Installing a Slalom Course

[east tx skier]

So addictive. It took a while for it to take with me, but I'm at the point where I know if I can get access to one where nobody but my usuals are observing, I can improve.

[André]

Skiing the course is the only way to see if you're improving or just kicking some waterwalls...

[east tx skier]

The most noticeable thing about the course is that there is not more coasting, waiting to turn. Pull out, turn in, hold edge, turn, repeat 5x

[bradamerry]

Doug, a course in front of the in-laws, would have to put Cypress Bayou on top of the list for the reunion.

[east tx skier]

Like I said, I'm in (if I can find a weekend).

The course, which is a mere bubble in my beer, twinkle in my eye kind of thing right now, would be in a cove on the big lake. Too much traffic on the bayou to leave the course out there.

First things first, must kill lilly pads in cove.

Anybody try "Reward"?

[jimmer2880]

Thx for the noodle idea... I'll try it this weekend. I've been using either styrophome balls, or capped PVC pipe zippy-tied to my cables (I use 1/8" vinyl coated cable for my sub-bouys).


I installed a port-a-slalom in 6-8' of water before & it wasn't fun. If there is anything on the bottom (stumps, engine blocks, etc) it'll get hung up.

I have 1 anchor per bouy. I feel it is the best solution for my water.

[east tx skier]

Jimmer, did you measure your permenant course similarly to how Andre did his, i.e., with pre-measured lengths of rope? Did you use any pipe to make sure it was straight? I'll probably be doing a drop-in as opposed to a portable course due to water depth.

[jimmer2880]

I do all my measurements via pre-measured rope (I have several for different apps).

1) I have 1 rope which is as long as the entire course. It is actually several feet longer than the course (about 20' on each end). We have an engine block at the 1 end, and 2 anchors (18"x18" chimney blocks filled with concrete) tied together at the other. The rope is hooked firmly between the 2 to keep it straight. The rope has a knot where each row of bouys goes.

2) I also have a rope which is the length of the diaganol between the drive bouy & the turn ball. It is for the DIAGANOL, so it is from the drive ball that closest to the turn ball, but is NOT in the same row (ie - previous or next).

3) Then there is the rope for getting the distance from the closest drive ball to the turn bouy. This rope is for the drive bouy in the same row as the turn bouy. Using ropes 2 & 3 at the same time, this is how you position the turn balls accurately.

All of the above ropes were for installing the course originally & for occasional "fix up". Also - when setting everything up, be sure you're working at the anchor level, not the bouy level. If the current is equal throughout your course, if the anchors are accurate, so will the bouys (at least for us non-world record skiers).

4) For finding the sub-bouys on cloudy water days I have a rope with several knots in it. Each knot has a different color electrical tape on it documenting what it's used for. This rope is drug behind the boat while searching for the sub-bouys or anchors in the spring (we take our sub's out each fall). I have a couple of the pool style floats at each knot. When the float passes the previous ball, the ski pilon should be above the ball you're looking for.

Remember:

1) Gates are 8' apart & drive bouys are only 6' apart.
2) The distance from the gates to the 1st of balls (drive bouys & turn ball 1) is almost half the distance as the distance between ball row 1 & ball row 2.
3) goes along with #2 - the distance from ball row 6 to the gates is the same length as the entrance gates to row #1

I have an autocad release 12 drawing of a slalom course with measurements if anyone is interested.

[jimmer2880]

here's the .dwg file zipped

[east tx skier]

Thanks, Jimmer. That's extremely helpful. You even managed to answer the questions I was about to ask. Good stuff.