Improving Grip

[SkiTower]

I'm having problems hanging on to the rope to get up skiing. Sodbuster suggested Clincher gloves, and doing a search I found HO made something similar for 2008 called Clutch, and Radar has 'Lock' gloves. I think the problem is I'm straining my forearms.

Unfortunately I can't find Clinchers or Clutch anywhere, just the Radar. I've never heard of Radar so I'm unsure. The Clincher site has a LONG list of dealers, but everyone I click on doesn't have them in their repertoire.

Can anybody vouch if these work, or have a better suggestion?

[jpduster]

RE: Improving Grip

Could it be your technique? are you trying to stop the boat?
bend your legs and go with it. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[j2nh]

I've used Cinchers for slalom for over 10 years and have nothing but good things to say about them. Taking the pull off of my hands allows me an extra set and no forearm fatigue. Highly recommended.

Try Lake Elmo Sports:
http://www.lakeelmosports.com/home.php
If they don't have them they might be able to steer you in the right direction.

[Quinner]

Try a softer start as well, less throttle works better for some people.

[igkya]

I agree with Quinner, try less throttle and a slower start. Also, do NOT bend your arms, keep them straight and let the boat pull you up.

[jmo]

I have to concur with some of the other posts, if the handle is getting pulled out of your hands when you start your probably leaning to far back and hence I suspect it feels like your fighting the boat.

Try keeping yourself in a ball curled around the front knee and as the boat takes off look down and just hold. The other key piece of advice someone else gave me was to not worry about keeping the tip of the ski out of the water, the important thing is to keep the ski on a 30 degree angle as it will just gently rise up out of the water as it planes. If the ski is straight up and down, you end up plowing and fighting the boat again, and while you can start this way, its 20x more work.

If you positioning is perfect, the deep water start should almost feel effortless.

How are you starting? do you drag up or have both feet in the bindings?

HTH's,

jmo

[ScarletArrow]

Agreed with the above...new gloves are not going to help you w/ deep water starts.

[SkiTower]

tried the 'less throttle' approach but didn't work. I've got a grip issue that one day I'll see a doctor about, but I know they will say Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and I'm pretty sure it isn't that. Mainly it's just easy to stress my forearms and my grip dies for a while (week or two).

As for my technique, I figured out to not 'fight the boat' last year. jmo, the 30 degree angle was exactly what I figured out. That's when I finally got up.

And to answer the foot question, both are in the ski from the get-go.

Part of my problem is that I'm a 290 lb sea anchor, but my 75" ski has enough lift to counteract at least some of that!

I do have one theory: the last successful ski run I had was in Nov. at DisneyWorld. I was behind a Mastercraft riding a Connelly. I think my and sod's Nautiques are punishing me for it Yellow_Flash_Colorz: (as if riding behind the Mastercraft wasn't punishment enough!)

[jmo]

Okay - with both feet in try and suck your rear foot under you butt as this helps get the ski on the 30 degree angle. It interesting as one of my ski buddies who is a big guy as well (250?) has had all sorts of trouble getting out of the water on a new ski he bought last year. He had to switch over to the more modern way (what I've been describing) before he could get up - hence why the start mechanics are so fresh in my mind...

Was the Connelly ski you used on Florida the "Big daddy"? if so its a really easy ski to get up on but isn't so nimble like a high performance ski will be.

Good luck....

jmo

[SkiTower]

Was the Connelly ski you used on Florida the "Big daddy"? if so its a really easy ski to get up on but isn't so nimble like a high performance ski will be.

Good luck....

jmo

Yeah, it was the Big Daddy. I popped right up but then felt like I was Slalom'n on a wakeboard.

[jpduster]

(as if riding behind the Mastercraft wasn't punishment enough!)

Hope you used an alias and a disguise. Hate to see you get blackmailed!

[MikeC]

SkiTower,
I searched the manufacturers websites and RadaR is the only one where I could find the type of glove you are looking for, they have the Lock glove. I wouldn't be a bit worried about a RadaR product, they make top quality skis and it's another in the line of Herb O'brien companies (think HO Watersports and Obrien Watersports).

If I were you I would try a wide body ski and maybe the gloves. Another option is the Goode PowerVest System, it is certainly the most expensive option and I personally don't know anyone who has used it, but it basically connects your fingers and your wrists to your vest. http://www.goode.com/waterpv.htm

Good luck

[jpduster]

It's not always desirable or practical but could you pick up an old woodie somewhere (garage sale maybe) get up on two then drop one. Cheap and easy solution that won't tie you down to having to use a big daddy.
Also, I realise you're after clinchers or the like which are designed for a specific purpose but IMO money spent on gloves would be better spent on a good handle. The whole run will be less tiresome not just the start.

best wishes
jp

[bkhallpass]

Clinchers work well. Same concepts at a wrap used for weightlifting or pull ups. I picked up a pair after 2 back surgeries to overcome the loss of strength. However, once you get your strength back, the clinchers are kind of a PITA, particularly for 1 hand turns. It's difficult to get your hand back on the handle in the proper position.

The width of the tail of the ski is a big factor in getting up. A wider tail will naturally push up under your bum, planing faster, and coming up faster. The only 75" Ski I am familiar with is an Obrien and it still has a fairly narrow tail. When I was unable to ride a regular ski, I used a 72" HO Magnum. It is a fairly wide ski, but much more maneuvarable than the Big Daddy.

I am an advocate of the softer start, but speed needs to progress through the start. I'm about 225 lbs, and everyone thinks they need to bury the throttle to pull me up. Will pull the rope from my hands every time. I like to start out softer with increased throttle throughout the start.

On other thing you might try is an easy up handle. It will keep you balanced through the start, and will allow you to come up with both hands on top.

BKH

[sodbuster88]

https://SkiTower....<br /> Lot's of...306ca45ada99e8