Check out JBear!!!!!

I would take the shoes off until you know where to put your feet in the water. Can't feel anything with the shoes on.

Tim

75 Tique, there is nothing wrong with the pictures you sent. The spray from your body is normal. The problems are that you are using tennis shoes for footing. Not a good idea as they are ten times more slippery and not enough of an edge in surface compared to shoe skies. You need to focus on pulling your toes back to your shins and planting the ball of your ankle instead of your toes.

Secondly I would extend and relax your arms. Some people teach to have your arms into your lower back, mostly show skiers who learned by stepping off. The general consensus is a relaxed less tense position is one with arms fully extended, but back arched so that top of your forearms are still on your butt. You can certainly become a great footer with your arms in your lower back, but it can one thing that is messing you up.

Also on the shortline you will get spray from the boat banging your shin closest to the boat, once you get past the fulcrum point the spray will dissapate as you gain speed.

I would suggest low to mid 30's max speed until you become more comfortable. I learned to backfoot longline before I through a pair of barefoot trainer shoe skis on, but once I did it made a huge difference in my skiing.   
Let me know if you have any more questions.

Regards,

Ryan

John,

My son (15) was driving and my daughter's boyfriend (19) was the observer. Neither one of them had ever seen this done (live) before, let alone drive for it, but my son did great. I just told him what to do when and he did it perfectly. I got planing, planted and chest off the water on my first try because he did so well.

I was wondering about the spray. After looking back at you pictures I figured maybe stance width was the problem, but also considered speed (28-30) or the shoes might be the problem.

I'll try the narrower stance tomorrow. Also, what speed are you going?

Here are a couple other pics of the progression. I especially like number 2, looks like something has gone terribly wrong.

Larry: That is so cool! Looks like you used the "height of the boom" tip for sure. Now that you have the feel for it...you can lower the boom and ditch the shoes, just like I did with the trainers. Eddie only let me stay on them a few times after I got it. After a time or two you won't need 'em anyhow.

Again...way cool! Who's driving?

john

Was just looking for your phone number so I could call. Lost it. But if you wanna cut the spray, crazy as it sounds, feet gotta be closer together. My coach (Eddie) is forever hollering at me.

              Any guesses on which he chose?!?!?

You know something quinner...you might have something there. Deepwaters were learnt in cut-off blue jeans tho...not speedos.

john

Now there is a word eric can appreciate 'LEARNT"

I don't know about the step-offs tim...2 of my friends from West Shore taught themselves that way and it did not look easy. The way Eddie teaches it is way easier than I thought. I am actually getting pretty regular ...make way more than I miss.

We would be glad to see ya next winter. I know a group from Chippewa comes down to Lake Roy every March.

john

good reading

Eddie,

Figured you knew Kerry. Lot's of skiers from the Aquanut's trained with Kerry, that is how we ended up there. He was definitely a ski Bum, and I do remember seeing his feet to feet jumping, very cool stuff! At the end of the day he would always give me a few sets, always worked on jumping. Part of his teaching philosophy was "trick" is the foundation of all skiing events, seemed to be his favorite event to teach as well.

Sadly I heard he lost or sold the farm a few years ago, have no idea, but no doubt he is a very interesting guy and a great instructor, really enjoyed our time up there and Alex's skiing really improved as a result.

Chris,

Remember some of the clips from Johnny's video of HW doing deepwater starts on the boom with just shorts on. I guess it can be done.

There are some great clips on Johnny's video. The younger guys are great. When they wipe out they hold on just to beat themselves a little bit sillier in an attempt to get upright again. Love it.

8122pbrainard wrote: with only a Speedo ... No BF suit!!

That would make those back deep starts something to remember

Buffalo and Kristof,
I'd be happy to work with you guys anytime. Just come on down.
I certainly planned on skiing with Kristof and Chantal when they come here next year anyway.

Thanks guys!

Believe me...most of the credit goes to my friend, ski partner, coach, driver; backfoot100. A very patient person. Don't exactly know how he stuck with me thru this. Went a long time without making any progress...then all of a sudden I got it. What a thrill.

Thanks go to Eddie's wife JoAnn for the great pictures.

john

You've set the bar pretty high for us oldsters John. Bacerds is definitely on my to-do list this summer. Tim gave me some tips last season, but I didnt get too far. This season (and with my own boom now, which will help) I'm determined to make it.

Good for you, you are an inspiration.

Yeah buddy! Once I saw the post by Eddie I knew what was inside, congratulations!