I Did It!!!! I Really Did It!!!!

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

:woohoo: OK, I F****** DID IT!!! I got up deep water start on ONE F***** SKI!!! TOnite!!!

I cant believe it!! I took your advice and used my old Kidder cruiser which is bigger ski. I got up 4 times on it! then I was feeling confident, so I tried my Siege. I actually got up on it!!! I really did it!! What a victory!! My buddy Bill was driving boat, and he was amazed, so he wanted to try it. and he got up too!!! What a night!!! WOW!!! I am SOO pumped!!!!
I want to seriously thank all of you who urged me to try again. I really owe it to you. Markp, Doug, Stevo, Brazos, and the rest I cant remember because we are all celebrating now and I am too excited. Anyway, I really want to sincerely THANK YOU all for encourageing me to try again. VICTORY!!! I did it, after 17 years!!!

I tried several times with no luck on my seige after the succes on the Kidder, and billy came around with the boat again, and he said, "you had enough" I said "no way man, I can smell it!!, I can SMELL IT!!, victory is near, do it again!!" and I got up the very next try.

The method that worked was, forward foot forward, rear foot close to my butt, ski at a 45 angle, half ski out of water, boat starts slow, then when my ski stablizes, they nail it, and I step on the back of the ski, and I popped right out!!!! I did it!!! :friday: I really did.

[RickDV]

Awesome! Way to push yourself and make it happen!!

[shepherd]

Congrats UP man!!! I can feel the joy coming from my computer screen. :woohoo:

The extra-cool part is that your buddy tried and succeeded too. Amazing what peer pressure can do for you! I bet you guys are partying tonight. :friday:

[Cloaked]

Congratulations my friend!!! Good deal!!! I remember well how it feels to get up the first time... LOL.. As long as that may have been.. :D


Now you're good to go. Read my barefoot instructions and you'll be footing before the summer is over... :friday: :uglyhamme

[6ballsisall]

They thats awesome!! Nothing greater than the feeling of accomplishment after persisting at something. Now it's just like riding a bike, it'll come natural too you forever!

[stevo137]

Awesome!
Way to go UMP!
You just didn't want to fly to Chicago did you! ;)

[Tennesseeski]

:banana: :banana: :banana: Good on ya!!!!!!!!!! That is a great feeling man. :friday: Here's to many more deep water starts. If you can do that, you can do anything.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Awesome!
Way to go UMP!
You just didn't want to fly to Chicago did you! ;)

He he he. hey, I really appreciated your offer to help me out there. HEY! think of it this way, for the cost of a plane ticket from way up here in the sticks(which is very costly), I can buy a new ski, or the majority of the cost of a new ski.... :D

Oh yea, I think I officially deserve to do a banana man dance: :banana:

I tell you, the only "bad" part is about this: I promised myself if I could get up on one ski with boat feet in, I would buy myself a new ski :cool: so.... I will have to see about that....

something in the back of my head says......CDX

WOW, its funny. I had dreams about it all night it seems. Its so unreal almost. like the whole thing was a dream. but it happened, and I got the sore arms, and lower legs to prove it.... I am so proud of myself today. Its really an accomplishment for me. I have wanted to do that for so many years, now I can. its such a rush!!!

THanks again people!!! you know who you are!!!! THANKS!!!

[Tennesseeski]

You going to give it another try today?

[bradamerry]

Congrats UMP..... Now for that course. :eek:

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

as soon as I can man!! I am going to wash the boat this morning. If I can find a willing boat driver, and the weather permits, I am certainly going to go do it again today. :) if not today, then tomarrow as the weather is supposed to be better, and my bud billy can go skiing again too after he takes care of his wife and kids obligations and family things today. SO YES!! I sure want to get out there and try it again very soon. I may be able to swindle my mom or dad into driving boat for me too..... :cool:

[Tennesseeski]

Hope you find a driver! I know how it is to want to ski and not have a driver. :rant:

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Congrats UMP..... Now for that course. :eek:

