Skiing is one of the most popular sports at Camp Timberlane, and the most difficult maneuver the advanced skier does is barefooting. We interviewed Bob Heilbroenner on barefoot skiing, and he told us what it was like...
Q. Does it hurt when you barefoot?
A. No, it really doesn’t hurt at all except when you go really far and when the water is so smooth that you burn your feet.
Q. How fast should you go to get up on barefoot?
A. Myself, I go at least 33 to 34 miles per hour. The boat must be opened up. To find our speed, one can divide his weight by 10 and then add 20. That’s the speed.
Q. What boat do you barefoot on?
A. The 105 (horsepower engine), because it’s the only boat that goes fast enough.
Q. What else can you do on skis?
A. Well, besides, barefoot, I do slalom, canoe paddle, tricks (but not too well), two skis of course, and ping-pong paddles.
Q. Do the waves effect barefooting?
A. Yes, the waves affect it because your feet must go over them and you must bend your knees more. You need smooth water to barefoot.
Q. How many years have you been barefooting?
A. I have been footing for two years. The first time was off a saucer which is easier and the last year the step-off slalom ski. I’ve been skiing seven years.
Q. How far have you gone barefooting?
A. The farthest I’ve gone is a mile, which was last year.