Jodi's Blog

Cold Springs Harbor

2011-07-24T10:20:00.001-07:00

Sunrise over Cold Springs Harbor

Thank you so much Jacqueline's Dad for the O'Brien Ski donation for my Ski Skool bar renovations!

Greg Sulger Son Anthony & Dean Anderson & myself hanging out getting ready to take a set in Paradise!

Cold Spring Harbor is famous for a number of significant things, Dr Watson who discovered DNA, John Lennon's old summer estate and the summer house to the Tiffany family (The Little Blue Box) & now of course the On Location Tour!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour

18tg-19th July Cold Springs Harbor

2011-07-24T09:46:00.001-07:00

From Connecticut it was time to head down to Long Island to meet Greg Sulger and his group at Cold Springs Harbour, we arrived around 11pm on Sunday evening the 17th July And was met by Dean Anderson one of this very passionate group of skiers!

We took a ferry over to the Island, as this or a bridge was the only option, not allowed in the tunnels with a propane tank onboard! The Ferry was s very cool ride over to long Island.

The Ferry was a little late departing and left with no room
To spare on it, litterally!!

7.00am rolled around and we were met by a very excited group for breakfast New York Style, these guys love to eat and what great food they eat!!

Left to Right Dean Bob Mike & Greg at the community beach area at Cold Spring Harbour where they have been skiing since skiing began there in 1924, yes this is where it all began!!
At least this is the word on the street in Oyster Bay!

The group head out to the course early evening to ski the glass conditions in the back water!

This place is Paradise!!

We skied off an outboard boat in the course, this was the only way to get out at low tide!! No body else on the water at low tide!

Can't wait to go back to Cold Springs Harbor again and ski the glass with these guy's they Rock and we had a fantastic time!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

Dressing for the occasion

2011-07-23T20:00:00.001-07:00

I'm not the only one who dresses up for the occasion!!
My friend Rick has the fishing poll shirt for those special occasion!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

2011-07-23T19:55:00.001-07:00

It's times like this with my friends whilst on Tour that makes the time away from my family a little easier! Unfortunately they make me dress up and cook though!!!

Casper Kiley loving our new outdoor Bean Bag's by Basic Puff from Mexcio City, you can check them out online in our new online shop coming in August!
We have many different colour's and two different sizes and a chair version for your comfort!
Casper knows how comfortable they are!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

July 15th-16th Bashion Lake Connecticut

2011-07-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

Nate Kiley has been skiing with me now for the past five years and has come a long way, he is doing great for the time he has spent in the course. Nate started skiing around the same time as my son Sam and they both have a tournament planned together in their schedule in the fall!

We ran two boats on Bashion, one for the course and one for wakeboarding on the Saturday, we had a great bunch of the local kids from around the lake who learned to ski and Wakeboard for the first time! We are going to be busy there next year!

Nate ripping up the course and working his onside lean with good direction across course!!

The weather has been amazing for the North East portion of our On Location Tour this summer, getting to sport my new (summer print) 69 Slam board shorts every day so far!

A huge thank you to Rick & Family fir donating a KD slalom ski to our College Charity Relocate a Ski Program, we will be reallocating these donated skis a little late in the season to the colleges when school is back in session!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

Bashion Lake in East Haddom Connecticut

2011-07-23T19:20:00.001-07:00

From Otisco Lake in Syracuse, it was a 5 hour drive over to Connecticut for two days of clinics a Bashion Lake in East Haddem. Bill Kiley a great friend and sponsor of the On Location Tour fir the second straight year with Connecticut Underwriters providing amazing marine insurance for my boat, ski Skool & On Location Tour.
Check them out at www.Connecticutunderwriters.com

Rick Vansteinburgen Bill's partner in crime at Bashion Lake, is a big guy who can rock the slalom course on his Connelly wide ride!!!

Remember the bet you have Rick, you don't want to be going to the conference!!

Bill, Rick & Jeff put an Portable Course out 3-4 time a week in the summer months, they have this process down to about 15 minutes!! It's very cool to see how quickly then have it down!

The boys out on the lake loving their Malibu LXI

Rick slicing the butter on Bashion early in the morning!

Everest Peacock learned to drop a ski for the first time and made a full circuit of Bashion!

Everest was loving using the Headzone Helmet Coaching System and big smiles all round from Everest and her proud Parents!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

Otisco Lake in Syracuse New York

2011-07-23T17:40:00.001-07:00

We had a 500 mike journey from Clio to Syracuse New York and 9 hours to do it in, it was time to get our driving gloves on!
Logan thought it was time to try out our newly arrived Headzone Jump helmet coaching system in the bus!! He was getting very strange looks when pulling up to the lights!!

We arrived at Otisco at close to Mid Night, 6.30am came around pretty quickly I can tell you!

This is one beautiful place on the finger lakes and a great bunch of skiers to match!!

We had pretty good conditions for most of the day, even though it's a pretty big lake! I have to say, there was more skiing on this lake than tubing or wakeboarding. Very cool to see!!

We had a great time or Otisco thanks to Ron Peckham and Ken for hosting the day from his property!
I would also like to through a huge thank you out there to John Kula for the loan of his Pro Star 190 for the day, John you are the best my friend!! The On Location Tour can't wait to revisit next year!!

2011 On Location Tour continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

Hidden Lake in Clio Michigan

2011-07-23T17:19:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Hidden lake in Clio Michigan, Fred & Brent Triplett have built one of the nicest lake I have ever had the pleasure to see and ski on!!

This 2000' long paradise in the woods never gets rough!!

Thank to Radar for setting the On Location Tour up with a new pop up tent for Jodi's mobile Fish- Ski Shop, soon to be online by August 2011.

Check out our crazy fun floating bean bags that can be made into a chair or just lay out on either on land or the water!!

When I said it was built in the woods, I was not joking!!

The evenings entertainment left a bit to be desired! Logan and Brent knocking out the crowd with their Karaoke singing!!

2011 On Location Tour

Location:2011 On Location Tour

Global Invitational 2011

2011-07-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

A brand new venue for the 2001 Global Invitational in Grand Rapids Michigan, Millennium Park a $5,000.000 county park in the heart of Grand Rapids is an awesome venue for the worlds best Waterski athletes to compete!

The amazingly styled and build park with great water area fir kids and a 800 foot long shallow beach area that allows the locals to bath on the baking hot day's of the Michigan summer!

The crowed standing with batted breath when young sensation and Mid West skier Nate Smith was on the water!

69 Slam is breaking out soon in the US when our online store goes live in a few weeks from now!
Jodi's Ski Shop on Jodisskiskool.com

Nate Smith placing 3rd after skiing very consistent all weekend and setting the highest score of the tournament in the first round of 5.5@41off.
Enjoying the moment with him Mim Dad & Sister

Thomas Degasberi takes the Title, Will Asher takes 2nd and Nate finishes 3rd fir his second straight podium in back to back events!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:On Location Tour Continues

Nate Smith Rock's the pro slalom world in 2011

2011-07-22T21:25:00.001-07:00

Right, I need to bring this in to the mix before we get to far ahead of ourselves!

After leaving Columbus Indiana, we head up the Indianapolis to meet up with Nate Smith for a day of training!!

Nate's wall of success!!! He has had a great deal of it already and only 20 years of age!!

Nate's mom made up this magazine front cover when Nate was one year old, his parents knew he was going to be a World Champion one day!!

Nate Smith hanging out in his 69 Slam Squares Shorts on Champion Lake!! This kid is the future of slalom skiing and will be kicking butt in the course for many years to come!!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

Show skiing, Clinics and Pro Tournament

2011-07-22T21:02:00.001-07:00

White Birch Lodge on Elk Lake, this place Rock's, they have a Ski Show every Thursday fir 9 weeks throughout the summer months! A great time hanging out with Norm DeDecker and family, they have been going to White Birch Lodge fir their annual family vacation fir the past 47 Years! That is amazing!

All the college kids who work there for the summer and the kids from the Ski Camp catching a group shot on the Beach at White Birch Lodge!

Head back down to Grand Rapids to train one last set on the buoys before competing in the Global Invitational, not sure open water sets will cut it!

Taking my last set before Global at Summerwood in Hudsonville, Michigan

Jerry Brauwer was so excited to finally have the Global come together at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids, this site is amazing for a pro tournament!!

Jodi's Ski Shop at the Global Invitational, our Online store will go live on August 1st

69 Slam Spring Summer 2011 collection was on show at Global, the best selling item from this summer collection will be available online in our store in two weeks from now!

Check out Vivo Resorts in Puerto Escondido Mexico, this place is amazing and you won't believe how good the skiing, food and accommodation is in this place!!
If you like 85 degrees year round, then this is your place to hang out with the Pro's on the water!

2011 On Location Tour Continues

Location:2011 On Location Tour Continues

2011-07-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

Our first On Location Tour clinic of 2011, St Mary's Ohio with the Dammeyer family, Kyle, Kevin & Kristen all skied great!

Silent Shores only 10 minutes from the Dammeyer's,

We moved on to Saw Mill Lake in Columbus Indiana, We had 5 great days of training here ahead of the Global Invitational in Grand Rapids Michigan. This lake is beautiful, thanks for a great BDay celebration on the 4th July Philippa and Rick!

Silver Lake up in Travers City in Northern Michigan, Bart Colin you are the best brother! Thanks again for the loan of your sick MasterCraft 197 WTT!

Norm DeDecker invited the On Location Tour Team up to Elk Lake to White Birch Lodge for the weekly ski show, it was a pleasure to be asked to join the ski show that day!!

Next stop will be the Global Invitational, ask you might of guessed we are a little behind with the blog but we will be caught up by the time the weekend is out!

2011 On Location Tour

2011-07-01T16:59:00.001-07:00

We finally left Cory's on Saturday evening to go meet Adler at his Saw Mill out in the back and beyond. Earlier that day we were in the local Ace Hardware store picking up a fitting for a leaking pipe we had on the Rig, Matt spotted some photographs on the wall of some amazing Cypress plank cut from very large trees. After asking the clerk for a contact number and calling we left a message not really expecting a call back on the Saturday! The owner Adler called back around 5.00pm and we arranged to meet at 7.30 on site at the address he gave me which appeared to be on our way North! So off we went on another adventure!

After driving into the back and beyond woods a good ways off the highway, we arrived at Adler's home and he took us back to the saw mill! Adlee started telling us about how he pulls the Cypress trees up from the riverbed and they date back to the first cut back in the 1870's and the tree go back 1000 years! They are even older than Christopher Columbus!

Adler and Matt shooting the breeze about the very old Cypress, these trees are very old and very Cool!

A bunch of the trees cut into planks and ready for tables and bar tops, I am going to have one of these built into my new beach bar at the Skool!

The conversation got onto the RV on the water skiing and it turns out that Adler was a slalom skier back in the day! So after heading back to his house, Adler went to the basement and pulled out the old O'Brien combo's and said I'm going to donate these skis to the cause! They were gladly received and will for sure get displayed on my new beach bar and dock!

Adler washing the many years of dust of his still of fun!

Adler couldn't believe it when I put my Strada in his hand!

