Any "diehard" waterskiers still around ?

[skyskier]

I've been waterskiing since 1954 :eek: Still occasionaly like to to ride the old "Maha", but for the most part, I'm riding a skyski (hydrofoil) these days. I've got 4 grandkids that ALL learned to "waterski" 1st. I refuse to pull any "towable" toys :rolleyes: My 7 & 9 year old GK's are both chompin at the bit to barefoot this year, the 5 year old WILL single ski next week for the 1st time, the 3 year old MAYBE :) I just don't seem to see many "skiers" anymore, either wake boarding on on a "water weenie" of somekind :confused:

This is my son inlaw & 4 yr old grandson

[Terrible toy]

I've been waterskiing since 1954 :eek: Still occasionaly like to to ride the old "Maha", but for the most part, I'm riding a skyski (hydrofoil) these days. I've got 4 grandkids that ALL learned to "waterski" 1st. I refuse to pull any "towable" toys :rolleyes: My 7 & 9 year old GK's are both chompin at the bit to barefoot this year, the 5 year old WILL single ski next week for the 1st time, the 3 year old MAYBE :) I just don't seem to see many "skiers" anymore, either wake boarding on on a "water weenie" of somekind :confused:

This is my son inlaw & 4 yr old grandson

There are a few of us that waterski still around. I've been using an HO for a few years and just bought a Connelly FX to try this summer. Like you mentioned, my son and step kids and their friends all wake board or tube. However, my son, who first learned on skis prefers to water ski, especially if his friends aren't around.

[cjbuilder1]

It's a trend to the wakeboards. Go back and we had aquaplanes, then discs and nothing really caught on. The evolution of the skateboard to snowboard to wakeboard was a natural.--I was just born too late. The good boarders are fun to watch. Skied for 56 years not changing now and I'm too old to care about it. I'm on a mission to ski this summer after 2 knee surgeries but most likely more cruising than cutting. Now the Skyski--that's another proposition!

[Flatmvn]

I am good to go on a water ski . I tried the wake board thing and took one hell of a beatin. So I decided that was not for me. I will stick to single skiing and live longer that way.

Louis

[FC-Pilot]

I was brought up right, so I am a skier. I have tried to wake-board but it only helped me progress to my hip surgery. Now that I am able to walk again I am hoping to get back up on my ski. We have a few skis around here that we like for different reasons. We have two different Kidder Redlines', an old Connelly Shortline (which is my dad's favorite old ski and I have been skiing on a Connelly F1X. I have really learned to love the F1X as it can be aggressive yet forgiving when you make a mistake. The old Kidder is aggressive but not as forgiving. I also feel the Connelly is a little faster once you get used to it.

Our family would mix up skiing with knee boarding as I was growing up. Our family trick was to stand up on the knee board. It is funny that I can do that but can't wakeboard.

Paul

[FC-Pilot]

Oh, and my boat of choice to ski behind is our old Hallett flat. Our parents have a 21' Schiada and it is nice, but I still prefer the flat. I have even skied behind some high end competition ski boats and still did not like it any better.

Paul

[tunnelrunner]

We fell into the trap of letting our kids kneeboard and tube before they learnt to ski. The upshot was they were never interested in skiing as tubing and kneeboarding are (apparently) "easier".
Its only now as they reach their late teens that they are finally showing some interest in waterskiing proper. Ive been telling em for years, learn to ski and you'll never bother with tow toys again.

[cjbuilder1]

My kids started at 3 and 5 on Bogie boards, sitting kneeling, standing, 360's, in an out the wake but I could not get they to try sking. They were afraid to fall. They had been watching me push and push till I loose it big and they didn't want any part of that fun. They finally learned in our pool with their mother holding them in the shallow end and me the "fool" pulling them up by running accross the yard with the rope. When we got to the lake it was easy.

