learning to barefoot

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I have an old pair of converse all stars. Maybe I will give those a crack and see how it goes. Maybe Ill ditch them if things git too wobbly. I am going to michigan for a week aug 6-13 that is probably when I will get a chance to try . I am sure my wife will be taking video and pics to commemorate my embarrassment. Both my ski ropes are adjustable so I could probably take a 25 section off one and add it to another. Do you think a 100 ft of regular ski rope will stretch too much? I have seen just the 50 ft barefoot mainline for 50 dollars. Do you think that is a worthy investment. I could use one of the handles i have already. Also I dont have a suit so, maybe I should invest in a cup or at least a pair of shorts. I just dont want to invest a ton of money on gear right away. What are anyones thoughts on must haves for gear to at least learn.

The wrong gear can not only hinder your performance, but also lead to injury. Find someone to ski with or borrow the right stuff.

As a reference point. I inadvertently forgot my barefoot line this weekend, but when you got the fever, you got the fever... Anyway yesterday on the Mississippi, I had a first time barefooting driver pulling and was using our slalom rope. My driver was a little light on the throttle and I got sucked in deep on the deepwater start popped up, bounced, couldn't hold the handle and WHACK, handle hit my foot. Ouch that smarts, and I have the bruise to prove it. I skied it away on the next attempt, its probably another very small fracture (chip) but I played that game once this year and not going back there.

The lesson here is, that I am sure the line stretched and when it recoiled I couldn't hold it. When I let it go, it really accelerated and hit my foot with some serious velocity. Tender today, good thing its the top of the foot, it'll heal but I will think twice about deepin up without a barefoot rope.

Same issue on the Mississippi, I drove the course I was going to be skiing at idle three times, and then two more times at speed to make sure it was clear of debris. I always drive the lake at least once before I jump in too.

Man listen to me, I must be old. I am more careful then a little girl...

Seriously though, safety should be a priority, if your broke you can't ski, if your not safe, your probably going to get broke... Roy said it earlier, you should do everything you can to make it a safe experience you'll have more fun.

The Chucks will certainly keep your feet safe, but also may leave you with less control. When your up in MI, I assume you'll be on a lake, so may want to go with the feet. You also got some time, watch ebay and craigslist, you may be surprised what you can pick up a boom for, barefoot lines and handles come up often enough too. You can actually get into this sport pretty cheap buying used.

Here are a couple (I assume your looking for Mens large):

Eagle Aassault near milwaukee $110
Barefoot rope and handle $30 Milwaukee
Lots a stuff near Chicago
Suit, line and handle $125 near madison
Boom $200 detroit

Anyway just a quick sweep. Not sure if any of these are still available but all the links are live... Good Luck!

I will keep looking for gear. I emailed a couple of those people on craigslist. Maybe hey are willing to ship it. It was a poly E rope so I guess I wouldnt be any better off with that than I have. It was made by barefoot intl but maybe you are right its too cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-International-Low-Stretch-Removable-Sections/dp/B0000BYB0T/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1310076395&sr=8-11

Steve,
Thanks for the links. I contacted the one guy near madison and got a L suite, line and handle for 125. He agreed to ship it to me. Seemed like a fair deal to me and I am set to give it a crack for under 150. I am gonna try no shoes off a kneeboard and we will see how it goes. Now Ive got a month to lose 10 lbs.

Yes, Seb, you are plowing, and making up for it by pulling on the arms. You need to make some very slight adjustments. Namely, the shoulders need to come forward, only by inches, and you need to get you knees over your feet more, only by a couple of inches. Here's the plan and try this on dry land many, many times:

*get in your normal barefoot position
*move your shoulders a couple inches forward
*stick your butt out behind you a few inches...yeah, stick it out.

This should have your knees over your feet.

*now, lift the one-foot using your core (stomach muscles) like doing a crunch or a sit up.
*don't lift the foot from the heel, that will tip you back into your plow
*when you lift the foot, crunch from the core, even bringing the shoulders forward and inch with the crunch.

Practice this. It will help Seb, try it. I had the same issue many one-foots ago...

Jllogan wrote: Steve, Thanks for the links. I contacted the one guy near madison and got a L suite, line and handle for 125. He agreed to ship it to me. Seemed like a fair deal to me and I am set to give it a crack for under 150. I am gonna try no shoes off a kneeboard and we will see how it goes. Now Ive got a month to lose 10 lbs.

Good call, you are set! you will not regret it! Tips on riding the foot off the kneeboard:

* lean way back riding the board bronco style to get it to plane out this should occur at 10 MPH, maybe 15 MPH.
*edge outside the wake; the driver can take it up a bit to get you more stable; if you start boucning, have him take it down a notch
* now, take the time, as much time as it takes, to scooch your butt forward on the knee board. this is very important, you won't be able to plant your feet properly if you are too far back. your feet will be too wide and your shoulder will be too far back due to your position on the board.
*once up on the board, TELL your driver to give you speed, slowly but firmly.
*Have your driver give you the high sign when you are up to barefoot speed (your weight divided by 10 + 20; 160 lbs = 16 + 20 = 36 MPH Min.) Do not gues at the speed, most novices spab their feet in at the first hint of speed; this is a patient sport.
*with long arms, shoulders slightly forward, ever so gently set your feet on the water with your ankles firm and flexed. not floppy feet, gotta commit.
*firmly continue to press downward apply more weight to the water.
*if you have made it this far, continue until the board drops away.
* your final position should be long, straight arms, and body as is seated properly in a chair.

You should try all of this on dry land, with a handle, and the kneeboard, and your driver present. If your driver has never done this, it can work, if you work things out ahead of time, let him know your speed, your plan, what to do if the board bounces, etc...

I know this is a lot to take in but remember this. Barefooting is a progression: do not go on to the next part of the progression without completing the one before it. Stay focused on what you are doing. Don't stab your feet in if you are not ready, or the board is bouncing, for example.

Most of all: have fun and show us the video!

saw your video!!! also nice front to back , and bacl to fronts...lol..nice face plants lol

Sorry guys, just reviewed the video. The wife had the on/off backwards. So I got lots of good video of the seats, her toes, me bobbing in the water and sounds of the boat launching but thats it. Can't drive, can't work the video camera, at least she lets me have the boat... From now on the 8 year old gets the camera... I do have some nice bruises from the handle strike



Lesson learned - one foot on the line, use non stretch rope...

Roy I second Seb, at least your still putting up some good videos. This is turning out to be rough year for me...

Ouch. that looks nasty. A guy from my club got dragged under, did not surface, kept hanging on and the handle (on a stretch rope) blasted his foot. It got as big a a football! ...and jacked his back, but not from the handle, but from getting torqued under water. Lesson learned: if it goes to cr@p, let go of the handle FAST!

I eat, sleep, ride, talk, live, and love barefooting

You guys are discussing some misfortunes brought up as early as the first page of this thread. Hollywood called that getting sucked under the water 'tacoing' I am thinking of launching a line of barefooting t-shirts based on what weve learned from this thread. Any takers?