Rockstar Energy Drink WWA Worlds

The summer has come to a close, yet the wakeboard community is still feeding our addiction. The best wake riders in the world will come together tomorrow to participate in one of the most exciting installments of the 2011 King of Wake series, the Rockstar Energy Drink WWA World Championships. Well, not really... but it is going to be aired on t.v. And as an individual who has not had the opportunity to witness the proceedings of the event yet, I am fairly excited. The actual event took place over a month ago from Thursday, August 18th to Sunday, August 21st at The Precedent in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Rockstar Energy Drink WWA World Championships is presented by Supra and is the seventh stop on the King of Wake series tour that consists of eight stops total: the Wake Games, the WWA National Championships, the WWA World Championships, and all five stops on the Pro Wakeboard Tour. You're not gonna want to miss these explosive riders showcase the greatest talent that the wakeboarding world has to offer, so be sure to mark your calendar and save a seat on your couch. Or save a seat wherever you have your t.v. I'm just assuming most of you would have a t.v. in front of your couch. But I digress. The event is set to air on the VERSUS network Thursday, September 29th at 5 p.m.  

You can check out the final results of the event at http://wakeboardingmag.com/files/2011/01/2011-worlds-results.pdf
You can also learn more about the King of Wake series at www.kingofwake.com and www.thewwa.com 

What's Your Favorite Trick?

Well hello there. I was surfing the Internet, and I just so happened to come across a video on www.wakeboardingmag.com. The video asked some of the top riders in the world an intriguing question: what is your favorite trick? Now, I interpreted this as "what is your favorite trick to perform", but as professional riders I assume that they would figure out how to do their favorite trick if they couldn't. Anyway the riders that were interviewed include Harley Clifford, Danny Hampson, Bob Soven, and Collin Harrington. Heres what they came up with:

Harley Clifford- HS Tailgrab Backroll to Backside 180
Danny Hampson- Melon to Mute Grab 180
Bob Soven- Backside 540 to Late Indy Grab
Collin Harrington- TS Off-Axis Melon 360

The video got me thinking of what my favorite trick is? However, I am not a professional, so I have two favorite tricks: my favorite trick and my favorite trick that I can actually do. I would have to say that my favorite trick (that I can't do mind you) is a an S-Bend or Vulcan. They might not be the most technical of moves, but they look cool as $#!% when done right! Especially when they are done by Darin Shapiro. Seriously, if you haven't seen Darin Shapiro do a vulcan check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6OBVi5zsY. It is the BIGGEST THING I have ever scene! However, my favorite trick that I caaaan do is a huge, laid-out off-axis half-calb melon grab 180. They're just as fun, if not more fun, to do than air raileys, but I think they look a lot more stylish.

Let me know what your favorite tricks to watch and perform are.

http://wakeboardingmag.com/manufacturers/liquid-force/2011/09/14/video-whats-your-favorite-trick-part-3/  

Satisfaction of the Customer Persuasion

Good Morning.
I have called you all here today to talk about customer satisfaction. Not just any customer satisfaction, but sustainable customer satisfaction and the companies that are able to achieve it. And not just any companies, but companies that make inboard water sports boats.

First we shall recognize Tige Boats, Inc. for its excellence in customer satisfaction. For the seventh year in a row Tige Boats is been able to achieve recognition by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) CSI Award Program for its outstanding customer satisfaction. This makes Tige Boats the only inboard manufacturer to have been awarded such an honor for that many years in a row. The NMMA CSI Award Program recognizes participating manufacturers that continuously measure customer satisfaction and pursue never-ending improvement to better serve their customers

But hold the phone! Here comes Nautique screaming up the rear! Nautique has also been recognized by the NMMA CSI Award Program for its superb customer service. Here's the kicker. Nautique boasts the second best record with a six year streak of earning such an honor.

Heres how it works: customer satisfaction surveys are given to purchasers of new Tige boats at the point of purchase and sent to them after a few months of boat use. The results of both surveys are then independently measured buy the NMMA to determine satisfaction with the product and dealer. Boom-Bada-Bing-Bada-Bagoosh. Tige Boats and Nautique Boats come out on top. In 2011, over 30,000 boat buyers were surveyed.     

Monster Energy WWA Wake Park Triple Crown Stop #3

On top of the 2011 Midwest Collegiate Wakeboard Regionals, the third and final installment of the 2011 WWA Wake Park World Triple Crown took place this weekend. The event was held at Hydrous Wake Park in Allen, Texas after making the first two stops in Winnipeg and Tampa. The newly opened park comes fully loaded with a system 2.0 cable setup and 7 different obstacles.