2011 On Location Tour

Location:Heading North to the Mid West

2011 On Location Tour

2011-06-28T18:33:00.001-07:00

Well it's that time again when pwe take the Skool on the road and travel the US from coast to coast! This year also for the first time, we have kept the Skool open for 3 weeks of Kids Camp! Nicola & Logan Haun have been teaching a great bunch of local kids from Orlando, who are getting ready for Florida State Championships being held in 10 days from now at Marbury!

Nicola & Logan taking care of Kids Camp 2011

Mat Page & I have departed Orlando North and just spent 2 great days at Cory Pickos's Ski Skool, you are most likely asking yourself why are they at Cory's!

Well, apart from Cory and I going back a long way in sport having competed at many tournaments together, I had planned some time in to meet up with Thibaut Dailand to shoot some 69 Slam Underwear & Swimwear pictures and video for the website and Surf Expo coming up in September, unfortunately Thibaut found out that he was no longer qualified for the World Championships coming up in Russia because of some new scores coming in and he needed to fly back to France to qualify this past weekend, of course he forgot to call or email and tell me he would no longer be there!!!

Nit to worry, Cory and Rose are great people and very welcoming to all and we hung out and had a great time catching up on ski school and tournament stories from Years past!!!
Many years past!!!

Matt Page resting after the big Bus pack up for the summer Tour

Cory & Rose Pickos hanging out at The Red Bar in Destin near Pensacola FL

We also had a fantastic night and Dinner at Louis Louis Bar & Restaurant also owned by Ole & Kyle who training at Cory's with their 4 children. Ole is originally from Belgium and opened The Red Bar 16 years ago and now it's known as one of the best watering wholes in Destin! We went on Saturday for a late lunch to The Red Bar following a great night at Louis Louis, I can tell you it took most of the morning to feel right after drinking the famous Corita's named after Cory Pickos. This guy has big friends in great places in , if you have not been to Destin to and skied at Cory's or eaten at Louis Louis and drank at The Red Bar, then you should definitely put this destination on your list!!!

Adam Pickos, Kara McIntyre And the South American crew hanging out at the Lake! There is some talent at Cory's I can tell you!

Cory even has his own Vodka, I have to say it looks and tastes at lot like Some other Vodka on the market!!!

2011 On Location Tour

69 Slam Dealer Meeting

2011-06-05T00:34:00.001-07:00

Playing Loud at Potato Head in Bali

The 69 Slam Team having a great time at Potato Head on the Beach, inspirational!

Bali surf was great fun, can't wait to go back!

69 Slam

Location:Bali Indonesia

69 Slam USA is coming soon!

2011-05-30T10:06:00.001-07:00

I will be bring you a select range of the 2011 69 Slam Underwear & Swimwear summer collection by the end of June! It will not only be available from the On Location Tour bus but also from my new On-line Store (Gearing up) on www.jodisskiskool. com going live June 31st.

You've never have so much fun in your underwear whilst Playing Loud!!!!

The Ladies & Men's Underwear & Swimwear collection is amazing comfortable whilst shocking your friend, only for those who have attitude! And expect the best in comfort and quality from the closest thing to their treasure!

You'll be Keeping your man on a close leash wearing 69 Slam underwear!

Gearing Up

Location:Gearing Up

Working through the Theory!

2011-05-17T00:13:00.001-07:00

John Kula from Syracuse New York has been a student of mine now for the past five years, he has come a long way and it was great to see his improvement again this trip down to Orlando!

John and I worked through more theory on the dock and John is great at taking notes and having something to revert back to when training at home!

Working the theory and making notes! Keep a record of what you have worked on and always aak your coach to explain why he wants you do do something, it has to make sense to you for you to commit to it and remember it!

It's great to Have Kris, Rob & Ashley hear this week from Wisconsin! This is off the lakes up there but barely!

Jodi's Ski Skool

Location:Ski Skool

Start at 2 years old!

2011-05-15T11:19:00.001-07:00

Matt & Stacy Zito from Detroit, Michigan having a great family water ski vacation and Son Dominick getting started at 2 years old in the swimming pool!

Matt also purchasing his new 69.5" Radar Strada after loving it first time out! Both Matt and Stacy made huge steps forward after having their skis match and set up properly for them, Stacy's feet ate now set the right distance apart which allows her to follow her ski rather than standing sideways on her ski and now she I'd learning the course having made 1,4,5&6 with great position and rhythm, the now has the process to run the course this summer!
Matt also found massive efficiency with his new stance following the ski and his balance and ability to stay centered on his ski on the offside was such an improvement! Way to go the Zito Family, enjoy the Ride and we'll see you later this summer with my On Location Tour when we come through Michigan in Early July.

Jodi's Ski Skool

Location:Ski Skool

Nic' Back!

2011-05-15T11:08:00.001-07:00

Nic's back on the water and chasing the buoys!!!!

Sam' makeing personal best scores on a daily basis!

Finn's skiing by her self now and lovin it!
Silvia Caruso from Italy is tricking up a storm!

Joshua from the Orlando Sentinel New's Paper, shooting with the Go-Pro HD video

Joe & Brian from Indian both learnt to jump for The first time this week, they loved it!

Location:Ski Skool

2011-05-15T11:06:00.001-07:00

The Honu Hangout is coming soon, stay posted for more details

Hardy

Jodi's Ski Skool

2011-05-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Todd & Mike from New Hampshire watching their buddy Dave take a lesson!

Dave on the left loving life after a great first set of the season!

Todd taking video notes and Dave writing down what each buddy is working on! These guy's are learning to run the slalom course!

This my look strange, but having the student rotate their core forward to line up with the centre line of the Ski, brings their knees together and distributes their weight more evenly between the bindings!
I was have them grip a napkin between the knees and hold it throughout there pass of lake whilst crossing the wakes!

Keaden and Kyle from Florida Southern are heading up to North Carolina for their first College event of the season, before heading home for the summer!
It's been a pleasure working with you guy's this spring, now go put what you have learnt into play and go kick some butt!

Jodi's Ski Skool

Enjoying the Ride!

2011-05-02T21:14:00.001-07:00

Jake & Phil from Denvor learning a great deal down in Orlando this weekend! Have a great summer and I look forward to catching up with you with my On Location Tour in Denvor!

It was great having Eric & Even Marshall back in town together with girlfriend Lynsey of course!
They were enjoying the Radar ride behind my MasterCraft Pro Star 197.

A great Radar Sandwich with a cool MasyerCraft dressing for good taste!

Jodi's Ski Skool

Learning new trickS

2011-04-27T17:02:00.001-07:00

Lali Jain from the UK learnt her first 180 front to back and back to front, to go along with her sideslide!

Jenny Jain learns to water ski for the first time across the swimming pool! Mom Ros is also learning the big course after nailing the half course!

Lali is picking up this sport so fast and will be making the full course in the next set or two!

Jodi's Ski Skool

Location:Ski Skool

2011-04-27T16:55:00.001-07:00

Jamie & Tim Sabo from Canada loving the MasterCraft and placing an order for a new 2011 Pro Star 197.

Tim and Jamie changed their tickets and stayed for four more days of ski School

Ravi Jain and family are out from the UK for two weeks of training, Lali is already making 1, 4, 5 & 6 in the big course and has also started trick skiing!

Ravi looking great in his 69Slam underwear and shorts, stay posted as we will have them for sale in the US this summer!

Gathering at the Honu Hangout with skier from around the world!

Daniel Price Anzola & Family from Columbia having a great time in Orlando, their kids were amazing!

Getting ready to Ride, Fish Style!

Amazing comfortable out door been bags coming soon under The Fish Ski Branding from Basic Puff, have them around the pool, the Lake our at your local ski club!

Jodi's Ski Skool

2011-04-15T20:39:00.001-07:00

Another great group of skiers and friends from around the world! Steve and Bradley Irving from the UK, hanging out together and improving everyday!
Way to go in the course Bradley!

Tim & Jamie Saba from Edmonton Canada having a great time slaloming and wakeboarding behind the MasterCraft 197 that they are about to buy when they arrive home next week! Have a great time on the water this summer guy's with you new MasterCraft!

Stuart Ely and friend Marigold from the UK, re lighting old memories of water skiing back in the day!

Stuart warming up with his power band and showing us how to flex like a God of the Dock!

It's been another great week at Ski Skool, are you following the Fish?! All will be explain soon!

Spring Break 2011

2011-04-10T18:41:00.001-07:00

Joe Murphy senior and Joe Junior came to spend a few days together on Joe's last trip as a single man as he is getting Married at the end of April, all the Best Joe and the next time we'll see you down here in Orlando will be with your new Bride! Send us a post card from the honeymoon!

Father Mark Smith and Daughter Inga 11 and Son Gunner 9 years old from Minnesota both learnt to run the slalom course this week, congratulations to you both! You were great students training 3 sets a day for six days straight, you guy's are troopers! Have a great summer on the water and we'll see you again this summer on the On Location Tour when we will stop in the Minnesota area.

Hanging out with the Smith kids, great little skier Champions of the future! Keep an eye out for these two!

Josh from the Orlando Sentinel back out shooting with the Go-Pro camera for a feature on our Skool coming out soon in the Orlando Sentinel Online Daily News Paper! We'll keep you posted as to when it's up online and we will also have a link to their site fit the feature!

The Go-Pro digital camera, amazing little gadgets!

Location:Ski Skool

A great time had by all!

2011-03-31T19:22:00.001-07:00

Patrick Jamie & Evelin from Colorardo having a great time together at Lake Gifford.

Diego needed to cut his hair badly! Before

And After

Liva Spurina making her first 180 on a single trick ski! We had a great time with you Liva, have a safe trip home to Latvia and a great season and keep in touch with you progress Girl!

Zander & I hanging out at the Magic game with Team Honu

Honu Sportz new 2011 On Location Tour Sponsor, check their footwear out at www.honusportz.com there amazingly comfortable!

Location:Ski Skool Fun!

Hair Cut

2011-03-30T17:09:00.001-07:00

Do you think Diego was ready for a hair cut?

Before

After

Location:Ski Skool

2011-03-27T19:55:00.001-07:00

Finnley Fisher take her first ski ride by her self behind the boat!
She did fantastically! No stopping her now!

Nice ass by the way!

Diego finds a new ride for the weekend!

Thank you to Honu Sportz for the invite to watch the Magic and the Net play Friday night, a great time networking with a great bunch of Falks in the Honu Suite over looking the game!

Liva Spariva from Latvia learnt to ride a trick ski this week and can already make the 360!

Lexi Fisher is also picking up tricking skiing very fast with new trick each day!

Beautiful Morning!

2011-03-13T06:20:00.001-07:00

It's another Beautiful morning on Lake Gifford, email me and book your Spring Skiing Today!

Guilty pleasures!

2011-03-10T20:22:00.001-08:00

Diego enjoying a pretty gay looking ice-cream in Wet n Wild

Location:Weekend fun with the Fam

Finnley Fisher is skiing again

2011-03-04T05:42:00.001-08:00

Finnley makes the transition from her skiboard to a pair of skis, great work my girl!

Lexi Fisher was also out on the water with the girls, she gave a quick demonstration to her good friend India Hart and she was up and away in no time. Thanks Lexi for you great demo and congratulation to India and Finnley for becoming new water skiers!!

Location:Ski Skool

India Hart is now a Skier

2011-03-04T05:24:00.001-08:00

Congratulations India Hart you ate now a water skier and on your way to having a great time!