COURSE.....??? we cant build Rome in one day here Brad ;) :purplaugh Thanks Brad!! :) Hey you never know, I may decide to try running a course in the future. THere is a guy I know in town here that I dont ski with that often because of conflicting schedules, etc... and he wants he, billy and I to go in together on a portable slalom course. He also wants us all to go to ski school for a week. I dont know about the later, I would love to go to ski school for a week, but thats pretty costly.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Hope you find a driver! I know how it is to want to ski and not have a driver. :rant:
I hear you buddy!! :toast:

Is it worse to NOT have a driver, or worse to have a BAD boat driver??? :confused:

[WTRSK1R]

Now that you have done it once, it will be easy. It may still take a couple of tries, but it is like riding a bike. The more you do it, the more your body will automatically compensate for things like changes in the boat acceleration, a sudden wave as your starting, etc. Get back out and practice as soon as you can, and you will never go back to dropping a ski again. Just for the abilty to skip looking for the drop ski alone makes it worthwhile. My son just started getting up on one this week, and it is really a rush when it happens. Congratulations ! :banana:

[meggsy1221@aol.com]

congats i drank most of our local lake before i got out all though i did not have a mc boat at the time but it exciting none the less.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I drank a bit of water too :D

I didnt get out yesterday to try again, un cooperative weather. so I am going to try today. so I washed, waxed, detailed the boat yesterday. I am about to grab the boat and head out to my parents house for the day. Hopefully be able to ski!!! :D Looking forward to getting up on one ski again!!!

[Leroy]

Way to go UMP190! Always learn new things!

[Crash]

I'm a little late to reply...but Kudos! :headbang:

Just another great illustration on why I love this board...great advice...that works! :toast:

[betsy&david Harrison]

:woohoo: Way to Go!! B

[east tx skier]

Me so happy me want to cry. You are the man, UMP!!! I knew you could do it!!! :cool:

/minor threadjack on/

Speaking of personal victories I doubled my PB (which is sort of pathetic). We skied our course this weekend until our hands were blistered and our eyes were bleached by the sun the sun. I finally got that pesky two ball that's been eluding me for so long. Was so pumped (2 is my off side) that I forgot about 3, 4, 5, and 6. This morning I got 2 and didn't forget about 3. Missed it by inches, but I'm getting there slowly and am feeling like an 800 lb gorilla. One of our cousins was really pushing us as he was moving through 22 off at 34.2 mph.

We also figured out where to do turn-arounds where we once thought it was too shallow. Plenty of setup now. Didn't see a single boat in our cove all weekend except for a neighbor putting his john boat up.

Sorry to threadjack, but I'll bring it back around. Congrats again UMP!!!

[parks_jr_55]

Super, now go buy yourself a Pasty and a beer.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

you bet parks, :friday: Yes, thats the local ethnic culinary treat. I take it youve been here in da UP then?

Ya know, I kinda goofed when I did my screen name, I should have made it "Yooper Skier" or something with Yooper in it, but the abbreviated "UMP" works better for short, its easier to type.

Doug, congrats on that 2 ball buddy!!! :woohoo: WAY TO GO!!

I ordered a rear Contact wrap binding for my Seige. Im not going to buy a new ski just yet, I want to really research the next ski I buy. I will buy one though, just as I promised myself. I am looking forward to getting the new binding to replace my RTP on the siege. Gonna be cool to FINALLY be able to ski with double boots. :headbang:

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

OK, just to prove to myself that it wasnt a fluke, I was able to get out on the lake last nite. I got up 6 more times on one ski with both feet in. I drank about half the lake, but it was great!! THe best part is, even the times I tried and failed, I was learning!!! I was more aware of what I was doing last night. I wasnt nervous. I was relaxed, and I just took it all in mentally and realized the things I was doing wrong, and the things I did right. I know when its too early to put weight on my rear leg and stand up. and I know I dont have to drag forever either. I continued to make progress. It was fun! :dance: I noticed even on this trip out, I was MUCH better at it than when I did it Friday night for the first time. I didnt use my big ski at all, I went right out on the Siege. and I have to say this: I dont know what the hell my buddies were talking about when they said starting on one ski is exhausting. I made about 12 attempts with 6 succesful starts and got out there and cut it up too. I wasnt even close to being exhausted. I dont know if they are just lazy or what.... I dont get it. I dont have any sore muscles, no strains. So all is good, now just waiting to get my rear boot binding...UPS should be bringin it thursday. THEN we will really be ready to carve it up! Man, this is SO much fun!! What a blast! THanks again to all!