Now I don't know about anybody else, but I for one am shocked that Tom Fooshee was awarded the top spot in the standings for the third stop on the Wake Park World Triple Crown. No wait... not at all. It was no surprise that Tom Fooshee dominated the third stop on the tour after taking the title at the first two stops. Tom taking all three individual titles also means that he was crowned the King of the overall standings. Other notable competitors are Angelica Schriber who took the top overal spot in the professional womens division and Daniel Grant who was named the champion of the professional wakeskate division.

To top of the excitement from the main event, all of the riders also threw down in a quarter pipe competition sponsored by Alliance and Monster. Winner take all. All=$1000. After a three way ride off between Cody Johnson, Brady Webb, and Brenton Priestley, a few air tricks, an invert onto the upper deck, and a corked 540, Brady Webb was finally named the quarter pipe champ.

The final results for the competition can be found at http://www.wakeworld.com/news/latestinwake/2011-wwa-wake-park-triple-crown-standings.html 

2011 Collegiate Midwest Wakeboard Regionals Results

The 2011 Collegiate Midwest Regionals were held this weekend, September 17th-18th,  at Traxler Park in Janesville, Wi. With the exception of the freezing water temperature and the rain it was actually a great weekend. All in all ten schools from the midwest attended the event. The competing teams included University of Wisconsin-Madison A Team, Ball State University, Illinois State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison B Team, University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse A Team, University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse B Team, University of Wisconsin-EC, Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 


The first day started with the preliminary rounds. The divisions were run in a somewhat unusual order, but it kept everybody on their toes. The tournament kicked off with Mens D Riders and preceded with Womens B Riders, Wakeskaters, Womens A Riders, Mens C Riders, Mens B Riders, and finally, Mens A Riders. Each division had two heats with four riders in heat 1 and five riders in heat 2. The top two riders from heat 1 and the top three riders from heat 2 were supposed to go on to the second round on Sunday, and the rest of the riders would go to a last chance qualifier. However, due to time constraints the last chance qualifier had to be cancelled, and the top three riders from each round went on to the finals on Sunday.   


The competition was fierce the first day and only picked up the second day. And while I didn't get first, I do think that I made the biggest impression out of any rider at the event. Traxler Park just so happens to be a show ski lake. What is important about that is the fact that there is a water ski jump ramp in the middle of the wakeboard course. Seems a little unsafe if you as me, but most riders appeared to be landing well inside the distance of the ramp. That was until yours truly came up to the dock. Long story short I did a scarecrow and landed staring at the backside of the ramp with no chance of stopping. "Smack!" I'll provide a link to the video below. Still finished my run on a cracked board and a busted foot, moved on to the next round, and took second in Mens A on Sunday. Winners don't eat $#!%, but champions eat $#!% and shake that $#!% off!


The team results are as follows:


1 UW-Madison-A 620
2 Ball State 455
3 Illinois State 410
4 UW-Madison B 365
5 U Illinois 345
6 UW- LaX A 305
7 UW- LaX B 250
8 UW- EC 215
9 Marquette 190
10 UW-Whitewater 30 


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2102856967843
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1-1lxmLcfw 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi_sAoUdRWk&feature=related

The Liquid Edge

It's about freakin time! The Liquid Edge in Farmer City, Il has built the largest cable park in all of Illinois. To be fair, it did not have much competition; or any for that matter. That's right, The Liquid edge has become an Illinois Pioneer in building the first ever wakeboard cable park in the entire land of Lincoln. This monumental day on which the park was built took place Sunday, July 3, 2011. I am obviously stoked about this addition to the minimal number of cable parks in the midwest because this one just so happens to be a half hour away from Illinois Sate University!

The Liquid edge strives for excellence and boasts that they deliver an experience that is truly different. So of course, they spared no expense in making sure to deliver the best experience possible when constructing its brand new cable park. They have installed the latest in cable park technology, the Sesitec System 2.0. The System 2.0 utilizes a two cable set up that provides greater tension in the air and on the water, delivering the smoothest, most consistent pull possible. They have just recently equipped the park with a 50 ft slider and have plans to add more in the spring. Did I mention that it's the longest 2.0 cable park in the US? Because it is.

If you do not know how to wakeboard yet and would like to lean, the Liquid Edge also holds wakeboard and waterski lessons everyday. Don't have the gear you need to start learning? The Liquid Edge has a fully stocked pro shop on site to meet youre every waterski or wakeboard need.The Liquid Ege even gives you the opportunity of purchasing a brand new MasterCraft boat (Soon to be taking orders for the new 2012 MasterCraft X-Star).

