Writing this column for Aquaskier has enabled me to have a voice in my sport of choice and also to hear from and become friends with skiers from all over via the web. I enjoy writing about skiing but the best part about water skiing is the people you meet and friends you make.

     One such friend is a guy named Mark Cohen. He ski’s with the Metroplex Ski Club in Dallas Texas. It turns out that Mark has been free skiing for years but just started buoy chasing last year, and with my 10 year layoff from skiing we were about equal in slalom course ability. Both of us bad. 

     But what started out as a “how did you do this week” turned into a trash talking, top this, pass of the week. I must admit my 10 year layoff put me behind further than I realized. He had the lead in early June with a full pass @ 15 off 34 mph. When I caught him he upped the bar with partial 22 off passes. As I pushed for more I started getting injuries and fell back. I finally caught him due to his injuries. Then he clicked off a 3 @ 28 off pass for the seasonal PB. I still hadn’t run a full pass at 22 off.

     Mark then got in a slump and struggled for a while but his 3 @ 28 off was what I had to beat. For weeks I pushed it, video taping and critiquing my form. Finally I cranked out 2 1/2 @ 28 off in practice without a complete 22 pass but I was pumped up and ready to take the lead in October. We’d been going at this all summer.

     Towards the middle of October I knew my opportunities were getting fewer. I threw caution to the wind of the traditional “run a pass till you get it right” and would go straight up the ladder like a tournament. 15, 22, 28. It wouldn’t be pretty but I had to try and beat him. I repeatedly went down at the 4 or 5 ball on the 22 pass. I was beginning to have doubts about running a full 22 pass to have a legal shot at 28 off.

     I was even using some vacation time to ski afternoons since it was getting dark to early to ski after work. My ski partners knew nothing of the little mini-tournament Mark and I had going, they thought I’d just gone a little nuts to be pushing so hard at the end of the season. Once they were informed of why they got behind me and really started coaching. I had to fight for club honor.

     The end of October is pretty much the end of the season here and the month ended without my getting 3 @ 28 off, so Mark is the seasonal champ. I tried one last time, having to use a dry suit, but there was just too much drag.  I ended the month with a head cold from the cold air and water but an overall feeling of accomplishment from a good hard season of skiing.

     We started this year’s competition with setting a realistic but high goal of getting into 28 off. This much we accomplished. Next year we’ll raise the bar again, probably to 32 off.

     Mark has just moved into Men 3 this year while I’m going into Men 4 in another year. But for one more year we will both be skiing in the Men 3 division. Next year is going to be real interesting.  Having someone to compete against without the pressure of a traditional tournament has been fun. It also allows for a continual competition instead of one weekend only. It drives you to push yourself, to go skiing whenever the opportunity arises, and to really get into the technical aspects of slalom course skiing.

     I haven’t entered a tournament since the late 1980’s while Mark may start competing in NSL tournaments in his area next year. It’s a shame distance keeps us from competing head to head.

     I have lamented for an Internet based tournament for several years but still have not garnered enough interest to go forward with it. I feel this is the type of good hard competition that could be shared by all skiers. The subject has been covered before and I will broach it here again soon.

     Mark and I still haven’t met personally but we keep in touch and next spring my work may take me through the Dallas area.  And nothing would satisfy me more than to “kick his butt” on his home water.  His response to that was “Bring it on. Bring it on” 

     This is going to be fun.

 
Gordon Slingerland

Gordon is a regular contributor and can be found carving buoys in his spare time.

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