learning to barefoot

Long day footin' with Brendan Paige. And yes, Pictures and video to follow.

Ok, I know I haven't gotten any footing in this year, but Tuesday we took the day to head up to The Blue Moo to ski with Elaine Heller. So faced with a four and a half hour drive, we looked for alternate transportation and ended up getting there this way:



So this was really fun, as the kids hadn't been in the airplane since they were young. After some introductions to the controls, Sydney did most of the flying.

Anyway, we met up with some friends (TRSulliv) and interestingly enough my two younger girls Allie (12) and Erin (9) really were on the fence about giving it a try, but as soon as everyone started putting on wet-suits, they both wanted to "gear up" as well.

So Allie was third on the rotation, and of course we started in the swing, her first run down the lake she absolutely nailed the three point - a total natural, so we (Elaine) quickly transitioned her to the short rope. Below is her first run, Awesome Butt Glide and Classic 3 Point:


Next up was Erin. She too was very apprehensive, but when she saw the new suit I had picked up for her on Show Skiers dot com last year (Thanks for the heads up Mike Valant) she was really excited. Here is her run on swing, definitely got the feel for skiing on your feet. We'll continue to work on the butt glide and three point in the swing. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. Again this is a good video to illustrate how to use the swing, especially with a really small child (she is not even 50 lbs yet)


Last video is of my oldest Sydney, I have shared a couple of her video's of her starting out. She really wanted to work on long line deeps. She didn't quite achieve that goal on Tuesday but got very close. This video shows the cheeking out technique, what i really like is how stable she is (right up to the end) in the butt glide. I have to go spend some time with Hollywood to perfect the "help method" to get her over the hump and in the curl:


Overall a great day. I opted to sit out as we had four kids and one adult just starting and then my oldest working on LLD's, they all did great. I did sneak in one set at the end of the day, ouch was I rusty, but I did do a couple of tumbles and a one foot. Sorry no video, out of battery. Below is the crew, with Elaine:


Oh and I couldn't resist this picture

what a fun barefoot outing,
nice boat too

skutsch wrote: Bill - the Blue Moo is the Heller's private ski lake (check out Cowzrus.net) also the sight of the WI state tournament as well as a previous nationals event. Andy - That is towboat #2 to be used for the WI state tournament this upcoming weekend. The trailer was registered in CA, but no numbers on the boat, so it maybe brand new demonstrator from Sanger - I neglected to ask... In addition to showing what a fun day we had, I hoped to show some good examples of technique (glide, 3 point, point and flex, etc) and good use of equipment (boom, swing, etc).

I am familiar with the Blue MOO lake. My family has a cattle feedlot and I am somewhat envious of the Blue Moo dairy. I always thought we should have done the same thing. Such is life!!

Andy - GREAT feedback, I was struggling a bit with how we would proceed, but now I have a plan. Thanks a MILLION. Will post more videos of everyone's progress (mine too). Thanks again!

Bill - that is also my dream now. I am in a constant search for the right property, found one that would have been perfect, but the DNR said NO! Of course, I never got around to exploring the price aspect of the lot I found... HA! Oh well back to the search for still water...

found some cool new vids on the tube



Comp skiing


And the possible 2013 US Barefoot Nationals ski site Diablo Shores

I started with a knee board thats before the wake boards came out. It just show how old I'm getting.

Last month I was contacted via youtube by a guy from Guatemala who is moving to buenos aires, he is barefooter and his only concern about moving was not being able to foot here. He saw my videos and emailed me.
since then I ve been in contact with him.
He currently owns a 1988 malibu 19 flightcraft barefooter, he wanted to bring it here. Told him to do so but warned him to ask import regulation. Unfortunately he won´t be able to bring it. As local custom prohibit import us used pleasure boats.
So he will probably selling it and buy something here.
Fortunately the only barefoot boat in argetina is for sale, so I hook him with the seller. Its a 1990 Mastercraft barefooter 200 with a suzuki 200. Looks like he is interested.
I´m excited as looks like I will have a new barefoot buddy, will be able to share the experience...

Thats too bad they won't let him bring the Flightcraft but great that you will get a footin friend AND another boat to foot with maybe.

So I was footin and doing some deepwater starts and for some reason decided to try something different. I let go with one hand on the pull out and found out it really helps the cheeking out. If you are cheeking to the right let go (mostly) with the left keeping your hand on the handle but all the pull in your right hand.

I had learned a little trick from KSO that on front wakes you let 3 fingers come off the handle and that puts the pull all in the other hand-he was explaining to not pull in on the handle.

Airgrabber wrote: I started with a knee board thats before the wake boards came out. It just show how old I'm getting.

I learned before kneeboards came out. It just shows....

Kap, it's great your going to have a footin buddy. You have made amazing progress on your own. Having someone to go with will make it even easier to learn new stuff. Even if he is no better than you and can't coach you, just having him along to critique and encourage (and compete with) is always motivating.

Steve, I want to take a private plane to my next footing outing. That would have been the highlight of my day.

Some footage from my future footing buddy...




nice waters over there

Got a little go pro footage. Quality a little sketchy. Not smart enough to get the file from buddys computer to my phone without Internet connection so I just filmed it from his screen.

Okay guys, here's another video that you all can critique. John (FootFungus) bought a camera so we've got a fair number of uploads available for your amusement.

This was my first feet to feet tumbleturn. Looks to be like I'm letting the handle too far out still.

Steve first feet to feet tumbleturn

Seb - that guy has great form, glad you got a new ski buddy!

Nice video. I love the go pro stuff. Brings a new perspective for all.