February 13, 2020

Tom & Patricia: Irving, TX. Think I opened a door for your skiing today, now it’s time to practice many thousands of turns, slips, hockey slides, hops, big radius, short radius, don’t get in a rut, as many different ‘things’ you can do with your skis the more accomplished the skills. A cold day, several breaks, some hot chocolate, inside tech session on how to release and steer. Focus and drills: tipping the new inside ski to release (so it doesn’t get hung up in a wedge), leg steering, skidding (this is so important), releasing (tipping, whatever works for you to call it) both skis together (this is ‘neutral buoyancy’), sequence: release, start to pressure the new outside ski (weight shift), start to steer both skis together, most of weight on outside ski (maybe 70% or so), skid the skis to shape the turn (don’t be too edgy, lower edge angle), stay lower, feel pressure of shins on front of boots, flex both legs (don’t be ‘bracey’ on the outside ski with too straight of a leg), hopping finds the balance stance, flatter skis have more friction and are easier to steer/shape/skid. OK, that should be enough to work on tomorrow. Great day, pleasure meeting you two and having some laughs along with the teaching and experimenting with new technique. Happy diving. Next year, ok? Cheers.