[shopteacher]

I have been skiing since I was 5 (way too long). Ski of choice is a MAHA, had mine since 1978 and the one my son skis on I was given in 1967 by a friend that grew up with Bob Haher. Around here the wakeboards are taking over so I ski where most people are freeked about putting their boat in, on the Snohomish River. Private lakes are great, it keeps the rif-raf out. My 21 year old son started sking and loves it, he also wakeboards and I will wakeboard when it is too rough to ski. My boat of choice has become an Austrailian Flightcraft, I bought it a while back. Closest thing to sking behind a boat with out a wake. Plus fast, I just put a GPS speedo in it and it does 57 MPH. The only tournament boat that I have heard about that is faster is the Malibu Corvette at $85,000 -$100,000. Can't wait to encounter one on a lake and see what it can do. I could buy 10 of my boats for the price of that one.

[mh3591]

We learned to ski at a young age as well. Wakeboarding and kneeboarding left me feeling like I got hit in the face with a 2X4 (face plant). We got a "wave skate" which is like a wakeboard but doesn't have the bindings so no more punishing the water with my face. Actually the wave skate is kind of fun...the falls don't hurt and you can't blow a knee out. Great to see the site back up guys. Took a leave of absence but it's great to be back!

[pwderman]

My kids started at 3 and 5 on Bogie boards, sitting kneeling, standing, 360's, in an out the wake but I could not get they to try sking. They were afraid to fall. They had been watching me push and push till I loose it big and they didn't want any part of that fun. They finally learned in our pool with their mother holding them in the shallow end and me the "fool" pulling them up by running accross the yard with the rope. When we got to the lake it was easy.

My kids learned to ski the same way at about the same ages. I had to laugh at this one because I thought I was the only idiot running up and down the side of the pool..:D:D:D The only difference is we drilled a couple of holes in the tips of the ski's so we could use a rope to keep them from spreading,that seemed to be the hardest part for the kids to learn.

My wife and I still have the wood Maha's we bought in the 60's and if I get my latest project finished before I check out I'll be using it again.:eek:

[Florida Inboards]

Hi
I still own the first boat that I learned how to ski with in 1965 on the Colorado river. you can see pictures of it in one of my photo threads. It has changed since 1965 but we still own it and run it hard around north Florida.
My son is a two time National Champion Water skier, Overall and jump. He Held the southern region and florida state jump records for a couple of years and now my daughter is Nationaly ranked in the top 10 overall skiers.
tonight her and I are sitting in a hotel in Bartow Florida as we are participants in the worlds longest continued running annual waterski tournament, the Lakeland open is in it's 60 years and we are full with all three events this weekend.
Me I ski in the mens 4 division and on a good day I can run a few at 35 off.
My practice boat is a 08 Ski Nautique ZR6 but still dig ripping around in the old Flattie.
I ski on a proto type 09 O'brien and a 08 O'brien SixAm SS.
Still sking hard at Age 51.
In the eighty's we used to use our flattie for tournament practice but I got pretty beat up by the wakes of the tournament boats when I entered tournaments so we bought A American Skier and havent skied behind the old girl since. Maybe this summer I will dig out the old little monster and hook it up to the old boat for old times sake!

[warpt71]

I sure like to try and ski!!! I dont go to the river often enough w/ skiers to get any help. Last Oct. I pulled my Dad sking up to the dam behind my Hondo :D

[cjbuilder1]

I sure like to try and ski!!! I dont go to the river often enough w/ skiers to get any help. Last Oct. I pulled my Dad sking up to the dam behind my Hondo :D

Come Sept--bring your ski--I can surely give you a tow and if you would want a wake to jump I am sure the old Campbell can oblige. :D:D:D

[64bezer]

I went to the local boat shop the other day to get a new 8 section ski rope. They didn't have any, only wakeboard ropes. I asked a sales guy where they keep the waterskis and he was confused. He said, "Nobody waterskiis anymore." How sad...

Grew up skiing. I now only wakeboard when the water isn't glass. My dad still has his non-concave bottom MAHA that my mom gave him when they were dating in high school. I learned to single ski on a MAHA 360 that was as large as a sheet of plywood. I've only skied behind a few flatbottoms, but as a new flatbottom owner, I can't wait to get behind mine.

