Last year San Marcos River Ranch had a team tournament that rewarded participation in multiple events. It's the first time I tricked in a tournament in 20 years. The trick specialists were pulling out their vintage slalom sticks. It was one of most enjoyable tournaments of the year.
Kelvin Kelm, Lakes of Katy, Katy Texas
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lpskierPosts: 3,859★★★Triple Panda Award Recipient ★★★
I have but not for 5 years or more
I tricked enough when I was a kid to have a shot at an overall, but it was by far my weakest event. Couple thousand points, tops, if I could stand up. As an adult, I would trick once in a while until my skis disappeared from my boathouse. Who would steal trick skis? What kind of world do we live in?
John Wilkins- Si non pro sanguine quem ludus ne. #iskiconnelly
I started tricking at the age of 48. I hurt my arm jumping ( I started that at 40) so it was all I could do for a few months. I am having fun with it and some how got 3rd in overall at regionals last year. its fun
Never did it before -- can't stand all the time spent in the water waiting for the boat when you are learning new tricks. Last year I did a few trick sets with my kids because I was having fun with my kids! Besides, they like to see the old man fall!
I personally take a lot of pride in being a 3 event skier. It's a challenge (sometimes frustrating) to go to a competition and have all 3 events working well at the same time. I recommended a new Big Dawg rule to Greg Davis last year that all Big Dawg skiers had to compete in at least one event other than slalom.... he just laughed.
I mostly trick because I am there anyway so I might as well get wet. My son skis all three events so we are going to be at the tournament all weekend. I can run between 1000-1300 points so I am not a good trick skier but it is fun. I don't practice it all that much but I get on the ski a few times a month usually right before a tournament.
Eric Lee ( @eleeski ) said at the 2012 Western Regionals that "Richard is the worst Tricker using a E.LeeTrickSki" - and I take that as a compliment, since I can only improve from there...the worst part is that Greg Tate recorded him saying that, and I had to hear it over, and over, and over....
BallOfSpray Pacific Northwest Vice President of Event Management, aka "Zappy"
Tricking was my best event in my teens. But it took a lot of patience and practice. As I got older and had less opportunity to get on the water, even with only a few sets I felt like I was (modestly) improving at slalom; with tricks, I was really trying to slow the process of getting worse... which eventually didn't seem worth the time. I know it's blasphemy on this site, but I shifted my trick efforts to wakeboarding, partly to encourage/share something with my son, and partly because consistently landing a "I'm still cool" back roll is way, way, way easier on a wakeboard ;-)
Trick gives you more time on the water, and it is very gratifying to learn new tricks. Most people at the Pond ski and leave, so it's hard to get a good driver and pinner.
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klindyPosts: 2,923★★★Triple Panda Award Recipient ★★★
I do more trick sking than slalom skiing, since it does take more time, and the opportunities to ski the course on my lake are limited to early weekend mornings, and weekday mornings. Slalom comes back to me quicker after being off the water for six months than tricks does. Trick skiing in a drysuit is very difficult. I am down almost 28 pounds since November 1, and I hope it makes a difference in my skiing. One the weather starts to improve here in Ohio I intend to get out on my rollerblades before the boat comes out..
Gary Janzig Streetsboro Ohio, skis at Lake Latonka, Mercer Pennsylvania slalom,trick,kneeboard,barefoot
Comments
Now we know why you ride the Pink Strada!
I recommended a new Big Dawg rule to Greg Davis last year that all Big Dawg skiers had to compete in at least one event other than slalom....
Eric
AWSA Chairman of the Board
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