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Am I too fat and old to water ski?

MPHSystems

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I didn’t get it up last week :(

I think I need to work on my grip.

What can I do to make sure I get it up next time?

Just so embarrassing, It’s not the boat, It’s me.
 

white tortilla

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My grandma who has skied for 50 years finally started losing her strength in her hands to get up. We got her a pair of these gloves and it made a big difference. Helped transfer the force from her fingers into the palm/wrist. Got her another couple seasons.
IMG_5911.jpeg
 

Jay Dub

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I'm 57 and still ski. What kind of ski are you using? An old school 65 is much harder versus a newer ski with more surface area. Also make sure the driver is rolling on the throttle pretty aggressively.
 

Rajobigguy

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I’m 67 and gave up on skiing quite a few years ago. The problem was two fold. I have a bad back and fearful of a blowout. The other problem is that the wife is a really bad tow captain. She either just drags you through the water never letting you get up on plane or she rips your arms out of the sockets when you flag her to go.
 

renodaytona

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I haven't skied in 25+ years. Tossed on a set of junky skis and got yanked up behind an older jet ski. It felt amazing and I even dropped one and cut a few turns on a single. Can't wait to get out behind the Eliminator ski boat and cut some turns, hopefully next weekend before the temps drop and we put all the summer stuff away.
 

DrunkenSailor

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Connelly makes the big daddy and they used to make the big easy. Yes it's wide. Yes it doesn't carve quite as well as a Maherajaha. But having that big nose really helps get older, wider or weaker people up. It is a great ski.
 

coolchange

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Been decades. Two artificial knees and arthritis tellin me don’t bother. Watching someone ski by ( rare these days) though gets me thinking. Probably best to let that last run remain a good memory instead of a failed attempt.
Still have my Taperflex jumper though!
 

PlumLoco

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Gloves like those posted above are a complete game changer. With proper support from the driver, that one change is probably all you need. A bigger ski couldn't hurt and would definitely help too. Remember to not stand up too fast, get on plane before you do. Let the boat do the work.
 

MPHSystems

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I’m thinking more along the lines of getting a squeeze toy to work on my grip when I am sitting at my desk.

Wednesday, we pulled my SIL off life support, her fight with cancer is over. She lived life to the fullest until she didn’t. I want to fucking water ski.
 

Sleek-Jet

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Connelly makes the big daddy and they used to make the big easy. Yes it's wide. Yes it doesn't carve quite as well as a Maherajaha. But having that big nose really helps get older, wider or weaker people up. It is a great ski.
+1 on this... you can also ski slower so the rest of your body doesn't take as much of a beating.
 

coolchange

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I’m thinking more along the lines of getting a squeeze toy to work on my grip when I am sitting at my desk.

Wednesday, we pulled my SIL off life support, her fight with cancer is over. She lived life to the fullest until she didn’t. I want to fucking water ski.
Sorry for your loss. I know the feeling.
 

HNL2LHC

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Mid 50s here and have not skied in 30+ years. Never had the opportunity in those years. Oh how I wish to be on one ski again. It was such a rush for me. 👍 I would be willing to give it one more try or wake boarding.
 

lbhsbz

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A couple pitches smaller on the prop doesn't hurt either....the old merc was crying uncle last time I got on a rope behind it...lol
 

obnoxious001

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I'm 66. I haven't single skiied in decades.

@obnoxious001 swears he can get up if I'd let him try.

One of these days, I just might...
The longer you wait, the harder it's gonna get. I am particularly good at watching someone and diagnosing a problem if they can't get up. It is sort of like a bicycle, if you did it before you should be able to do it now.
 

HNL2LHC

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I’m thinking more along the lines of getting a squeeze toy to work on my grip when I am sitting at my desk.


Wednesday, we pulled my SIL off life support, her fight with cancer is over. She lived life to the fullest until she didn’t.
Sorry for your loss.


I want to fucking water ski.
Me too. DO IT!!!! 👍👍👍👍
 

obnoxious001

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It is all about starting technique. As teenagers, we were able to get up on a slalom ski behind an 18 hp Mercury.
I skied behind an inflatable Zodiac style boat for magazine photos one time when I was working for Gale Banks. Little boat surprised me, I helped put it together, and he went and broke in the new 25hp engine before he pulled me up, regular deep water start with both feet in my ski.
 

MPHSystems

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Sorry for your loss. I know the feeling.
The thread is not about that, I don’t want to be a downer. She passed very peacefully surrounded by her children and husband and the rest of us behind them. She went swiftly and peacefully basking in love.

Anyways, make something good out of it, do more with my life.

I’m going to get back up on a ski and she smacks me on the back of the head every time I go for a smoke now. Love her :)
 

coolchange

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The thread is not about that, I don’t want to be a downer. She passed very peacefully surrounded by her children and husband and the rest of us behind them. She went swiftly and peacefully basking in love.

Anyways, make something good out of it, do more with my life.

I’m going to get back up on a ski and she smacks me on the back of the head every time I go for a smoke now. Love her :)
I get it.
But it’s nice to be able to jump in a ski or on a bike and “ clean out”
Haven’t done either for decades.
 