-Rob

[tunnelrunner]

I have been skiing since I was 5 (way too long). Ski of choice is a MAHA, had mine since 1978 and the one my son skis on I was given in 1967 by a friend that grew up with Bob Haher. Around here the wakeboards are taking over so I ski where most people are freeked about putting their boat in, on the Snohomish River. Private lakes are great, it keeps the rif-raf out. My 21 year old son started sking and loves it, he also wakeboards and I will wakeboard when it is too rough to ski. My boat of choice has become an Austrailian Flightcraft, I bought it a while back. Closest thing to sking behind a boat with out a wake. Plus fast, I just put a GPS speedo in it and it does 57 MPH. The only tournament boat that I have heard about that is faster is the Malibu Corvette at $85,000 -$100,000. Can't wait to encounter one on a lake and see what it can do. I could buy 10 of my boats for the price of that one.


Wow!... That Flightcraft is a long way from home!

They are a much loved ski boat hull down here... and there are heaps of em.:D

[flatbroke]

Haven't been here in a few days, but when I saw this thread my heart speeded up a notch or two. The only reason I own a boat was for waterskiing. I'm on my second Connely HP Graphite. Hate the bindings, love the ski. Both my girls started skiing at 4. On a set of kids doubles that were tied together and the ski rope attached to the ski's. The oldest didn't like that and was on a slalom at 5 the youngest switched to different doubles but didn't slalom till 6. That was a very big part of our life. We have a Tournament boat but nobody ski's behind it. The flat is our ONLY ski boat. The kids are now 24 & 27.

[gfinishline]

We love skiing, 'been out of the loop for three years but want to get back in. I remember doing "drive round the skiier" starts behind a 16' Saguaro V with an 85HP Merc on it at Pyramid Lake (Calif), maybe "Mr Flat to Go" also remembers those days, since he thought of the method. Started out on a used wooden (rear step in) ski, then went to a "EP hotdog 35MPH+ deal', then after "crashes and burns" went to a "Connelly Wake Jumper" big ol' thing. Wifey still has a "Maha woodie". I feel the PERFECT WAKE is none at all, like a flat boat. Ryan, I have to look for the photos of your Mom, Dad and YOU skiing on Havasu in 1983. (in the Sanger) You didn't get a tan on that trip! HA HA! Regular old water skiing is still pretty cool fun to me! "Today it's MY CIRCLE, back then it was MY PARTY/SKI BUDDIES".

[warpt71]

We love skiing, 'been out of the loop for three years but want to get back in. I remember doing "drive round the skiier" starts behind a 16' Saguaro V with an 85HP Merc on it at Pyramid Lake (Calif), maybe "Mr Flat to Go" also remembers those days, since he thought of the method. Started out on a used wooden (rear step in) ski, then went to a "EP hotdog 35MPH+ deal', then after "crashes and burns" went to a "Connelly Wake Jumper" big ol' thing. Wifey still has a "Maha woodie". I feel the PERFECT WAKE is none at all, like a flat boat. Ryan, I have to look for the photos of your Mom, Dad and YOU skiing on Havasu in 1983. (in the Sanger) You didn't get a tan on that trip! HA HA! Regular old water skiing is still pretty cool fun to me! "Today it's MY CIRCLE, back then it was MY PARTY/SKI BUDDIES".

Too cool George!!!! I love haering stories of the old day's, the stuff that I don't remember :D :D My dad still has the green O'brien and won't ski on anything else! My mon has some old skiing pictures that she keeps on saying that she is going to scan for us?

[ando79]

Wakeboarding is awesome!! I love turning around every 30 seconds to pick up the spastic on the end. Get awesome fuel consumption too!!:D:p

Ando. perfecting the art of sarcasm.

HO extreme 67"

[FC-Pilot]

Wakeboarding is awesome!! I love turning around every 30 seconds to pick up the spastic on the end. Get awesome fuel consumption too!!

Ando. perfecting the art of sarcasm.

HO extreme 67"

Dang you! You can find skis all day long in your sizes. I have a hard time finding any decent deals on a ski I could actually use.

