All posts by Tallington Lakes

Skiing Snowboarding After Having Kids

I’ve been skiing for 24 years, and for the last seven years I’ve been teaching at Tallington Lakes Ski & Snowboard Centre so I believe I’m a fairly competent and confident skier, happy to tackle any slope, including the Swiss Wall and launch myself off big jumps or over rails. I’ve taught many adults, mainly women who haven’t skied since having kids and are looking to get back into it.

The main thing I noticed was a lack of confidence, and skiing without confidence makes it harder, your body will probably hurt a lot more from all the tensing, and you won’t have any flow.

While I was pregnant I skied and snowboarded until I was roughly 6 months pregnant, all the time being very safe and staying within my easy limits and had cut down the amount of time on the slope. My baby is now three-and-a-half months old and since he was born, I’ve skied and snowboarded at Tallington several times, however the main different between now and pre pregnancy riding– confidence! Although still very confident in my own abilities there’s now a feeling that if I get hurt, I have someone who is relying on me.

Doing flat 360’s on the slope, or even 180’s aren’t as smooth, I’ve been doing these since I joined Tallington Lakes and never had a second thought but now I have to think about it – what if I catch an edge. Trying to link turns on my snowboard has now become way more difficult because what if I fall over and get injured?

So, to all you parents out there, I get it! I get the worry of falling over, I get the worry of getting hurt, but I know the more I get out there and practice, the more my confidence will build, and I’ll get back to my previous standard. A lesson with one of our instructors will help you build that confidence and correct any errors that may be creeping in, I know I’ll be seeking some advice!

Lotti
Chief Instructor
Tallington Lakes Ski & Snowboard Centre

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Tecnica Sulfur GTX Walking Shoes – Review

I was looking for a summer walking shoe, but as an occasional trad (traditional) climber, I wanted something I could use to approach the crags over technical terrain. Tecnica have the Sulfur GTX which is a fast-moving technical approach shoe, so could this “fit the bill”?

The Brannock foot measuring tool measured my feet as a UK10.5 D and UK10 E but after trying on both the UK10 and UK10.5, I elected for a pair of Sulfur GTX in a UK10.

These were a great ‘out the box’ fit, and because the shoe is made around a specific anatomical last, my feet felt secure and comfortable. I had selected the GTX version because even though these would be used in summer, we all know how reliable the British weather can be! But also, dewy grass can be very wet in the mornings.

So how did they perform? Well, the walking terrain ranged from woodland tracks to stoney trails, and the shoe performed well on both. The midsole provided sufficient cushioning and smooth heel-to-toe movement whilst walking, making them very comfortable and easy to walk in. The Vibram Megagrip sole was sure under foot whether on dusty tracks, rocky trails, or wet rock. In fact, reassuringly, the multi-directional lug pattern made lite work of walking up a stoney riverbed to a waterfall. The front area of the shoe has a lightweight rubber rand which provides additional abrasion protection from boulders, rocks, and scree.

I haven’t used them for climbing yet, but Tecnica’s Edge Frame technology and TPU plate in the core of the shoe should provide torsional rigidity, and the sole has a flat climbing zone.

So, all-in-all, the Tecnica Sulfur GTX shoes met my requirements. I did have the slightest heel lift, whilst walking, but the shoe has Tecnica’s AST (Adaptive Shape Technology). Basically, the heel area can be moulded to your foot, to ensure this shoe ‘fits like a glove’!

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What to Wear? The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE)

As a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award supervisor, I need to ensure I have the best equipment suitable for all weather and terrain. As I suffer from Raynaud’s, ensuring that I am warm and dry throughout my entire body is of the upmost importance to ensure I can fulfil my duties.

Depending on the days terrain it will determine which shoes I will wear, my Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX walking shoes are great for lower terrain, especially in the summer when I need a lighter weight shoe, or my Berghaus walking boots which are fitted with the Superfeet women’s Trailblazer footbed making them super comfortable, ensures there’s no foot movement and keep my feet warm! Pairing either of these shoes with Stance Hike socks is a must! They offer a great fit, keep my feet warm and dry and I never get blisters.

The Maier women’s Helga walking trousers are a great fit, comfortable and keep you toasty warm thanks to the fleece lining. They were the perfect windbreaker for the top of Ingleborough. The Patagonia women’s R1 Air zip-neck fleece is great for layering, not bulky so easy to pack away. Ideal for windy, cold conditions this was the perfect layer on top of all 3 Yorkshire peaks, especially when coupled with the Patagonia women’s Torrentshell. The 20K shell ensures you stay warm while the pit vents allow for great ventilation. The 3-layer, 50 denier construction makes it perfectly hard wearing with a great fitting hood. The stylish design means I can also wear it around town and not feel overdressed.