2Driver

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If you ever beach started and are used to that I would try that as long as you have a driver that is in sync with you. If you do it right it should be a smooth transition. Even better if you have a wide ski.

I hadn’t skied for years after my spine fusion and my wife pulled me off the beach first shot. That said, you have to weigh how important it is and how you’ll feel if you injure yourself long term for a ski run. I pulled my friend off the Moonridge ramp on his 70th.

Oh yeah, warm up big time first.
 

MPHSystems

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Big Daddy ski and these to help hand strength (my grandpa used this type of grip all the time):

View attachment 1275319
That’s what I was thinking. I’ve seen the foam rubber ones too and the gun stores sell ones with individual finger springs. Kinda wondering which style is the best.


FWIW, $289.99 seems bawler for a spring with two handles on it though.
 

F.U.IRS

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If you try one of those big, wide skis, just a word of caution. If you fall try to stay clear of it , they hit like a linebacker
 

Wheeler

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I didn’t get it up last week :(

I think I need to work on my grip.

What can I do to make sure I get it up next time?

Just so embarrassing, It’s not the boat, It’s me.
CJ is getting closer to 80 with each passing day. Here's CJ about an ago.

IMG_3703.JPG


IMG_3704.JPG



Then we have Chandler. Chandler is old as dirt but he's an oddity in the real world.

IMG_0657.JPG
IMG_0646.JPG



You might try a wrap. Barry had Becker wrapped up and skiing in 30 min. or less. :)

IMG_5903.jpg
 

MPHSystems

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CJ is getting closer to 80 with each passing day. Here's CJ about an ago.

View attachment 1275322

View attachment 1275321


Then we have Chandler. Chandler is old as dirt but he's an oddity in the real world.

View attachment 1275325 View attachment 1275326


You might try a wrap. Barry had Becker wrapped up and skiing in 30 min. or less. :)

View attachment 1275327
The gal who taught me how to ski has a few years on me. I don’t think she even knows how to sit in a boat. She still skies everywhere LOL
 

bowtiejunkie

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That’s what I was thinking. I’ve seen the foam rubber ones too and the gun stores sell ones with individual finger springs. Kinda wondering which style is the best.


FWIW, $289.99 seems bawler for a spring with two handles on it though.
I’d try both. They serve slightly different purposes. I need to take my own advice on this too. I skied this summer for first time in 4 or 5 years. Popped right up even though way out of shape. I’m 47, with no injuries in my life, so no problem. You just need to assess any ailments and your fitness level as to what you need to address before water skiing.

Lol, $290 was for a bathroom mirror I believe. The hand grip deal is $7(?).
 

MPHSystems

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You just need to assess any ailments and your fitness level as to what you need to address before water skiing.


I’m not falling apart yet, I keep pretty active.

I’m still feeling the burn in my lat’s, forearms and just a touch in the lower back but it’s a good burn, like I just need to work those muscles more. The weak link is my grip strength.
 

Shady

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I used to weigh about 285lbs, could not hold on to get my fat ass up on a ski, got those wrap gloves and it made all the difference. I weigh much less than that now, but have not skied in a long time.
 

HotRod82

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I hadn't skied in a few years and last summer in Idaho I grabbed a ski, jumped in the water and immediately pulled my hamstring. I've never pulled a muscle in my life, holy shit did that hurt! Luckily arm and grip strength isn't an issue for me, just old age. lol. Now I have to be one of those guys doing calisthenics on the boat before I ski.....
 

kurtis500

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I REALLY need to use this as motivation to ski again, its been 2+ years. I built this 2 years ago in my autoclave and still havent taken it out... Actually I did, just had the float valve go out in my 850 quickfuel at the ramp and came back home, so close.....
The bottom is a copy off my Andy Clark. Similar to the Maha 360. I need to get on this! All prepreg carbon with 6AL-4V hardware.

1694189964547.jpeg
 

Waterjunky

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I still have dreams of learning to waterski. :oops:

Never really had the opportunity to put much effort into it. I spent a few seasons wake boarding but that's about it.
Now I'm entering into the same age bracket as many on here but still want to do it.

Also would need to find someone to actually teach me. I would love to learn along side my kid who is just getting old enough to learn.
 

coolchange

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I REALLY need to use this as motivation to ski again, its been 2+ years. I built this 2 years ago in my autoclave and still havent taken it out... Actually I did, just had the float valve go out in my 850 quickfuel at the ramp and came back home, so close.....
The bottom is a copy off my Andy Clark. Similar to the Maha 360. I need to get on this! All prepreg carbon with 6AL-4V hardware.

View attachment 1275376
Missed the build thread?🤔
 

coolchange

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I still have dreams of learning to waterski. :oops:

Never really had the opportunity to put much effort into it. I spent a few seasons wake boarding but that's about it.
Now I'm entering into the same age bracket as many on here but still want to do it.
That’s a good start . You really need someone who knows what they’re doing, and what you’re doing. Is Mac or Murphy still at the river?
Also would need to find someone to actually teach me. I would love to learn along side my kid who is just getting old enough to learn.
 
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