Location:Ski Skool

Birthday wishes to G-Man from Holland

2011-02-27T11:44:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday G-Man, your looking great for an old Dude! Just kidding mate, lots of life left in you on and off the water! Your skiing is really coming together and your going to have a great season!

Thanks to Diego, Sam got to ware his cake as well as eat some! Congratulations Sam for scoring a new personal best in the slalom course today 4@ 16m (22off)!

Hanging out!

2011-02-25T18:14:00.001-08:00

The Kids are loving hanging out in the new hammocks from Mexico!

Location:Ski Skool

Deep water start success for Solomon

2011-02-25T16:04:00.001-08:00

Solomon and Jacob from New Jersey having a great time on the water, Solomon master the deep water start not only on the bar desiderata the boat but countless times behind the boat. Jacob master the slalom course first the first time and then ran it back to back, a great achievement!
These boys ski on the Hudson River and go out in front of the Statue of Liberty, we are setting up an On Location Tour stop in New Jersey. I'm looking forward to maybe skiing next to the Statue of Liberty this summer!

Location:Ski Skool

Aqua Ski Club Morales Mexico

2011-02-21T09:05:00.001-08:00

Just finished 5 days of coaching and the start of the 2011 On Location Tour, at Aqua Ski Club in the state of Morales in Mexico.
An amazing group of members and a wealth of young talented skiers coming up in the sport, the future of Mexican water skiing is looking very Bright! The kids are training hard and achieving great thing at such a young age, I was great to see and a pleasure to work with them! Keep it up kids, you can all be Champions!

Long time members of the Club Paulino, Salo and Ramon. They are pushing the sport in Mexico.
These boy's and so many of the other member are all about the sport, it's great to see!

Diego Trejo another future star of Mexico skiing. His Sister Fernanda will also represent Mexico in the near future!

Emilio de Urratte and his brother Rodrigo are two great young skier and it was a pleasure to meet and work with, they have great technique already and will for sure go places in the sport! Keep training kids you all are doing great on the water and your families are right behind you!!

Jose Antono Perez will become the next President of the Mexican Water Ski Federation soon, he love the sport and shows in his great skiing! He and his team will do great things with the sport in Mexico for the next generation of great talent coming up in Mexico!

Tequesquitengo Morelos Mexico

2011-02-16T18:02:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to announce the start of the 2011 On Location Tour, these are pictures of the larger lake that Diego Reyes and his family have their weekend house on. Shortly we'll be heading out to Aqua Ski Club near to here where we will open the International On Location Tour with 5 days of coaching with their club members that come from all over the Mexico City area, can you believe a City of 28,000.000 people in one City. My driving experience this morning was very exciting, every man for him self and he who dares wins!

Diego in front of his lake house

Location:2011 On Location Tour

Tequesquitengo Morelos Mexico

2011-02-16T10:29:00.001-08:00

Location:2011 On Location Tour

First & Second Chances

2011-02-11T17:57:00.001-08:00

John from Ohio called me a few weeks ago to say that he wanted to have his wife learn to ski, bit not have her dragged around the lake like he was dragged forever as a young man before being able to get up. I assured him we would go through the land training and start out on the bar at side of the boat and she would be perfectly fine. Quite a few years have past for John sins he used to ski and he also wanted to learn a deep water start and spend time skiing this summer with his newlywed wife Susan.

John went first and we soon had him lifting a ski to find his most stable foot to put forward, it was very clear he would by right foot forward and very quickly we went through the process of lifting a ski, dropping a ski and then learning the deep water start on the Bar first. By the 3rd set he was ready to transition to rope and 3 deep water start in a row he was off to the races!

Susan very quickly took to getting up on two skis on the bar and then moved quickly behind the boat. By the second set she was crossing the wakes and quite stable, but at times when loosing control she had great recovery skills in crouching back down into the start position and recovering balance. By the 3rd set she was lifting a ski and then she made the deep water start 3 times in a row her first day ever skiing!
Great effort Susan!

John and Susan were in town for Valantines weekend and this was a fantastic start to their weekend, they will be having a great time on the water this summer in Ohio with their new Radar Skis. You gotta love it when you the smile on the face of someone learning to ski for the first time, priceless!

Location:Ski Skool

Future Skier

2011-02-10T20:28:00.001-08:00

Little Jake Weir loving riding in the boat with new hat watching his Mom Sarah and Dad Bill take lesson with us, he's so excited to start water skiing!

Location:Ski Skool

It's getting warmer!

2011-02-09T20:38:00.001-08:00

Well after a cool start to the day, things warmed up nicely! Diego was back out on the water tricking in just shirts.!

Location:Ski Skool

Pre Season Training

2011-02-05T16:34:00.001-08:00

Mario Andres Mustafa & Started his 2011 training again this week, he is a full member of the Florida State University Team getting ready for the 2011 season. Delfina Culivan has been training now for a few weeks and will be competing at her first Moomba Masters in early March in Melbourne, Australia. Both Peruvian will also compete in the World Under 21 Championships in France later in the year. Diego Reyes is in school learning English and training had after school each day, where he will represent Mexico in the Latin American Championships in March. This weeks training when very learning two new ski line tricks, making 35off back to back fir the first time ever and Jumping with new technique and control. You guy's are going to have a great season on the water!

Location:Ski Skool

2011-02-04T07:15:00.001-08:00

Jodi's Ski Skool Gift Cards

As the Ski Ladies at Ski Watch Estates in Pensacola would say "What's in your Wallet"

2011-02-04T07:00:00.001-08:00

Jodi's Ski Skool Gift Cards

The perfect Birthday Gift for your Ski Buddies in 2011, or just to say Thank You for all the times you have been there to pull you ski partner when they have needed a driver! Contact us today and we'll send one loaded with the credit of your choice direct to your Friend with Best Wishes from you their friend!

2011-01-27T22:07:00.001-08:00

Well we are well into the new year and Diego Reyes is back on the water train hard in all three events, his trick are coming along great and hexagon be pushing hard leading up to the Latin American Championships in March.

Delfina Culivan is also train hard with us getting ready for her first trip to compete in the Moomba Masters in Melbourne Australia, what a great tournament and time she is going to have down under!

The kids have been having a great time on our new beach sand, we can get then off the ripe swing!

Family fun!

2011-01-21T10:35:00.001-08:00

Antione with his family in town and on vacation enjoying the sunshine, the weather a little colder in Quebec Canada!

Great skiing Antione you skiing came together very nicely over the course of the 5 day training course you did. Very much looking forward to visiting Quebec and coaching in your town with our 2011 On Location Tour this coming summer time.

Location:Ski Skool Orlando

Seasons Greetings

2010-12-27T19:27:00.001-08:00

Wishing you all, Seasons Greeting from Jodi's Ski Skool in Orlando, its Christmas Eve, the sun is shining bright and the water is glass!
Dave Nutt and family from the UK are really enjoying their break from the snow back home. Jurgen and Biggy Schweigert from Germany are also loving the great conditions

Katie Nutt getting ready to rip up the course!

Dave Nutt trying to keep up with Daughter Katie

Brother and Sister Jurgen and Biggy Schweigert meeting up with their parents for a two week family vacation in Orlando

Location:Base Camp Orlando

On Location Tour Continues in Puerto Escondido Mexico

2010-12-11T05:36:00.001-08:00

After meeting Cary Mullen in Canada this past summer when in British Bolivia with my On Location Tour, we talked about an amazing resort that Cary was building down in Mexico where the weather was constant year round with average temps of 85F (28C). This really caught my attention as I wanted to offer an alternative training location for at least one week a month during November, December, January & February where you can guarantee the weather! It was time to see what Puerto & Vivo Resorts had to offer!

Phase 1 of Vivo Resorts has been operating now for four years offering secluded and private beach vacation for weddings, business groups and couples retreats. Cads Rubia where the guests stay is amazing with it's own secluded beach front and the most amazing food and hospitality I have ever experienced.

Everything you can think of for the best relaxation you can imagine!

Cary and Vivi Resorts are expanding to phase 2 currently under construction and it was time to roll out the plans and activities for the next phase of this amazing project.

With the Resort sitting on the perfect 70 acres of land located in between the beach and a fresh water lagoon with perfect water skiing conditions, it was only natural that Vivo Resorts should add an activity such as water skiing in a location that can offer these amazing conditions year round. Abdi and Mehrdad from Iran were amongst our first group.

The food at Casa Rubia is spectacular, with local ingredients and flavors that are out of this world!

Lagoona Manialtepec is where the slalom course and coaching takes place - out in front of a restaurant, again where the food is awesome!

The conditions are as good as they get and the course is perfect! I will be back down here coaching for the last week of February 22nd through the 1st March. You got to come see this place!

Abdi and Mehrdad from Iran have skied their heart out and their hands and bodies show the blisters, but they have never had so much fun!
The massage at Cada Rubia tonight was well received!

Location:Vivo Resorts Puerto Escondido Mexico

The boys in town

2010-11-30T18:18:00.001-08:00

I had a great time with Steve Duff and Dave Hurwitz over the Thanksgiving weekend. Steve traveled in from San Francisco and Dave traveled in from Grand Rapids Michigan.

Location:Orlando

First Day of Shotgun Season

2010-11-20T14:57:00.001-08:00

Friday morning and its first day of ShotGun Season in Illinois. Victor and I set our alarms for 4.00am and after a few cups of strong coffee and a little breakfast, we set off for our positions in the woods that we had scouted out Thursday evening.
I have to tell you it's pretty serene walking out into the wood in the pitch black night and climbing up into a tree stand 20 feet above the ground and watch the forest come into light as the day breaks and the sun comes up. The forest is amazingly quite and the infrequent sounds of squirrels, rabbits are quite distinct . The Deer are also amazing quiet movers in the forest, they are very dainty on their feet. They make no more noise when moving than a squirrel would on the forest floor, quiet amazing really. I was set up in my tree stand by 5.00am and day started to break just before 6.00am!

Shortly after 6 the gun shots started to echo through the countryside!

I was ready and waiting, but all was very quiet and still, just the odd squirrel or wood pecker to break the silence. 7.40am rolls around and still not Deer to be seen!

I'd like to think I have a high level of patience with most things, I have to tell you this requires an amazing amount of patience!
Sitting up a tree for many hours, freezing your butt off and trying to stay completely quiet is not an easy task! Especially with our everyday busy lives, sitting still for hours on end for me was a real test of will-power.
After now sitting up here for 3 hours, the cold really started to set in. Another gunshot in the distance echoed through the forest and some leaves fell from the trees as a soft swirl of cold wind past through the trees, it didn't take much to cause the crispy dry autumn leaves to fall from the trees and make noise on every tree branch they came in contact with on the way to the ground. More chirping from the birds, another wood pecker butts another tree and yet no Deer for me. It sounds as though every other hunter in the area has seen a Deer but me, be patient and wait another 15 minutes, surely a deer will walk across my path if I can only wait a few more minutes!
Another hour and 15 minutes pass! Just a little longer i tell myself and you'll see a deer!!!!!!!!
15 more minutes, another 30 minutes and nothing barely a sound at least not in my little area of the forest. Still shotgun fire all around me coming from miles around, but no activity for me. My impatience gets the better of me and I climb down the tree, my thought is to try my luck on the backside of the hill I am facing! After another hour walking through the forest and getting turned around and lost for 40 minutes, I sat down on my tree stand fir a cup of coffee before pack everything up and heading back to the RV for some lunch.
Wow this is character building stuff I can tell you!!!!!

