Setting goals

[TheBeeZ]

I was wondering, If you do not ski in competitions, Do you set goals for yourself in order to improve your skiing? I do not compete and I do ski for just the fun of it. I do however set goals for myself; like working on a turn or skiing longer or trying to find rhythem. I enjoy being on the water and I do enjoy the pleasure of skiing and I know that I won't enter a competition but I would still like to improve. How about you?

[Inliner]

In order to set goals, one must have a means of gauging whether those goals are reached or not. Now I say this but it probably relates more to advanced skiers. Newer skiers can say "gee, I am going to ski two laps around the lake today" or some such thing. It really depends on whether you want to remain a recreational skier or not. You can still set goals as a recreational skier, but they will be different goals than a competition skier.

For me, beyond the slalom course, my goal is to ski on as many different types of skis as possible. Although I can't be an expert on all of them, it is fun to try different things and see what you can make them do. That determination has given me the ability to do a strapped-in deep water start on a kneeboard, launch a sit skiers jump ski 3 feet in the air over the wake of a boat, etc. So I guess you could say one of my goals is to have fun. That is probably the most important goal I stress when teaching new skiers. When it ceases to be fun, it becomes a job.

For me, the best example of this is the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) skier who trains with us at least once a week. We started teaching him to kneeboard and at first he didn't think he could ski on it. But he nailed his pull-off the first try and is now working on side slides and 180s on the kneeboard. The change keeps him having fun and that fun means the world to him. Ironically, this happened the same day he wanted me to ski on his sit ski to see what I could make it do. He hadn't seen me ride a sit ski yet and had heard a few war stories. I traded him my kneeboard for his jump ski for the day and the rest is history. Let's see if this photo of him on the kneeboard that day works. Totally cool, it worked! The kneeboard he is on is an O'Brien Low Rider. My HO 720 was a little too squirrely for him so we put him on the tricks board.

[Inliner]

Also Beez, here is a photo of me having fun on Brian's jump ski. My photographer couldn't time it to catch me in the air so this is the best he could do. This is normally what he skis on.

[BensonWdby]

You don't have to compete to set goals of faster and shorter.
I skied for almost 20 years 15off at 30mph. On a good day if things felt right I would go to 22 off or maybe up to 32.

Then just last year I decided I needed to change something so I just upped my speed. first to 32 and now somewhat regularly at 34. Whenever I make a change like that my goal is almost always the same - try to make 8 good turns before falling. I try to get consistent with the 8 turn thing. I am also toying with shortening the rope again.

One other thing I did last year was to switch my grip. As a RFF skiier everyone tells me I should have my left hand on top, but I started way back with right hand on top. So last year I set a goal of changing to left hand on top. This year I am going to try to actually get out of the water that way. All year last year I got up with right hand top and then switched.

I have spent some time in the course and did try a few tournaments way-back-when, but it really is the family/friendship and the skiing that keeps me on the water.

When I feel I am in a rut I will shorten the rope way short. My current rope has a loop at 41 off, and you bet I have tried it. Only at 30, and only a few turns. It's nuts. But it gives me an idea how hard it is so I can kind of judge how hard the other increments might be. It also helps me realize it is not impossible to go shorter. This has helped my regain my confidence at higher speeds and shorter ropes.

Take a lot of movies, watch them. When you like what you see - go faster, go shorter. Then take a lesson from a reputable pro.

Other goals: Get a lake place (done), get a portable course (maybe this year, maybe next).

Have a good season..
Dave

[Inliner]

My biggest gripe about myself and the goal I am seeking to achieve is crossing the wake full tilt without wussing. My pull-out is great, my pull-in towards the wake is great, but I wuss as soon as I hit the wake at full course speeds. It is something I have been working on exclusively because if I can beat the psychological speed barrier, I can beat the full course. It took me a while to overcome the same thing in the mid-course. I have gone back to free skiing to work on breaking that barrier. Right now I am down with the flu but am hoping to be in good enough working order to get back to it this weekend. Although at this point it isn't looking good. I have been off the skis since Sunday because of this. I am REALLY getting tired of runny noses and fevers!!!! :p If not, I may get relegated to driver duties this weekend in Winter Haven.

Hey Benson, have you been in a course at all? I actually didn't start chopping rope until I hit the course. As I got better in the mid-course, we had to chop rope to challenge me. I have skied as short as 38 off and was able to knock down 5 in the mid. But I honestly have no clue how Andy Mapple and his ilk can ski full course at that rope length. The folks in the boat said it almost seemed like I could reach out and touch the back corner of the boat. The speed as you come across the back end of the boat is incredible! At 34 mph and 38 off it is pretty scary! :) I had to do handle releases to get around the mid buoys! I guess Andy and Chris have nothing to worry about from my old butt for a while!