combo ski question

**Hollywood** · 08-08-2008, 08:14 AM

RE: combo ski question

If you're gonna spend that much just get the fat ones.

**NCH2oSki** · 08-08-2008, 08:17 AM

RE: combo ski question

I have one set of small combos for Kids, and a set for anyone to big to use the kids set, and they have served me well.

If I were spending your cash, I would purchase the set of the 59" blasts' and a pair of the 67" blast. That would cover about anyone. If your skiing much on 2 it wont be long before you are wanting to learn to slalom, so dont spend the money on the pinnicle, get an entry level wide body slalom if you are looking to have plenty of options for guests.

**Quinner** · 08-08-2008, 11:57 AM

RE: combo ski question

The wide body's are going to be great for teaching including slalom, if your skiers are beyond the "clown shoes" there is a good chance they will show up with their own ski(s) anyways.

**AirTool** · 08-08-2008, 11:50 PM

RE: combo ski question

NCH2oSki - your input was helpful. I read it this morning but could not post a response.

Just a question on the difference in width....why would they make those Excels so narrow? How does the performance differ? Are wide skis just for learners?...do combo experts want narrow skis?

AirTool

**NCH2oSki** · 08-09-2008, 10:19 AM

RE: combo ski question

Not sure why they still make the narrow combos anymore. I assume there are still some folks who like the traditional ski. I have a pair of tradional obrien performers and would gladly trade them for a pair of the newer wide ones. The wide ones are easier to get up on, and stay up on especially on longer runs.

**DanielC** · 08-09-2008, 11:19 AM

RE: combo ski question

Some of the best skis for the first timers is an old pair of wooden boards, with no taper, just a up curved rounded tip. The more surface area, the better.

**AirTool** · 08-09-2008, 03:32 PM

RE: combo ski question

Please forgive me for bugging everybody on this one.

Everyone has keyed on the "beginner" and "first timers". Are beginners and first timers the only people who ski on combo skis? If a person became quite good at two skis and couldn't or preferred not to slolam, which ski would they chose for performance? ....the wider combos or the narrow ones?

Thanks for all the comments...more welcome. From my perspective, PN is a site where opinions do matter.

AirTool

**DanielC** · 08-09-2008, 03:57 PM

RE: combo ski question

Another option is a pair of Jump skis. Still very easy to get up on, and they will cut harder than any other combo out there. They are also very expensive. HO has also just recently bought out some Wake skis, they might be fun.

**jpduster** · 08-09-2008, 05:35 PM

RE: combo ski question

Just looking at the pictures my recogning er, guess
excel: more forgiving cutting thru wake, good for lighter less daring skiers

blast: easier to get up on and less tiring, especially for heavier skiers, wake a little more upsetting to the timid- more fun to the daring (more air)

pinnacle: large surface area up front makes easier starts and less tiring ride. Shape, tail, and bindings look like they would make a much better slalom
experience for the improving skier that wants to drop one

from your last post, if you think you would get the use out of them lash out on the pinns

not an advert but have you tried "wiley's" they have looked after me down here.

**AirTool** · 08-10-2008, 12:26 AM

RE: combo ski question

I did buy a pair of the 67 Blast on Friday. Three college kids gave them a try. The first one (boy) that had done it before was up first pull and pretty much got 'er done. He got bored pretty fast and tried to slalom but couldn't....gave up due to time constraints. The second boy had pretty good luck but had little more trouble when I had to slow the boat some. There is not much drag on those floaty, wide skis and they can easily slide out from under you if the rope goes slack. The girl got up on third try but couldn't stay up long. I think the skis were too big for here....too floaty before the starts and not enough drag to keep the line tight.

I have a pair of the smallest HO's for babies (<54?) and they are about to be outgrown so I'll probably pick up a pair of the 59 blasts to cover the gamut. I think the girl would have had a better chance on the smaller skis. She was only 120 lbs and the boys were over 200.

As others suggested, the narrow Excel skis probably have more drag because they won't have quite the lift as the wider skis. That could be a benefit to allow more control with the rope running tighter but would definitely be more tiring....especially at high speeds. Can you cut harder on a narrower ski? ...or wider ski?

One comment on wood. I agree that trainers should be wood. The small synthetic skis I have are so buoyant that my 6 year old daughter cannot keep the skis in position before the start. She needs a helper to keep her from rolling over. I know some of it is technique...but she just can't stay in position. It is too hard for her to move these skis around when half the ski is coming out of the water and rolling her over. I remember when I learned to ski....that only the tips of the wood skis would be out of the water and that if you wanted to, you could submerge the entire ski.

Well - I may go back Sunday and get the 59 set...or at least count how many they have. Maybe in a week or two they'll go down in price again. I love end of year bargains.

More comments welcome. I need to search for nice but affordable slalom to share as NCH2oSki suggested. I know that would be a change in topic. Maybe I'll start a new thread.

AirTool

**NCH2oSki** · 08-10-2008, 07:58 AM

Re: RE: combo ski question

One comment on wood. I agree that trainers should be wood. The small synthetic skis I have are so buoyant that my 6 year old daughter cannot keep the skis in position before the start. She needs a helper to keep her from rolling over. I know some of it is technique...but she just can't stay in position. It is too hard for her to move these skis around when half the ski is coming out of the water and rolling her over. I remember when I learned to ski....that only the tips of the wood skis would be out of the water and that if you wanted to, you could submerge the entire ski.

AirTool[/quote]

HO makes a weight set that attaches on the top of the ski over the fin. It sinks the back of the ski and makes it easy for a child to hold the skis in the correct possition. They work great, and keep you from having to get into the water to help with the over bouyant skis. Search the HO site and you'll find them.

**jasper** · 08-10-2008, 08:24 AM

It can be easy to pull a skier on doubles too fast. If it appears the skis are too sensitive, slow the skier down and sink the skis a little for them. It will be a lot easier for them. This is especially true for beginners. I see a lot of beginners being pulled way to fast. As a driver, there is a lot you can do to help a beginner overcome some of the common errors they make. Depending on the size of the skier, I'll pull beginners between 14 and 21 mph. I'm a slalom skier, but I'll throw on a pair of doubles just to mess around once in a while and mix things up. Keep sharing and spreading the sport!

**AirTool** · 08-10-2008, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by jasper

It can be easy to pull a skier on doubles too fast. ..... I'll pull beginners between 14 and 21 mph.

You are right and we were WAY PAST 21

NCH2oSki: I saw a set of those weights at Sun & Ski. Should I give them a try?

AirTool

**DanielC** · 08-11-2008, 03:25 PM

A training boom, or bare foot boom is also a great help with teaching beginning skiers. Young light kids do not need much speed at all. maybe 10 or 12 miles per hour. I have had some light girls on our water ski team skiing with my boat at an idle.

combo ski question

combo ski question

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