Water ski and knee board questions

[Irv964]

This past week-end I got up on ski's after a 20yr absence and I actually got up the first time, guess it is like riding a bike? Anyways the skis I was on were wooden ski's and to be honest they are the only ski's I have ever skied on. I was never an avid skier, I only had the opportunity to water ski when ever I went to some buddies cottages a couple times per summer.
Our neighbors at our trailer have some older fiberglass ski's which weren't brought out until after we were finished but I am curious on the difference between the 2 materials. Are the glass ones easier to get up, control, carve, turn etc? Are they at all harder than the wooden ski's? My wife also got up for the very first time as well, it took her about 7 times but she did it. Would have the fibreglass ski's been easier for her than the wooden ones? The fibreglass ski's look fairly old as well but I am guessing they are newer than the wooden ones?
When it comes to kneeboards,(tried that again this week-end as well, love it!) I noticed some of the newer styles have a more square nose as opposed to the pointy nose, what is the purpose of that? Is it easier to control? made for beginners etc? Any info would be greatly appreciated......Irv964

 

[Irv964]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

Anyone? I am serioulsy thinking of purchasing some beginner ski's for my young lad (7yrs old) as well as some ski's for my wife and I (we are both novices) and I have no idea what a good ski is for either of us?
I believe fibreglass is probably the best and maybe only choice now a days but I have no idea how long the ski's should be (I am 5'8" and my wife is 5'4", I weigh 190 and she weighs 120-125) What else do I look for in a beginner/learner ski? Any brand names to avoid, any recommendations? Thanks in advance.........Irv964

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

There is nothing wrong with the wood skis but they are dated and I'm sure the bindings are old as well. Any of the mfg. make good skis anymore it comes more down to price and personal choices. For you and your wife any standard pair of skis would be fine size wise unless you get into slalom the length isn't really much of an issue. Get a set that has the best/easiest bindings for both of you, that is the biggest thing to look for is comfort and ease of entry. HO, Obrien, Kidder, Conley, etc. all make a good product that are similar in price,performance, etc. Shop around a bit and find what you like the best.
For your 7 yr old (I have a 7 yr old too) I went with the size between the trainers and adult skis. He can get into them himself and minipulate them while in the water himself. I went with the HO brand because I liked the bindings plus they have a slalom boot on one of them and the bar that comes on and off easily on the front(which really helps when they are first learning) I think the little trainers are a bit too small for 7 and up, these intermediates will work for skiers up to 125 lbs by that time he will be abel to use my ski.
As for the knee board the flat tip is more a style of the times back in the day all were pointed up front and some in back too but now almost all are cut tip. There are two types of boards a roto molded which are thicker profile and somewhat flat bottomed, these are easier to get up on and better for beginner/intermediate boarders and cost much less. The second type is compression molded very thin profile not real boyant and more spoon shaped bottom. These are more geared for advanced to pro riders and are quite expensive( I spent 300 bucks on mine) but the performance and "pop" off the wake is amazing. That said I still have my first hydroslide that I bought 25+ years ago and will still take it for a rip every time out I love that old board and can make it perform pretty well given its design. The newer stuff with the hydrohook is great for beginners to learn on it gets them up every time. I dont have any with that option as I want my kids to be abel to get up the regular way but they are nice. The retractable fins are nice for stability but they always seem to break the control cable then the fins are stuck down which eliminates the ability to do 360's. The old hydroslides are avaliable used quite cheap and those things are bullett proof and a great all around board. They dont have all the fancy padding/kneewells but they are still one of the best products ever made.

 

[Irv964]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

Great info OhWellcraft! Thank-you very much. I was kinda thinking the same thing as far as beginner ski's go, I have a feeling he will outgrow them in a year or two at most?
You mention bindings, what other types are available that don't require you to force your foot into the boot? This also brings up another question, how tight should his and our feet be inside the boot/binding? I am thinking tight enough to not cause any discomfort but not loose enough to fall off easy? Is that the right thinking?
The kneeboard info is equally great, thanks for those tips and thoughts on them as well. I will keep my eyes and ears peeled for what you suggest. Hopefully both items will be going on sale shortly. I appreciate your replies, take care and thanks again............Irv964

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

As far as the bindings go there are a few different types, a fixed or non adjustable wrap type. These are more common on higher end slalom skis you buy the ski with the appropriate size binding, SML all have a range of sizes they will fit, ex a large might accomidate shoe sizes 10-12 or somewhere right around there. Most combo skis won't have these types of bindings on them because of the limited range of fit. The other type is an adjustable type binding, where they can be made larger or smaller by sliding the rear heel section up or back. Or there are wrap types that have velcro to enclose them where as you open the velcro up place foot in binding then close velcro wrap tightly around foot. The velcro type is what I bought for my son as he can do it himself fairly easy even in the water. There is also a lace up type which are very nice but can be quite expensive. They have a speed lace system where as you put you foot in with it loose then pull a single lace and it cinces up nicely around your foot. Your thinking is correct on tightness in the bindings. the intermediate pair I have will go up to 125 lbs so I think he will be abel to use them for 2-3 years at least and by that time my 4 yr old will be abel to use them as well. If you find a good pair for your son and the bindings are a bit big you can always wear socks or even a pair of thin canvas tennis shoes until he grows into them. Lastly they now make bindings with a loop of strapping on the front and rear of the binding that you use to pull your foot into with. Much better than the old finger holes that ALWAYS pull through making it alot more difficult to get on once they have pulled through. Good luck keep them interested we need more skiers out there.

 

[Irv964]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

Thanks again OhWellcraft, some more great info. I was looking at some ski's today in a local ski/windsurf shop and seen the newer style boots you talk about. They look easier to get your foot into and they look to provide better support as well. I will keep them in mind when the time comes.
Quite a price difference between my prices and prices on iboats! I think even with shipping, handling and duty it would still be cheaper to purchase them here! Unbelievable price difference, could you imagine paying $200 dollars for a set of beginner ski's for my young lad? Way to much imo........Irv964

 

[Irv964]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

OhWellcraft, I think you will be happy, my young lad was up again this week-end and did great! I was getting tired just watching him as he went for a long long time! He even got up on his own in deep water and he was quite happy with himself as he should be. Now he is all pumped about getting his own ski's soon so at least there is 1 more out there!.......Irv964

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

www.youtube.com/shawnkuntz

couple videos of my 9 year old and 11 year old waterskiing. The two older videos were shot last week using adult waterskii's. The newest videos were from yesterday using junior waterskii's ho 59's. They are the ones that will support up to 120 lbs or so. They said it was much easier than the adult ski's.

 

[Irv964]

Re: Water ski and knee board questions

www.youtube.com/shawnkuntz

couple videos of my 9 year old and 11 year old waterskiing. The two older videos were shot last week using adult waterskii's. The newest videos were from yesterday using junior waterskii's ho 59's. They are the ones that will support up to 120 lbs or so. They said it was much easier than the adult ski's.

Great video's and info Bigpop! Your kids look like they are getting the hang of things pretty good. I am not sure if my young lad is ready for intermeiate ski's yet though? I know the bar and rope that come with the trnr's are helping him big time but I guess there is only 1 way to find out?. Thanks........Irv964