So take a trip to The Liquid Edge in Farmer City, Il, and enjoy the truly different experience!

System 2.0

Well hello there. We are all gathered here today to discuss a unique innovation in the wakeboarding world that has had a huge, positive impact on cable park riding. The invention of the System 2.0 by Sesitec has made cable park riding safer, easier, and capable of allowing for bigger, better rail and air tricks. The System 2.0 also allows riders to construct a cable park almost anywhere they are, granted they have water real estate ranging from 80 to 700 feet in length and 50 to 120 feet in width. The system uses a two tower setup, but more notable the system's use of two tow ropes. Many cable parks only use a single cable which does not give the rider as much tension and as smooth of a pull as two cables do. Cable parks with the System 2.0 also allow the rider to ride continuously without having to let go of the handle at the end of the course. Instead, the rider is able to make a slow, wide turn as the carrier slows down and reverses directions. This simple turnaround method makes it possible for riders of all skill levels from beginner to expert to maneuver the course with no problem.

When I said that the System 2.0 could be used pretty much anywhere you are, I meant it. The system is meant to be completely portable, and can even fir into the bed of a truck; this allows from complete freedom to ride almost anywhere. The system was also built to give the user full control with ease. One of the most intriguing aspects of the System 2.0 is that it can be used with Sesitec's Lake Control System. This gives the user the ability to use only the part of the cable they want even while the whole 700 ft system is set up. Sesitec also installed ladders on the sides of each tower so riders can quickly change the number and lengths of ropes with ease.

Check out the System 2.0 for yourself, and start your own, personal cable park! 

2012 MasterCraft X-Star

The 2011 SurfExpo introduced a revolutionary product that many think will rapidly change the sport of wakeboarding in the near future. The event gave MasterCraft the chance to give the patiently waiting world a first look at its brand new 2012 X-Star. This fully redesigned super-boat has been 15 years in the making since MasterCraft delivered the world's first, true wakeboard boat in 1996.

The new MasterCraft sports the pickle-fork bow that the company made famous back in 2003. It weighs in dry at a wapping 5100 lbs, contains stock ballasts of 1500 lbs, and allows for an extra 1000 lbs when the Plug N Play Ballast is added. Im sure that the increase in stock ballast of 500 lbs and the increase in dry boat weight of 850 lbs has something to do with the wake being, as Harley Clifford put it, "seriously a foot bigger than my 2011 X-Star; it's insane." I also have an inkling that the extra two feet from tip to tail over the 2011 model, making the 2012 model a total length of 24 ft., may have something to do with it. However, the added length serves a much more important purpose. The extra two feet in combination with its extensive wraparound seating and huge-mongou-normous open bow give the 2012 MasterCraft X-Star the most interior room than any other wakeboard boat on the market. This means more friends, more family, more sacks, and in the end, MORE WEIGHT and MORE WAKE. Worried that you have too many friends, family, and sacks and that such weight cannot possibly be gotten up to speed before the end of the earth? Worry no more! The 2012 MasterCraft X-Star rocks a 540 hp (I REPEAT, 540 horsepower) engine that should make easy work of any weight you can throw at it/in it. Oh ya... and did I mention that the new look is ridiculous! (Ridiculously good that is)        

Hyperlite System Cont...

Alright. So one of my friends that has recently purchased the Hyperlite System has agreed to give me a review. As far as I know this is the ooonly review of the binding system itself on the entire Internet (and Iv'e looked pretty excessively).

Rob: ISU Wakeboard Team

Hyperlite System Review:

The new Hyperlite system bindings are the best thing I have experienced in wakeboarding. The boots themselves are more or less a shoe that you can walk around in. As far as the actual system part it is almost identical to that of a snowboard binding. This makes it great for winching or cable riding. The price you really cannot beat. Once you pay for the initial system if you want new binding all you have to pay for are the boots which are relatively cheap compared to a full binding setup. When riding with the system everything is much more responsive on the water which is definitely a plus. I would most definitely recommend these to anyone looking for new bindings.

So there you have it. "best thing I have experienced in wakeboarding". That's a bold statement from an even bolder man. If you ride behind a boat you will benefit from the Hyperlite System's increased responsiveness. And if your cup of tea just so happens to be cable park riding you can't beat the convenience of the quick in quick out system. Plus it doesn't hurt that the Hyperlite System was nominated the WakeWorld Riders Choice Awards innovation of the Year.

