darsy

how difficult is it?

I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
wakeboard etc. that he's got...

am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

--
d.

Ben

"darsy" <darsyx@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
> --
> d.
>

Prepare to find muscles you never knew existed.

Waterski's aren't too hard if you remember to keep balance and not lean
forward or sit back.(or if they have the baby bar installed will be easier)

Now wakeboards are different. I bought one for my brother [1] a while ago
and it had a disclaimer[2] on the box and are a little trickier to learn.

--
Benny

[1] He has arms like popeye and was very good at it.
[2] Something about broken limbs or something

Vass

"darsy" <darsyx@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

just ask him if he's got a donut and have a great time!
--
Vass

Simon Wilson

darsy wrote:
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
> --
> d.
>

Some people get it quickly, some don't. Keep your arms and back straight
and let the boat pull you up. It's harder when the water's choppy. The
water's -relatively- soft at two ski speeds, when you move up to mono
skiiing the water all of a sudden becomes very hard. Make sure you
clearly agree the hand and voice signals ('Hit it' to go, because 'no'
and 'go' sound very similar) If you wear normal swimming shorts be
prepared to have the odd impromptu enema or two. (DAMHIK).

HTH

--
/Simon

Switters

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:03:20 GMT, "Ben" <ben@somewhere.com> allegedly
wrote:

> Now wakeboards are different. I bought one for my brother [1] a while
> ago and it had a disclaimer[2] on the box and are a little trickier to
> learn.

Wakeboarding's a piece of piss if you know how to snowboard.

However, with darsy's athletic ability being akin to a lethargic koala
bear, this might not help.

NickNoxx

darsy wrote:
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
> --
> d.
>
You'll live. Quite easy if you don't try to stand up too quickly. Get
your balance in a crouch and rise slowly. You'll need a wetsuit. Easier
to learn and less dangerous than the kite buggy I just got for my 47th
birthday.

AndrewR

On 2 Aug, 11:42, darsy <dar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...

I was surprised that, unlike the water-skiers that you normally see,
I spent a lot of time face-down in the water.

The hardest part is standing up, because you have to resist the
temptation to stand up yourself (face down in the water time) and,
instead, let the boat pull you up.

After that it's fairly easy, although surprisingly tough on the knees.

Assuming your mate isn't a complete twat you'll be fine ... although
if your mate *isn't* a complete twat it's hard to see why he'd be your
mate, IYSWIM

Colin Irvine

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000, darsy <darsyx@gmail.com> squeezed
out the following:

>how difficult is it?
>
>I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
>Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
>wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
>am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

No. It's straightforward, except you'll probably need several goes to
get up. Once up it's a doddle.

Mind, it's over 50 years since I last did it, so my recollection might
be a bit dim.

--
Colin Irvine
YZF1000R BOF#33 BONY#34 COFF#06 BHaLC#5
http://www.colinandpat.co.uk

darsy

On Aug 2, 11:07 am, "Vass" <write2mark_X...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "darsy" <dar...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
>
> > how difficult is it?
>
> > I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> > Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> > wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> > am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
> just ask him if he's got a donut and have a great time!

he does - but that looks a bit childish - I'd rather do the manly-thing
+inevitable-injury

--
d.

darsy

On Aug 2, 11:54 am, AndrewR <and...@rockface.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
> On 2 Aug, 11:42, darsy <dar...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > how difficult is it?
>
> > I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> > Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> > wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> I was surprised that, unlike the water-skiers that you normally see,
> I spent a lot of time face-down in the water.
>
> The hardest part is standing up, because you have to resist the
> temptation to stand up yourself (face down in the water time) and,
> instead, let the boat pull you up.
>
> After that it's fairly easy, although surprisingly tough on the knees.
>
> Assuming your mate isn't a complete twat you'll be fine ... although
> if your mate *isn't* a complete twat it's hard to see why he'd be your
> mate, IYSWIM

good point.

As to whether he's a complete twat, he rides an R1200GS, if that helps
clarify things.

