Some General Information and Potential Pitfalls
All the videos reviewed have a slightly homemade feel to them even the HO video. Despite this, if you can find them in the UK they all carry a premium price! One shop that could get hold of a copy of the HO video wanted to charge me over £20-GBP for what is effectively a 20 minute promotional video. I eventually ordered it from the US for £10-GBP and this included international shipping within 7 days!
Your best bet that we had found in the US was CaribeCatalog.com however they are no longer in business. You could try Barts Watersports or Overtons but it is important that you email them to confirm the shipping costs BEFORE you order. Drew Ross's and Andy Mapple's videos can be ordered from their respective websites. In the UK you could try LSR Leisure for although they couldn't get the particular video I wanted at the time they were very helpful and could get "Behind the Boat".
The only other possible problem you may encounter could be the differing video formats between the US(NSTC) and the UK(PAL) however though neither Andy nor I have the latest VCR's we experienced no problems at all.
Gordon Rathbuns 12 Slalom Drills
An excellent video. It breaks slalom into into its component parts and gives you a drill so that you can work on each part in turn. The footage is superb with plenty of slow-motion footage where you can see the point being made. He also shows you how not to do it just to get the point across....I know I can see myself doing just those self same things last season. The presentation is very clear and feels very personal as if he is giving you a private lesson.
There is also footage of Chris Parrish, Jason Paredes and others and their style is explained by Gordon and you can see them doing the things he has just taught you. Throughout the video he also gives out advice on other aspects
of skiing and boat driving.
All in all something for everybody and well recommended.
Cost approx. US$35 plus shipping
Running time approx 60 mins
HO-Adrenaline Rush
This is basically a promotional video for HO's CDX1 slalom ski however as a bonus you get a coaching session from their No.1 Wade Cox. Plus some advice on binding and fin placement from the guys who design the skis. Overall the footage is very good. Well worth buying if you can get it for a good price.
Cost approx. US$9 plus shipping
Running time approx 20 mins
Slalom with Andy Mapple 2003
Two Hours of Slalom for Intermediate and Advanced skiers. Lots of talking with some great explanations of how and why things happen on the ski.
The footage is ok but the quality is not as good as Drew Ross's
Some great info on ski setup and generally well recommended.
More Details fromAndy Mapples Website
Cost approx. US$39.99 plus shipping
Running time approx 2 hours
Shortline-Drew Ross 2002
This is an awesome video once you get past the cheesy introductory section. Although it says it is aimed at all levels it is certainly not for slalom beginners. However the various head cams and ski cams give a whole new perspective and are worth watching even if you can't ski like Drew!
The instuction is good with info on ski gear and setup and it finishes with the pros running into 39 off.
Highly recommended. More Details fromDrew Ross's Website
Cost approx. $32.99 + $10.95 shipping
Running time approx 50 mins
Mike Suyderhoud's Slalom Clinic 1990
A good mix of theory and excellent footage make this a useful video for slalom beginners up to 30mph.
Although a little dated it uses some great split screen comparisons of Bob LaPoint and "amatuer" skiers to illustrate our errors.
This is a great teaching aid rather than simply showing reams of textbook perfect technique.
It may be "old school" but so are a great deal of us skiers and there is plenty to be learnt from Bob Lapoint's super smooth style
Cost approx. $30 + shipping
Running time approx 60 mins
Mike Suyderhoud's Advanced Slalom Clinic 1990
Mike and Bob team up again to take you from 30mph longline to 38 off at 36mph
In a similar style to their first video and well worth owning
Cost approx. $35 + shipping
Running time approx 90 mins
Behind the Boat
A very good introduction to water skiing. It covers everything from the equipment and boat driving, through getting up and skiing on two and finishes up with the slalom course. The video also covers wakeboarding and the air chair. Altogether an excellent video particularly for someone just getting into waterskiing.
Cost approx. £12GBP plus shipping
Running time approx 60 mins
If you want any further information on any of these videos feel free to drop me a line at
gray.jule@ntlworld.com
Or contact Andy on
andy.germaney@ntlworld.com