Slalom Course Etiquette

[skps190]

So this morning we get to a local public lake for dawn patrol and find pure glass, even better we see that there is a slalom course setup. We were the only boat on the lake and started skiing the course. After a few sets while we were switching skiers I'm assuming it was the guy who's course it was, lowers his boat off the lift and motors over and parks right in front of the starting gates, obviously shutting us off from the course. We were using my bro's PS 190 so clearly he could see that we weren't screwing around, granted we are far from being pro skiers it was still fun to try and turn a few balls. We clearly weren't trying to hit any buoys or run anything over, and had we I would have gladly pulled up to his dock and gave him some cash.
I just thought it was kind of a douche move on his part, if you don't want anyone using your course then either sink it whenever you aren't using it or move to a private lake. I should add that after we moved to a different part of the lake he pulled back onto his lift so it wasn't like we were interrupting his water time. I'm not going to call the guy out because we were thankful to be able to use the course, and there's a chance he could read this post. I know we could have and maybe should have motored over and introduced ourselves and asked him about using it but we were running short on time and it was pretty clear he didn't want us there to begin with. Maybe I'm in the wrong for thinking this, but it just really struck me the wrong way.

[André]

It is a douche move!
I own and maintain my own course for the last 10 years on a public lake.
If you use it for slalom skiing the way it should be use,with the right boat ,i welcome anyone to use it when i am not.
But PWC and slalom tubing (yes,you read that right,slalom tubing!) while ripping off bouys make me shout my worst obscenities at you.
It s been a terrible year in maintenance with over 25 bouys being ripped off.

[madcityskier]

He is wrong. That simple.

[DemolitionMan]

What a Jerk!

[AlbertaSurfer]

Setting up a slalom course on a public lake invites people to make use of it. That's what happens. That being said, it is annoying when people knock off bouys, run it on a jet ski, ignore the fact you are using it and tube nearby, etc. but public lakes are just that. Maintaing a slalom course takes time and costs money. I'd suggest asking permission of the owner prior to using it. If you see him around, or remember where he lived, go introduce yourself and explain your intentions. In the past, I never had a problem watching people try and make a proper pass in my course, just hating seeing people try it on a kneeboard, wakeboard, jetski or whatever.

Blocking it may have been a douche move, but he likely wouldn't have had a problem if you would have idled over and chatted with him. I don't live on a lake anymore, so I've worked out a deal with my local club that if I come by, and they aren't setting up or currently riding, then it's all mine. If they want to use it, they of course get first dibs. Honestly, I've never had to get out of their way, all I've ever seen is a few members sitting on the boat shed and watching me run it behind my XStar, Haha.

Go talk to him, it'll change your slalom skiing to be able to have use of a course if you can reach an agreement for use. After all, he did set it up on a public lake.

[waterlogged882]

..........

[MIskiboat]

Dick move for sure.

Having said that, once he parked there, you could have went over and chatted a bit.

Now he is the dick and you are the guy that just left....

Agree with above to go meet him. Be so bold as to knock on the door from street side. Unless he is a complete *** (could be, given his actions thus far), he may like the idea of another guy to ski with and / or help maintain the course (which you will obviously offer). Skiers are harder to come by than boarders tubers, etc it seems.

[maxpower220]

I would have made another pass.


When I have used a public course, the owner/maintainer did come out and parked to the side. Once we were done or switching skiers, he came over and talked. He just suggested that we bring tubing and repair stuff in case we did damage.

[skps190]

I know in hindsight we should have just gone over and talked to him, but like I said we had limited time and based on him just parking in front it didn't seem like a very inviting opportunity. If he would have parked to the side and watched us that would have been one thing, but blocking us off gave me the impression that we weren't welcomed period. The next time we go and see him we'll at least make an attempt to talk and see if we can use the course, its too much fun to pass up.

[JohnnyB]

Blocking it may have been a douche move, but he likely wouldn't have had a problem if you would have idled over and chatted with him.

Go talk to him, it'll change your slalom skiing to be able to have use of a course if you can reach an agreement for use. After all, he did set it up on a public lake.

Exactly what I thought when reading it.....go over and talk to him. Not many skiers around and having someone on the lake that can be a 3rd or may be looking for a 3rd is a plus. I would certainly offer to help maintain the course, too.

It is amazing what going over, maybe letting him vent a bit to diffuse the situation and then talking to him about your interest and commitment to help will do to diffuse the situation and turn it around.

[Lars]

There's a course on the public lake we're on that my neighbor owns. I keep zip ties and buoy lines in my boat and reattach buoys whenever they get knocked off by the ski (or my less than perfect driver). Takes 10 minutes at the end of the set but that way it's ready for the next guy.

I figure if I can help maintain it I feel better about using it.

[ricford]

So this morning we get to a local public lake for dawn patrol and find pure glass, even better we see that there is a slalom course setup.

How early is dawn patrol. The guys across the lake from us have one set up, so years ago we went to talk to them about using it. We keep the necessary equipment onboard to fix any damage we do, but one of their rules is no use before 8am. The course is close to the cottage, and let's face it our boats are loud.

[petermegan]

I agree with everything that has been said. Bit of courtesy and surely anybody setting up a course on a public lake would be happy to see a responsible user getting some fun out of it. Hell if you had to swing him $10 for a mornings skiing, might keep all parties happy. Besides when you have responsible users you don't generally have the irresponsible ones hanging around that WILL wreck the course! You do need to communicate with this guy though.

[JohnnyB]

Knowing what place he came from, maybe show some initiative and go knock on his door.....Hi, I am xxxx, I thinkwe got off on the wrong foot the other day when we were skiing your course....

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[madcityskier]

If you want to take the high road that's fine. In the mean time he's in the wrong. If he pulls in front of my clearly intended path and stops while I'm at speed, we would have a problem. If I'm not moving but clearly skiing, I go ask him nicely to move. If he's not a $h1t about it, I ask if he wants to grabb his ski and have the next set.