learning to barefoot

Steve & Andy, yeah the cowzrus videos are awesome - want to try that snowmobile thing...

Larry, not only quick but all about safety and pain free too. Bonus for both of us

Kapla, I am all in, have the boom and the suit (for both of me and my daughter) I have been watching and picking stuff up on craigslist since my daughter asked over the winter. Now my seven year old wants to try so between me and my 12 year old, I think we can get her going too.

So more videos to follow and I hope you can all provide feedback. Looking forward to laying some sets down with some of you guys hopefully at Green Lake!

Ha even us bigger ones, that's how we started. Although, I think the short line is easier then the EZ Footer, my arms were shot after the first session in the swing... Anyway thats the plan for the 7 year old. Its amazing how slow you can go, my 12 year old was footing at about 24 mph, I'll be lucky if I get the boat off plane for the 7 yr old

Quinner; I don't think so, its up in Alma Center, WI. Literally in their cornfield. The story goes they were down at National's in KS, Blake (Heller) and his wife walked off the lake length, came home and dug up one of their cornfields. When you arrive, you drive through a hayfield cross over RR tracks and there is the lake (200 ft by 2500 feet or so) and all around it is corn You can see it on google maps, find Hixton, WI follow State Route 95 to the NE and its about 3 miles out of town south of the road - looks like a runway (Coordinates 44.414961,-90.952377). The water level is about 4 to 6 feet below ground level (about 6 feet deep - guess) then the whole lake is surrounded by banks about 4 to 6 feet above normal ground level. This keeps it pretty well protected from the wind which means almost always perfect water. Great facility!

The lake is called "The Blue Moo"

Burlingame is real close to Sacramento where we are (2 hr drive). If you come out here we can hook up. Always welcome. Lots of barefoot options here: public water, private water, you name it.

Just got through playing a round of golf with Andre DeVillers, Nolan Lough, and Chuck Gleason of Barefoot Central. Hooking up to the boat now to head out to the river to do some footin'!!!!

COOL

My kids (8&10) just learned yesterday and agin thismorning with the swing on a boom and a good barefoot suit. They totally enjoyed it. My order for these items is going tommorrow.

My daughter finally wanted to learn to barefoot (at age 15)! She thought it was an absolute blast doing it this way! I'm glad she likes it! We will see when we have to go without the handle!!!

Right on, glad you got some footage up. I started feeling like I was the only guy out footing with a video camera! Ok, so nice job barefooting. Looks like you are having fun, so that is the most important part. Your skiing looks real safe and controlled also, so nice job on that.

I also like the way you plant your feet with your knees touching and feet spread out. Very solid. Once you plant, though, your shoulders are staying back, forcing you to drive your feet forward, and pull with your arms to get up. Once your feet plant, push the handle forward, shoulders go forward, and push down with your feet, not forwards. This will keep your heels from skipping across the water like they are doing.

When skiing, start moving away from the knock-knee'd stance, and get your legs/feet more parallel. Knock kneed is solid, defensive, and keeps the spray away, but it will become a hinderance later.

Also, Neighbor Ron takes a classic head-packer at the end. Classic. WTF is wearing on his feet? His socks?

Well done! Post some more!

BTW, check the beginning of this video, and look at my body postion at the foot plant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8VjA0dxOt0

Thanks Roy, the whole push the handle forward seems so counter intuitive, but that clip of you in the beginning really demonstrates how it should look. Its just like when you lean forward to get up off a chair - amazing how pointing that out, then seeing the video makes it all so obvious. Will also work on getting the legs more parallel, I think the second video might have been a bit better.

Yeah, Neighbor Ron (and his Uncle) wear socks. Says it stops the burn, the old guy in the video calls them foot condems, he says their cheating I agree. I think its more about proper position, the first run my right foot was killing me - thats why I dropped, they said it was cause it was complete glass - I felt the water hitting deep in my arch, not up by the balls of my feet. Last two videos no problem, water was hitting more forward on the foot.

Ryan, oh man my aching abs - its so hard to hold my legs up on the rope... but will give it a try. So much stuff going on out there and thats one of the first things I noticed too, KEEP THOSE ARMS STRAIGHT - I am always yelling that back to the kids! Ha! Any tips for getting that even tension? They seem even in the water and when adjusting, I thought they were pretty close. What do I look for when its properly adjusted?

Ok, thanks for the tips. Looking forward to the next session. If I have a camera, I'll post the results. Have to get my daughter back out too soon, so I'll post pics of her as well. Thanks again!

SN206 wrote: Set the boom up in the drive way and have someone reslly pull on it. Both cables should be tought and rigid while skier is on.

Good observation Ryan. I first noticed the boom springing a lot, but could not attribute it to anything. I think it is the uneven cables.

Steve, the burning of your feet is likely bad glide. Socks would create too much resistance for me. Plus I LOVE the feel of the water under my feet. THAT is why I barefoot. Sure you have to toughen your feet up, but you were on great water. I have been getting some of that burn backwards, mostly when I am plowing. Bend your knees a bit, moreover, drive your knees forward so they are over your ankles. That will flatten your foot.

Sebastian, September is one of the best months here in California to barefoot. Weather is warm, wind is low. No rain to speak of. Ideal. As soon as you know your plans I will set up some ski dates with different people and ski sites to give you the flavor of the area.

I have been a ski maniac lately. Last Weds. I skied all day in a clinic with David Small, then skied Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the ski club. I skied with some other guys at their club on Monday. Off to the club tomorrow for an afternoon/evening set. Life's good!

my new custom suit is on the way!!!!!!!!!!!    I went for the one with the black butt

Nice Suit Andy.

here is a video I made when skiing with David Small. I posted it elsewhere on the board, but it is good enough to merit this.


Barefooting with David Small