Well, due to not have constant cell service the blogs are a little later than the days stated. it's now Saturday evening and we are driving back to Orlando with another deer shot by Victor.
I'v had a interesting five days in the woods, I can tell you.

Location:Illinois

Hunting from up in a tree stand

2010-11-20T14:44:00.001-08:00

Well, this is the last day of hunting with a bow, as Shotgun season starts tomorrow. A flow of hunters have poured into the area last night and today, getting ready for the first of three days of shotgun hunting.

It is time to try my luck at hunting from a tree stand 20-30 feet above the ground rather than in a blind. This is how you get you sent off the ground and hopefully become totally invisible to the deer. Deer have good eye sight, great hearing and an amazing sense of smell!!!! Hopefully this will help me to hunt my first deer!

The tree stand is a very simple but effect piece of equipment that you carry on your back just like a backpack. It comes in two pieces, one base piece with foot straps for climbing the tree and a top piece that you haul your self up with first the top piece and then when you have raised a secured the top piece and bitten the teeth in against the tree, then you shunt the bottom piece up with your legs just like a reverse square thrust.

After climbing around 25 feet above the ground, I secured myself with a safety harness. The teeth of the top and bottom pieces of the tree stand bite into tree and as long as you are pushing down on them, they will stay locked in and secured. The safety harness is incase you fall asleep and roll over in the tree stand causing it to release it's teeth!

Here a picture after getting the tree stand up and secure and then pulling up my essentials and bow from the ground second.

What a beautiful view of the forest from up here! A much better view fir hunting as well as really being able to see the beauty of this vast forest area!

Victor set up his blind cross the valley, this way we knew we could see our flash lights when calling it a day at sun down!

Check back with me later to see how we did!

Location:Battleford Creek Rd, Harrisburg Illinois

Deer Hunting

2010-11-20T14:40:00.001-08:00

After two days of hunting Mildrid Williams private property we decided it was time to head off to the Palistine Church in Swannee County and hunt some Government land where Vic hunted for the first time some twenty years earlier as a teenager with his stepfather.
This real is some beautiful natural forest area.

We parked near the Palistine Church and head out just behind the church to hunt for the first time here.

Here is the view down the ravine and up the hillside on the other side across from my Hunting Blind.

Well, the first night was quiet for Deer, there were quite a few hunters coming into the area tonight getting ready for shotgun season thus coming weekend.
One more morning and night of Bow hunting and then the guns will be firing!

Location:Harrisburg Illinois

Hunting trip

2010-11-17T09:16:00.001-08:00

I'm currently on a 6 month planned hunting trip in Harrisburg Illinois, check back with my on the coming weekend fir more details! Four days of Bow Hunting and Three days of Shotgun!
My Buddy Victor has shot the first Deer on Monday night!
He's shooting a cross bow and he has loaned my the antique of a re curve bow, harder than he'll to pull back but it does pack a pinch with the arrow!

Location:Harrisburg Illinois

A new Skier is born!

2010-11-09T17:14:00.001-08:00

The Fisher Family would love to send our congratulation to the Isenberg Family in Austin, they have a new family member and soon to be skier in the house Miranda Riley Isenberg.
Can't wait to meet Riley on our return to San Marcus River Ranch with the On Location Tour 2011

Location:Austin Texas

Mirror Conditions

2010-11-09T16:40:00.001-08:00

The fall weather is perfect right now for skiing, Lisa Thom's from Seattle has been skiing great all week. Welcome to Stewart Ely and Neil Travena from Oxford England and Dan from the Princes Club near London.

The beautiful fall light right before sunset!

Location:Jodi's Ski Skool Orlando

On Location Tour Continues

2010-11-02T20:05:00.001-07:00

The On Location Tour Rig back on the road and in Miami for the weekend. Diego Reyes our live in student qualified recently for the Pan-American Championships set out to gain more tournament experience in Miami, Diego skied very consistently in all three rounds. With 2@12 meters twice and 2.5@ 12 meters in the 3rd round.

Miami Ski Club has a great deal of water at their disposal, with 5 slalom courses, a jump lake and a large area for wake boarding.
It's a beautiful place to ski!

Diego sitting on the dock for his 3rd accessing the conditions and gearing up for a great set!

Delfina and Ivanna Culivan also getting ready for their 3rd round at Miami, Delfi ran 2&11.25 meters and Ivi ran 3@12 meters.

Great skiing guy's and the beat of luck in Chile at the Pan American Championships later this month.

Location:Miami Ski Club

Jodi's Ski Skool is Open and active

2010-10-30T08:57:00.001-07:00

Follow a fantastic On Location Tour is past summer, we are back in Orlando and open for business! Jodi's Ski Skool has been open now fir the past two weeks and we have had skiers from many country's Germany, England, Peru, Mexico, Latvia, Canada and the USA.

It has been great to have Mario Mustafa from Peru training with us again after he spent 7 months training and living with us up until we hit the road with the Tour.
Mario now goes to Florida Southern University for his schooling and is part of their ski team and program. It has also Been great to have Rodrigo Chapoy training with us, Rodrigo has training with us now for the past four years!

The weather in the fall in Orlando makes you smile!

Delfina and Ivanna Culivan from Peru have Also been training with us getting ready for the fall tournaments and the Pan- American Championships coming up in November.

Jurgen Schweigert from Germany who resides in London and training at the Princes Club and our site in Orlando at least 3 times a season has just spent a week in the Orlando warm water.

Steve Irving from the North of England also trains with me at least twice a year, skied very well on his second visit for the 2010 season,

Location:Location Orlando

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-18T19:22:00.001-07:00

San Marcus is the latest grand Waterski development built by Gordon Hall and his Team, Gordon is responsible for building 21 different man-made water ski lakes around the Dallas, Houston and Austin areas over the past 20 years. This means there are a total of around 250, 1 acre housing lots combined with most sold and around 180 lots built out with homes and families in enjoying the great conditions and communities these amazing developments have to offer!
Amazing work Gordon!

A view down the South Lake at San Marcus River Ranch

The Tournament lake has communal bathrooms and storage along with multiple covered boat slips, the facilities are amazing!

It was cool to see some of the local college skiers out there at the clinic.

Back in September Radar Ski donated a ski and Jodi's Ski Skool donated a set of bindings for that ski, the intention was to pick the most needy Team. In my opinion they are all in need of good ski equipment. we decided to raffle the ski as it was not really fair to choose, it was better to pick the most needy school out of a hat. Indiana University was the winning Team and as it happens they were very much in need.

After experiencing how much in need the Colleges are of good ski equipment, It dawned on me how much ski equipment is sitting in skiers garages collecting dust.
My plan is to set up a re-allocation program where skiers can donate their old ski equipment and Jodi's Ski Skool will allocate it out the the needy universities around the country. Our first ski was donated from the last On Location Tour Clinic held at San Marcus.

Susan and Dan O'Riley have donated a D3 Nomad in amazing condition, I would like to say a huge thank you to Susan and Dan for donating the first ski to our new program. If you have any ski equipment you would like to donate, please contact me at Jodi@jodifisher.com

Gar and Diego dropped me of at Austin airport so that I could get back to open the school in Orlando Monday afternoon. We are open and ready for business in Orlando. Come do some skiing in the great fall weather of Florida!

Location:San Marcus River Ranch Austin Texas

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-18T09:47:00.001-07:00

National Division 1 Champions University Louisiana Monrow

Jodi's Ski Skool student Delfina Culivan placed 2nd in ladies slalom!

Kyle Dammyer from Ohio State took 2nd in mens slalom, we held an On Location Tour clinic at his site in Marysville and at Bob Axe's lake in St Mary's where Kyle participated both times
Congrats Kyle!

Diego graduated quickly into Collegiate skiing and became part of Florida Southern who placed 6th in the Team event.
I would say Diego has a head start on his College skiing carrier!

Location:Collegiate National Championships

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-16T16:31:00.001-07:00

We planned to be at the Collegiate National Championships on the finals day Saturday at Aqua Plex in Austin.

We held an On Location Tour Clinic here back in early September, we had now set up our last 2010 Tour Clinic day at San Marcus River Ranch on Sunday only 20 minutes down the road.

The teams were all in great spirits and always ready to support their team mates!

There was a great deal of body painting to be seen on skiers and supporters! And lovers of the sport!

Her face painted love was referring to William Oliver!!!

This guy was not only scary on his jump ski's!!! I guess it is nearly Halloween!

Lots of Team Spirit and Bikinis!
These kids were having and great time on and off the water.
Congratulations to ULM for taking the Division 1 Championship Tittle and University of Ohio for becoming the Division 2 National Champions!!!

Location:Aqua Plex Austin TX

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-15T22:45:00.001-07:00

After arriving at Cypress at 3.00am the alarm came around quickly this morning, but it was a beautiful morning in another amazing water ski facility. Cypress Hill Lakes was built in the late 80's and is very well established with beautiful homes and seasoned skiers!
Thanks to Craig Weltjer for spreading the word in the Houston area for the On Location Tour Clinic at Cypress, I met Craig about 15 years ago whilst training with Mike Munn and Banana Bend. I was great to spend a few hours with Mike again today, it brought back a lot of great memories! What a fantastic group of skiers Mike Munn, Mark Rivard, David Panneton, Ron Toole, Wanda Holomis, Shane Hill, Kelley Dlugosh, Ann Panneton, Mark Petrie & Holly Petrie

It was great to hang with an old training Buddy!

Heading to Austin for the Collegiate National Championships!

Location:Cypress Hill Lakes Texas

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-15T20:57:00.001-07:00

After a great day on the water at Princeton Lake we left the site at 8.00pm with a 4 hour journey ahead of us to Cypress near Houston. W were only 60 miles out and and the GPS had in the small town of Anderson, we were of the beaten track fir sure!
We needed to make a sharp right turn to avoid hitting low hanging trees, we cut the corner sharp and hadn't realized we we driving the rear wheels of the Tour Rig right into a culvert ditch. The back of the Rig dropped and bottomed out when the Trailer hit the road surface, the tow-hitch was digging into the black top and the right rear wheels we hanging in the air. This was not a good combination for an early arrival at Cypress! By now it was gone midnight and we were whipped from the full day in the boat. The trees we had tried to avoid hitting were on the property across the road from the culvert and the property owner was sitting on his balcony probably think was a bunch of tools!

After accessing the situation it became clear the boat trailer had to be taken of the coach, as it would not go forward without traction and it would not for backwards as the ass was dragging and the tow-hitch had dug into the Tarmac. The guy who owned the house across the street was very cool and happy to help, I guess he thought if he did not help we were stuck in front of his house and blocking both directions of traffic. Ryan and his loverly wife were amazing and After help take the boat off the back of the Rig and tow it back up the hill and out of the way, we could now focus on using the hydraulic jacks on the coach to raise the back end and fill the culvert with anything we could find. Ryan is a tree climber (tree surgeon) and had a large cedar log and a bunch of tree limbs from a job he had worked on.
We also dismantled him rockery out front of his house to fill the culvert, once it was full and level we dropped a sheet of plywood across it all and lowered the coach by letting down the jacks!
This worked a treat and we were out of ditch by 2.00am.

