J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Hirsty,
My first "serious" skis were 215 Kneissl White Star. I was a slow learner. Not too sure there is a correlation really.

Then went through many years of skiing 210s. You weren't a real man unless you had 210s. Five ft two guys had 210s. Four ft eleven gals skied 195s.

All straights, no carvers. For straight line, fast skiing, (Schuss), they are stable.

When I eventually ditched my last Blizzard 210's, bought a pair of 2m K2 carvers. They are fantastic. Intend to take them out to Niederau to join my others.

Now, most of the time I ski 185s, then sometimes 165s, and this is led by how strong/not so strong my knee feels.

It is much easier to turn on the piste with shorter skis, right down to blades. But should you choose to go fast, straight line, with short skis/and or carvers, there is a loss in stability.

Rossfrae, this is an interesting topic. If we reply honestly, we have to open our hearts, a la Pavel.

First, I believe that AJ and Rose sum up the site values, imparting quetions and knowledge to each other, at whatever level, and with good humour. Well Ok, AJ and Caron-A do go a bit overboard....

Then, I am sure that many folk think that Ise, Bandit, and Tony-H hold very strong opinions, and these often seem to clash. But this remains mostly informative, and when it steps into the piste verboten, we have a strong, humourous and fair Admin.

I think it is great to hear the views of people who have only a week or two ski experience, it takes me back... ermm, a year or ten. Every view is valid.

Juliet,

j2ski has found good skiers. I ski reds and I'm scared of blacks

This is about the most honest self-appraisal, I have read on any ski site. But I can remember being scared on the beginners slopes. Improving our skiing is about learning off each other, be that an instructor, friend, better skier, group, from books, whatever.

Therefore it follows that in order for us all to learn, we need a range of view, abilities, experiences, knowledge, and .....characters. You might find that you would not learn too much off a site where there were few experienced skiers.

Juliet, you must post again, your input is valid.

I do not care to compare with snowheads, or any other kind of ....heads. Logging in to J2Ski is a bit like calling into your local pub, or even the Bichlwirt.

Damn, I've plugged Niederau again. Sorry folks....

RoseR wrote:

Are you kidding Caron, Tony-H is nearly up for 1200 posts.

Freezywater wrote:

DaveMac will be impressed

Leave me out of this freezy,please, the discussion's far too overheated for me. Only when Niederau is receiving full broadsides, will the end of my tongue begin to curl.

Been a J2 member for less than a year, but my avatar would not have changed for 5 years or so.

Caron-A wrote:

Dave, I thought of you the other day when I stopped to let a lady and her guide dog cross the road. wanted to ask you how on earth the dog knows when to cross and when not to? bloomin clever aren't they.

They certainly are. Puppy walkers train the dogs to stop and wait at the kerb, just by repeated command. After they leave us, the advanced trainers will refine the kerb stop. It is the blind person's decision to move "forwards".

Dogs are trained to move in straight lines. Hence, when the dog reaches the for side of the road, (Where the bp can feel the harness rise, indicating a kerb), the bp must instruct the dog, "left" or "right" ie, the bp has gained route knowledge.

If you ever get the chance to have a go with a demonstration guide dog, where you wear the blindfold, hold just the harness, and instruct the dog "forwards", do it.

Just had an awful night and day, the new one had severe S&D, after its journey, but after anti-Bs and re-hydration, it's looking sound again.

Just took delivery of third guide dog puppy today. 7 week old Golden Retriever, all dewy eyes, golden fluff, pees every 10 minutes.

Several interupted sleep nights starting tonight.

Have only 3 weeks with the second dog, before she departs for advanced training.