--
d.

darsy

On Aug 2, 11:03 am, "Ben" <b...@somewhere.com> wrote:

> Waterski's aren't too hard if you remember to keep balance and not lean
> forward or sit back.(or if they have the baby bar installed will be easier)

ok - thanks, and to everyone else who's replied.

--
d.

Simon Wilson

darsy wrote:
> On Aug 2, 11:07 am, "Vass" <write2mark_X...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> "darsy" <dar...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>>> how difficult is it?
>>> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
>>> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
>>> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>>> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>> just ask him if he's got a donut and have a great time!
>
> he does - but that looks a bit childish - I'd rather do the manly-thing
> +inevitable-injury
>
> --
> d.
>
>

Actually, one of the worst[1] injuries I heard about was from someone
being flung off a donut.

What I said about the water earlier, if you drive the boat right, you
can get the donut to whip around at several times the boat speed. Then
it it just like bouncing along concrete, without the subsequent gravel rash.

[1]'bruised heart'

--
/Simon

Champ

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000, darsy <darsyx@gmail.com> wrote:

>how difficult is it?

Piece of piss, I thought.

>I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
>Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
>wakeboard etc. that he's got...

A factor is how powerful the boat is. I learnt behind a dedicated ski
boat (with rear facing spotter's seat) which had a FOAD 7~8 litre
Holden V8 sat squarely in the middle. The pilot dropped the throttle
and I popped out of the water like a cork.

The basic technique to get up, as explained to me, was to keep arms
and back straight, and to push the legs down as if to straighten them.

Wakeboarding is a bit more difficult to get started, but much more
fun, and as Switters says, really easy if you've ever snowboarded. A
jetty start is tricky, but you look oh so cool if you pull it off.
<smug>

>am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

Likely, no. That's not to say it's impossible...

--
Champ
I don't know, but I been told, you never slow down, you never get old
ZX10R | GPz750turbo | GSX-R600 (race)
neal at champ dot org dot uk

The Older Gentleman

Simon Wilson <siwilson@nodamnspamn.hotmail.com> wrote:

> Actually, one of the worst[1] injuries I heard about was from someone
> being flung off a donut.

My daughter and I did the donut thing in Corfu last year. As it was a
slack day for business, we got a long, long time on (and occasionally
in) the water, because Captain Stavros took us at full throttle back and
forth the luxury hotel next to the beach where he had his mooring, in an
attempt (I assume) to drum up some trade.

I thought I was going to be shaken to pieces. Bouncing along on that
bloody rubber ring, in the boat's wake, I could hardly see where I was
going. When I did get flung off (it was going to happen sooner or later)
I was astounded at how bloody hard I hit the water. Water, and I can
tell you this for a fact, becomes as solid as concrete at 20+ knots.

I was winded, bruised, exhausted, swallowed about a gallon of seawater,
and was laughing like a loon. In fact, here on Rhodes, I must have
another go.

I'm sitting here in the poolside bar, working on the novel I've been
meaning to complete for a year, cold beer at hand, periodically tipping
into the water to cool down (about 34 degrees C here), and there's
ultra-cheap wireless internet all round the pool so I can idly browse
ukrm and Ebay. Great holiday.

In fact, it's time for another dip.




--
K1100LT 955i 750SS CB400F CD250 CM200 SL125
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....

Badger

Switters wrote:
> However, with darsy's athletic ability being akin to a lethargic koala
> <strike>bear</strike>,

Corrected before the antipods see it.

--
Rick
NT650V (still)
TWA#11 BREast#6 BOTAFOT#139

Beav

"darsy" <darsyx@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's

Is that a big female wwale type of thing?

powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

Not likely. It's all about keeping your back straight though.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

darsy

On Aug 2, 1:11 pm, Champ <n...@champ.org.uk> wrote:

> A factor is how powerful the boat is. I learnt behind a dedicated ski
> boat (with rear facing spotter's seat) which had a FOAD 7~8 litre
> Holden V8 sat squarely in the middle. The pilot dropped the throttle
> and I popped out of the water like a cork.

it has 2 x 1500cc 155bhp Rotax water impeller engines, apparently - I
don't know if this is a lot for a boat.