I also tried out my new prop last nite, but I will start a new thread on that.

[stevo137]

UMP, I've been skiing for about 25 years and I still get butterflies of excitement when I hear the engine start and the rope start to tighten.
You should have seen how excited Stevo Jr. was Sunday morning.
It was his first time on slalom. He did great. I posted it on Weekend Memories.

[sizzler]

i taught 2, 40 somethings this weekend to barefoot off of the boom,,,the looks on their faces as they did it for the first time was priceless...the transition to the short line was great for me as well....their crashes were awesome....

i "treated" them to some flyin' dock starts and tumbles and finished off with a "summie" which i footed away from for the first time :D

[jimmer2880]

i taught 2, 40 somethings this weekend to barefoot off of the boom,,,the looks on their faces as they did it for the first time was priceless...the transition to the short line was great for me as well....their crashes were awesome....

i "treated" them to some flyin' dock starts and tumbles and finished off with a "summie" which i footed away from for the first time :D

what's a "summie"?

[BRAZOS 205]

Congrats UMP, I'm happy to hear you got up, glad the tips helped. Now its time to CARVE! Keep it up.

[Granite_33]

I dont know what the hell my buddies were talking about when they said starting on one ski is exhausting. I made about 12 attempts with 6 succesful starts and got out there and cut it up too. I wasnt even close to being exhausted. I dont know if they are just lazy or what.... I dont get it.


UMP....if your buddies are 5'6" and 285.......then, yes, starting on one ski is exhausting :D

Otherwise, they were feedin ya some sh*t :D

Sounds like the monkey is now on their back though. :banana:

[X2M]

Congratulations UMP!! You inspired me to try again. I am totally bummed to report that I could not get up. :( I kept at it for over an hour (was almost up 3 times). I finally got back in the boat because I couldn't hold on to the rope anymore and was exhausted. Anyone have any tips? I start with my front leg almost straight and my back leg bent so that the ski is touching my bumm. Then lean way back during the pull and push the front leg down. All that seems to work for me. After that I either can't hold the rope any longer or get pulled over the front. Maybe I am not leaning back far enough? I am frustrated and sore this morning. I really want to get up this year. Any ideas will be GREATLY appreciated. :)

[gene dobies]

Keep both knees to your chest no straight legs. Keep almost balled up and hands outstretched. Ski at about a 45 degree angle and about half out of the water. Do not pull with your arms, let the boat pull you out. Stay bunched up till you feel yourelf on top of the water, then gradually stand, keep knees bent a little. Good luck

[tex]

I've been skiing for 33 years and there is still nothing like the feeling of learning something new! I am starting to work on one ski tricks off the jump and my skier friends are asking why am I doing this at age 40. I explain that it's all about learning! What a great feeling!!!!!!!!!

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

X2Momma, thanks! WEll, while I am not a pro at this yet, I will be more than happy to offer whatever assistance I can. :) here is what I do:

I get my front foot out as straight as I can
bend my rear leg and get the ski as close to my butt as I can
extend my arms
get the ski roughly about 45 degree angle in the water with as much tip out of the water as I can.
Try to "tuck" as much of me behind the ski as possible to lessen water drag.
have the driver put the boat in gear, tighten the rope
then have the driver SLIGHTLY increase just off idle speed to help straighten the ski
pray to god
Tell the driver to hit it. he does a smooth, but firm acceleration to WOT
I keep my weight back,let the boat tow me for a few seconds, drink about 6 gallons of lake water via my nasal passages, ;)
then step down on my rear foot and that pops me out of the water. Dont stand up too soon or you will go over forward, you will "feel" the right time to stand on that rear leg, its hard to explain, but you will sense the correct time to shift your weight on the rear leg. when the water breaks contact with you, and the ski starts to plane, stand up!