This has been a great thread! Hey Florida Inboards, congrats you you and your family. That is really what this sport is all about. I grew up skiing with my family and would not have it any other way. Unfortunately our health has not always been accommodating for it. My doctor said I should never try skiing again. (What does he know anyway)?:eek: The last few years before my last injury I was skiing with a group that were great skiers. They really helped me improve quickly. I had even hoped to enter a competition (just to say I did it), but unfortunately my plans have been changed. Now I hope to get into decent enough shape to get up on a ski and have a fun time. If all goes well I will bring a ski with me in September. Now if I can just remember how to use it.:confused::rolleyes:

[poncho]

Started skiing pretty hard in the early 80`s behind my parents flatbottom and eventually bought a Malibu Skier thinking that would turn me into a local hero (Wrong).The flatbottom had a smaller wake and i also realized my stepdad knew how to pull a skier very well.Tried the kneeboard,wakeboard deal but like someone else said they were always trying to rearrange my face,nothing like tooth dust to brighten your day.I can watch all the tricks in the world but nothing compares to seeing a good slalom skier laying down a perfect pass.Hey Shopteacher we used to hit Sammamish at 5am during the week and run the course before work wonder if its still there,good memories.Great thread

[cjbuilder1]

[QUOTE=FC-Pilot;5446]Dang you! You can find skis all day long in your sizes. I have a hard time finding any decent deals on a ski I could actually use.

Know the problem--sold off the whole kit about 5 years ago when the family seemed to loose all interest. Now I have my "mid-life" crisis in hand and have been putting a revised "old guy/grand daughter" kit together. Actually have picked up a couple of nice cruisers for "big" folks. You'll be welcome in Sept.

This thread does bring back some memories. Perris Ski Land, Carlsbad Lagoon, Back Bay Newport, Mojavie in the '50's, some canal place out in the avenues in Lacaster/Palmdale area, heck--even Hansen Dam. You had to really need a "smooth water" fix to haul all the way to Havasu or Mojavie in the late 50's and early 60's, But the trip was worth the effort.

[ls6vdrive]

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4778/footinzb0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4778/footinzb0.ca09b93d25.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=402&i=footinzb0.jpg)

Nothing like a great day of footing or skiing to get you back into shape. Amazing finding muscles you never realized you had. I grew up waterskiing with the Rock Aqua Jays ski show in Wisconsin. Fun times, i miss them.:cool:

[shan]

There's nothing else like it. When the water is good I use my Maha 360, when it's not I use my Maha Longboard. I have tried wakeboarding, but it's too slow for me. There's nothing better than Apache lake at about 6:30 AM on a week day. Oh, and I will ski behind anything, but I prefer skiing behind my flat.:)

Since this is my first post, howdy everyone. Yea, yea, I'll post pictures some day.:D

[poncho]

Welcome Shan,used to have a g/f down there that lived in Apache Junction and had an interest in a shop at the Superstion Mall we used to rent the little 14ft boats with an o/b and i would go out and beg folks for a tow usually worked out good and made some cool friends,i liked the upper part of the river very scenic and a great ski place,funny u said pics soon so you must know that was gonna be the first crack and you dodged that one for a minute but get em up,welcome to the best v-drive site there is.

[poncho]

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4778/footinzb0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4778/footinzb0.ca09b93d25.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=402&i=footinzb0.jpg)

Nothing like a great day of footing or skiing to get you back into shape. Amazing finding muscles you never realized you had. I grew up waterskiing with the Rock Aqua Jays ski show in Wisconsin. Fun times, i miss them.:cool:

Very first and last time slapped my face hard went back to the ski,OUCH

[poncho]

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4778/footinzb0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4778/footinzb0.ca09b93d25.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=402&i=footinzb0.jpg)

Nothing like a great day of footing or skiing to get you back into shape. Amazing finding muscles you never realized you had. I grew up waterskiing with the Rock Aqua Jays ski show in Wisconsin. Fun times, i miss them.:cool:

When i was skiing 3-4 days a week you could feel the effects of a party weekend your muscles get a workout that Ive never found anywhere else in such a short burst

[Roaddogg 4040]

When I was in high school and didn't have a boat I would go up to the Russian River (once in a while) with my ski and foam belt and hitch a ride from anyone at the river that would stop at my outfacing thumb while I stood on a beach. It was great but it was way better when I got my first boat after I got married...:D:D I would like to thank the neat people that stopped for me all those years ago. A little late but thanks just the same...