I have to say we have met some amazing people this summer on the Tour and Ryan was no exception, Texas's are amazing friendly people ready to do what ever it takes to help out. Ryan did not bat an eyelid and jump all over the challenge. Anderson is a very small town with the oldest Court House in Texas and once was the capital of the Republic of Texas and the very old house that Ryan had bought only four months earlier was once a guest house to Samuel Adams!

Ryan you are a Very Cool Fella!

Location:Anderson TX

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-15T00:37:00.001-07:00

We dropped into Princeton Lake back in September and met Jasen Whetstone, Robert Lacy and Larry Stogner. We talked about setting up a few Clinic days on next seasons Tour, but when there was demand to come back to Texas again this year the guy's jump all over having a Clinic this year! What a beautiful day at a beautiful site.

Larry Stogner had two sets with us and made great progress with his skiing, great work Larry!

It was a pleasure to meet young Derek Lockman age 12, meeting him brought back so many memories for me. I was also 12 years old when I started to run the course and compete!
Great skiing today Derek, keep up the great work and we see you again very soon.

Gar laid back in the MasterCraft Pro Star 197 2011 edition a pulling her up to the dock for our next skier! He better behind the wheel of the boat!

It was 6.00pm and after the Tour Rig was packed up, it was time to head to Cypress Hills for our Friday Clinic.

KEverything was going smooth until Garminier decided to take us on the back roads a small.

Gar found himself on the back roads, we ended up in the very small town of Anderson with the oldest court house in Texas.
The street became very narrow and whilst Gar was trying to make it round with the front of the coach, in the mean time we dropped the back wheels into a culvert. it too us 1.5 hours to jack the back end up and pack the culvert up with anything we could find!!!! Thanks to Ryan Winery who watch from his balcony the nightmare unfold, thanks to Ryan for helping us with backing up the boat as it needed to come off the hitch because if digging into the road We finally got the couch out of the ditch at 2.00am am got back on the road. Another story for the trip! Gar is leading the stories right now!!!!!

Location:Princeton Lakes Princeton TX

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-14T07:02:00.001-07:00

From New Orleans to Princeton Texas, we had an 11 hour drive ahead of us, this gave me a full day behind my computer to catch up with office stuff whilst Gar took the wheel! This left Diego to do what he loves to do, Sleep! He is half boy half mattress most of the time! Traveling West on Interstate 10 takes you on much water and swamp land and the road becomes a huge causeway of many miles of sectioned and ungalating road surface, we were hoping the windshield would not pop out any further!

The highways, bridges and vehicle are massive in the US, this bridge going over the Missisippee River was a Big one!

Big River means Big Boats, the barges hauling thousands of tons of cargo! You can see the huge barges in the distance of this picture and the the one in the bottom left corner looks small, I assure you it's only because the bridge we were crossing was so high up it seems small!

We dropped down over the bridge into Baton Rouge Louisiana

The Duck Tape I had put across the corners of the wind shield to hold the glass in whilst in New Orleans has come free again, it was time to find a hardware store and some Guerilla Tape! Move over Dick Tape! The is always usually something bigger, higher faster, larger, stronger or stickier in the US if you look hard enough!
We had crossed the State Line into Texas and pulled over at a Lowes DIY store, as I mentioned before bigger than normal, this Store was Massive! I guess that's how I knew we were in Texas!

On the way out the store, I met a gentleman in looked remarkably like Elvis Presley. He was carry a 12 foot high step ladder and I asked him if he would mind if I used his new step ladder for 10 minutes to apply the new Guerilla Tape to the Rig! He very politely introduced him self as James L Wages and said by all means I have more shopping to collect take it and I come over and collect it shortly! An extremely nice Fella with a heart of gold!
Pretty soon I hard the glass strapped down hard and fast with the new Tape, the wind shield was pretty secure now.
James over to the Rig and I had to ask him what he did for a living, low and behold he is a full time Elvis Presley Tribute Artist as has just been voted the world best Elvis Act! Check him out on his web site jameslwages.com
He is a class act all the way around and it was a pleasure to have met him! Thanks for the loan of the ladder James!

Diego did not realize he was hugging the King! In his Juan's Deere T- Shirt! What an Ass!

Location:Heading to Texas

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-13T22:12:00.001-07:00

We left Covington around 6.00pm with enough time to crew the Tour Rig in to The French Quarter in New Orleans, it was pretty crazy to find a large and very nice RV camp ground within walking distance from the Quarter!
French Quarter RV is a great site with swimming pool, hot tub, laundry and nice shower facilities etc. And all beautifully paved with brick! We drove over the Cause Way into New Orleans as the sun was setting over Lake Pochitrain.

It was cool to see the renovations all around the city after the rebuild from Hurricane Katrina, even the dome has been renovated. This is where thousands were evacuated from!

The weather was a little rainy and the Bourbon Street was a lot quieter then the last time I was there about five years ago, before that was Mardi Gras back in 1994.

We had a great dinner at The Bourbon House on Bourbon St, there were many great live acts on stage in most of he bars.

We headed back to the RV around mid night and awoke to a beautiful morning in the Quarter.

The weather was great as we rolled out of the RV park around 10.30am bound for Texas!

Prior to our departure, we loaned a step ladder to put a little gorilla.

I want to thank the guy again who loan my his step ladder, I needed to put a layer of Dock Tape on the top corners of the Tour Rig windshield to hold the glass in. It appears that we have popped the windshield from either raising the hydraulic jack uneven or twisted the coach frame over some rough and uneven ground, something else to have fixed over the winter period. This Rig is pretty cool!

This is the Mac Daddy of all RVs though, it's the Prevost

Location:New Orleans Louisiana

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-12T18:51:00.001-07:00

We arrived in Covington at around mid night and Got parked and to bed pretty quickly, whipped from two great days in boat with beating down sun all day long!

We met up with Chad Scott early morning and whilst he caught a few bad guys in hood this morning, Chad is a DEA agent in the New Orleans area. We took care of a few chores and met up in town for a local lunch at Food and Spirits of New Orleans, a great restaurant with local specials to die for. The Tuesday special Shrimp Stew and Rice, with beer batter Fried Shrimp. Mmmmmmmm.

We arrived at Ski Ranch and It was an amazing site to see a glass calm lake with a perfectly manicured white sand shoreline, negative edge pool overlooking the lake and lounge chairs all over the very large dock area.

Chad, Diego and Gar sat back on the dock chewing the fat under the seeking fans!

David & Claire Dipol have probably the most manicured water ski site I have ever seen, it was a pleasure to be there and hangout and pull some sets!
Lori Kreuger and Daniel Dipol worked on the gate set up, by being wider than their normal set up.

David Dipol built the lake 14 years ago on what was originally a grass sod farm with open land, after digging the lake he planted 70,000 pine trees. The wind is not getting the this water ski paradise to easily!

Gar was in heaven and could not believe he was skiing the world record site!

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-12T09:59:00.001-07:00

Following our On Location Tour in Tallahassee, we drove another 200 mile west to Ski Watch in Milton Florida for another clinic on Sunday and Monday, it was time to cook a hearty breakfast to keep us going for the day!
Eggy in a basket with scrambled eggs and ham! Emmmmmm!

It was a pleasure to meet skiers from all around the Pensacola area, Dan White from Ski Watch did a great job for pulling a fine group of skiers together.

Dan on the left, Lisa Harber from the neighborhood learnt to make the slalom course back to back and Carrie was ripping through the course with her new stance on her ski!

Dan White made huge steps forward with his skiing at the clinic, he is now in control and ready to rock the short lines!
Dan was looking right at home on his brand new 2011 Radar Strada with Strada bindings.

Diego needed to build a shin guard for when he is tricking, the Jodi's Ski Skool Gift Card worked a real gift for Diego's leg!

Skiers hanging out the new Tournament start dock at Ski Watch, this dock is very cool to hangout on!

What a beautiful lake to ski!

Location:Ski Watch in Milton Florida

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

Our great friends in Tallahassee asked us if we could return on our way back out of Texas, Tony Bidwell and crew ski between tow sites Lake Bradford and Lake Jackson. Lake Jackson is probably one of the most interesting sites I have ever been to coach or ski on. The Lake dried up some years ago because of a sink hole that appeared overnight. Apparently it was just like someone had pulled the plug and left a huge drain hole in the bottom of the lake, it took hundreds of truck loads of dirt to fill the hole. The lake was dry for two years and in that time the grass and weeds became at home on the dry lake bed. As soon as they put the water in they have plenty to achieve. It was like driving out into the fields and making tracks!

We filed the local skiers through the narrow channels to get out to the ski course, what an experience!

The narrow channel took a few turns left and right before the lake opened up a little and the course appeared. Keith Allbritton skis out here all the time.

A beautiful site for sore eyes !

Tony, Gar, David and the rest of the group are all hanging out checking our dinner.

Lack Jackson is a pretty large lake in the region of 1000 acres and the course is a good 15 minute boat ride from across the lake. The group would head out for at least the morning session and hangout on a dock that was built many years ago.

The boat Launch ramp was also where we had a great lunch, the Oyster bar was a little lunch place and was packed for the day!

Inside the Oyster bar was very cool!

Keith Allbritton has skied this site for over 10 years now, even before the drought! Keith has this huge rake set up and ready to go when he needs to move a little grass in the course!
Keith also has to take the skier buoys off the course at night, because the Gators eat them!

Kelly Breeden has also trained at this site for a few years now and has had a great season, running her PB last weekend of 2@ 35off at 32mph. Great skiing Kelly, she has come along way since she spent a week training with us in Orlando for spring break.

2010-10-09T04:44:00.001-07:00

The On Location Tour Team has just spent 3 days back at base in Orlando, Jodi's Ski Skool. It has been fantastic to spend three days with my family at home, the kids have grown so much!

We have one more leg of the Tour left for the 2010 season and we are ready to head out again for 10 more days on the road. After 15,000 miles on the previous leg, we will have covered over 17,000 miles by the time we are complete with the 2010 Tour. We have clinics in Tallahassee, Pensacola, Covington, Dallas, Houston & Austin along with Collegiate National Championships at Aqua Plex

The Tour Rig has been cleaned and serviced and is ready for business again, if you are interested in having the On Location Tour come to your Site or Club in 2011, please contact us on Jodi@jodifisher.com

We will have a tentative schedule by December 31st and a confirmed schedule by February 28th. We are looking forward to skiing with you!

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-05T00:55:00.001-07:00

We stayed the night at Whitestone Estates and awoke to a fresh Autumn morning with an air temp in the 50's,f (10c) the early morning run around the lake was brisk but beautiful!

Whitestone has a very unusual layout with the housing lots available on it's property, they are laid out up in a high hillside over looking the lake and set back in tall tree coverage. Very cool!

There are a few lots still available and if you live in the Talking Rock area and looking for a unique place to live, this would be your place!

It was a pleasure to meet Andy Rose - one of the lot owners out at Whitestone, Andy joined us bright and early for some coaching sets on and off the water. I very much enjoyed my set on this beautiful man-made Water ski site in a very natural setting.

The On Location Tour Rig left Whitestone mid afternoon and headed south to Duluth a north west suburb of Atlanta, this is the location of Lotus Cars USA where we had a meeting set up with Arne Johnson the CEO.