--
d.

Monkey

darsy wrote:
> On Aug 2, 1:11 pm, Champ <n...@champ.org.uk> wrote:
>
>> A factor is how powerful the boat is. I learnt behind a dedicated
>> ski boat (with rear facing spotter's seat) which had a FOAD 7~8 litre
>> Holden V8 sat squarely in the middle. The pilot dropped the throttle
>> and I popped out of the water like a cork.
>
> it has 2 x 1500cc 155bhp Rotax water impeller engines, apparently - I
> don't know if this is a lot for a boat.

I waterskiied behind a 12HP RIB - that's about the minimum that will even
pull you out of the water. 50HP is plenty for most people. 310BHP is quite
frankly unneccesary (assuming it's a smallish boat - on a big cruiser that's
peanuts). If he opens that right up, you'll be in trouble.

--
ZX6R F2 - The Gravelseeker
BOTAFOT #121, BBB #2

Monkey

darsy wrote:
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...

Depends on the skis - big, wide beginner skis are pretty easy to get going
on, and hold a straight line on (though hard work to turn). If he's got all
his own kit though, I'm guessing it's a bit more advanced than that, which
will make things a bit trickier. As others have said, keep your weight back,
your back straight, and come up out of the water slowly. Try to start doing
turns as soon as you feel comfortable - edging is more stable than just
following-along behind the boat.

> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

Depends if you hit the pier.

--
ZX6R F2 - The Gravelseeker
BOTAFOT #121, BBB #2

Switters

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:21:56 GMT, darsy <darsyx@gmail.com> allegedly
wrote:

> it has 2 x 1500cc 155bhp Rotax water impeller engines, apparently - I
> don't know if this is a lot for a boat.

Depends on the size of the boat, but sounds plenty for your average towing
toy.

darsy

On Aug 2, 5:35 pm, "Monkey" <mon...@surfR3M0VEbum.freeserve.co.uk>
wrote:
> darsy wrote:
> > On Aug 2, 1:11 pm, Champ <n...@champ.org.uk> wrote:
>
> >> A factor is how powerful the boat is. I learnt behind a dedicated
> >> ski boat (with rear facing spotter's seat) which had a FOAD 7~8 litre
> >> Holden V8 sat squarely in the middle. The pilot dropped the throttle
> >> and I popped out of the water like a cork.
>
> > it has 2 x 1500cc 155bhp Rotax water impeller engines, apparently - I
> > don't know if this is a lot for a boat.
>
> I waterskiied behind a 12HP RIB - that's about the minimum that will even
> pull you out of the water. 50HP is plenty for most people. 310BHP is quite
> frankly unneccesary (assuming it's a smallish boat - on a big cruiser that's
> peanuts). If he opens that right up, you'll be in trouble.

it's a tiny boat - it's a SeaDoo Supersport 200, like this:

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...cleCode=568392

--
d.

darsy

On Aug 2, 5:41 pm, Switters <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
> On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:21:56 GMT, darsy <dar...@gmail.com> allegedly
> wrote:
>
> > it has 2 x 1500cc 155bhp Rotax water impeller engines, apparently - I
> > don't know if this is a lot for a boat.
>
> Depends on the size of the boat, but sounds plenty for your average towing
> toy.

fair enough; see my post to Monkey - now I've found out what it
actually is, it appears to be a lunatics plaything - bring it on!

--
d.

Andy Bonwick

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:03:12 +0100, Simon Wilson
<siwilson@nodamnspamn.hotmail.com> wrote:

>darsy wrote:
>> On Aug 2, 11:07 am, "Vass" <write2mark_X...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> "darsy" <dar...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>
>>> news:1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegro ups.com...
>>>
>>>> how difficult is it?
>>>> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
>>>> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
>>>> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>>>> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>>> just ask him if he's got a donut and have a great time!
>>
>> he does - but that looks a bit childish - I'd rather do the manly-thing
>> +inevitable-injury
>>
>> --
>> d.
>>
>>
>
>Actually, one of the worst[1] injuries I heard about was from someone
>being flung off a donut.
>
>What I said about the water earlier, if you drive the boat right, you
>can get the donut to whip around at several times the boat speed. Then
>it it just like bouncing along concrete, without the subsequent gravel rash.
>
A friend of mine launched me out of the water and along the bank for
about 50 yards using the whip technique when I was hanging onto a
donut. He was gutted when he still had to buy the beers because he
lost the best and I didn't let go. I must admit that I cheated and
wrapped the rope around my arm 2 or 3 times and when I realised we
were going grass surfing I nearly filled my wetsuit.

