Slalom Bindings

[MizzouMike]

I am looking for advice here. I recently picked up a used Monza with two Animal bindings. The bindings are right foot forward and I ski left so I have been looking for possible replacements. I have recently begun skiing on the course more frequently and am wondering if I would possibly benefit from Approaches versus Animals. Feedback from the spotter is that I am too far back on my ski during the turn and I need to get my weight more forward to keep more of the ski in the water through the turn. I understand that the Approach has more of a forward angle to it, which seems like it could be beneficial to me. Any thoughts?

I currently am skiing at 32 mph at 15 off. I typically can get 6 buoys, they just vary in color First couple are orange, followed by greens

[Malibudude]

First off do yourself a favor and get the approaches, the animals have little to no support for your ankles and I know more than a few that have really killed their ankles in those bindings. Yes the approaches have a forward lean, but that won't replace the correct form and weight on the front foot. Even with that said the Approaches are no question better Look where your bindings are placed and start at the center, then adjust as needed. I've got mine two holes forward of center on my S8. You want the water breaking in the turn on your front foot. You need to drive the knees forward getting the weight over the front foot. There are other factors that come into play in regards to getting your weight on your front foot. Is the wing on and if so set it to help to keep the front of the ski down a bit more.

[Green_Giant]

I'm with Malibudude here, went with approach and haven't looked back. I know some people don't like them..... but I do. :-)

[LakeOneSkier]

I'm with Malibudude here, went with approach and haven't looked back. I know some people don't like them..... but I do. :-)

Don't listen to Malibudude... he just skied the course for the first time last year. (sorry 'dude, couldn't resist)

Every skier is different. If you go with Approaches you will find that your legs are canted forward. Not everyone likes that. I tried it, not for me.

The new HO EXO's look interesting, one neighbor has them and loves them, came off RS-1's. But unless you are extremely serious in the course they might be too much for you (and you'd need an adapter plate on the Monza). Lots of good feedback on the Radar RS-1's in our neighborhood, not so much on the new Radar Strada's. Overwhelmingly Animals rule our neighborhood, out of 60+ skiers 60%+ are on Animals.

I was getting tired of my Animals (had 2 different sets since '01) but I recently purchased a set of '09's from Bennett's close-out bin. They were a drastic improvement over my '07's which were loose around the ankles. The new ones are very supportive from the toes all the way up my ankles. Definite improvement.

Are the 'right foot' Animals uncomfortable? If not I would stick with them and start to look at your binding placement and your fin settings. And if you stick with the Monza I recommend a Schnitz Speed Slot Fin.

Just a personal comment... that Monza is not helping you. Run from it as fast as you can!

Edited July 16, 2010 by LakeOneSkier

[Chef23]

I believe you can swap the footbeds on the Animals so you can get the proper foot forward.

I just went to the Radar Strada bindings. If you are considering a binding change I would put those in the conversation.

Regarding the wing at 28 mph I would say take the wing off. You don't need it at the slow speeds and it can become a crutch. Until you are running 34 mph 22 off or so you really don't need it. If you are too far back on the ski you need to balance your weight on the ski and likely get some more knee bend. I haven't skied the Approaches so I am not sure how much they would help.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Chef23

[Sixball]

If you like hi wraps have a look at Wiley's.

A lot of skiers have a nasty habit of weighting the back foot at the end of a turn and if you are doing it you probably are not completing you turn.

[EchelonMike]

I am looking for advice here. I recently picked up a used Monza with two Animal bindings. The bindings are right foot forward and I ski left so I have been looking for possible replacements. I have recently begun skiing on the course more frequently and am wondering if I would possibly benefit from Approaches versus Animals. Feedback from the spotter is that I am too far back on my ski during the turn and I need to get my weight more forward to keep more of the ski in the water through the turn. I understand that the Approach has more of a forward angle to it, which seems like it could be beneficial to me. Any thoughts?

I currently am skiing at 32 mph at 15 off. I typically can get 6 buoys, they just vary in color First couple are orange, followed by greens

I run a left foot forward Animal with rear toe plate. I ski same as you in terms of speed and length. I like the Animal a lot, but have not tried the approach.

I think the only difference in the left vs right is the shape of the foam pad at the bottom...not sure it's worth the $$ to swap.

Also, are you used to front and rear bindings? I tried them and did not like the feeling. Went back to RTP.

-- Mike

[MizzouMike]

Thanks for the feedback

I have a couple people interested in my current bindings, so I jumped on this ad before realizing they were Approaches and not Animals I figured if I sell what I have, I'd have a pretty cheap upgrade.

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&postid=12449

Lake One, my current Animals are not too uncomfortable, the arch support is just backwards. Why should I run from the Monza? Too high end of a ski for me?

Chef, I thought I could switch the bindings as well, but from what I learned, that applies to 06 and newer bindings....Mine are 05's

[LakeOneSkier]

Why should I run from the Monza? Too high end of a ski for me?

Not necessarily too high end of a ski for you, the Monza is just known as a very temperamental ski. It is very sensitive to body position, water temp, fin adjustments, binding placement, etc.

I've been an HO skier for years. Had a Phantom that was a great ski. Switched to the Monza and struggled with it for 2 years; one day it was great, the next I couldn't do a thing on it. It really stagnated my progress the entire time I was one it. If you read all the water ski related forums (Water Ski Forum, Ball of Spray, Pro Ski Coach, etc.) you will find countless others who state the same thing.

If you stay with it (and I'm not saying you shouldn't) the best thing you can do to the ski is add the Schnitz Speed Slot find. It will make it a much more stable/predictable ski.