It was a pleasure to see the brand new Lotus Evora lined up in the lobby of LCU, a great looking and handling lifestyle car.

And then of course there was the Exige Super Charged, now this is a serious car for the serious driving enthusiast! To much fun on the track or the road!

Check out www.LotusCars.com for the current and latest line of new cars coming to a dealer near you over the next five year period, they have really step up to the plate!

Location:Whitestone Estates Talking Rock Georgia

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-04T12:02:00.001-07:00

We arrived is Jasper at 1.00am, after fixing the fuel leak and 3 hours later than planned. It was time for some sleep!

We woke early at 7.00am in order to have time to clear the boat before heading out to Whitestone Estates for the Southern Regional Collage Championships. I opened the curtains on the front of the Rig and the sun rising was a beautiful site for sore eyes!

After jet washing our MasterCraft back to an acceptable clean condition it was 9.00am and time to head out the Whitestone to watch same jumping!

The Fall weather had already taken hold in Georgia and let me tell you, it was quite fresh for jumping! It was even fresh to jump out of bed, never mind water ski jumping! All the College kids were wrapped up in their blankets and sleeping bags at the lake!

The cold weather is one way to bring a Team together!

Many of the skiers were also using their three event bags to keep warm in, smart kids!

It was great to see an identical World Tournament Team MasterCraft Pro Star 197 pulling the Jump event!

I had been wanting to catch up with Mario Mustafa my previous live-in student from Peru, Mario had spent 7 months living as part of my family and I wanted to see him compete.

It was also great to see Jody Seels at the event after he and his family had moved from Orlando to Panama City two years ago.

Whitestone Estates is in a beautiful hillside setting in the Georgia Hill of Jasper 45 minutes North of Atlanta, two man-made lakes with lots and houses built up on the hillside overlooking the water. Wow what a view!

Location:WhiteStone Estates Talking Rock Georgia

2010-10-02T19:49:00.001-07:00

The joys of breaking down on the road! We had worked out the mileage we would get with the last tank of diesel purchased, we should have had enough to get to Atlanta, but the fuel gage was dropping quicker than normal for the miles we had traveled.

When we pulled over to fuel up, I realized that we were spraying diesel out the back of the coach and all over the boat! You should have seen my brand new white MasterCraft! I'll take a picture in the daylight and post tomorrow. We had blown a fuel line and loosing diesel badly!

Of course the Flying J truck stop we were stopped at did not have any fuel hose and it was a struggle to find any metal tubing we could line the inside of the split fuel hose with. We first tried cutting up a tire pressure gauge for the tube, but the thin Aluminum would not hold and seal. I then found my trusted plastic pen that I had been using to write my coaching notes with in the boat, it just happened to be the perfect diameter to slide inside the hose. We bought a couple of jubilee hose clamps and we were fixed and back to the races!

Unfortunately Gar was a little soiled and need a scrub down at the RV dump outside the gas station, we got some pretty strange stares as he stripped off and went to town on the clean up!

Break down number 10 on the Tour so far fixed by ourselves, I hope our luck doesn't run out!

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-02T17:33:00.001-07:00

We arose at 5.00am this morning and headed East across Interstate 10 toward Tallahassee. The sun was rising with a beautiful red tint to the horizon, what a sight to wake up to!

Tony Bidwell, Joe Miller and David Smith - a bunch of Doctors and Dentist who have been to my Skool may times before. Tony had also won the bid for my coaching sets donated to Kyle Eade's rehabilitation fund earlier in the year, I have been wanting to drop into Tony's site for some time now and this was the perfect time. We arrived on site at 9.30am ready to hit the water!

Far Bradley sporting a pair of new Smith Eyewear from our Pro Shot on board the Tour Rig, let us know if you are looking for new Eyewear and we can ship Smith or SunCloud to your door!

David Smith any your the ride more when following his ski across and through the course!

Lake Bradford is a beautiful natural lake with a very thick surrounding of Cypress Trees around it, there are many old shacks as well as high flying properties surrounding this lake including a shack that featured on an Album Cover of one of the Allman Brothers Band Albums after they stayed on the lake for some time.

Florida State University also have their water sports activity building located on the Lake Bradford shoreline. They used to have a very active Waterski program at this school and Tony and the boys are working on reviving this program, Jodi's Ski Skool will be helping them with this! Stay tuned for our progress on the program!

Location:Lake Bradford Tallahassee Florida

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-02T15:00:00.001-07:00

We drove from Mobile Alabama to Pensicola Florida and arrived St Ski Watch Lakes in Florida, The On Location Tour Rig had made it back to Florida after a complete coast to coast and north to south circumference road trip of the USA and part of Canada. We have traveled 13,000 miles and coached and trained on many lakes in the process! What an experience, especially for our 15 year old Mexican live-in student who has traveled with on the Tour for the past month.

This four lake development was first built in the mid 80's and is very well established in the tournament circles as a great tournament site, they are holding two events of 6 round of slalom competition this weekend.

I wanted to stop in and meet up with one of my students Kelly Breeden who is from Tallahassee and because of the event would miss our coaching in Tallahassee Saturday morning!

This is a very pretty site with amazing skiing conditions especially in the Fall in Florida!

The skiers were hanging out literally on the dock! The brand new tournament starting dock was complete with it's own swinging bench seat!

A piece of paradise!

Location:Ski Watch Pensicola Florida

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-02T06:23:00.001-07:00

Terry & Beverly Early & Roger & Cynthia Logan

Location:Ski Chaste

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-02T06:18:00.001-07:00

I met John DeDecker a judge up in the Mid West who gave me Terry Early's contact details at Ski Chaste in Mobile Alabama, Terry was pretty excited to have us stopping by.

This lake was dug 20 years ago and is probably one of Alabama's best kept secrets!

Beverly Early getting ready for her coaching sessions behind the 2011 MasterCraft Pro Star 197.

I loved the real Southern architecture Rodger & Cythia Logan have carried through on their beautiful home at Lake Chaste, so many skiers around the world have built their dream home on ski lakes and of course incorporated the local architecture to fit with the surroundings.

The Early's and Logan's having a small piece of paradise all to themselves, enjoy guys and we'll see you again soon!

Rodger a retired airline pilot from Hawaii built his dream house with an amazing home theater, we were invited to watch the new Robin Hood movie with Russell Crow. This was an amazing way to relax and fall way back in time to where I was raised in the Sherwood Forest area of Nottinghamshire. Very large leather couch chairs that recline, a beer and a great movie! What a way to relax!

Location:Ski Chaste Lake in Mobile Alabama

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-02T05:00:00.001-07:00

We dropped down 600 miles South into Alabama and returned to Point A Lake on a request of Eddie Spann, Lamar Cotton & Jason Cain who set up a clinic with us back in early July. We had a great time on water in July and the boys learnt a great deal, so they requested we return and stop for another clinic on the way back through to Florida.

Point A Lake is a small inlet off to the side a much larger lake with hydro-dam

This beautiful little back water is short and they boys have put a six buoy overlapping course in there and you only run 4 buoys in each direction, missing out the first two buoys. This is a great way to make a very short lake work with a slalom course, either 4 buoy ski course or a 6 buoy ski course. This was a little confusing for Diego as he had never seen or skied on before. After a few runs of having to go around the zero buoy and going through the second set of entrance buoys he soon started feeling at home.
An overlapping 8 buoy course allows you to use a lake as short as 1600' long and and overlapping 6 buoy course would allow you to get away with only 1350' of water, this makes a great deal of small ponds usable for slalom skiing!

I knew I was back in the deep South when I saw Cypress trees in the water!

Lamar (left) Eddie (middle) Jason (sitting) just hanging out at their favorite spot in his word (poverty skiing at it's best) I thought it was a wonderful little site!

Eddie putting his new coaching tips to work and looking great on the water!

Strangely enough every picture we had taken of these guys, had them in the same order from left to right, maybe it a seniority thing they have going!

It was great to catch up with the boys a few months later and see their progression over the summer. I received a text from Eddie yesterday, two days after the clinic and he told me he's running his 35 off 12 meters back to back and easier than ever before! Keep up the great skiing boys and I very much look forward to seeing you down in Orlando at my place over Christmas on your annual winter trip down!

Location:Point A lake Andalusia Alabama

2010-10-01T20:28:00.001-07:00

It was time to head South to Alabama and drive close to 600 miles to Point A Lake in Andalusia! We wanted to make good time and keep the Tour Rig moving, the things I do for the On Location Tour Team!

After driving 200 miles on Sunday night, we pulled over at another truck stop and hungout with America's finest truckers once again! We finally crossed the State line into Alabama at around 3.00pm and we were starting to get real hungry!

Shortly after passing the State line, Gar needed to rest and it was my turn to drive. He pulled over in a rest area on I65 heading South, you don't see a huge space rocket on the side of the highway every day of the week!

We all decided we would like to eat some local Bar B Q food, as this is what Alabama is known for, after a search on Google we came up with Fat Girls Bar B Q a little off the beaten track but most likely worth the drive. We drove right to the location on the GPS, but of course there was no Bar B Q to be seen anywhere. By now we were very very hungry and ready to eat anything! We started heading back to the highway, made a few more turns and road changes and guess what, we came to a T junction and face to face with Fat Girls Bar B Q! Not sure how that happened but we were definitely ready to eat by now!

Gar and my meal consisted of Bar B Q pulled pork, Bar B Q Beef tip on rice with Bar B Q source of course, Fried Okra, Fried Green Tomato's, fried Squash, Black Eyed Peas and Macaroni Cheese!
Diego could not stray away from the usual burger and fries.
I tell you not the most healthy meal we've had whilst on Tour, but one of the tastiest!

Gar had to lay down and rest after that meal!

Time to hit the road and keep heading South.

2010-10-01T20:18:00.001-07:00

Sunday afternoon following the Great Lakes Conference Championships we headed over to Marysville Ohio to Bob Axe's lake Bobason.

Here is a great aerial shot of this lake that they said could never be built, because the water would not stay, how wrong they were!

The shore is lined with small rocks to keep the wash down.

It has become normal to launch the boat with a tractor and cut the grass at the same time!

After skiing in the rain all morning, it was time for Diego to have a little fooling around time on his trick ski. Surfing on his ski with the handle hooked over his bindings.

On Location Tour Continues

2010-10-01T16:01:00.001-07:00

We arrived on site in Van Wert Ohio from Dammeyer's ski site in St Marys. I had never seen so many tents squeezed into a ski site before, these guy's were determined to stay warm

The weather on Saturday was beautiful and given the fact we were heading into Fall, the sun was shunning hard and there was a great buzz in the air!
It had been a longtime since I had been at a college tournament and I was amazed to see the commitment and passion for the sport in these kids!

Can you Spot the MasterCraft with Gar Bradley driving!

Team meetings and tactics were discussed on sure.

Radar Ski and Jodi's Ski Skool put up a limited Edition Radar RS1 with bindings as a prize for the most needy team there, this was a very difficult decision to make out of 18 teams. We decided the fairest things to do was to hold a Raffle for the ski as all of the Teams were needy for ski equipment. We picket Indiana University out of a hat and and it turns out they could be the most deserved Team at the event, they have 20 skiers on the Team and only one team ski that is pretty old.
Having the opportunity to be involved with the two College event over the past two weeks got me to thinking, it became so obvious that College skiing is so important to the growth or survival of our sport and these guys are out on the water with begged and borrowed equipment in very poor condition, we are going to start a charity program where skiers who have used skiing equipment sitting in their garage just collecting dust can donate this equipment and we will redistribute it out to the College Teams who are really in need of this used product. Stay tuned and look out for more information on this on my website over the next few months to see how you can participate and help!

