learning to barefoot

Thanks guys. I bought the straight boom at Overtons. I found a 15 percent off coupon online so I saved some money. I should see the boom Friday. Looking forward to trying it out. My son is 9 so were going to start out skiing and go from there. I might have to do the extension but will have to see. Tony.

Here is the run from Saturday (the homeowners association had a meeting and I had the lake to myself for the first 15 minutes, they need to have a meeting every weekend I am up there). Anyway better start, feeling more comfortable on the feet here, and a REALLY sloppy tumble turn... I finally give it up as I get over on the windy side of the lake.



I did get out one other night in June and worked on some one foots, but we didn't have any cameras along, so no video or pictures.

Bones71 wrote: Thanks guys. I bought the straight boom at Overtons. I found a 15 percent off coupon online so I saved some money. I should see the boom Friday. Looking forward to trying it out. My son is 9 so were going to start out skiing and go from there. I might have to do the extension but will have to see. Tony.

I'd be surprised if you don't end up using an extension. The spray from your hull is tough. My boom is a BI straight gunnel mount boom (that I use at the pylon of course). The gunnel type means that it's longer than a standard boom. Still, I use a an extension and a kids' attachment at the end which serves as another extension.

With regards to the kids' attachment. Prior to using that smaller diameter kid's extension, my forearms would burn like crazy after just a couple of runs. The smaller diameter makes it easier to hang on longer and certainly makes it better for the smaller hands of your kid(s).

You'll enjoy the boom. I questioned how much I'd use mine in the beginning, but literally, it gets used every time we use the boat. For teaching beginners, you can frequently get them up on skis the very first time and then quickly move them to the 5ft handle and then long line. Way better than the way I learned.

Sounds about right. You never can get away cheap anymore. You always need something else to make it better. Why not put it all together in one box?

Installed the extension this weekend, much better on the spray! No adults hanging on the boom however, the extra leverage that the extension provides is a little too much for that narrow hull. Fine for the handle, or kids on the boom.

Worked on deep water starts from the handle, pretty steep learning curve:

hook your feet, take a deep breath. (HIT IT) arch your back, look straight back, plane out, now curl up and look forward before you start skipping like a stone, hinge your knees down next to your butt, don't forget to keep your knees together or you will eat a crapload of water, do the three point glide, wait, wait, wait some more, slowly stand up pushing your feet down but keeping your ankles under your knees, while at the same time pulling your shoulders back and pushing the handle down. Easy peasy, now you're bare footing!

I found that in the midst of purposely flushing out my sinuses with lake water, I could remember one, two, or maybe three of these things per attempt.


More to learn!

the BB code for the tube is missing...or is this just a problem with my new confuser?

I think it would be easier, and safer, to file down the corners of the boom.

Other than a loose inside cable I'd say yes! Good for you guys.

pictures?

for heavens sake don't forget the camera Gary.


john

Like the hop!

custom look yeah!

I will try to go wetsuit this sunday, we are expecting 79º, though water is still cold!

Long Line! This was off a wakeskate. Deep water starts are still proving troublesome.

Ditto that on what s Steve asked, "where are you having problems on the deep water start?" Yeah, start on the boom if you have one. If you don't, ya just gotta stick with it. I learned to barefoot off an old kneeboard, but it became a crutch since I would have to go back and get it if I wanted to ski again. Your form looks really good and there is no reason for someone skiing that well to have to rely on a wakeskate or a board. Here is the deep start progression that I do not deviate from. It has been a long time since I have stuffed a start.

1. Feet around the rope, handle tight at my belt line. Call to driver to put in gear, then yell "go tow boat."
2. As boat accelerates (slowly) I arch the back with head thrown back.
3. As soon as I feel I am planing, I sit up, body 10 degrees back of a right angle. (I like to cheek outside the wake, but did not do that as much in the beginning since I sucked at it and it took too long)
4. Past the 3rd stern roller I edge out hard to outside the wake
5. Wait for speed, take my feet off the rope, plant and ski.

You can easily plant it the wake. It is a bit rougher, eat more spray, but it is pretty efficient and makes you a better footer. The earlier issues I had aside from cheeking out was bouncing. Not sure why it happens. I think it is a function of where on your ass you are riding. After a while the bouncing should stop. Also I stuffed a lot of starts planting to early. You can plant too early, but you can't plant too late. I add a couple seconds to any thought I have of when to plant just to be sure.

Post some video so we can see what is happening.

I've got a boom, and have done a few successful deep starts on the handle. I think that it is mostly a timing issue, I've definitely planted too early many times, but even when I wait, I think I plant too abruptly. I took a really nice head over heels this weekend when I planted fast, I actually felt my right foot get pulled down and back. (then both horizon's went by really fast a couple of times each).

I don't have any problems getting to the sitting position,I think it is a patience issue and maybe a technique issue, going from sitting to standing. I try to pull my knees up and make the triangle, but then I get in a hurry to stand and try to do it all at once.

I'll get some video next to the boat on the handle.

Gary - I'd try a couple passes, just riding the 3 pt, knees together and heels to your butt, keep that ankle flexed. No faster then 30mph - REMEMBER KNEES TOGETHER (or you will experience water-boarding. Then add the speed and push up from the 3 pt. If your plant is a standing up motion rather than a stab with your feet, you will find you can foot at crazy slow speeds.