Slalom Technique

oh, someday...

We expect a full report when you get back!

C-Bass wrote: Hollywood wrote: I often end up looking like Terry althoguh I'm trying to ski like Chris... ...Maybe when people tell me to get my hips up I'm just going to start telling them I'm a West Coast practitioner .

I do the coast to coast technique......fisrt three balls East coast, last three balls west coast!

My next question has to do with double bindings. I just purchased a NEW ski with double bindings (a 2008 HO 71), first ski as I mentioned before was a Connelly Big Daddy (learner, now skiing for one year).With left foot forward, what's the easisest way to put the ski on, left into the boot first or right? Just asking because when I get onto my boarding platform and get kitted up it would be nice if I could avoid falling over first time out on my new ski and making a bigger fool of myself than I already am? Also would you or could you adjust the bindings because I imagine the back foot has a tendancy to open outwards unless I was pidgeon toe'd.
Thanks for a great site, great help never came so cheap!

I put the the back foor in first, works best for me.

Fatboy206 wrote: My next question has to do with double bindings. I just purchased a NEW ski with double bindings (a 2008 HO 71), first ski as I mentioned before was a Connelly Big Daddy (learner, now skiing for one year).With left foot forward, what's the easisest way to put the ski on, left into the boot first or right? Just asking because when I get onto my boarding platform and get kitted up it would be nice if I could avoid falling over first time out on my new ski and making a bigger fool of myself than I already am? Also would you or could you adjust the bindings because I imagine the back foot has a tendancy to open outwards unless I was pidgeon toe'd. Thanks for a great site, great help never came so cheap!

I am a bit old school, and still use Wiley's double wraps (best rubber out there), and i am not familiar with the new bindings. I have to use some dish soap to slip into my bindings, and I always put the front foot in first....just the way i have done it for 35 years. Damn thats a long time!
I would learn to ski on it before I made any significant adjustments to the angle of the rear boot. Getting up with double boots for the first time wil be weird. Keep your back knee tucked in or it will grab water and your foot cant slip to compensate.
Not sure about you guys, but, these new long bathing suits are a pain when they catch water getting up...makes me feel like I an anchor tied to my butt. The wife says they look better than my 1985 addidas tennis shorts!

"I often end up looking like Terry althoguh I'm trying to ski like Chris..."

Ha! I'm the opposite...I'm trying to convert to new school but keep falling back to old school.

Slalom is so complex, its hard to diagnose anything without seeing, but a couple of very simple things I've found to help with the rope slack issue...
One is that you can exaggerate straightening your rope arm as you initiate your turn. I often see people with partially bent arms. If you're doing this you aren't fully transitioning the ski. Throw your arm towards the pylon.
Two is, make sure you're keeping your head up. For me, the difference between a good and bad day is often where my head and eyes are looking. To train yourself to keep your head up and eyes focused, look at the pylon as you turn.

Also, for free skiing, most people I ski with have made quantum leaps by shortening the line length. Don't be afraid of 28 off. The wake is a single, non-existent bump (even in older boats). It helps keep you from double pulling (pulling outside the wake) too. You don't have to pull like Parrish, but you can get a slow, simple, correct rhythm going. Of course, to ski the course you'll have to go back to a longer line, but by that time, hopefully you've got better form and rhythm. To have a nice free ski run, you don't have to get way out wide. That comes from pulling harder and harder through the wakes which is a whole other thread!

Double wraps...I want both feet coming out or neither. But when I was young and skied my best, I was only a front wrap.

Well, nobody certainly can say you aren't aggressive enough out there!

I see what you mean, I didnt notice that. Those pics were from my first time out on the course. I have been out once or twice a week for several weeks since then. Growing up skiing, I always leaned back (never away), and it is a hard habit to break at 43yo! Turns are fine, its going across the wake that is killing me. I really thought I could ski, until someone put some bouys in front of me! Very humbling, and addictive. I dont know what I am going to do over the winter.
My best so far was 4 balls 32 off at 32mph. I feel certain i can get 32 off, if I dont wait until my last run to try it! I cant imagine 39 off at 36mph!

Dip, keeping my eyes on the bank is one of the things I have been working hard on. On sunday I went out and did some open water skiing, and all I did was practice crossing the wake keeping my head turned away from the boat. It really makes a difference. Now, if I remember to do it after the first ball!

I know what you mean about finding time. I have three kids 13,11, and 5. I have spent my share of time teaching kids to ski! Finally, getting a bit of a break. Your second wind is just around the corner! Enjoy the kids, as they grow up fast. No tubing!