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Ski Racing Fun - Lake Arrowhead

Halvecto

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Had a great evening of ski racing at Lake Arrowhead Saturday. Many of you on here have asked about it. Here are a few videos that will give an idea of what it's like. Great families, neat boats, kids & young adults doing some really good skiing. In fact, seemed Saturday was an unofficial Schiada race night. All the race boats were Schiadas (20, 21, 22). These are far from trailer queens.

This 21 is a wow. 1000+ HP Twin Turbo. Pulled his son in his first ski race for the win and trophy! Very fun.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mCYbrL3twInNzA3cYraVAmiOzY8d_9Sb

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_LRtd5a9Blj8a29xhj0G3wNmT8BmjDFA

Pre-race drop in: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CVlgErIzdomWQBd0zCYKaCubLYvbyrHq

Here is the start of one of the races with some young kids: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cqMgO3wcmCD1PijDthrFrulxPs7ZwNkE

These are from the turn boat. Some young kids competing behind these boats.:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1P3eA_ffGu0OvHDU-RsMDuNc2goKYBV6Q
https://drive.google.com/open?id=12OZeu2Q_68-PWN2PF_DdgXSgsBDHMNqO
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JP8hiY7crqOTfp1uMUTN9lBDdg8bs8v0

This was a fast finish. Crash at the finish was a skier that just won his class at Catalina: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tC9wZEX32UHgV6S5iIaEV1R2PR5PkDPf
 
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69GS

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Cool stuff, thanks for posting.
 

welldigger00

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IMG_1364.jpg
IMG_1360.jpg
super fun day. Bunch of schiada’s, and one sweet vector[emoji12]


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Ragged Edge

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Very cool. Good to see they are keeping the sport alive up at Arrowhead. I think I saw Barry's old 20' running. Now if we could just get all of them to show up at the regular NWSRA races as well. Thanks for posting.
 

Halvecto

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Thanks so much for posting. I sure miss racing.
With the talk of the demise of ski racing, this is exactly the kind of racing most everyone wants to get back to. Families out there with all kinds of boats, reasonable speeds, all sorts of people & ages involved. In addition to the big marathons and large venues, this type of circle racing is great for spectators, side by side action, multiple races. Show up with what you got, pay your $20, sign the waiver and give it a go. Need a boat to pull you? No problem. Need a helmet, rope, vest, even a ski...got em. No pressure, all for fun and a big story to tell back on the dock. One of the best parts of this is the skiers and friends ribbing each other for falling, getting beat by a youngster or girls, etc. I love this stuff.

Big shout out to Nikki Yedor for her determination to keep LAWSC (Lake Arrowhead Water Ski Club) going and the numerous folks who come out with their pontoon boats and bowriders to patrol, cheer, etc.
 
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welldigger00

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My cousin Brian owns Barry’s old boat! That thing is a blast to drive! It was hilarious pulling mathew(the lil guy in the orange helmet) in the last race. We set him in the water on the u board, and as we’re pulling the rope tight, he’s already standing on it yelling hit it! And throwing ups the whole way down to the finish!


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Halvecto

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My cousin Brian owns Barry’s old boat! That thing is a blast to drive! It was hilarious pulling mathew(the lil guy in the orange helmet) in the last race. We set him in the water on the u board, and as we’re pulling the rope tight, he’s already standing on it yelling hit it! And throwing ups the whole way down to the finish!


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A12?
 

flatfast

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thanks so much for having me I had a blast and everyone was really cool
 

Wbinder

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Mannnn this water ski racing has me itching to get into this.


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Halvecto

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thanks so much for having me I had a blast and everyone was really cool
Great driving & racing Brian @flatfast . Each of the skiers and crew were in good hands with all the drivers. 6 boats in a race is the most in a long time. With that kind of participation, we could run races every other weekend for parts of summer. Get @welldigger00 to drive/pull with his boat without pulling arms off and we could have a family race. I think next race night they may do some fun races like relays, etc. Hope you can bring Red out again.
 
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Halvecto

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Watched this video again: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SjtesvyuZnKOWqgw74EsbqTwrzt1DPgd

To give an idea of people out there participating; in this race, each boat was pulling two skiers, except one boat. This young man skiing is a neat story. He is Autistic and speaks/communicates very little, so he skied alone to feel comfortable and the observer can focus on him. His parents have been bringing him around for the LAWSC races for the last few summers and no one thinks twice about pulling him. You can see; no fancy wetsuit but a good solid vest, orange helmet, no gloves. But he loves to ski and skis fast. On his left is a guy & gal in HS/early college. He ended up winning this race and got a bunch of hi-fives at the dock. I sometimes wonder if people aren't sure what it takes to give it a go.

