  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science." "The whole
of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking." "Everything
should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." -Albert Einstein Subject:
Learning to barefoot Hello, I
am 6'2 and 265lbs. I
am having trouble learning to Barefoot off a boom. While
I am on the boom the driver has trouble controlling the boat.
Please give
me any suggestions you might have on teaching a big guy to Barefoot. Thanks Kevin
Wallace This is a great topic and one that is dear to my heart. I
love the challenge of helping people achieve their goals. I have
taught so many people of so many sizes, shapes, conditioning, and
athletic ability. The bigger the challenge, the more I enjoy it. I pride myself
on taking on challenges that other people might shy away from because
they thing it is too difficult. The biggest dude I have ever helped to barefoot is a guy who
was 360 pounds. He claims to be the biggest, and I haven't found
a challenger, but I am constantly looking. Big dudes and dudettes require special teaching techniques
and patience. I would like to unravel some of the mysteries that
I have learned. #1 The Boom is not a friend of the big dude! (DIRECTLY on
the boom, that is.) #2 Eventually, the long line is the most comfortable place
to ski, but not at first. #3 Extra dry land practice is essential to make up for the
lack of boom training. #4 Driving is critical. #5 Great equipment is a must because there is no boom time.
This equipment is usually special order and costs a little more. The biggest mistake is trying to get someone who is over 225
pounds (this is not a magic number) to learn while holding directly
on the boom. Why? This is because although these big dudes are usually
VERY strong, the strength to weight ratio can be awkward on the
boom. There are two solutions depending on the equipment owned.
If you are properly fitted with a really good barefoot suit AND
PADDED SHORTS (here me now.believe me later), the forwards deep
water start is the EASIEST way to learn to barefoot. This is usually
much more comfortable and easier to control for the big dude. I draw the line on who I take to the deep water start based
on whether I can get them into the Easy Footer on the boom as I
explained in NFTE#18-The Easiest Way to Learn to Barefoot Water
Ski (http://www.thefootersedge.com/traumacenter/index.htm)
If I could teach you that way, I would prefer it, but the
methods described below are a close second depending on the size
of the footer! For a review of how to do this, you can see a five minute
FREE video lesson at http://www.thefootersedge.com/video_clips.htm
Or if you want a copy of the article I wrote, go to http://www.thefootersedge.com/traumacenter/index.htm
and look for NFTE#10-The Front Deep. What if you (not you, of course, but your friend) are one
of those people who believe that good equipment (i.e. boom, padded
shorts, a GOOD barefoot suit) is a luxury to be owned by sissies
(make sure you have access to a full size mirror so you can view
your severely bruised and pummeled butt the following day) what
is the solution? The wake board start is definitely for you. It
is almost identical to the forwards deep water start but can be
used when there is no boom or wetsuit. You can see this method in my two hour instructional video
at ../../video_ad.htm Once you have chosen your path, the next step is to go over
the butt glide three-point position on dry-land (see previously
mentioned articles or video). Make sure you master the art of ankle
flex while on dry-land because that is the biggest killer to learning
either of these ways. Review at http://www.thefootersedge.com/traumacenter/index.htm
NFTE#14- Ultra Mega Glide Then go over the proper standing position perfecting your
Posture and Glide first on dry-land. Driving is HUGE so let me give you the "Do's and Do NOT's."
These are not special for big dudes, but are more critical
because they have not had the experience and sensation of barefoot
first on the boom!!! DO NOT use speed to solve problems. The correct three-point
position whether from your butt glide or from a wake board must
be mastered. The drivers responsibility is to keep the speed down
until this perfection is achieved. The dry-land should save a lot
of time. If there is a lot of spray when the footer puts their feet
in the water, do not speed up! Make the skier relax the knees and
allow the feet to float back until they are not covered in spray.
I would say that 30mph is a great butt glide and three-point speed. A major tip to remember is to always be able to see OVER your
knees when in the butt glide and three-point position. This is critical.
Do not close your eyes. If you are looking UP AT your knees, sit
up more. MAJOR DRIVING TIP. I big dude or dudette is many times, but
not all times, blessed with extra padding around the mid section.
This makes it MUCH MORE DIFFICULT to sit forward in a three-point
position. I use a 2-5mph acceleration to help them sit forward as
they are working into the three-point position. Do not attempt this until the butt glide is VERY comfortable
and even BORING for the skier! Big dudes are usually not able to stay in a three-point position
for long because flexibility and the extra padding. This means that
the boat driver should accelerate them up into their standing position.
The gamble is that too much acceleration makes ANYONE defensive!
You are better of using too little at first to see how they respond
to the speed. If the big dude is able to sit forward and up without pushing
their heels forward, accelerate to help them off of their butt.
Think of this as helping them up from the floor if you reached over
and offered a hand. You would grab their hand and then yank. You
would hopefully use your strength to apply just the right amount
of pull. My other rule about boat driving is this; NEVER go over 40
mph for someone's first time up. On the boom this is haneous speed.
On the long line, it is just not necessary. Follow this up with
the foresight and attention to shut them down if their position
deteriorates or if they are struggling. Do this by gently slowing
them down to allow them to get to their butt without taking a head
packer. A great first experience is critical for everyone so remember,
it is always better to stop one pass too early than one pass too
late. Do not allow a first time barefooter to take a hard fall their
first time out. This is the biggest killer to more people enjoying
the adrenalin rush! Boom tip: After the big dude is very comfortable sitting in
a butt glide position, make sure the boom is higher than their head
while in a standing position. This gives lift and helps to get into
a three-point position. There are many more tips to be added, but it is glass down
here in paradise and the water is calling me! By the way, if you are not sure that these techniques produce
results, check out http://www.thefootersedge.com/you_are_famous_3.htm
And see for yourself! Congrats, Charlene! You rule! -Lane Dawgumus Maximus Don't have enough time to get down here to paradise? Bring Lane Dawg
Bowers to your turf for a private clinic with you and your buddies!
http://http://www.thefootersedge.com/skischool
Get an unfair advantage by signing-up for some lessons
with Lane Dawg Bowers http://http://www.thefootersedge.com/skischool
Order the best instructional video on the planet http://www.thefootersedge.com/zvideos.htm
Email the Dawg with your questions lane@lanedawg.com Expect a Miracle! Lane "Dawg" Bowers www.thefootersedge.com <--Way Cool! 1-877-685-6270 <-call me! |
