EasyFooter barefoot training method

[Kozmo]

I am interested in learning to foot this season and was wondering if any of you have ever tried EasyFooter?

http://www.barefootcentral.com/Coach_Q02_mike.htm

[BigBald]

RE: EasyFooter barefoot training method

I use this as a training tool all the time. It's a great way to teach. Also...I have had some folks that have had trouble with skiing or wakeboarding....like they are scared to put something on their feet in the water. But, I have put them in the easy footer, and they play out there for hours. I actually have two easyfooters. It's a lot of fun to put two smaller kids out there and let them barefoot and play.

Remember, your speeds can be a lot less with this thing....and they need to hold on to the boom at all times. Don't let them hold on to the rope of the easyfooter...it will spin them and they can bonk (technicaly term) their head or face.

[Kozmo]

RE: EasyFooter barefoot training method

thanks. I am hoping that I can get a feel for footing while minimizing the inevitable face plants

[BigBald]

RE: EasyFooter barefoot training method

Also...there might be a training video that Barefoot International produced. I think I got one with my easy footer...but, I had actually already gotten a couple easy footers used...and had used them for several years, so I didn't actually look at the video that came with the new footer. But, it could be a good resource option.

[Tomfooter]

RE: EasyFooter barefoot training method

Not trying to hawk someones product, but Lane "Dawg" Bowers has a new "How to Barefoot Without Falling " DVD, which covers the use of the Barefoot International Easy Footer, which he recomends and uses. I've seen the DVD, and if you are really interested in Barefooting and not getting hurt, it's well worth the money. I think his site is Thefootersedge.com. Good luck! :grin:

[Kozmo]

RE: EasyFooter barefoot training method

Thanks Tom. I signed up on the site and received a bunch of stuff about barefooting backwards. The other info on the site looked good and I plan to purchase the "learn to" video.

[Hollywood]

RE: EasyFooter barefoot training method

Lane calls the easy footer the "swing method". It's on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHl8JUPGE_8

[LT206]

Kozmo - the stuff you got from Lane was his standard weekly email series. If you want to learn to barefoot, the easiest and least painful way out there is to do a clinic with Lane Bowers. He is a super nice guy and really can get you barefooting with no falls. Give him a call using the numbers on the email he sent you and see if he is doing a clinic in your area this season. I did a clinic with him two years ago and am doing another one this summer - Lane is awesome!

[Kozmo]

thanks LT. I will give him a call and find out about any local clinics.

[BigBald]

That's a differenent style than I am used too. We normally sit a bit further into the seat...so the straps are right across the hip joint. It puts the skiier into a more upright position that looks a bit more comfortable.....but then again, we aren't able to do the "butt down" positions like they are doing in the video.

Plus, the trapeze in the video doesn't look like an Easy Footer from BI. It looks like a normal barefoot handle with a toe strap. With that said, it seems to work fine....except you have to do something with the rope I guess.

Something else I am alway curious about....we use our booms off the driver's side. Mainly becuase we are driving and teaching at the same time. Nice to be able to see the person's feet and toe positions. But, I also see a lot of folks off the passenger side.

I'd be interested to see what other styles of teaching out there....I am always up for learning a new an better way to teach.

[Kozmo]

BB_S, on the video (thanks Hollywood for the link) Lane talks about the fact that the swing is a homemade version of EasyFooter. He also says that he teaches this at speeds in the low 20's - nice for beginners.

[Hollywood]

Lane is using a back toe handle coiled around the boom a few more loops. Most people will never need one, and the "EasyFooter" is cheaper. The only issue I would have with this method is controlling the boom height to compensate for the bow rise and weight hanging out there. Your passengers will need to be constantly moving around. I guess you could say this method of teaching is harder on the driver, but easier on the skier. You also need glass calm water to keep everything steady.

Another easy method would be stepping out of a slalom ski while holding directly on to the boom. If you can step out of 2 skis to slalom, you can do the same thing to barefoot. Proper body position, establish a glide, transfer your weight and let the ski go!

[Quinner]

I think you will find footing directly off the boom is pretty easy, if you have decent skiing/balance skills and some upper body strength it's actually pretty simple. As far as face plants they can be avoided if you don't let go of the boom if you catch a toe, then just tumble around to a butt glide and plant your feet again. Never a bad idea to wear a cup when first learning BTW.

I know the speed formula for long line is 10% of your weight plus about 20mph, HW is there a standard rule on boom speed? Would think it would be somewhere around 6%-8% + 20mph.

[BigBald]

We wear BI shorts under the suits for "added" intimate protection. Plus, we go a bunch slower off the boom than long line.

[Hollywood]

On the boom? As slow as possible. I never watch the speedos, just give 'em enough.