Steve

[whaledog11]

We use to leach ski rides at Long beach marine stadium when we had time from work or school.Skiied with the Murphys a good old ski family.Days at Parker skiing in the early 70s first one up on glass water crack a dawn.
cool memories thanks to all those we met and skiied with.

[Terrible toy]

Very first and last time slapped my face hard went back to the ski,OUCH

Never barefooted, but did ski on shoe skis which were good for eye lid pealing face plants. Also wake jumping and letting the tip of the ski drop.:eek:

[skyskier]

We use to leach ski rides at Long beach marine stadium when we had time from work or school.Skiied with the Murphys a good old ski family.Days at Parker skiing in the early 70s first one up on glass water crack a dawn.
cool memories thanks to all those we met and skiied with.
How about David lester, Denny Scales, Rick & Randy Cowles, Timmie Guckes ,Gary (can't remeber his last name )
he was the 1st one of the "leach" club members to actualy own a boat. We used to ski in the "lagoon" across from "tin can" beach on PCH where the state park is now. Back in the 60's the Parker strip was deserted monday thru thursday so we'd go out to Poston ( road to Blythe ) and ski behind cars in the canal. Nick Murphy drove a station wagon into the frikin canal one day.

[skyskier]

My all time favorite pic ! My Pop pulling me on the skyski at Lake Coeur d' Alene Idaho. We were still pretty "young" when this was taken in 2005.................Pop was only 80, I was a "spry" 57 :eek: The b&w pic is me in my prime, from Parker ski races about 1963
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/skyskier/LakeHouse032-1.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/skyskier/Dennyskirace2.jpg

[AquaCraft]

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/attachment.php?attachmentid=500&stc=1&d=1212945229Hey Ski Skier,

Great photos! I am diggin' the jams in the black and white photo and it gets no better than having your pop pull you, awesome!

In the late 60's/early 70's an outfit in Newport, California came out with a fiberglass "knee ski". Hydro glide and others jumped on the wagon with the "vacuum form boards" but my favorite was always the Newport Knee Ski.

I always preferred skiing behind props; those jet wakes tended to make one launch to unreal heights. Now kids put sandbags in boats for a big wake and WANT to go aerial; 'go figure.

Whether slalom or knee skiing; prop boats and carving turns were always where it was at for me.

'Sorry about the sideburns and 'fro; it was the 70's, man!

[skyskier]

The hydro slide was one of Danny Churchill's inventions, he's STILL getting royalty checks from Whammo :D I was up at Arrowhead a couple years back with Danny, Mike Murphy, Mike Harker and Timmie Guckes. We were talking about the evolution of the water toy market and Danny said he came up with the 1st "wakeboard" called a "skurfer" . As he told it, the skurfer was a "prototype" and he wanted to further improve it by squareing off the nose & tail, and put 2 full bindings on it. He got voted down by the suit & tie guy's of the company and they wanted to rush ahead and get this "NEW" toy out. Shortly after, somebody else came up with the 1st "wakeboard" , Danny figures that cost him around 20 MILLION over his lifetime. BTW, that B&W pic of me, I was skiing behind my Pop's 18 wickens whirlwind. I'd sure like to find that boat today !

[lebel409]

I leaned behind my uncles Schiada flatbottom when I was 12. Took them a while to convince me...I'm slow sometimes.

I tried the knee ski. Same as the ski chair...about 5 minutes of novelty then I wanted to go skiing again.

I'm looking forward to getting my boat done so I can take the kids out.

[RiverRacer]

I think this cooler n $hit!..:cool::cool::cool:

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/skyskier/LakeHouse032-1.jpg

[Fastnglass]

Were still out here but we have to ski at 5:00 AM Its the only time the waters good The tubers and boarders are still in bedy by

[RiverRacer]

That sucks anymore you have to go during the week!..

