Too much...

Karate Kid shit with my hands.



I finally had a fourth person with me while tricking. That means a driver, a pinner, and a filmer to get some toe trick footage. It's a little dangerous to film and release. It might lead to something akin to this:



This was actually a jump injury (get healed up ASAP Katie), but I think, loyal readers, you get the point.

My, what a long...

Peninsula.


This past weekend, two things happened that seldom occur together. Ski tournament @ Dream Lakes in huxley, IA, & good skiing conditions. I did not quite take advantage of the smooth water as I managed to post average scores in all three events. That seemed to be the case all day Saturday. Few PBs, but then again, very few break-your-ski-into-a-thousand-pieces performances.

Pat Cook broke a long drought of not shortening the rope.


In the midst of a two-year research stint, Dr. Marie has a life again and can actually do some skiing.


At this angle, it looks like Jim can't get on the ramp. But, he got on...

Katie, do as...

I say, not as I do.




No, seriously, I mean it.

The reason for...

this year's sharp increase in a waterskier's cost per set.


see Obama pictures

First, the good...

news. I finally dialed in a decent spot to start my double wake cuts.

The bad news: I was, ever so slightly, on my heels.

The reason why...

I had no scoring jumps yesterday



Remember folks, the ramp is about 1000 feet away, this way: <---
It faces this way: --->

That's a nasty tailwind.
During practice on Friday, it was blowing 180 degrees in the other direction, the good direction.

Of course, I don't have that much of an excuse for not riding one out, being that Chuck managed to land a few solid jumps, like this one.



This picture makes me a little sad. I took my camera out 30 seconds too late to catch Steve P. doing an unintentional barrel roll of the top of the ramp. He was ok(though undoubtedly very sore right now) and all I got was a shot of the yard sale cleanup.

"I wonder if there's...

a cooler in the back of this car?"



Has Nola found a new accomplice??????

Welcome back...

Clint, to the lake. He had not skied all year until today. On this pass, it showed, painfully.



That DID leave a mark.


Mad props to Mace Windu, my Jedi cameraman, for the shit-eating shot.

One month to go...

until Regionals, give or take a couple of days. After a month's long shelving (thanks to a the second 500-year flood in the last 15 years) I am, basically, starting the season over from scratch.


I finally got a jump set in good conditions this past week. I could still be a little more aggressive, but It's getting there.


But, as you can see here, I've got to get there in a hurry if I want to make Brian nervous in Kansas next month


Much appreciation to Scott T. & Brian A. for inviting me out to take a few sets at Dream Lakes estates. It turns out they do get good water out there sometimes.

Trickin' it...

Old school.

I found these gems on Some hombre from Columbia's YouTube page.


Mapple, on a trick ski. Cool.


Aymeric Benet, circa 1989.


Patrice Martin, ce n'est pas une trick release.


Cory Pickos, still one of the best.

Legions of readers, I hope you enjoy.