learning to barefoot

Kapla, so even as a "newbie" barefooter, I do have some experience in this area, HA!

I have one of the height adjusters hanging down from my clamp, sitting just above the floor (less then 1/2"). Initially, I was having big trouble getting the boom to go all the way to the bottom. I learned if you loosen the clamp where the adjuster fits in, it allows the adjuster to swing away from the pylon which then allows the boom to fit into the clamp. I also have the countour boom and it allows me to get it as high as you see in the video. They are a bit pricey (but what isn't in this sport) but will worth it, especially if you are going to be moving the boom up and down.

Alternatively you could get a tower boom with the electronic height adjuster, they had that up at cowzrus, it was really slick!

Let me know if you want me to take some pictures?

Steve thanks for your insights!! no problem with moving the clamp. I always carry some wrenches in the boat and the 3/4 is there!!! that adjuster is a little pricey for me...have to add some shipping and customs fees to get it here (no used ones available here)...
and the electric one..overkill..

So I guess I will move the clamp and leave 1" cleareance and see how it works...

thanks roy I got the idea...
33" of the video looks like someone was having stomach issues...

as Roy mentioned above the cheapest easiest way to get your boom high is to flip over a contour boom upside down(no additional cost). Next is a 2X6 or 2X8 about 3 feet long with some 3 inch holes cut in one end which the boom goes through, it braces it from the floor, gets it off the gunnel and gets it as high as you like and you can still have your pylon mount in the middle or so of the pylon(not on the floor where its harder to wrench on)
If you use cushions or rubber it isn't as rigid and does not work as good...but that works too.

Kap, How high are you trying to go? Have you tried a couple of cheap throw cushins at the gunnel? If you do lower the clamp to the floor will you be able to open the dog houses easily? Throw cushins are cheap, but a straight main section could be fabricated pretty cheap down there I would think.

Here is some video from Friday. After the clinic with David Small he has me doing more long line shoe ski work backwards (learning to steer) and forwards (one foot wake crossings). Surprisingly sore afterwards too by crunching on the one-foots and more knee bend backwards:

Long line work

LakeBoy wrote: Here is some video from Friday. After the clinic with David Small he has me doing more long line shoe ski work backwards (learning to steer) and forwards (one foot wake crossings). Surprisingly sore afterwards too by crunching on the one-foots and more knee bend backwards: Long line work

Ok, so can you actually "steer" in the butt glide, or do you have a really good driver that puts you outside the wake?

Steve,

They call it "edging-out" or "cheeking-out" (butt cheek). You can try it yourself or the driver can give you a little help and get you out there. Never been my strength, but I can do it. Willie Farrell keep heckling me to forget the edge out and learn to get up in the wake. So I do both. If I can't make it out there, I plant in the wake. I communicate that to the driver before we start as to what my plan is.

Looks like your wake crossings are getting better just since your last video. Thanks for posting these, it gets me all fired up to go out and try more stuff. AWESOME! Hoping for tonight again, if I can find a boat driver. Otherwise it will be me driving for my 12 year old.

Sebastian; In WI, after a 12 year old takes and passes a boaters safety course they can operate a boat, no license required. We are long way from having her drive skiers behind the Nautique, but probably time to start getting her comfortable driving the boat. My wife is deathly afraid of driving, mainly due to her father never letting her drive a boat. So I want to make sure that does not happen with my daughter.

Got out footing last night with the guys. It was one of those three step backwards nights. Have yet to download the video out of the camera, but I am pretty sure it's mostly crashes and me flopping around like a fish... May post it for general amusement, again have to see how bad it is.

Was pushing pretty hard to do some new things (long line deeps, short-line/boom tumble up, one foots) but think I need to really focus on the basics: three point to standing, sitting, standing, sitting, standing, etc. I was happy to figure out the "Cheeking out" thing as well as steering with my feet. So I guess I did get a couple of new things under the belt. Looking forward to the next outing.

Mark; Thats great to hear. We have a whole week at the inlaw's cottage starting on Sunday, so we'll have lots of time to practice driving. Sydney (my 12 year old - who by the way thinks its really cool that they named that little town in Australia after her), hasn't hit that stage yet, so I will remember the fuse/mirror tricks when she does!

Missed seeing you at GL this year. Hope your winter skiing is going well!

Email sent! Sounds like a plan.

Not really sure what your describing. Try to keep your hands wide on the handle. Knees slightly inside your shoulders and your arms as straight and as relaxed as possible so that the pull comes from your shoulder then you should be alright.

Was he speaking an octave higher?

There's a lot of extra spray because the suit has so much more surface area. I never did like the BI cuffs and neck, they look like they drag.