[Shooter]

That sucks anymore you have to go during the week!..

The only time we get any break from traffic and tubers is now in the spring. The water temp is still in the 60s so activity on our lake is limited. We can catch a few breaks during the week come summer. We have a few secret spots depending on wind direction.

Our family is strictly boarders. At first, after being a hardcore water skier that included slalom, jumping, tricks and barefoot, I felt like a traitor. But that said, after awhile I leaned to wakeboarding because it was less strenuous and a lot of fun once you learned to get airbourne.

Here I am at age 60 2 titanium knee replacements and all.
www.performanceboats.com/html/youBoat/showphoto.php?photo=7939&cat=500

[skyskier]

The only time we get any break from traffic and tubers is now in the spring. The water temp is still in the 60s so activity on our lake is limited. We can catch a few breaks during the week come summer. We have a few secret spots depending on wind direction.

Our family is strictly boarders. At first, after being a hardcore water skier that included slalom, jumping, tricks and barefoot, I felt like a traitor. But that said, after awhile I leaned to wakeboarding because it was less strenuous and a lot of fun once you learned to get airbourne.

Here I am at age 60 2 titanium knee replacements and all.
www.performanceboats.com/html/youBoat/showphoto.php?photo=7939&cat=500
right on shooter ! :D some nice lookin flatties you got there. Is that at Big River ?

[RiverRacer]

This is very cool!.:cool: What is 60, last time I heard it's just a number, don't mean shit!..:D:D

http://www.v-driveboat.com/vweb/attachment.php?attachmentid=504&stc=1&d=1213246306

[shooter2]

For those of you that don't know, here is a little history on Shooter. Gord played many years of professional football. A couple of years ago he had both kness replaced. He loves all watersports, from racing to wakeboarding. His kids are awsome at it. Gord was the original owner of my boat and I helped him out a bit, then we became a team. I eventually bought everything from him and a more than reasonable cost. His wife Colleen is a great person as well. The whole family is probably the nicest people you would ever meet. I have skied and wakeboarded behind his 21 ft Tige. The ski that he has is great, a Kahuna Carve. After I skied on that ski everthing else is a let down. I actually wont ski unless I am with him, what can I say I am a suck lol. I would like to take this oppurtunity to publicly thank Gord for all he has done for me and my family. Thanks Gord, Colleen, James and Jess you guys are very special people. Hope to see you on the water this summer up in Bobcaygen.

Brian

[Jusjofok]

Well I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that ski's! :)
I am 24 and started skiing when I was 10, learned to slalom the same day. Learned behind a 16ft Glastron with a 140 Merc. My old man was a youth group sponsor and we have taught a lot of people to ski behind that boat, still have it and use it on occasion. My ski of choice is a 69 Jobe, also own a 65 and dad uses a 67. Favorite leisure ski is a wooden concave Terry, old as dirt but silky smooth :) I tried the wakeboard thing a couple times but it just isn't my thing. The primary reason I bought my flat was for skiing, you just can't beat the non-existent wake or the time it takes to come out, lol if you have a good driver you don't even need to hold your breath. Make a big "s" with the boat and let me get the handle and when the rope straightens just nail it :)
Any of you skiers ever in the Oklahoma/Kansas area let me know bring you ski and we will drown some rudders :)

[Shooter]

Thanks Gord, Colleen, James and Jess you guys are very special people. Hope to see you on the water this summer up in Bobcaygen.

Brian

Brian, if you don't show up soon with those great 3 kids of yours, I'm going to kick your butt. Take care in that capsule boat. If Mel 's crew chiefing you should be fast and safe. And it's spelled BOBCAYGEON.

P.S. Brian is one hell of a Dad and a great slalom skier.

Cheers,
Gordie

[Shooter]

Thanks Art for posting my wake pic. I don't quite have a handle on posting photos yet, but I'm getting closer.

Gordie

[RiverRacer]

Thanks Art for posting my wake pic. I don't quite have a handle on posting photos yet, but I'm getting closer.

Gordie

Anytime Gordie!..;)