NWSRA events have plenty of people willing and able to help out everyone. The barrier to entry is a willingness to try. Granted, you need to be able to get up and ski and be comfortable in competition or have a boat that meets safety requirements. But you don't need a smokin' Schiada or be able to ski to Catalina at 80 mph to do it and have FUN.
specialskier.jpg
 
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montaj629

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Watched this video again: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SjtesvyuZnKOWqgw74EsbqTwrzt1DPgd

To give an idea of people out there participating; in this race, each boat was pulling two skiers, except one boat. This young man skiing is a neat story. He is Autistic and speaks/communicates very little, so he skied alone to feel comfortable and the observer can focus on him. His parents have been bringing him around for the LAWSC races for the last few summers and no one thinks twice about pulling him. You can see; no fancy wetsuit but a good solid vest, orange helmet, no gloves. But he loves to ski and skis fast. On his left is a guy & gal in HS/early college. He ended up winning this race and got a bunch of hi-fives at the dock. I sometimes wonder if people aren't sure what it takes to give it a go.

NWSRA events have plenty of people willing and able to help out everyone. The barrier to entry is a willingness to try. Granted, you need to be able to get up and ski and be comfortable in competition or have a boat that meets safety requirements. But you don't need a smokin' Schiada or be able to ski to Catalina at 80 mph to do it and have FUN.
View attachment 781489

Well said
 

obnoxious001

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Very cool. Good to see they are keeping the sport alive up at Arrowhead. I think I saw Barry's old 20' running. Now if we could just get all of them to show up at the regular NWSRA races as well. Thanks for posting.
Yes, my old 20' was there, and I built the Gentry turbo engine in Matt's white and blue 21'.
 

obnoxious001

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My cousin Brian owns Barry’s old boat! That thing is a blast to drive! It was hilarious pulling mathew(the lil guy in the orange helmet) in the last race. We set him in the water on the u board, and as we’re pulling the rope tight, he’s already standing on it yelling hit it! And throwing ups the whole way down to the finish!

That boat was put together right! Think about how much more fun it would be with power equal to yours? My turbo engine was set up to run race gas and 15 lbs of boost! Glad to see you guys got out and had fun!
 

welldigger00

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With a 1000 ponies, that 20’er would be terrifying! I’ve never skied behind a 20 before until Mead and this boat a few weeks back. Unreal wake to turn on, and you sling shot out of the water on a start! I’ve never been on my feet so fast after ropes tight.


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obnoxious001

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With a 1000 ponies, that 20’er would be terrifying! I’ve never skied behind a 20 before until Mead and this boat a few weeks back. Unreal wake to turn on, and you sling shot out of the water on a start! I’ve never been on my feet so fast after ropes tight.

Part of that is going to be the gear and prop, of course, but even with the turbo engine and the 45 gear I could pull a good skier out pretty darn hard. If you shift yours at the right rpm it should load the turbos up and do the same thing!
 

Halvecto

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So here is another neat backstory: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12OZeu2Q_68-PWN2PF_DdgXSgsBDHMNqO
This boat (A-12) was built back in the mid-80's. It was one of the first Race Aero twin-turbo boats on Arrowhead. It was a stunner. Over the years it has passed through a few hands. It is now owned by a family and back up at Arrowhead. It has been rebuilt as an all-around ski boat. Currently has a dual-carb N/A Brummett engine. But as you can see, boats and skiers are not going really hard. Combination of young skiers, short rope and rough water. Staying up for these kids usually results in a good finish.

Billy Johnson, whom many on here know or have heard of, came out to the races to crew and support LAWSC. In fact, A-12 was originally built by Billy's Dad for his family to ski behind. He hadn't been in his family's Schiada for over 25 years. John asked Billy to crew for him and in the boat told him to take the wheel and drive. This video is Billy driving his Dad's boat. It was really cool to watch his face and reaction before, during and after. Billy is a friend and about as good a guy as you'll ever meet. He is THE best play-skier I have ever seen in person. He was building the Airstick skis a few years back.

The current A-12 owner John had never met Billy. He had heard it was originally built for Bill's Dad; he tossed him the key and rode shotgun. It's that kind of people that give so many the nostalgia and hope for ski racing that many remember.

Billy is the one who has resurrected Santa's Village into SkyPark. If you are up on the mountain, be sure to visit. It is incredible. https://skyparksantasvillage.com/

Last race of the summer this Saturday evening. Will try to get more pics and video.

IMAG1213[1].jpg
 
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