learning to barefoot

I skied in your ski show dude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj1O-jWvGIw

Love the Ski Show videos, wish I had a place with water like that on a regular basis.

Got out last night, first opportunity in 4 weeks or so. Evening started out really choppy, so ripped a slalom set. Then on my next turn still rough water, so tried the wakeboard again, which always seems to, as it did last night, end with a terrible face plant. Just can't seem to get the hang of controlling that thing.

Then the winds started dying down and the jet ski's finally went away. First set on the feet, went pretty good, focused on transition from 3 point to standing. Waiting for my buddy to deliver the video so I can see how it looks, I will be sure to share. Caught a tow, but was able to hang on and tumble back around. Unfortunately due to the 2 prior ski runs, just no gas in the tank to finish and stand back up.

So after my buddy went out on the boom for a lap on the lake (ending in a classic scorpion - ouch!) it was my turn again. Again, focused on the 3 point to standing transition, no video on this one, but rode through some small rollers and then went back into the three point (my intention was to practice the transition), rode through some more small rollers in the three point and then right into a turn. Again just no energy to stand back up as the inertia from the turn had me 3 pointing at some really crazy angles to the boat.

All and all a great night but I think I am going to have to give up this ski thing to have energy to foot... Hopefully videos to post soon.

Uggghhhh, I meant "toe" not "tow"...

Ryan, thats a really good point - tearing a rotator cub would be B-A-D bad! When I went down, it really didn't feel that hard and was pretty easy to hold on, again when I get the video, I am anxious to see how bad it really was.

Can't wait to see your footage with Lane, I have been reading his stuff/watching his online video's pretty religiously. Any opinions on purchasing either one of his video's?

I highly recommned Lane's 2-hour Instructional Video. It demostrates well all the techniques you come across. I have moved trick by trick through the video over the years, picking up lots ot tips.

His 2-hour video was made before Lane introduced his current philosophy of the "power band" technique, of which I have not tried, and generally do not subscribe to as I do not see a single barefoot world champion doing it. (antecdotal, I know). Maybe Ryan can change my mind!


Ripped a killer set the other night when it was 105 degrees here and no wind:

Hot Footset

Using the hyperlink is easiest. the icon that looks like a globe with a paperclip just to the left of the smiley icon is what you use. Here is the syntax:

LeftBracketURL=link_address_no_quotesRightBracketLink NameLeftBracket/URLRightBracket

Some fella posted good instructions here a while back. I will try to find them.

GlassSeeker wrote: I skied in your ski show dude http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj1O-jWvGIw

your link


link

killer suit BTW

Ok Video from Tuesday night (me) and earlier this month (my 12 year old daughter). I apologize up front for the crazy shots, I was playing with my editor.

Mid Summer Barefooting

My self critique: Better in the three point, still not sitting up enough, really focused on rolling my shoulders forward to stand up, but not seeing it yet. Felt like I stood up as opposed to pulling myself up with my arms. Not a lot of time actually footing...

Let me know what you think, feedback on both me and my daughter aprpeciated. She sure seems seems to be much better at the fundamentals then me...

Nice post Steve. Good to see some video on the site. OK, here we go:

Steve:

1. Ditch the gloves, use them for gardening. Seriously, you do not need them, never will for barefooting. See the pros wear them? NO.
2. Feet too long on rope. Once you plane get them off the rope. Keep the handle to your beltline, elbows in to ribs will keep you stable.
3. Too long on butt. Once you are gliding, have driver get you to speed, and freaking plant your feet.
4. DO NOT hang on the rope when you fall. You hung on, tried to recover, but never got back up so it was a waste of time, energy and you could get hurt. (Ryan is right)
5. When you plant, your feet need to be closer to your butt, you are pushing them in front of you. You need to push your feet DOWN, not forward, especially in chippy water.

Daughter:

1. Nice job girlie!
2. Bend your knees. Your legs are stiff as a board.
3.   If you are going to sit down on the water, you need to pull the handle into your belt line, and recline on the water a bit. When the handle is in front of you, you are tippy, and cannot steer and out of control. Reclining a bit, knees bent, handle in will keep you balanced and your feet off the water.

Also I don't know if the high boom is right for you at this point. A bit lower and you will plane out without having you feet straight up, and you will track a bit better on the butt glide. Worth a try.

Nice faceplant Seb. The kids liked it: "do it again!" I believe they said, in Spanish!

Kap, that chine spray is killing you. Move the boom as far forward as possible. You will have to adjust your cables afterwards. Order a boom extention and until then, have the people move to the other side and to the back.

LakeBoy wrote: Nice faceplant Seb. The kids liked it: "do it again!" I believe they said, in Spanish!

To that I'd add that you might want to work on a smoother (less painful) dismount.....looks like you have the one in the videos down to a science

As I approach 40 I find myself wanting to get back into some of the activities I regularly did in my teens. This past weekend I long line footed by stepping off of a wakesurf board. I cheated by putting shoes on, but it'd been awhile and I knew my feet would hate me for it later if I didn't. Well, I made 3 or 4 runs successfully. No fancy stuff, just footing. I did not have wetsuit shorts, or barefoot suit. Just a bathing suit and life jacket. My falls were not spectacular. No scorpions, eye peelers or anything like that. I didn't ride on my butt at all except when I let go and glided back down on my backside. Well, my butt, inner thighs and even bicep are black and blue. Seriously wicked looking black and blue gnarly bruises. Now when I did this as a kid, I'd regularly wear jump pants or BF shorts, but occasionally just the bathing suit. I was never good enough to need the suit much. The question is, I've never, ever bruised like I am right now. Does this seem normal? BTW, I can't way to do it again. The adrenaline rush was like nothing I remember.

A good pair of padded shorts and suit will prevent alot of that.

Had an awesome night on the water last night. Rain earlier in the day kept the other boats and jet ski's away!

So below is a clip. Worked on popping up faster, did a couple of sits and stands, but had fun working on transferring weight to my right foot and almost felt comfortable doing a one foot, but not quite... Still need to work on letting go quicker, I tried - Honest!

Started out trying long line deeps - my goal is to get up once before we put the boat away. First attempt was pretty funny you'll see why, can you say "flying lessons". Pretty good crash at the end too.

1, Sept Footin

you are using a fish eye on the camera right? if not that boom needs some adjustment...