Footing and Pain

Barefooting like any watersports can have nasty crashes. Its true that you don't have a board to "launch" you, but you can fall very awkwardly with arms out, injuring shoulders and knees, but the biggest issue would be concussions. I have taken thousands of falls, several with concussions, but that didn't stop me from continuing my set. Anyone who says they got dinged, or see stars and stuff like that is on the verge of conscussion. Scorpion falls hurt as well, thats where your legs touch your back or very close. That one will send you to chiropractor. I would say for me however, is when I was learning to backwards barefoot. That was like getting into 35 car accidents everyday for a month. Needless to say my neck lost its natural curvature. I know there are more talented skiers out there than me, but stuff happens. It doesn't stop me or slow me down yet, I assume there will be some reprocussions in the future, but it is what it is. I rarely fall now, a few times a summer, but I don't push the envelope anymore, maninly working on a few new tricks, but mostly just in maintenance mode. You can successfully learn how to barefoot, with very few falls at the professional schools in Florida. Its when you go out with some buddies (who know how to foot) so that makes them an expert that you really get yourself into trouble. Learn properly and you won't have too much trouble. Again, you can avoid obvious crash situations like, letting go before a set of rollers instead of trying to foot through etc, that will make it much more enjoyable as well. Also not doing endurance will help as well, losing the fatty tissue in your heels, is not my idea of fun, I have seen it happen, pretty gross.

I would take a lesson from an acredited coach, then once you get proficient, you can perform many tricks and rarely fall. Even so when you do fall those crashes will usually be anticipated and not be very violent. However, you can still take the crash, that comes out of no where. Do 1 foot wakes, or backwards hit a set of rollers that you couldn't see. Show skiing and endurance footing is a recipe for disaster with rough water being the norm. However, in controlled settings, on a boom and shortline, you can do a lot of footing without incident.

I hope you take up the sport of barefooting, when done properly its a ton of fun, and great for the whole family. However, if you learn from joe blow, it can be rough.
Take Care and Happy Footing

Excellent compilation Roy. Lots of fun!! For some masochistic reason, it makes me very anxious to get out and hit the water...so to speak. Finally due to happen in the next few weeks...I would hope.

It's funny, a lot of those falls you can see why they happened. Others, there is absolutely no apparent reason...other than the barefoot gods coming up and biting you in the arse, just for the fun of it.

That makes me want to foot BAD!!

5 points to Andy for hangin' on to that jump-off-the-back-of-the-boat start....that was a pretty good hop.

LakeBoy wrote: Barefooting = pain Simple formula. I do not embrace the pain, but there are a few ways to avoid a headpacker. Plan for it: be smart, ski in best conditions, stretch, ski within your means, and most of all, wear a neckbrace! For kicks, I put together a wipeout video of me and my guys. This is about 8 months of skiing represented here: Barefoot Wipeouts! Enjoy!

OUCH!!! that gotta hurt!!

Think I'll be sore tonight too. Footed today with bad form and posture, paid the price.

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones"
                            -John Denver

Thanks for those observations. I know what you mean about the weight transfer. It is hairy sticking most of my weight on that foot, especially my reverse. I also learned over the weekend if I bend my knees a bit more, get more arch in the back, that my foot glides better and it is easier to pick up the one-foot. I took a few headpackers over the weekend. Always glad I wear the neckbrace.