Collegiate Wakeboard Regionals

So the summer is coming to an end, and that sucks something fierce. I kinda feel like just going into hibernation for the winter. Fortunately, the end of the summer just so happens to be the start of the collegiate wakeboard and waterski season. And of course I still have boarding of the snow persuasion to look forward to. But I digress. It always seems like collegiate wakeboard regionals comes up really fast considering we're only about three weeks into the school year. I guess its better than having it in October when I can see my breath and can't feel my body (a.k.a. 2008 Collegiate Midwest Wakeboard Regionals). But I digress once again.

Anyway, the Collegiate Midwest Wakeboard Regionals is going to be held at Traxler Park in Janesville, Wi. The competition is set to start up at 8:00am on Saturday, September 17th and wind down sometime around 6:00pm on Sunday, September 18th. The boat that is going to be pulling the tournament is a Supra 22v. The event is going to be run just like the 2011 Collegiate Wakeboard Nationals at the Alt Games in San Diego, Ca. A riders against A riders, B riders against B Riders, C riders against C riders... you get the picture. The Illinois State University Wakeboard Team was the 2009 Collegiate Midwest Regionals champion, and we squeezed our way into 3rd place in 2010 to qualify for Nationals for the third year in a row(even though we didn't have one of our girl riders). So come on down to the tournament and support the team, and wakeboarding in general, if your'e anywhere near Janesville that weekend.

2011 Collegiate Eastern Wakeboard Regionals: Sat, September 24        

2011 TransWorld Wake Awards

Even more awards were given out this week as the world's best of the best wakeboarders and wakeskaters came together for the 2011 TransWorld Wake Awards presented by Rockstar. The eighth annual TransWorld Wake Awards were held on Thursday, September 8th at the 2011 SurfExpo in Orlando, Fl. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it my self because I live a few too many miles away. A lot of the awards given out almost mirrored the 2011 WakeWorld Riders Choice Awards, but some of them I wasn't expecting. Here are the results if you haven't heard yet:

Check Out Award: Shota Tezuka

-Make sure to look out for Shota to make a big splash in the wakeboarding world in the near future.

Best Women's Rider Award: Amber Wing

-Amber Wing has taken the award for the second year in a row on top of winning Best Female Rider in the 2011 WakeWorld Riders Choice Awards.

Best Wake Park Rider Award: Tom Fooshee

- Tom Fooshee has won every Best Wake Park Rider Award since its inception in the Transworld Wake Awards (granted this is only the second year it has existed). Considering he's also got a Cable Park Rider of the Year Award from the 2011 WakeWorld Riders Choice Awards, I'd say somebody's gonna have to pull something amazing out of their wazoo to beat him.

Best Rail Rider Award: Mark Rossiter

Best Wakeskater Award: Ben Horan

-Ben dethroned Reed Hansen after his two year reign to receive his first TransWorld Wake Award.

Best Wakeboarder Award: Harley Clifford

-Harley reclaimed his title for the first time on top of receiving a 2011 WakeWorld Riders Choice Award  for Wakeboarder of the year.

Oakley Move of the Year Awards: Erik Ruck(Wakeboarding) and Stu Shinn(Wakeskating)

-There were a lot of admirable wakeboard tricks and wakeboarders in the running, but Erik Ruck took the award with his mute back mobe.  

   

Red Bull Toasted: Parks Bonifay

Parks Bonifay will follow in the footsteps of one of the biggest contributors to action sports, Travis Pastrana, tomorrow, as he takes the hot seat at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Fl. Everybody from the biggest fans in wakeboarding to Parks Bonifay's closest friends and family will gather tomorrow to celebrate and make fun of (with the upmost amount of respect I'm sure!) Parks' largest contributions to the sport, as well as his biggest blunders along the way.

Although wakeboarding is probably the youngest of all action sports (at least the popular ones), its progression to the point it is at today is in many ways due to the accomplishments of Parks Bonifay. And his accomplishments are MANY. Not only does Parks possess two gold medals from the X-Games and five Pro Tour Gravity Games championships, but he also holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to ever throw on a pair of water-sticks.

The event is set to be held tomorrow, September 11th at the Hard Rock in Orlando, Fl. This venue should hold significant sentimental value for Parks seeing as the Hard Rock Orlando is where he was acknowledged as a wakeboarding legend during the premier of his biography film two years ago. Along with celebrity commentating host Sal Masakela, comedians Dan Levy and Tammy Pescatelli are set to make a stage appearance so as to guarantee a humorous event. Other celebrity guests expected in attendance include 2007 Rookie of the year Winner Adam Errington, wakeboarding phenom Shaun Murray, and wakeboarding legend Zane Schwenk.

