BallOfSpray FAQ

Horton

With the amount of growth around here it is way past time to write a FAQ.
As admin I will post and control the actual FAQ. What I need from you guys is the questions and the possible answers.

rodltg2

How to post a picture?

davemac

Might be helpful to define "leading arm" vs "trailing arm"...so people are consistent in identifying them in their posts.

MattP

What is a Ball Of Spray?

Horton

Who runs this site?
My name is John Horton. I own BallOfSpray. I started the site because I could not find a place on the web to talk about the technical aspects of water skiing.
What is a Baller?
Is this site just for advanced shortline skiers?
What is shortline?
How does the slalom course work?
Who is MS?
What is the Zero Off and Perfect Pass?

Horton

Ok you guys can you write answers as well as questions. I will pick out the good Qs and As

davemac

Question: What is definition of "Trailing Arm"? Answer: left arm going through gates, and going to 1,3,5 ball. Right arm going to 2,4,6 ball.
(Not sure why it takes me so long to always have to think this through when I read it)

richarddoane

Why doesn't @horton get a decent haircut ?

crashman

Q How many "dislikes" does it take to get the boot from BOS?
A: about 209 but the number can vary a little depending on how many other ballers and professional skiers you insult along the way.

TDET

What is a Bogan?

6balls

Why join BOS? To learn about and discuss:
New boats, affordable used boats, speed control, skis, ropes, bindings, gloves, handles, props, slalom theory, slalom tips both novice and pro, tourney skiing, boat maintenance, ski schools, pro coverage etc.

Horton

you guys are as helpful as I expected. I need to start a wakeboard site

ShaneH

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? In lieu of that........ How does a tournament work?

Horton

I am often Charlie Brown and you guys are the football

ShaneH

Is MS Lucy?

Horton

He does not look that bad in a dress but we have covered that before.

This was a real thread 6 hours ago.

Than_Bogan

A: A Bogan is an Australian redneck.

A: The Bogan was the name of the dark side of the Force in original manuscripts.

(Seriously. Google them if you must.)

I'll add some real ideas eventually....

MattP

Looking for a ski upgrade. Where should I start.

ToddL

Here's an FAQ: What are the fin settings for XYZ ski?

I was thinking... it would be awesome to have a real database where fin settings could be stored. Users could load up fin setting via a web form. Then, all users could mark any database entry with some sort of affirmation (thumbs up) or rejection (thumbs down).

Users could search by ski make, model, size, and year. Results would be sorted by user rating.

Entry form would be:
Make (i.e. Radar, Goode, HO, etc.)
Model (i.e. Strada, Vector, Nano One, Syndicate A2, etc.)
Size (i.e. 64, 64.5, 65, 65.5, 66, 66.5, 67, 67.5, etc,)
Year (Next year through 15 years ago)
Back of Front Boot to Tail of Ski
Fin Distance to Tail
DFT Method (Head, Slot, etc.)
Length
Length Method (Tips, Jaws, etc.)
Depth
Wing On/Off
Wing Angle (N/A, 7, 8, 9, etc.)
Submitted by (who entered these into the system)
Settings Author's Name (who recommended these settings (Rossi, Chet, etc.)


When a database record is displayed, there could be a standard template which contains links to articles and videos about how to set up a ski / how to measure your fin.
EX:
Chris Rossi Video 1 on Ski Setup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyFtjkVf6sA
Chris Rossi Video 2 on Ski Setup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8366Wnw62ng

http://www.slalomguru.com/articles/DefinitiveFinMeasuring.pdf
http://www.goode.com/wsfinadj.html
etc.

Brent

Brent

old fin data base.

skidawg

Why are there pictures of Horton in a bee suit?

ShaneH

I was actually working on a new fin database of STOCK settings for every ski for Horton. I need to get back on that.

skidawg

Why does Horton ride a new ski every month

Horton

Screw it. I will write the whole darn thing myself. Nothing else to do...

Than_Bogan

Q: How good do I have to be to enter a tournament?
A: You should be able to reliably run an opening pass and almost-reliably run another pass. Don't worry about how good anyone else is.

sunvalleylaw

I'll make an attempt at being serious:
Basic rules, and consequences if not followed
Basic posting, like how to delete posts, etc.
For us newbs to course skiing:
links to rules, etc.
Basic how tourneys work
Glossary of basic terms such as set, pass, etc.
What fin setting is all about, with link to the settings chart
other ski set up such as binding placement
Link to @Than's article and/or others for basic ski form, like a "start here" place
links to some of the classic threads and threads covering basic other stuff

From the point of view of a newb, that is what I would like to see in one place.

DooSPX

I like @sunvalleylaw's FAQ idea!

xrated

another vote for @sunvalleylaw's list.

Might I add, What is on/off side? No seriously I've never remembered it in all the times i've asked or been told.

sunvalleylaw

Thanks guys. I would want the info listed by @ToddL, and the info on trailing arm in the glossary, and the other suggestions guys have mentioned. Including whether @Horton's hair is real and important stuff like that.

skier2788

How to find the gear reviews.
How to search for old threads
How to @name someone.
How to post video and pictures
How to start a thread or poll
How to add your real name to profile
A link to the fin adjustment article. (Hortons)
How to find the elusive front page.
.

Skoot1123

How about a checklist FAQ for those just beginning the course? Say, the 15-22 off folks? A tip list of things for those that run 28-32 off might be helpful as well.

JC McCavit

How do I upload video and pictures?

itch2ski

There was a basic explanation buried in one of the threads about fin, wing and binding settings and how each change affected onside and offside. It would be nice to have something like that easily accessible.

ToddL

Looks like we need a few FAQ lists...
Forum FAQs - how to do tasks in the forum
Slalom FAQs - ski settings, competition, techniques
dare I say...
Trick FAQs
Jump FAQs
Resource FAQs?
Others?

sunvalleylaw

@ToddL has a good organizational idea. One FAQ page, with links to more specific FAQ sections. That way it can be linked all from one easy to find page.

Skoot1123

How about a diagram to show the difference between "wide" and "narrow" and the relationship to course width/buoy width.

SpartanSki

Ski adjustment/measurement stuff. How do I measure my binding placement. How do I measure my fin, etc etc. I'd love to post the answer but I don't know...

LeonL

Like @itch2ski said, a comprehensive list of what fin changes do -- what it gives and what it takes away.

MS

I somehow make it into every thread

6balls

Maybe it's not a FAQ, and maybe it falls into another thread about beginners. I see so many promising recreational skiers mess up their own water after a fall by doing big circles back to the skier, not running straight lines, doing the circle pattern, taking really long runs and then spinning rather than taking a break at the end, then coming up the other way. None of this is by intent, just due to experience level.
In a course all of us know how to drive and we translate it to free skiing if/when we do it. There are a lot of new skiers recently on the forum. An open water driver tutorial would be great with explanations of why it's important in terms of wake management, skier fatigue, preservation of the ski water without rollers etc. Would probably require some diagrams.