Andy Bonwick

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000, darsy <darsyx@gmail.com> wrote:

>how difficult is it?
>
It's dead easy - even I can do it.

>I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
>Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
>wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
Wakeboards are more fun than skis but you'll end up swimming a lot of
times before you get used to it.

>am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

Won't happen unless you get pissed. You won't be drinking will you?

NickNoxx

darsy wrote:

>
> it's a tiny boat - it's a SeaDoo Supersport 200, like this:
>
> http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...cleCode=568392
>
> --
> d.
>

What's in the box marked 'Motorcycle' next to the boat?

Pip

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:30:21 +0100, NickNoxx
<nick@munged_for_spam.com> wrote:

>darsy wrote:
>
>>
>> it's a tiny boat - it's a SeaDoo Supersport 200, like this:
>>
>> http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...cleCode=568392
>>
>> --
>> d.
>>
>
>What's in the box marked 'Motorcycle' next to the boat?

A sig snipper, next to a book about posting correctly to usenet.

--
Pip: B12

darsy

On Aug 2, 7:37 pm, Andy Bonwick <nos...@bonwick.me.uk> wrote:
> On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000, darsy <dar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >how difficult is it?
>
> It's dead easy - even I can do it.

ah - right - "flid friendly"

> >I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> >Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> >wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> Wakeboards are more fun than skis but you'll end up swimming a lot of
> times before you get used to it.
>
> >am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
> Won't happen unless you get pissed. You won't be drinking will you?


actually, no, as I'll be driving down to Southend.

--
d.

NickNoxx

Pip wrote:
>
> A sig snipper, next to a book about posting correctly to usenet.
>
He should have a proper sig then it would get snipped automagically.

Pip

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:20:22 +0100, NickNoxx
<nick@munged_for_spam.com> wrote:

>Pip wrote:
>>
>> A sig snipper, next to a book about posting correctly to usenet.
>>
>He should have a proper sig then it would get snipped automagically.

That'll be the pikey google groups space ripper at it again.

--
Pip: B12

vulgarandmischevious

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000 darsy wrote:

>am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

Hope springs eternal.


--
vulgarandmischevious

Bear

In article <1186051371.640497.322310@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups. com>, darsy
says...
> how difficult is it?
>
> I'm supposed to be going out on a cow-orker's powerboat thing off
> Southend on Saturday, and he's said I'm welcome to try the waterskis,
> wakeboard etc. that he's got...
>
> am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?

a) it's fairly easy, assuming you have good upper body strength (helps
with launches)

b) so long as you're not doing more than about 30 knots, falling off
doesn't hurt, and injury is unlikely.

c) if you have a bad back, it's a distinct no-no (I can't anymore)

d) the only way to *really* injure yourself is to, when winding the rope
back in, wrap it around your arm, wrist-to-elbow. If the boat sets off
suddenly and you fall in you can end up ripping your arm off. When you
coil the rope, do it free hand to free hand so you can drop it swiftly
if you have to.

e) it's fun

f) 2 skis are easier than one to start with
--
Bear

darsy

On Aug 3, 1:09 am, vulgarandmischevious
<vulgarandmischevi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000 darsy wrote:
>
> >am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
> Hope springs eternal.

you're a gent, and no mistake.

--
d.

darsy

On Aug 3, 8:33 am, Bear <bastardDOTb...@gmail.com> wrote:
[snip]
> f) 2 skis are easier than one to start with

ta - looking forward to it.

--
d.

