....

I vote glass. But I ski poorly in all conditions....

Put me down for another Grand Cherokee.... 2008 3.0 L CRD Good combination of towing capability and everyday fuel economy and offroad performance.

Jump in the water and yell "clear" Followed by "idle out" Followed by "Ready when you are" Driver yells "Here we go"

@Wish so your crash was roughly 4 weeks ago, correct? So how long till you were back on a ski? How long till you felt "normal"? Just curious.

Not a terribly encouraging thread. First day out last Sunday 5/22. I took a bad digger into the wake on my gate. Right side of the ribs took the impact. I can breathe deeply, so will keep doing that. I can sneeze without going to my knees so I guess that is good. I can even sleep on the right side if I do it all just right. Overall hard to believe with this level of pain, that I broke anything. The length of time for recovery is pretty discouraging. Biggest bummer is that this was the first day out for the year and I am needing to get some time on the ski. Going to a clinic with @CParrish43 here in Colorado in 2.5 weeks... Dang!

@lcgordon , I won't presume to give any advice, but did you know that Chris Parrish will be in Colorado doing a seminar on June 11th? http://www.cp3ski.com/?product=2016-colorado-clinic

This meets a couple of my 2016 objectives. Get some coaching to see if it is possible to improve my extremely mediocre skiing and to meet some Ballers in person. Can't wait!

Signed up myself and my son! :)

When you winterize the boat....

Got out on Saturday here in Colorado. Pulled the boat home, washed the carpet, put stabilizer in, and filled with fuel. Haven't actually winterized yet, but I think Saturday was it for the year. :-(