learning to barefoot

Todd, got the measurements. Thank you for your efforts and hospitality.

Ryan....What ate you building Bro? Clue us in......

check out vera´s skis! I bet she´ll be a nice footer!

Andy, what are your water and air temps? Impressive footing as always.

It was about 50F and about the same for water maybe 52 or 53 but we did not ask the fishermen this time. These are the kind of days that look warmer than they are but as long as the sun is out it is bearable. The hood helps alot. It's cold and your feet get numb pretty quick but long glassy runs are really fun no matter what. And there is a cooler of warm water to thaw your feet out in the boat. The fishermen think we are absolutely out of our ever lovin minds.


Thank you for the compliments!

Cmon Roy you know "we were acting like we were not footing" LOL

There was a bag with a hat on it observing.


We skied at Twin too.

I could barely stay on my feet

Im having problems finding foot buddies lately! and that has kept me out of the water for more than I´d like to...

Julio took some vacations. I´m having withdrawals symphtons

I like winter skiing, no boats around to ruin the water!

Larry, this is gonna put you in stitches now: one time willie wnated me to "talk" to the dummy as we went past a floatilla of fishermen to authenticate the dummy. Crazy? no... what was crazy is I actually TALKED to the dummy. Willie can very persuasive

75 Tique wrote: Our local law enforcement on the lake at the time was about 150 years old, so it wasnt to hard to fool him. I seem to recall him having a conversation or two with Rog. TJ and I were amateur ventriloquists, at best.

It is not easy finding footing buddies. Such a small population of skiers anyway coupled with several key things like:
1. Do they know how to drive a boat safely for a footer?
2. Do they understand that it is not cool doing power turns and rolling up the water for the next 1/2 mile?
3. I do not want anyone pulling me and drinking :)
4. Commitment....Nothing worse than packing all your gear and getting ready to head and the phone rings with a "I cannot go today" or even worse a no show at the ramp...even worse than that take me back to the dock I have to head home (when you just got to your ski spot with glass)
I could go on and on.
Happy New Year....This season will be better than the last.

good list.

I like to think we have a pretty good crew here in sacto based on that list. in winter the list gets short, mostly willie, andy and myself. Joe, Jerry and Dave Naddy are always up for the action, though.

I agree, that as I get older, the cold affects me more. I grew up surfing mid-winter in santa cruz. newver bothered me. I spent christmas in new mexico where the temps were mide 30's during the days and mid teens at night. froze my freeking @ss off!

Winter is an excellent time to ski due to no other boat traffic. But I do agree I cannot ski as much in the cold as I can in warm weather. I did buy a new dry suit this fall and only used it 1 time. Looking forward to getting back out there ASAP.

In regards to a 3rd, I think 2 in the boat is just as safe. In our boats we are heads-up and always aware of the skier. We don't ski in crowded water any time of year really for obvious reasons so I am never worried about a dropped skier getting run over. The law on public water in CA is 3 if you are going to ski. Technically, I have heard, the same applies to private water, but not inforced. In general I am not comfortable with only 2 on public water since I do not want to get cited. I have done it, but don't like. The port of sacramento is techically public water (federal jurisdiction) but I have never seen it patrolled since there is limited access to the portion we ski (access is via several private clubs (rowing, fishing, skiing)that maintain a launch and small facilities at the pleasure of the Port of Sacramento). I have seen a Coast Guard cutter up in there that nearly swamped our boat but they are looking for Homeland Security violations, not a ski boat without an observer.

The Port of Sac. is 20 miles of some of the best water you can get on when conditions are prime. Almost no boats to speak of. Very little debris too since the water way is a dead-end terminus and does not flow through with storm water dischage etc. Not worth losing the privilege especially since it cost 150 bucks a year for access and no launch fee once you are in.

Ski buddies have been tough for me since leaving Houston in 1987. In NY I had none but around then skiing for me really became a family thing, vs boys out there pushing the limits. In MA, I met some enthusiastic slalom skiers but didnt have a real regular relationship with them, unfortunately, I would have liked to have progressed more. But never once in 12 years there even saw another footer. Only near the end I went out a few times with guys I met through BFC. I was a very stale footer (20+ years with no advancement)until I met Brad, Tim, and Keith, which got me going again. At first I was showing them things, but the next thing I knew, they were showing me things. But I didnt live real close to them, so it was just a 2-3 times a year thing.

It kills me being on the lake down here and not having any footing buddies. I've seen one footer. I putted up along side and he said he used to be active but only gets out 1 or 2 times a year now, so I dont see anything developing there. Another day I putted up along side two rafted boats, a nice looking black themed BFN and a NWZ Nautique. They said they were footers, tho not so much any more. I never saw the BFN again and the NWZ was out on a regular basis pulling a tube. Its always been frustrating for me. I recently found out one of my son's older fireman buddies is apparently a fairly accompished but retired footer, about my age, maybe a little younger. I am hoping I can pull him out of retirement next summer, at least to coach, if not get back into it.

That's great Kap! Now how about some pictures of the spectators.