Hog

Bear wrote:

> Also tried it in Aus, behind a 400 bhp, V8 racing skiff; even huger
> fun, although it's more painful when you come off at 50+ [1] -
> instant enema time too, if you're not careful - the racers wear lycra
> cycling shorts with pads in to stop their bowels being blown out when
> they come off. Mad.


Hmmm I wore a wetsuit, like everyone else I've seen waterskiing.

Nevertheless I thought the entire experience was Pants.

--
Hog
'03 ST4S '96 Bastard12 '89 R100RS '81 XS650 '78 RD400

Bear

In article <f8utve$qop$1@registered.motzarella.org>, Hog says...
> Bear wrote:
>
> > Also tried it in Aus, behind a 400 bhp, V8 racing skiff; even huger
> > fun, although it's more painful when you come off at 50+ [1] -
> > instant enema time too, if you're not careful - the racers wear lycra
> > cycling shorts with pads in to stop their bowels being blown out when
> > they come off. Mad.
>
>
> Hmmm I wore a wetsuit, like everyone else I've seen waterskiing.

You should try it in warmer climates - they didn't seem to bother with
other than cycling shorts, a cut-off T-shirt, and a *very* thin life
jacket that didn't look like it'd do much. Said racer chappie said that
part of the problem is that, when you do take a tumble near the front,
you then have a pack of V8 boats behind you doing mental speeds,
therefore it's a good idea *not* to float, but to dive down and wait a
bit if you possibly can.

> Nevertheless I thought the entire experience was Pants.

Really? I loved it. Invigorating and relaxing at the same time.
--
Bear

darsy

On Aug 3, 8:51 am, Bear <bastardDOTb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> In article <1186130176.887324.138...@r34g2000hsd.googlegroups .com>,
> darsy says...
>
> > On Aug 3, 8:33 am, Bear <bastardDOTb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > [snip]
> > > f) 2 skis are easier than one to start with
>
> > ta - looking forward to it.
>
> I used to ski on Lake Shasta in NE Ca., as a teenager. Huge fun.
>
> Also tried it in Aus, behind a 400 bhp, V8 racing skiff; even huger fun,
> although it's more painful when you come off at 50+ [1] - instant enema
> time too, if you're not careful - the racers wear lycra cycling shorts
> with pads in to stop their bowels being blown out when they come off.
> Mad.

as mentioned, the vehicle concerned is more of a 310bhp 7-seater jet-
ski rather than a "real boat", so it should be "quite quick". I'll
almost certainly be wearing a wet-suit to avoid the perforated bowel
issue.

--
d.

Bear

In article <1186137017.851801.50870@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups. com>, darsy
says...
> On Aug 3, 8:51 am, Bear <bastardDOTb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > In article <1186130176.887324.138...@r34g2000hsd.googlegroups .com>,
> > darsy says...
> >
> > > On Aug 3, 8:33 am, Bear <bastardDOTb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > [snip]
> > > > f) 2 skis are easier than one to start with
> >
> > > ta - looking forward to it.
> >
> > I used to ski on Lake Shasta in NE Ca., as a teenager. Huge fun.
> >
> > Also tried it in Aus, behind a 400 bhp, V8 racing skiff; even huger fun,
> > although it's more painful when you come off at 50+ [1] - instant enema
> > time too, if you're not careful - the racers wear lycra cycling shorts
> > with pads in to stop their bowels being blown out when they come off.
> > Mad.
>
> as mentioned, the vehicle concerned is more of a 310bhp 7-seater jet-
> ski rather than a "real boat", so it should be "quite quick". I'll
> almost certainly be wearing a wet-suit to avoid the perforated bowel
> issue.

It's only an issue when you're into 3-figure speeds, so I was told, so I
wouldn't worry IIWY - even 20 mph your first time out will feel like 200

--
Bear

raden

In message <9205b393b4g7drn4ra9p3s9df9jqmv491a@4ax.com>,
vulgarandmischevious <vulgarandmischevious@gmail.com> writes
>On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:42:51 -0000 darsy wrote:
>
>>am I likely to drown/break a leg etc?
>
>Hope springs eternal.
>
>
My school motto ...

--
geoff