Congratulations Indiana University enjoy your brand new Radar ski!

Sunday morning was a few sore heads from the night before, a pretty fresh morning with regard to the weather and time for the jump event, this was some great viewing!

Location:Great Lake Collegiate Conference Van Wert Ohio

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-30T06:02:00.001-07:00

At the Great Lakes Conference Championships saw some great outfits in the water!

The cape did not help this guy jump any further, but I think he had a great time.

Brock Carrol had the gayest outfit of the event! He looked far to comfortable in it as well!

Western Michigan had the bibs and the style on the dock, they only had their bibs on the water!

Gar Bradley On Location Tour drive for September and University of Cincinnatti regular team coach left, Chris Van Treese came equipped with his growth of UC branding, just don't ask him to lift his arms and show you the F he has on his right bicep and the K on his left!

Nightfall came to the event and believe it or not, this is a guy!

He was not afraid to show off his Sisters underwear!

Or maybe he had taken all of his Sisters underwear and handed it out to his Team mates!

A College Tournament Team shower, getting ready for the evening festivities.

There were some team talks and tactics being had.

Now there's a sweet moment in time, his and her's matching T-Shirts. You go Jay and Katie!

Location:Great Lakes Conference Championships

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-27T22:05:00.001-07:00

After leaving St Mary's Ohio on Friday evening after coaching at the Dammeyer's Lake, it was time to head over to Van Wert Ohio for the Great Lakes College Conference Championships. We arrived later than planned due to the late start after the field fire in St Mary's. I have never seen so many cars, tents and skiers packed into such a small area, what a very cool experience to be part of this raw yet competitive field.

The weather was great for most of Saturday and then the air temp dropped pretty rapidly, this still did not deter the kids from partying hard and late that night.

I was asked to ski a demonstration set, it was a pleasure to ski and be part of their event!

We set up the On Location Tour bus and shop next to the start dock! We had the full range of Radar Ski equipment on show/for sale along with Masterline and Jodi' Ski Skool products and clothing.

Jim McClure who owns Pleasant Shores has done an amazing job of get this site ready to deal with 200 college kids partying! They skied well into the Saturday night under lights!

I just want to mention that Cowboy, otherwise known as Nick Perrino cooked up the best Prime Rib meat I have ever tasted, man that fella can cook!!!
25 lbs of meat to please the kids!

Cowboy AKA Nick Perrino, a great artist, an amazing cook and a terrible announcer on the microphone! A great guy and a very funny man though!!!!

Two huge party nights trying to keep up with 200 college kids will take it out of you!!!
We are looking forward to attending the Collegiate National Championships in Austin mid October.

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-26T14:08:00.001-07:00

From Dayton to St Mary's Ohio for the Next clinic at Short-line Shores, a man-made lake built by Carl Dammeyer and his family. Carl is a farmer by trade and has 2 boys Kyle and Kevin and a daughter Kristen who all ski very well. The lake is raised above the natural land level so burm's were built up to surround the lake.

We arrived Thursday night already knowing we were going to be dealing with a very windy day - according to the weather forecast. We were up early ready to ski, but the wind was building quickly on us. Diegi and Torrey where getting a little blown around on their sets as the lake soon became unskiable.

Shortly after lunch the wind switched and started blowing out of the west. All of a sudden we were surrounded by heavy smoke from a field fire. This was more than a little worrying as it was heading straight for the lake and farm buildings. 45 mile an hour gusty winds and the ash started to land on the boat, we made the decision to pull the boat out and clear out, you could hear fire trucks coming from all directions, but no one knew how far away the fire was and how fast it was coming. I jumped into the RV to turn her around as Gar and Diego took care of taking the boat out of the water and you wouldn't believe it, the engine would not start! The coach engine battery seemed to be dead. Now things really started to look bad.

The three or four of us, together with Heritage Coaches on the phone, eliminated the things that could be the problem. We ended up connecting the two house batteries up to the coaching engine battery with jumper cables to start the engine. For a few moments there, we were just a little stressed!

During the 30 minutes that we were trying to start the coach, the fire trucks had gotten the field fire under control just in time. They stopped the fire just short of taking out a row of houses and the Dammeyer's farm buildings.

As soon as we were all packed up to clear out the fire was under control and the wind started to drop and the lake became skiable again. It was time to throw the boat back in the water and go skiing. All the students from the college teams that came out to take a set managed to ski right up until sun set, it turned out to be a beautiful evening on the water!

Kyle Dammeyer taking the last set of the day on his own lake, living the dream! Thank you to the Dammeyer family for opening your home and site up for the On Location Tour, we had a very exciting day and can't wait to return next year.

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-25T08:25:00.001-07:00

We were asked to return to Sun Site in Dayton Ohio after coaching there last week on our way though to Michigan. Bruce Brown and Jan Terbrueggen have taken part in my coaching in the past and have also been to my school in Orlando many times before. This was the first waterski training that Mike has ever had in his life, Mike is a very good skier but had mentioned he had not improved for some time now and was stuck at the same level. We switched his grip to the opposite hand to which foot forward and worked on body direction to center him over his ski, this straight away gave him efficiency and balance in the course.

It was great to have Jon Borhurst join the clinic both day, Jon skis at National level for many years. Jon had a five year break from the sport whilst raising kids but has been back involved with the sport for the past year and having to make a few changes in his form to manage the new GPS speed control systems on the boats.
A few little tweaks and he looked great!
Happy 6th Birthday to Kelly his youngest.

When you run out if fresh water in the RV, it's time for the boat shower built into the back of the MasterCraft.

It was such a pleasure to meet Kandy Richardson formerly (Bright). Kandy skied at National level back in the 60's, Kandy, now a dog trainer, belongs to a dog club next to SunSite and came over to chat after seeing the On Location Tour Rig.
Kandy Mom Bunny Bright was National Senior Ladies Jump Champion and her Father was the first person ever to jump over 100 feet in our sport!
Kandy spent the summers between 1963-67 skiing at Cypress Gardens and skied at the Worlds Fair in Seattle back in the 60's. I was so cool to meet a true pioneer of our sport!

Location:Sun Site Ski Club Dayton, Ohio

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-21T20:35:00.001-07:00

We drove over from East Michigan to Grand Rapids on the Westside. Lake Summerwood in Hudsonville, near to the MasterCraft dealer - Jerry Brauwer and Action Water Sports. Jerry set out 5 years ago to build this great site, I walked the land when he first bought it when he showed me where he planned to build the lake tucked back in the trees of 40 acres of woodland.

With the 50 high trees surrounding the lake, it takes a great deal of wind to even get a ripple on this water!

Looking across the MasterCraft 197 at the glass we were about to shred!!

Jerry Brauwer has done an amazing job of looking after his client base across the State of Michigan, with three dealerships, Hudsonville, Travers City and Fenton. These guy's really know what going on and how to take care of the very loyal customer base. The best boat dealerships Around!

Location:Lake Summerwood Hudsonville MI

2010-09-20T19:18:00.001-07:00

Well they don't call it Hidden Lake for nothing, Fred & Son Brent Triplett have one of the nicest single man-made private sites I have seen in while. Hidden Lake is near Clio, Michigan and well worth the drive.

We awoke to a beautiful fall morning over looking a glass calm lake. This site is 14 years old and looking like it has always been there, apart from the small rocks surrounding the shoreline. Perfect gradient and zero backwash.

Brent a college student about to take his first set prior to heading to school for his classes, Brent had a great set working on finding the middle of his ski and a bunch more efficiency and balance in his skiing.

Diego was not happy about taking the first set of the day and having to get in 65 degree water after having skied in 85 recently!

It was time to clean the Tour Bus, Gar was scrubbing and Diego was armed with the hose just spraying everything.

Gar thought I was in need of a wash, well we have been on the road for two months now!!!

Thank you to the Triplett family for a great time at your beautiful site, we can't wait to return on our 2011 On Location Tour!

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-19T17:51:00.001-07:00

Next Stop for the Tour was Tivoli Gardens in Lindon Michigan for the Rip Fest Collegiate Championships. The man-made site was built by a Danish gentleman named Paul Boel who named this beautiful site after the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Paul has done an amazing job of creating a beautiful landscape around his lake.

The Rip Fest event is now in it's 3rd year at Tivoli Garden and plays host to 9 of the Michigan College Teams, 100 College kids at an event is pretty crazy I can tell you, but this is an amazing part of the sport in the US that really gets kids fired up and builds a sense of belonging and Team work.

We awoke to very heavy rain on Saturday morning, the air temp was pretty cool but the atmosphere under the Grand Valley Ski Team tent was bubbling!

They had plenty of Cider and Donuts to keep them happy!

The boys were keeping warm around the BBQ at Lunchtime.

The weather improved throughout the day and Sunday was better with plenty of sunshine. I have to say that the blazing sun did not help the blazing hangover, man these college kids know how to have a party in evening. All the drinking games, flip cup, beer pong and the shot ski were all in play last night. I don't want to see another beer for a while.

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

We arrived at Gar Bradley's Mothers house in Cincinnati last night at 10.00pm, what a lovely lady, it was a pleasure to meet her and Robert his Brother.
We headed over to Extreme Ski Club and set up camp for the night. We were ready to rock at 7.30am this morning.

Greg Kenning arrived bring and early for the first set of the day, Greg is the President of the Ohio Water Ski Federation and Head Coach of the Ohio State University Water Ski Team. Greg was ripping it out there on the smooth water this morning. Great job with your new stance Greg!

Kurt Mechler, Dane Mechler Father who is a Chiropractor gave a little adjustment to Diegi Reyes this morning before he took to the water for his training sets.
Dane Mechler did a great job of standing better on his ski and becoming more efficient.

By 11.30am we were back on road a heading to Dayton in time to pull some sets at Sun Site Lake by the highway. This two lake site has beautiful colored water and a great bunch of skiers.

I met Bruce Brown many times before in Orlando and out at the Extreme club in Cincinnati on previous clinics. Bruce is also a Chiropractor in the Dayton area and a great skier to match. Bruce is also loving his new stance and efficiency!

Gar's good friend Yvonne Austin come out to ski even though she was a little under the weather and not feeling great. Her ski and binding set up needed some work, so after working on her ski and having dinner in the parking lot of Ace Hardware, she would be ready for Wednesday when we will be back in Dayton for another clinic day!

It was a pleasure to meet Kevin from the local restaurant who stepped outside for a break!

Location:Cincinnati & Dayton Ohio

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

Gar took the first stint behind the wheel and just kept going, he drove for 8 hours and 450 miles. He jumped out of the drivers seat at 4.00am and it was now my turn to take over, there was a significant drop in air temperature amongst very heavy wind and rain. After about an hour the rain and wind eased and it turned out to be a pretty nice morning as we rolled in to Tennessee, we arrived at the MasterCraft Boat Company at 11.15am Central time. Aarne Clow was there to meet us.

