In the invention, the atmosphere in a vacuum chamber is conditioned using a primary pump, a secondary pump, speed control means for controlling the speed of the primary pump, and at least first gas treatment means adapted for treating the extracted gases downstream from the primary pump. The first transmission shaft is connected with a set of disk members including fixed and movable discs. Polarization of a segment in one of eight different orientations significantly increases the amount of information which can be stored in any given segment relative to conventional systems which are polarized in only one of two orientations. The attachment of the upper to the binding base eliminates the need to use hardware and fasteners for attachment of the upper to the wakeboard.