This is what worked for me. I had alot of different suggestions on technique from all the nice people here when I was struggling with it. I tried a few and this is what worked for me.
Now keep this in mind, I am gonig to repeat what everyone here told me, DONT GIVE UP!!!!! I am walking proof that at age 32 after 17 years of slalom skiing, you can learn to deep water start with both feet in your ski. I did it with no trainer rope, a full wetsuit on. If I can do it, so can you!!!

Dont be afraid to try different techniques. Ask other people their technique and do what works for YOU when you find the combination.

I hope this helps!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask and we will try to help!! Please let us know how it goes, and HANG IN THERE!!!! YOU WILL DO IT!!!! I PROMISE!!!! :wavey:

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I've been skiing for 33 years and there is still nothing like the feeling of learning something new! I am starting to work on one ski tricks off the jump and my skier friends are asking why am I doing this at age 40. I explain that it's all about learning! What a great feeling!!!!!!!!!


ROCK ON TEX!!!! :toast: :headbang:

[RobertT]

Congrats!!!


As far as advice on how to do it for those that asked....I just started all of this too, and to be honest have not spent much time on skis, the airchair and wakeboard seem to have peaked my interest BUT...

I was able to drag my 250lb carcass out of the water right away using this method.

1. Get everything as tight as I could with the bindings that I have.
2. Grab a deep V handle if you have it.
3. I pulled my legs in tight into a crouch, nothing was straight at all.
4. I didnt pull on the rope at all or try to stand...I was told to hold the crouch until I could see the driver of the boat.
5. Tip your chin down as much as possible, to prevent water from shooting into your nose (it also seems to help keep you in the right position).
6. To be honest, the next thing I do it shut my eyes and hold on. I just wait for the resistance to drop down and the angle of the pull to change, then I know I am ontop of the water....then stood up.

Sounds crazy, but it worked the first time I tried it and every time since.

For what its worth from a newbie.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

See, there you go, different techniques work for differnt people.

Good job RobertT!!! :)

and just for the record, my RTP is NO MORE!!! I just installed my new Contact high wrap rear binding on my Siege today at lunch time!!! I cant wait to go try it out and see the difference!!! :D

And I am not going to break my promise to myself, I am still going to buy a new ski. I am still thinking heavy on a new HO CDX w/animals from Wileys. To be honest, I really enjoy skiing on my Siege, I think its a good ski. Some ski shops I have been talking to seem to diss the Siege :confused: Some said you have to ski too fast on it.....I dont know. the only thing I can compare it to is my old Obrien International Freestyle and it makes that look like a wood plank from the lumber yard.

[RobertT]

I am pretty sure I have a plank from a lumber yard:)

I have a set of O'Brien skis I bought as a boat set at Dicks. They are the only ones I have been on. I should try a good ski some time. Getting up was easy, but cutting hard was fairly hard to do. Then again, I only spent an hour or so on them.....so I cant complain until I try harder.

Anyway, it is a very cool feeling!

[Leroy]

UMP190, good advise from you and RT. The full wetsuit will help a lot also. I noticed in the spring sit much higher in the water and less resistance and would pop up a lot easier!

[MarkP]

Well Congratulations!! You went and did it while I was away.. But that’s ok, Great to hear. Keep it up!!!:toast:



X2momma listen to what gene is saying. If you don’t get up, you get your own thread. If you still don’t get up we may have to schedule a traveling TT clinic;)

[X2M]

X2momma listen to what gene is saying. If you don’t get up, you get your own thread. If you still don’t get up we may have to schedule a traveling TT clinic;)


MarkP - I have read the info and will be trying to get up again soon (maybe tonight). We shall see what works for me. I will let you know how it goes. I'm trying to stay positive. I am determinded to get up this year!

How much would a traveling TT clinic cost me? :D

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

X2, please keep us posted on how it goes!!!! We are all pullin for ya!!! :wavey: GOOD LUCK! and keep that positive attitude goin! You WILL make it up on one ski! we promise! Listen to those guys, I thought I was a lost cause, and they encouraged me to do that one more time and it worked. Hang in there bud!!!! :headbang:

[Crash]

We're are rooting for you!!

One other tip I do for my wife, is to drag her ~5 feet before I throttle up. We found dragging her a little get's the water moving and easier on her hands.

I know you can do it...