Aarne, our MasterCraft team manager was there to meet with us as we rolled in and ready to take Diego Gar and I to Lunch.

I love coming to the MasterCraft Factory, there is always something to learn.

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-15T19:04:00.001-07:00

Well hopefully 3rd time lucky on trying to have the gasket fixed on the rear wheel hub of the Tour RV, it been a real pain and real expensive so far! The joys of trucking!!!

The upside of having the truck worked on for the second time in Dallas, was being able to train and take some more lessons out at Dean Drozd's perfect man-made lake with Dean, Randy Johnson and Chad Baker a great bunch of guy's never mind being a great bunch of skiers. Probably the highest concentration of real shoreline skiers I have ever experienced at one lake!

Well the RV was not fixed until close to 5pm and of course it did not make sense to hit the road at rush hour, so we were told to try Red Neck Heaven for dinner. Now if you thought Hooters was cheeky then you would not believe this place! Daisy Dukes for shorts and if it is your Birthday, the girls make you bend over a chair, take their studded belt from their shorts and whip you with 3 pretty hefty spanks! It comes with a warning for anyone with high blood pressure!!!

One of the waitresses took a shine to Diego and wanted to plait his hair, of course he was not going to stop Jeramy time soon! very funny!

I think he would have let her cut all his hair off if she had wanted to!

We walked outside and it was obvious that everything is just bigger in Texas!

Well we have full bellies and time to start our 15 hour drive to the MasterCraft factory in Vonore, Tennessee. See you in the morning guy's and 860 miles later!

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Following two great days on the water at Lakes of Katy, we headed over to Cypress Hills only 30 minutes away, another amazing Waterski development that was one of the first to be built in Texas. I knew of this lake when I used to train in Houston with Mike Munn back in the 90's, it is still regarded as one of the best ever built. I wanted to catch up with an old skiing Buddy from back in the day - Craig Weltjer, I had not seen him for 15 years.
We could not believe how time has flown by!

Here is a photo of Diego shortly after he fell off the dock pushing the boat out for us, another phone offered up to the water gods!

We had another amazing time meeting another fantastic group at AquaPlex yesterday. Our 12 hour clinic saw a great deal of skiers making a great deal of changes with their skiing! We had an age range of around 60 years apart, what a great bunch of skiers to hang out with at a beautiful site. I had not been to AquaPlex for around 10 years since they held the US Open.
My good friend Marc Austin who lives on site with his family wife Kim and Daughter Bailey were amazing help for our clinic, Marc pulled together skiers from four different lakes in the area and Kim put on an amazing meal for the group with the most amazing homemade crab cakes I have ever tasted.

After another morning of students today we headed into Austin for lunch, we had to park the Tour Rig along 3 parking meters. You should have seen the looks we were getting.

Then is was time to head back to Dallas to have the RV worked on some more, the rear drivers wheel was still leaking oil.
This gave us another chance to hold a clinic at Dean Drozd Lake where we were asked to come back ASAP! Arriving in Dallas at night was pretty cool with all the lights.

Location:Austin TX

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-11T22:03:00.001-07:00

We left our meeting at Eagle at noon in time to get get to our next clinic on the Tour, 30 minutes from Eagle and we arrive at Lakes of Katy - another Gordon Hall water ski development in Texas. Gordon is now responsible for around 24 man-made ski lakes in the State of Texas, I'm pretty sure this is a world record!!! The view driving in was pretty special to say the least.

The view from Chuck and Michelle Gleeson's dream house on the West end of the South lake, Kelvin Kelm sitting on the back on the MasterCraft Pro Star getting ready for his lesson, thanks to Kelvin for all his help with organizing the clinic within the community.

Mark Petrie helping Gar get put himself together for the Eagle photo shoot, where we shot all the new 2011 impact vests for the catalog and website marketing.

Truman Rink from Lago Santa Fe taking two sets, this is the second year in a row Truman has trained with me on on of my Texan clinics. Great skiing Truman!

Chuck Gleeson showing us some of his barefoot moves whilst riding the 20' raft we used as the start pontoon for the clinic, pretty funny in person!!

Thanks to Mark Petrie for help with the clinic, when the president of the community gets involved things really get done!!!

We can't wait to come back to Lakes of Katy on next season Tour, we had another amazing experience and met many more amazing skiers.

Location:Lakes of Katy, Houston TX

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-11T21:05:00.001-07:00

It was Thursday evening and after spending five days in Dallas it was time to move on to Houston. We had a 9.00am meeting with Chuck Gleeson and Eagle Wetsuits in Houston. We drove the five hour drive and arrived at 1.30am and parked up outside the factory ready for our meeting the following morning!

Chuck gave Diego Gar and I a very interesting tour of the Eagle manufacturing facility, where these fantastic neoprene products are built in the only remaining US manufacturing facility for this type of product.

Racks of the best grade neoprene available in the world. Diego learn't a great deal this day!

Chuck and his partner have a huge pack and ship warehouse for huge brands such as DR Pepper and McDonalds etc.

Chuck is an extremely busy guy, managing all the design and sample collection, of his Eagle and website and Barefoot International along with the fast growing pant of the course,

Diego getting a taste of being a skiing model. Spiderman with in comfort a little twisted.

On Location Tour Continues

2010-09-11T20:40:00.001-07:00

A Full meal at Hard Eight BBQ, it's the real deal!
Half Chicken, corn, sausage, beef ribs and stuffed peppers.

Randy asked to demo the 2011 Radar Strada, he loved it and the following day when we came out of Hard Eight with busting belly's we couldn't help but fall around laughing after finding Randy's old Goode laying in the back of his work truck like this!

Diego the artist was a little bored whilst waiting for his next set, not realizing this was permanent ink!

Location:Dallas TX

On Location Tour 2010

2010-09-11T20:24:00.001-07:00

Diego Reyes from Mexico joined Gar and I on the Tour bus and wasn't really enjoying the third bed on the bus, we decided to pull the no folding couch out of the bus and drop in a mattress in it's place. Diego was loving life when we took him to buy his new bed!

He was not loving life though when it was his turn to empty the tanks!

Well, Wednesday in Dallas was crazy weather, the tropically storm hit the State and Dallas alone go 9 inches of rain in less than 4 hours. There was an insane amount of flash flooding. We were have a rear seal replaced on the RV and the services center we were at was e evacuated and closed down for the rest of the day.

This was the creek at the back in the services center that rose up 20 feet in only a few short hours!

Now Randy Johnson is the definitely more Cowboy that anyone I have ever met, Randy has skied with Dean Drozd out at Dean's lake in Lake Dallas for many year as well as his site Triple Jay on the way to Houston.
Randy gave Diego Gar and I some amazing Texas hospitality by taking us out for some of the Best BBQ I have ever had!

Hard Eight BBQ, believe me you haven't had BBQ until you have eaten at Hard Eight!

Location:Lake Dallas TX

On Location Tour 2010

2010-09-08T09:04:00.001-07:00

After two great days of clinics at Dean's Lake in Lake Dallas, we headed over to Peinceston Lakes to meet up with Robert Lacy and Jason Whetstone, we arrived near sunset just in time for a cold beer on the dock with the local boys of another pretty amazing four lake development. We plugged in for the night and decided to cook a steak dinner on the BBQ. When you're in Texas you have to buy a big T-Bone and BBQ it up with friends.

The portable gas BBQ doing its thing!

This is the first proper sit down at the dining table we have had on the Tour Coach so far, we had to improvise a little for the steak knives, check out Diego's

The following day we headed out to Buddy Greg's Motor Homes services centre in Lewisville to have a new rear seal fitted to the drivers side wheel. On the way we stopped at the best local produce stand in the area and met up with the owner who took great care of us.

We learnt a great deal about all the different chillies out there.

Location:Dallas Texas

On Location Tour 2010

2010-09-06T21:35:00.001-07:00

It's now the beginning of September and after two amazing days with my family back in Orlando, it was time to get back On Tour, back to the schedule and back to business.

Gar Bradley my crew for the second phase of the On Location Tour had spent the three days crossing the country from Seattle to Dallas and dealing with a number of mechanical problems along the journey, kudos to him for working through them and arriving with the Tour Rig in one piece in Dallas. 2000 miles is a very long way, especially when you are by yourself in a 65' rig weighing 36,000 lbs total.

I flew back to Dallas with Diego, a young student from Mexico who will spend the next 9 months with my family, going to school in Orlando and training in the afternoons after his schooling. This will be an amazing experience for him and the start of his adventure living in the US with our family!

This will be the start of a whole week of clinics in Texas, first stop is Dean Drozd's Lake in Lake Dallas. I had met Dean previously in Orlando as well as a good friend of his - Chad Baker, through Eddie Roberts whilst at Radar. We put together a few days with a great bunch of very talented slalom skiers who take it seriously and really know what they are doing.

As I arrived at the lake on Saturday afternoon two of the Lakes members were heading to the Senior World Championships in Italy with the intention of a high placing. These guy's are great skiers and we were going to have some fun.

Word spread pretty quickly and the clinic attracted skiers from four other ski lakes in the Dallas area, including the Joe, Audrey and Ruth McCrearey who are National level skiers in their category. We had Chris & Lynda along with Randy Johnson from Randy's lake near Houston.

Randy Johnson, Eric and Chad Baker. Hanging out on the dock at Dean's Lake.

Diego Reyes getting ready for trick set in Texas, up your chin off the bottom of the lake Diego!

Location:Dean's Lake Dallas, TX

Back with my Family

2010-09-05T06:35:00.001-07:00

After traveling over 5000 miles and spending six weeks on the road away from my family , I needed to be with them for a few days as I was missing them like crazy. Gar Bradley had spent his first week on the Tour getting acquainted with the Rig whilst we were located at Radar Lake in Seattle. Gar has spent some time driving an RV before and was pretty confident when I asked him if he would drive the Tour Bus 2000 miles to Dallas TX. I was so pleased when he said he would do it, I just had to get back to my family for a few days! Gar is a life saver. 2000 miles on your own is no small feat!

Nicola told me over the phone Finnley has been asking to wakeboard on her own, instead of riding on Nic's board between her legs. She is ready to go it alone! I picked up the smallest board made by Radar, a 120 and took it with me to Orlando.

Location:Home, Orlando

2010-09-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

It has been great to get involved with the ski building process at Radar Lake and the Barn where all the R&D, ski design and Strada manufacturing is done. Herb O'Brien is clearly the man who has the most depth and understanding within the industry and the Team and resources behind him to become the Worlds most innovative and largest manufacturer in the Waterski industry. Now with his 3rd company, he has taken it from Zero to Hero in a few short years. Radar has grown sales by 40% during 2009, given such a poor economy, that is pretty amazing stuff. Herb not only has the best product on the market, but he has always maintained great support to the distributor and dealer networks around the world.

Herb giving Eddie Roberts a helping hand with his drinking!
These two guy's have worked magic together for 30 years building skis!

Here is a sneak peek into the Barn at Radar where all the magic is done day after day.

State of the art CNC cutting and shaping machinery, temperature controlled presses and the best knowledge and staff in the business.

Tim Dehate on the left is the CAD drawer and Machinist and Jason Standley right, is the shaper and R&D specialist at Radar, these guy's are the best at what they do!

Eddie having quality time and hanging out with Eddie Junior on the Tube!