learning to barefoot

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Well done, Seb.

Hey guys, I have checked out for the season. I was hoping to get a few more skis in over the last couple of weeks, but it did not work out that way. Some of you guys may know I have suffered for 2 years with arthritis in my left hip. If you didn't know, well, I have. Frankly it has not affected my barefooting too much other than being pain adverse and a bit tentative in a sport that requires full commitment. Life outside of barefooting has been a pain, however. Walking, standing, sitting, sleeping, the pain is 24/7. I have tried not to complain about it since everybody has their own problems.

Wednesday I go in for surgery to get an artificial hip put in. I could not get a clear answer from the doc if I can still barefoot, but all indicators look good. There are certain motions and positions to avoid and the biggest long term risk is dislocation. Those are fairly rare from what I gather. I will be in the hospital for 2-3 days, at home for 2-3 weeks, and functioning pretty normal by the end of the year.

I peg the date May 6, 2014 when I will get back on the water (6 months to the day). I will have to play that by ear, but I need a goal to work to. I posted a picture below of the device they put in me. I will keep you guys posted. If you are the praying type, say one for me and my family, the surgeon, too! Thanks!

Roy, will do on the prayers. Let us know how it works out, don't be a stranger around here. Get well soon, God Speed!

Good luck Roy

I will be praying because that's a long time for me to deal with our other ski team member without backup

They can't provide backup. And it's winter and so they all bundle up and go snow skiing...mostly wuses.

     Good luck Roy....goin' for a new left knee on Dec.3rd....old parts wearing out!!

BTW, I was just too cold to give it another go. Couple of observations, the drysuit really helped, almost feel like I cheated. I know immediately when I caught my left heel, that I forgot to lean away from the boat. Lastly, it was great to see the lake and horizon between those two beautiful plumes of water out behind me!

THANKS again HOLLYWOOD for all your PATIENCE!!!

And of course to everyone here for all the tips!

The pull outs were silky smooth and we didn't seem to fight each other at all on the plants, or the 88 is just so damn boss. I'm thinking combination of both.

Drysuits really only work if you close the zipper.

Engine is drained on the lift waiting for next weekend.

Patience is free, gasoline is not. For that I thank YOU skutsch. Your turn overs are so slow, I just love them.

Oh yeah, once you get to the point where youre rising off the water like that, youre pretty much there- nice work! Much improved over the previous attempts, looks like its all coming together. Glad to see you still getting out there- once I start burning wood in the stove and wearing my winter jacket, Im done skiing.

You need a hood, that's what I use. They get rid of frozen brain.

Nice work Steve! Gotta admire the determination to get out in the cold...I usually take any excuse I can manufacture to puss out, good for you.

What was HW doing with that hose, filling the suit with water?

kapla wrote: well done steve! so how much time till the last ski? till ice shows up? lol

I will keep skiing as long as Hollywood is willing to keep his boat in the water. I have been thinking about that ice thing too. Barefooting with ice in the water could be very dangerous, however, I see no reason why one couldn't continue footin with the shoe ski's. Also no problem riding the slalom or trick ski's too with the ice. Unfortunately, after next weekend my time availability for weekends get killed; Annual family deer hunt and then Thanksgiving. Kevin usually gets out over Thanksgiving but then we generally have serious cold move in, you HAVE to get the boat out before the ramps get iced in - so thats kind of what we face up here where the snow flies.

dumb and dumber move! lol