I was too lazy to pack my skis so I took advantage of the 3 ski demo at Loveland. I skied three pairs of the latest and greatest in telemark gear. What I discovered is that I really like and appreciate my current gear. Short, wide skis with more sidecut means all the damn things want to do it turn. When you try to go straight and fast its like driving a car thats out of alignment and has unbalanced wheels; lots of shimmy and instability. I think I fell about a half dozen times as my skis decided I needed to keep turning up the hill instead of transitioning into a turn in the opposite direction. I did eventually figure them out but I want to ski the skis; I don't want them to ski me.
I distinctly remember a similar feeling the first time I paddled my Greenland stick. It had a mind of its own and i remember thinking I'd just wasted $100. After about 15 minutes of struggling however, the small muscles began to learn and get used to the stroke, and the advantages of the paddle began to reveal themselves. No such epiphany occurred with the tele skis. RonO and I were talking about wing paddles and surf skis. I'd like to give both of them a try this summer if I have the opportunity. I'm not sure if it will be a Greenland stick or a tele ski experience but I hope I will be open minded enough to give it my best shot and get a feel for what people are talking about. After all, I don't want anyone to think I'm getting old and curmudgeonly.....
3 comments:
Going by the photo of the skier, short is an understatement. But as a strictly cross country person who learned on skis my Finnish grandfather made, almost all downhill equipment looks odd to me.
BTW, your comments about new gear inspired me to go sock shopping the other day. Single purpose, the walk to work and back again, so the only major decision to be made at Kohl's was whether to get the cute ones with the cow design or go for nice staid solid colors. Cute won.
I had the same learning curve for my first Greenland paddle, too, but it took me much longer to get the feel of it - a couple of weeks. I honestly don't know why I kept at it, but I'm glad I did. As for the wing paddles and surf skis - if you can make it to any of the races in the area (next one is in Wausau on the 20th), Jeff would be more than happy to let you paddle his ski anytime. I have a hard time staying upright in those things (well, I can't stay upright in my skin on frame, either, but that's on purpose), but Jeff loves the speed, and that's all he paddles now.
People who have lived in Wisconsin are genetically predisposed to cow designs. Good choice. Josh, we will definitely paddle this summer. Don't know if will involve the reputed to be diabolical surf ski and wing however
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