learning to barefoot

Thanks guys! I will definitely have to put more attention into the handle position on the start. This was definitely my first real attempt at barefooting. I used to mess around with dropping a slalom ski when I was young, but it never worked.

I've done a lot of odd activities in my life and I'd have to say, getting up on my feet ranks up there with skydiving as far as the sensation you get.

I have been using the padded shorts under the suit. The eagle suit feels great for what it's worth.

AAM196 wrote: Was it the Abba soundtrack that kept you going?

Ha! That was my little bit of fun! Was going to go with Dancing Queen (you know dancing on the water), but figured that was a little bit of a stretch. Didn't quite get the audio mix right either, should have had the Abba, a little louder, was trying to leave some of the engine noise in, but left too much. Oh well next time.

Chris - told you, you should have used the BFI shorts, but really you didn't need them, you did just fine. Boom was a little high for starting, but needed to be because he is so tall (when he stands up). I wanted to put a 2 foot extension on, but he decided, he would rather ride in that very pronounced "V" as opposed to being back even further in the spray. Oh he also refused the nose tape, multiple times - I don't understand why...

Another note, Chris did not do any boom work, choosing to do everything off the short line - it can be done.

Driving comments - Everything you see here is slow, slow, slow. His butt glide was somewhere in the neighborhood of 18-22, just fast enough to get most of the spray out of his face. Once established in the 3 point, I would accelerate him up to somewhere between 28 and 35. That should have worked to minimize "the hurt" when he falls. I lean toward emphasis on form, and technique over speed. Rather keep him safe and interested then see spectacular wipeouts - he'll experience plenty of those later as his confidence builds.

Yeah thats a tough one, depending upon your size you could probably actually ski on your feet at 22 if your form is perfect, chances are though you are going to dig a foot in and over you will go. I believe fast changes are tough for an inexperienced skier to deal with, so I would probably shut him down and coach to either sit longer in the 3 point, or if the butt glide is solid have him wait there and roll him up around to 28 and then start the 3 point to stand process. Alternatively if you are able to stand and ski at 22 then a SLOW roll of the throttle will actually work, again, I would keep the speeds slow, so if there skiing at 22, probably don't have to go much more then 30. I also think the first time they get up, its better to have them end on there terms rather then to wipeout. You notice on Chris' first up, I just shut him down, you can also have them sit back into the 3 point and then let them sink. Really builds confidence that way.

You think you're too cool for nose tape, but I have a newsflash for you Walter Cronkite... you aren't.

Back to the boom height. This looks plenty high to me.


On a Ski/Sport hull during the start the boat lists and the boom is also flexing. By supporting their own weight in skiing position the deflection and listing is minimized, which raises the boom. So, in the beginning, it seems low but will be OK in skiing position. A boat with lifting strakes (BFN) rides up high on plane, so you can start with the boom even lower. Riding with Seipel is work. "Boom up", "boom down" you're crawling all over the boat the whole time...

Exact speed at the exact right time is very important. Here I am giving ReidP some very precise and detailed specific direction last fall when he and Adam stopped by.

instructions to Reid

(just kidding, I know the importance, which is way this clip struck me as amusing)

Here's what I mean...water was junk, he went for it anyway.



It calmed down a little and he was actually able to do some work. We're working on going up and down, butt glide to plant. Some of these plants his feet are WAY too far out, but he has the videos and knows that's what he needs to work on. Once he is getting the position correct and can go up and down 5-6 times on the run I told him we will move to the short line, but if his feet are that far out I feel like all he's gonna do is crash.



And just for fun, here's what happens when I try to tumble too fast...over-rotate, haha. And then I saw what some jet ski had sent my way and I bailed.

Chris great work you sure showed some determination and endurance !!!

Steve I thought you saved those Abba tracks for your tubing :)

I think I need to get you out here next summer for some driving and instruction.

lewy2001 wrote: Chris great work you sure showed some determination and endurance !!! Steve I thought you saved those Abba tracks for your tubing :)

Hahaha. The Abba was supposed to be payback for me posting pics of Steve's boat with a tube behind it.

My daughter picked up a new camera mount for Father's Day.....will give this a try tomorrow.

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Well I did get out last weekend with my daughter behind the wheel and we both struggled- my struggles were related to not thinking / communicating with my daughter and her struggles were not being able to see what was happening with me (to know when to take off / slow down) and my overall poor communication with her. Certainly will add the extension to the boom to help the driver see what the skier is doing.

I know video or pics otherwise it did not happen. Well the gopro mount is shown above and the first try captured everything up until the time I rolled over then the battery died.

There is another weekend coming up and the water should be drained from the sinuses and ready for some additional attempts / conditioning.

Andy,
Think I looked at the drivers side boom option last winter and determined that is was not possible with drivers seat position / dog house. This will be added to the check list this Saturday before launching the boat.

I charged the gopro the morning belfore going out for ~30 minutes and figured I was fine - NOT

Despite the issue's all remained positive with the exception of my wife who was not a fan of the process. I just reminded her it was part of learning and no different than the head packers / body abuse when I was learning to go forwards......Guessing she is going to wait until I can get to my feet before watching anymore of the fun.....

Kap
I have a contoured boom. Will mess around some with it this weekend to see what I can get to work.
Hate being out of town and unable to look at things like this and of course not being on the water

come to Florida for a visit Larry..me & Eddie would love to drive for you. He is one heck of a backerds teacher too.......




john

I'm looking at that camera angle and it seems you are unnecessarily far back on the boat. Get the boom as far forward as possible.

I always like the boom as forward as reasonably possible. It gets you out of the boat spray and closer to te driver's eyes. You can always add length to more closely simulate long line but make some real progress on just the handle first.