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WATERSKI MagazineIn an era where slalom instructional videos are few and far between, there is Gordon Rathbun. Producer and director of How to Slalom, Novice to Pro, which was released in 1993, Rathbun has been the driving force behind keeping slalom in our VCRs. It's no wonder: His Ski Paradise Acapulco vacations have become part vacation, part video class. The five-time national slalom champion is one of the best teachers in the sport today, and his expertise shines through on his latest tape – 12 Slalom Drills.
Unlike How to Slalom, which was very slalom course-oriented, Rathbun takes the skier on a 12-step journey through the most important points of the discipline – without the buoys. The most enjoyable aspect of the video is that, essentially, the drills he teaches can be used by recreational, open-water skiers and competition types alike. Segments like “The Pull Out,” “The Coast,” “Handle Control” and “Knee Bend” reach both the low and high end, meaning 12 Slalom Drills is a sure bet for every slalom skier in the house.
Our Assessment: Rathbun is a teacher, not an MTV videographer. While the film does have a nice production touch to it, you feel like you're sitting right next to the champ in front of the big screen, and he's got the remote – there's substance, but not much splash. Real-time and slo-mo footage of Rathbun running the exercises – with excellent voice-over – give 12 Slalom Drills a unique classroom feel that few other videos have. A big score at $29.95, it's a lot cheaper than dropping a couple grand on a trip to Acapulco.
For more information, write 979 E. La Mesa Terrace, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Or call 408-730-9929. Many pro shops and the major mail-order companies are carrying the video as well. RS 155.
