MIke Seipel EZ Footer

Has anyone ever used the Mike Seipel EZ Footer for teaching barefoot skiing? If so do you have any input on the product? Does anyone have a used one along with the DVD to sell?

Thanks,
Kevin

I have one. It works well. With heavier people you need a more extra's in the boat for counter weight. It's nice for teaching people without them falling. It saves time and fuel not having to go back and pick them up all the time. I also use it when I need a handle shorter than 4' I would recommend it if you have the extra cash.

It is just another 15" handle, the "v" created by the 2 ropes is much bigger than a normal "wakes" handle. I have both I'll take some pictures later this week.

I saw the last footage of Banana George and that is the main reason I've been asking the questions. The whole deal looked dangerous when he did it. I don't want it to turn out like that. That's why I wanted to see if anyone had the instructional DVD they could loan me. I also agree that after they learn they would quickly move away from using it and $60 seems like a lot for a couple of uses. I think I could make a handle if I had the DVD for reviewing and then teaching.

Sean, you're welcome to come over to Hamilton Lake any time and go out with me. I've got all the equipment you could possible need. bring the boys too!

Steve

I appreciate the offers and I may take you up on it late in the summer. I bought a new ski last fall and am planning to do a lot more this season if I can get the strength built up again. Gotta find a different suit though, mine shrank and I'm not interested in doing it with a ski vest on again.

I have used it to teach lots of kids and some adults too. I had first used a toe hold handle but decided to try Mike's and ordered one, it was so short it would not really work so I called LakeElmoSports and they made me one custom sized to my specs, I like it at 36 inches long, with a nice wide 24 inches from the handle to the close of the "v"...this size works for almost anyone. you want the boom to be over little kids heads, bigger people can look directly at or over the boom while sitting in EZ Footer and boat moving. Keep speeds very slow, just 10-12 mph for kids is enough, don't go over 20 with anyone ever. Instruct them to never let go of the boom, if their feet catch they will wash right under them and they can just pull them back and get them back on the water, its a no can fall situation, you can teach anyone to foot like this. keep using it til you see them skiing on their feet and the ezFooter falling away from the butt(don't let it drop away or it could be trouble!) at the end of the run "fly" them by turning away the boom goes way up and they will "fly" they will love it.
Siepels is made for very little kids, the bigger one from LES is more versatile but you won't get a video. I ordered Mikes, watched the video, decided it was too short and sent it back to Lake Elmo Sports who then made the bigger one. I have a couple pics I can post.     

heres a kid

Andy,

Thanks so much for the pictures and advice. My girls are 17 and 15 and I wanted to find the best way to teach them. I would like to just borrow a video and handle until they could learn on the boom. Do you or any Correct Craft Fans out there have one they could loan me for a while. Of course I'll pay shipping both ways.

Kevin

I did use a wakeboard handle last summer for my 13 year old daughter. It worked just fine. The only problem we had was that she wasn't wearing a padded suit. She just had on a regular wetsuit and she kept complaining of her rear-end hurting. She complained so much that we never were able to get her feet in the water.

I would like to get either a barefoot wetsuit or some barefoot shorts for her to wear this summer.

If the handle hurting the "bum" becomes to much of an issue consider using foam pipe insulation commonly found at Home Depot or and harware store to put around the handle.

Steve,

Thanks for the offer. I do still have a VHS player. If you find it ,let me know and I'll provide you an address to send to. I can paypal you the shipping cost if you like.

Kevin

the handle/swing actually is below the butt...see the pics?

a 17 and 15 yr old girl in reasonably fit shape will have no trouble learning in the swing, its so easy and fun they will not believe it, they cannot fall. just make sure they push the boom away from the face and do not let go of the boom, they will "straight leg" it, so get them to bend the knees, and look straight ahead, not into the boat ecept to glance quickly, then back to looking ahead, keep them in the swing til they are bored and "want some more" then have them ski by holding directly to the boom and tumbling up by dragging til 15-18 maybe 20 mph then twist the hips and swing the feet with kness pointed back(away from the direction of travel) so they don't "catch and edge" then slowly put feet on water and stand up, have them repeat as necessary til bored with that, then wrap a handle tight with only a foot of "rope" from the boom and ski off it, then lengthen it a foot ...another foot...another foot til they are skiing on the 5ft...slowly progress them.

oh and they have to "want" to do it or nothing will work and everything will "hurt". you can't force them to learn it...but get just one to do it and ALL the others will want to then....just buy one...that' only 30 per girl and as you teach some of their friends you can ammortize the cost

also if they really like it...there is a ton of expensive gear that will be NEEDED! so you may as well practice spending money on barefoot gear...I am an expert at buying stuff

SN206 wrote: If the handle hurting the "bum" becomes to much of an issue consider using foam pipe insulation commonly found at Home Depot or and harware store to put around the handle.

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely have to try that this summer!

the EZ footer is nice for the "non skier" to try and "get their feet wet" it works best with good on land instruction and a live demo with someone experienced first

the bad thing I see as a trainer is this
I general enforce "let go when you fall" I'll come back and get you........ on the boom in an EZ footer you have to HANG ON, do not let go! keep the speed down way down my kid foots @ 30mph long line on the ez footer I'd have him between 20-25mph tops as you need to keep some tension on the ez footer or it needs to be supporting the skier a little... if the ez footer is not supporting the skier @ all then it can slip out of place and again cause a potentially dangerious situation

once this is used a couple of times and the skier is ready to advance, use the boom directly and a kneeboard or wakeboard to start
again the speed will be less than long line speed

good luck and happy foot'n

Dan T @ the BKG