Nate Smith about Year Round Skiing. 12/6/2013

Interview by Bud

1. Do you ski year round because you love it so much, or do you ski year round because you feel like you will ultimately win more tournaments in the summer?

I ski in all conditions. Whether it is warm or cold, snowing or sunny, windy or calm. I do believe that cold weather skiing and training does make a difference. You have to ski completely different in the cold and in a dry suit.

2. What dynamic effects do you feel between warm and cold water?

Cold water is typically much faster and harder. It makes you have to ride your ski differently because it rides up on the water much higher. You learn that you cannot push the ski as hard in the cold water and have to be patient and I think that helps with warm water skiing as well.

3. Do you make any specific changes to your equipment when you switch from warm to cold water or vice-versa, and if yes, what?

I do not make any changes to my ski for different conditions. Fin settings have been the same for three years.

4. Do you change your skiing technique when you switch from warm to cold water or vice-versa, and if yes, what?

I am not sure that there is anything specific that I change. I do know that I have to ski differently but there is nothing that I really think of specifically. I just know that the ski rides higher in the water and is much faster. When wearing a dry suit I know that I have to pull a lot longer and harder to make up for the drag.