learning to barefoot

GlassSeeker wrote: ...have them mainly for decorations.

Chopped mine up for firewood.

I tried some longline deep water backwards starts on the tricks...didn't make it

I do it like a llbd but the ball is probably better

IAughtNaut wrote: and then bombout. that's the video I want to see...back bombout from trick skis

Adam, look at the top of the previous page of this thread (p 97) and there it is. Can't guarantee its trick skis vs modified combo, but close enough.

TRBenj wrote: Next time try curling up in a ball, handle behind your knees, a$$ in the air. I tell the driver to go once my butt breaks the surface.

I used this method, I think its easier on a flip turn, i had difficulty keeping them straight enough...seemed like my barefoot suit made me too bouyantI

TRBenj wrote: A back deep start on the flip turn sounds harder than a LLBD! .

This is how I was taught to barefoot backwards longline. Or do the Walk around ski.

I'd call it a back step off of a flip turn ski.

Adam, the glide on your butt is actually the best in video 1. This is perfect:



You are leaned back just far enough to have found your balance point, handle is at the hips, knees are together, lower legs are up off the water and parallel to it.

3 things need to happen when you plant. 1) feet to butt 2)let the hands out away from the hips 3)sit up

As you surmised, you got 2 of the 3 in video 1...



Sit forward as you plant and things will go better.

In video 4, your glide started out terrible. Sitting up too straight, straight legs, handle out... this usually ends with an ugly fall when your foot catches the water:



You made an adjustment to regain control by leaning back and bending your knees, getting your lower legs up and parallel to the water. Arms were still straight though:



When you planted, you brought your feet back and sat up, and thats why you were able to ski away.



Start from a little bit better butt glide (handle in) and things will go more smoothly from the beginning.

Nice work! Youve got all the parts, now you just gotta put them all together and make it consistent.

We had problems with a 6'+ guy learning to barefoot. The "feet to butt" part confused him. He kept tryin to put his feet under his butt instead of next to it. This resulted in the spread knees (birthing position), stabbed feet and overall lots of instability. Knees together, feet out and back. Not sure this was intended for Adam but thought it might help some.

Anyway, nice work up there.

Adam: Nice job working it out. I agree with Steve on the goggles. You are eating a lot of water. On attempt 4 your knees were close and feet were apart right up against your butt. Good formula for a smooth plant. The farther your feet are in front of you when you plant, the more you will stab the water and get bounced around. Ditto on Tim's breakdown.

Don't be sheepish about getting of the LLBD discussion. After all, this thread is "learning to barefoot," not "arguing about barefoot"   

LOL, Roy, yes still some spray but not the fire hose in your face that you get in what I have come to call the Wakeboarder start, with your knees as wide as your feet.

Agreed, her arms are bent, but I think that was her first time down the lake in the 3 point, I am sure it was corrected on the next pass. Note: this was a very slow progression, she didn't attempt push up (stand) for probably 4 or 5 more passes.

BTW, I do wear the cup, and neck brace. Last weeks LLBD attempts with HW and Johnny, I did take it out for the last two attempts, as it was getting uncomfortable. Plus I was willing to try anything to change it up. Didn't bother to post the video's because it was just more of the same. Steve dragging in the water, finally driving one of his feet through and popping the rope. Better 3 point rides, more comfortable and more power,I know what to continue to focus on. practice practice practice, but no need to post more of those vids...

Hollywood wrote: So are girls supposed to wear a cup for llbds?

Actually asked Elaine Heller that and she wore one to learn and then wears one when she is doing hardcore slalom work or learning new tricks.   

TRBenj wrote: 3 things need to happen when you plant. 1) feet to butt 2)let the hands out away from the hips 3)sit up As you surmised, you got 2 of the 3 in video 1...

The problem I seem to have is I keep getting 2 of 3. If my feet are under my butt and my back is up, them my arms are pulled in to my chest. For some reason, every time I let my arms out I lay back. I'm not doing it on purpose, that's just the way I balance, or I'm trying to clear my knees with the handle, or something.

What was funny was there was another guy with us on the boat who turned out to be a real good skier, and he offered some pointers as we went along that were really helpful, but after this run he was like, man that was a nice tumble, I wouldn't have thought you could do that. And I told him, tumbling around isn't a problem, what I need to do is work on the plant to build the muscle memory to do it consistently. And he says to me, I've never met a person who could tumble and not plant, anyone I've ever seen tumble can stand up. Haha, well buddy, that's cause you've never been skiing with me!



You wouldn't know it to look at the videos, but I wasn't trying to stand up. My entire goal last night was to find the sweet spot in the three point so I could just ride there. Just haven't found it yet. When I ended up on my feet it was strictly by accident.

IAughtNaut wrote: You wouldn't know it to look at the videos, but I wasn't trying to stand up. My entire goal last night was to find the sweet spot in the three point so I could just ride there.

If that's the goal, make sure you tell the driver, slow the boat WAAAYYYYY down, you should be able to 3 point around 25 mph. Tell the driver, you just want to motor around in the 3-pt, resist adding power when he sees you set in it. A couple trips across the lake in the 3 point without attempting to stand will allow you some practice.

skutsch wrote: If that's the goal, make sure you tell the driver, slow the boat WAAAYYYYY down, you should be able to 3 point around 25 mph. Tell the driver, you just want to motor around in the 3-pt, resist adding power when he sees you set in it. A couple trips across the lake in the 3 point without attempting to stand will allow you some practice.

You know what, this actually brings up a good question. If I'm riding in the three point and not standing up, whether its at 25 or 35, where should my arms be? I'm good with the concept of straightening them as I stand, but if I don't stand, where are they?