Speed for barefoot waterskiing

**jimmbo** · 02-08-2018, 04:32 PM

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In 1984 or 85, I pulled a guy out of the water with no skis using a 115 Merc on a 15ft runabout.

**oldschoolltv** · 02-08-2018, 06:14 PM

When I was a kid we had an 18 Allison with a 140 on it for our ski boat I decided I wanted to learn to barefoot as my mom and dad with both skiers at Cypress gardens and dad is in the Water ski hall of fame, for some reason I did not ask his advice, I decided to use a hydro slide between my legs and told my brother I don’t know how fast to go just floor it, well I stood up for a split second and face planted so I told him trim it up more maybe I need more speed, well that was the first time I realized my feet could hit me in the back of the head, we were running close to 60mph and I weighed 150lbs after many failed attempts and being very sore I asked my dad, well he explained I needed to stay low and only go around 35mph he took me out the next weekend and I got up the first time and made it half way around the lake until my feet started burning. From that day forward I learned my dad was smarter then I was

Matt.

**wettek** · 02-08-2018, 08:49 PM

The good old days when I was younger and fitter. Now I'm just older and fatter.

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**oldschoolltv** · 02-08-2018, 08:55 PM

Old video of my dad.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o8aCXR...ient=mv-google

**powerabout** · 02-08-2018, 09:13 PM

It was always diffigult to get tbe 3rd person to climb up when doing a barefoot pryamid
Luckily i was tall so never my job.
Cant imagine how those face plants must feel like now 30 years later.
We used to view that aftergrowing up waterskiing you couldnt hurt yourself snow skiing, they were all pussies

**bouyhead** · 02-08-2018, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by H2OPERF

Kid i grew up with in Miami Ronald Scarpra moved to Winterhaven and went on to be a natl champ, he made the flips and stuff look so freakin easy. I never wore shoes either but that glassy water still burned when you slung out on the corners.. I wish i had pics, so diff now with cell phones.. Dave

I went to Ron Scarpas' barefoot waterski school back in 98' what an awesome guy! I told him I was pretty proficient at long line but he insisted on spending most of the day on the 5' bridle hooked to the boom. I ever took a bad digger and actually learned a few tricks.

**bouyhead** · 02-08-2018, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by oldschoolltv

Old video of my dad.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o8aCXR...ient=mv-google

When men where men!

**Da Bull** · 02-09-2018, 06:47 AM

Funny story. One day when I was about 20 I told Pop that I had heard about something called a two ski jump out and I wanted to give it a shot. He said I was crazy bud he drove the boat anyhow. It took several attempts but I did it. Then they started barefoot jumping off a small ramp and I figured that was about the same thing. WRONG! About broke both legs till I finally did it. Once I did it I never tried that again. I had a kid at home and needed to work.

**captrex** · 02-09-2018, 01:41 PM

I can relate to this topic. In the early 80s I bought a Kayott deck boat, 20ft, center console,rated for 13 people and it had 150 Evinrude.
Wife wanted something so she wouldn't get left on bank, so we striped stroller to center console with new baby and headed out (probably whats wrong with him now ?)Got tired of skiing, tubing and kneeboarding. We had rode the paddle, trash can lid and ice chest lid. So we decided to learn to barefoot, first started off knee board, didn't have enough speed. So I call DaBull told what I had going, he said NO Problem bring over. Boat ended up having enough speed to pull 2 of us barefooting and could have done 3

**Da Bull** · 02-09-2018, 07:37 PM

That Kayott sure was a nice boat. I gotta say it`s the only time I ever hopped up a deck boat. lol

**David** · 02-09-2018, 08:20 PM

All the stories have me thinking of trying barefooting. Do any of you barefoot now?

I'll be 60 in April and have memories of two rotator cuff surgeries to remind me that I am not 20 anymore. On the plus side I am pretty fit. I swim competitively 4X per week and do weights and a bit of running on the off days. I ski a lot in the summer. I don't want to get hurt so I can't ski or swim.

**Da Bull** · 02-09-2018, 10:27 PM

Just make sure you have a knowledgeable teacher. It`s a blast. Plus it`s kinda cool to say you can barefoot.

**PARKER RABE** · 02-18-2018, 10:07 PM

My dad was the first one in the world to barefoot backwards, i was pretty good at it, but its been 10 years now since ive done it
Get married and look at all ghe **** u dont do anymore!