| If you are new to water skiing, you may not | | | | short of a solid boom is acceptable. |
| know what a barefoot boom is. But if you have | | | | |
| ever been frustrated with trying to learn to | | | | Myth number 2: one cable connected to the bow |
| get up on combo skis, a slalom ski, a | | | | is better than two. |
| kneeboard, or even on your bare feet, then | | | | |
| you will want to listen closely. A barefoot | | | | Truth about boom cables: FALSE. Safety, |
| boom could be your next purchase. | | | | safety, safety. I have tested every boom on |
| | | | the market. When a boom cable breaks because |
| The Barefoot boom was invented as a device to | | | | of construction, it is a terrifying moment |
| help skiers learn to barefoot water ski not | | | | whether a skier is attached or not. Two |
| long after barefooting was invented, but it | | | | cables provide maximum security and safety. |
| has been difficult to tell who was the first | | | | |
| to use it since so many home made versions | | | | Myth number 3: quick release boom clamps are |
| have been made. In 1983, Mike Seiple began | | | | better because the boom height can be |
| manufacturing booms as his trademark way of | | | | adjusted with greater ease. |
| getting people to learn to barefoot water | | | | |
| ski. | | | | Truth about boom clamps: FALSE. After testing |
| | | | every boom clamp on the market, the quick |
| Since then, many different companies have | | | | release clamp takes about 30 seconds to |
| been making barefoot booms. This is your | | | | adjust while reinforced boom clamp takes |
| opportunity to become an armchair expert and | | | | about 15 seconds longer. My findings showed |
| get the insider information about barefoot | | | | that after hundreds of adjustments, the |
| booms that many companies do not want you to | | | | flexing of the quick release clamp caused it |
| know. Booms are not created equal and I will | | | | to weaken. On the other hand, the reinforced |
| attempt to tell you what you need to look for | | | | boom clamp provides the surest connection |
| and what myths to avoid. | | | | with the ski pylon with no deterioration over |
| | | | time. |
| Myth number 1: The lighter the boom, the | | | | |
| better it is because it is easier to set-up | | | | By far the biggest consideration in a |
| and take down. | | | | barefoot boom is safety. By getting the best |
| | | | barefoot boom you can find, you can then |
| Truth about boom weight: FALSE. Boom weight | | | | concentrate on learning and teaching others |
| is determined by the construction. Lighter | | | | to ski. Barefoot booms are now being used to |
| booms are constructed with hollow cores. What | | | | teach children and adults alike to kneeboard, |
| you want to look for is solid aircraft | | | | combo ski, wakeboard, slalom, and barefoot. |
| aluminum construction. Barefoot booms are | | | | If you get the right boom, it will last |
| subjected to a tremendous amount of pressure | | | | forever and you will become the go-to-guy for |
| when used for teaching. The most important | | | | learning on your lake. |
| consideration for booms is safety and nothing | | | | |