Rebecca Christie DofE Assistant Supervisor

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Water Ski Fin Settings

The fin on a water ski can be moved to a wide range of positions to make the ski react differently when water skiing. Here is a guide to what effect moving the fin will have, but as always we recommend getting expert advice – like speaking to #Brown.

Water Ski Fin Adjustment

If you move the fin backwards it can make the water ski feel longer, and moving it forward will make the ski will feel shorter. The fin can also be adjusted to be deeper or shallower in the water, which will effect the amount of tail slide you want the ski to have in the turn. Adjusting the leading or trailing edge of the fin can also improve how the ski turns on the 1,3,5 side or the 2,4,6 side of the slalom course.

radar vapour water ski fin settings
Example of fin settings for the Radar Vapour water ski.

A water ski fin can also come with a foil or wing. This is used to help you slow the ski down ready for the ski to turn. The foil does not become effective until the water ski is travelling at speeds of 34/36mph; so any adjustments are only useful for expert skiers.

For the beginner water skier, both slalom course and free ride skier, we would recommend leaving the fin at the factory settings; and learning the correct technique, including how to slow the water ski down , before making any adjustments.

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What Size Water Ski Do I Need?

This guide will help you decide what size water ski you will need to get the best from your water skiing!

The size of water ski will depend upon your weight, height and ability. For example if a water skier was on a ski that was too small and skiing at a slow speed; the ski would not support them and they would start to sink. Likewise if the ski is too large the ski will sit high on the water and it will take too long to turn.

The width of the water ski can make a big difference too; as a general rule (but not in all cases) a wider water ski is suited to helping people learn and develop their water skiing because it helps them get up on top of the water.

Water Ski Sizing

The table below should be used a guideline in purchasing your water ski, but with most things it is not an exact science. If you need any assistance please call 01778 381154 and ask for #Brown.

26-30 mph 30-34 mph 34-36 mph
80-110 lbs 63-64″ 62-64″
95-120 lbs 65-66″ 63-64″ 63-64″
115-140 lbs 65-66″ 63-64″ 63-64″
135-160 lbs 67-68″ 65-66″ 65-66″
155-180 lbs 69″ 67-68″ 67-68″
175-200 lbs 69″ 69″ 67-68″
195-220 lbs 72″ 69″ 69″
215 lbs and up 72″ 72″ 72″

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Rear Toe Plate or Rear Boot Water Ski Binding?

To use an RTP or not to use an RTP: that is the question:

We often get asked, by water skiers, whether a Rear Toe Plate (RTP) or a rear boot water ski binding is better for water skiing. Unfortunately there isn’t a definitive answer; its all down to personal preference. I preferred a rear boot!

Rear Toe Plate (RTP)

Most  water skiers like the RTP because when deep water starting the rear foot can be trailed behind the water ski like a ruder for balance. Skiers also like the freedom to adjust their rear foot during skiing, if needed, depending on what they were doing.

ho water ski with rtp
HO water ski fitted with front boot and RTP bindings

Rear Water Ski Boot

The rear boot will make you feel more secure because the foot is held in place; keeping the heal on the ski. This will prevent the rear foot lifting or sliding as you cross the wake at speed, which can be a little unnerving! The deep water start may need a bit of concentration to start with,  but after a while it will become second nature!

ho water ski with rear boot
HO water ski fitted with front and rear boot bindings.

So are you a RTP skier or a rear boot skier? There is not test for this apart from just trying both; and finding out which you feel most comfortable/confident with and which best suits your style of water skiing!Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

How to Inflate Towable Inflatables

With the warm weather encouraging us onto the water; here are some words of wisdom about inflating your towable inflatables!

Whether your inflatable tube is new or been in storage it is recommended that you only part inflate your towable inflatable to three-quarters of the recommended pressure to allow the creases in the PVC inner air bladder to expand and even out. This will prevent the creases from bursting/splitting; and spoiling your fun! Not following this procedure may also invalidate your manufactures warranty because seams are only covered.

creased towable inflatable.
Creased towable inflatable.

An hour in the sun should be sufficient for the PVC to uncrease; after which you can fully inflate your tube to the recommend pressure and get out on the water.

Always use an appropriate tow line for the size of tube: single, double or multi-rider; and be safe on the water.Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather