Random question

[Motox811]

To preface, i have been skiing and wakeboarding my whole life but never on a "competition" level, so i love the sport but never progressed passed weekend trips to the lake for fun. I have been reading my new subscription to Waterski mag and hear this a lot. What does it mean when they say a skier is skiing "2 at 40 off (or something like that)"?

[HS]

It refers to a pass through a slalom course, the first number indicates the number of buoys passed and the second is the line length subtracted from a standard length line.

[Quinner]

Slalom coarse has entrance and exit gates (two buoys you enter / exit between) you must pass through the gates to begin and fully complete a pass. Within the course there are 6 buoys you ski around. Rope length is 75'.
2 at 40 off means the skier made it completely around 2 of 6 buoys with a 35' rope length

[robertsmcfarland]

good education!! keep it coming, what length is consider a good skier, and is 36 mph the top speed?

[Zach@n3]

Mens speed is 36 womens is 34. Generally nobody skis at anything more than 15' off the line. You get to much slack at that line length if you are running any reasonable speed 28 mph or above. If you aren't a short line skier you usually start off and go up 2 mph incerments untill you get to 36 then start to subtract line length.

I am not as good as I once was. These days I start at 32 run that go to 34 run that and round a few balls at 36. So to the driver you would yell out 32 15' off!!

[Quinner]

Anyone who can make a full pass (enter thru gate, round six buoys, exit through gate) at 15' off is a good skier, 22' off better skier, 28-32' off you are very skilled. If you consistently can ski at 35, 38, 39.5, 41' off you are seriously good and probably are skiing tournaments or better yet on CC's promo program.

Some boats will have a better wake at the shorter line lengths, definitely the case with the 206.

Best thing about slalom skiing, great workout and minimal impact, tiny wake and much shorter runs.

[Quinner]

From the center of the course to the six buoys is 37.5', so once you are into 38' off, with the rope exactly perpendicular from the boat the handle is 6" short of the buoy which means the skiers reach and lean is what gets them around the buoys.

[swc5150]

[QUOTE=Zach@n3;200225]Mens speed is 36 womens is 34.QUOTE]

Unless you're an "old" guy like me (35 to 44), you'd be Men's 3 and only have to ski at 34mph. All open division men are 36mph of course, regardless of age. There's only about a second difference between 34 and 36 through the course, but it's all the difference in the world. At 40 years old, I'm happy to ski at 34. Deep -35's on at 36mph is where surguries start to happen once you've passed your prime

[Zach@n3]

Haha yea! 36 is a whole different world. I've been into 28 off at 34 if I remember correctly. PR at 36 was 5 at 22 off. That was a struggle. I always have a problem with my ski coming up on top of the water at 36 during turns. I weigh 135 and ski a 65 Monza.

Slalom IMHO is the hardest sport on the water (to actually be good). It takes a multi tasker to accomplish correct body position. There is 15+ things you have to think about at the same time to accomplish that.

Is it summer yet? haha.

[robertsmcfarland]

thanks for all the great information, we have a slalom course not far from where I live on the lake, might have to play around with it this summer.

[jsta281]

Follow up question,

What speed and length should your average good open water skier start at?

[swc5150]

Follow up question,

What speed and length should your average good open water skier start at?

I would drop it down to 30mph and start at 15 off. When you can consistently run the pass, speed up to 32, then 34 (to 36 if you'd like). Once you're comfy at your top speed, shorten to -22.

When one first starts course skiing, it is an extremely humbing experience. You will likely immediately notice you're not keeping stacked, probably pull too long past the second wake, and not keeping a tight but light rope, etc. The key is not to let it get the best of you! Also remember that slalom can never be conquered completely, as you will always have a pass end in failure. For some it's -15, and for the Nate Smith's of the world it's -43. However, it's also extremely rewarding when you start nailing personal bests. Welcome to your new addiction!

PS, if you have boarder buddies like me, you'll likely get teased as an "old school dinosaur" for still being into slalom. I assure you, there's nothing dinosaur about being slingshot across a wake at interstate speeds Cheers!

[swc5150]

Here's some Nate inspiration... -41 with a tail wind! Absolutely sick (and nice boat)!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04zoOgbtgnA

[Zach@n3]

You will feel like a novice when you first hit the course. I skid hard open water my entire life. Got on a course and couldnt even run a pass at 28mph. I felt terrible haha.

I am old school I guess. I like the slingshot acceleration of cross wakes and the feel of a nicely stuck turn. I also like the speed/thrill of barefooting.

Nate stops in the shop every other month or so. He's a stud. His trainer lives just west of here and picks up a new 200 from us every other season.

[jsta281]

I fully expect a very humbling experience. I'm a dinosaur too I guess I love the speed associated and as Zach suggested hitting even a single good turn makes it so addicting. I can't wait to try it.