The event begins at 8:00pm with celebrity guest arrival taking place at 7:00pm. It is open to the public of all ages. I encourage all wakeboard lovers and advocates in the area to do their best to be in attendance to witness the recognition of one of wakeboarding's most influential riders ever. Tickets can be purchased at www.redbullusa.com.      

Review Post: Hyperlite System

It seems like every time I turn around wakeboarding is becoming more and more like snowboarding. The Roam board snowboard-ized the wakeboard, cable parks snowboard-ized the wakeboarding experience, and now Hyperlite has decided to snowboard-ize wakeboard bindings. Some people are saying that the Hyperlite System is the future of wakeboarding, so I figured it would be appropriate to review the future of the sport. So here it goes...

I have not actually used The System personally, but I have done some research and know some people who have used it. I also have not been able to find any reviews specifically discussing the Hyperlite System (which is really pissin' me off). However, I was able to find a review of the Murray bindings that work with The System. Apparently the reviewer found the new boot system to be of very high quality, stating that they were comfortable, lightweight, responsive, and did not cramp his feet. The reviewer gave the 2011 Murray boots 4 out of 5 stars and recommends them to other riders. Unfortunately he does not seem to feel that the binding system is up to specs yet, stating that he would not get the entire package until the binding system is improved. Check out the review for yourself at http://www.evo.com/wakeboard-bindings/hyperlite-murray-boots.aspx#Reviews.

I know that Hyperlite made a lot of stops around the United States to let riders demo the new System, so if anybody got a chance to demo The System or actually bought it please contact me and let me get your opinion on it.

WakeWorld Riders Choice Awards

Well, the results are in for the 2011 WakeWorld Riders Choice Awards presented once again by CWB Board Co. It's great to see the number of voters increase even after ten years since the start of this fantastic tradition that brings the best of the best riders and products to the forefront of the wakeboard world. Congratulations to all of the voters who received some BRAND NEW, FREE gear of their choice courtesy of CWB Board Co. If anybody reading this actually won something from CWB let me know. I'm interested to hear what you chose. Now onto the results... There haven't been many fluctuations in the top few riders, as far as the male riders, over the past few years, and this year is not much different. Harley Clifford has captured the top male rider position for the second year in a row. It was good to see Rusty Malinoski in one of the top three male rider spots for the fifth year in row. Especially since I just so happen to be riding his board (2009 Hyperlite Marek 136).  A noticeable change in the top ten male riders is the presence of two new riders: Adam Fields(#6) and Dean Smith(#9). It has definitely been a big year for Reed Hansen. Not only did he just defeat Brian Grubb to take first in the 2011 Rockstar Byerly Toe Jam, but he has also dethroned Grubb for only the second time in the past 11 years to become the 2011 Riders Choice Awards top male wakeskater. I assumed that Dallas Friday getting knocked out of the top female rider position in 2010 had to have been a fluke, but Amber Wing has proven me wrong(with a little help from Nicola Butler in second). The 2011 awards also introduced two new categories for riders to vote on: Rail Rider of the Year(Raphael Derome) and Cable Rider of the Year(Tom Fooshee).

Other notable rider and product awards:

-Rookie of the Year: Steel Lafferty

-Most Improved Rider: Harley Clifford

-Wakeboard of the Year: Liquid Force Harley

-Binding of the Year: Ronix One  

-Boat of the Year: MasterCraft X-Star

-Innovation of the Year: Hyperlite System

Be sure to become a fan of WakeWorld Riders  Choice Awards on Facebook!

Wakeboarders' World: The Beginning Part I, Scene I, Act I

Hey

Welcome to Wakeboarders' World. I hope you live, breath, eat, sleep, talk, walk, swim, and sh#$ wake boarding. If not you're in the wrong place. On second thought even and especially if you don't care for wake boarding at all, stay tuned. I might just change your mind. I am creating this blog and coinciding website for my acc 255 class at Illinois State University. What does that mean, and why should you care? Ill tell ya. It means that for the next 4 months I will have the pleasure of bringing you all that is wake boarding, and you will hopefully have the pleasure of benefiting from my own personal wake boarding expertise (I do have some I swear). My site and blog will also serve to enlighten you about what's going on in professional and collegiate wakeboard news as well as which products perform like they should and which perform like dog squeeze. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or you would like me to discuss a specific topic PLEASE contact me and let me know. This is my first time blogging so I'm all ears.

I feel like I should give you a short background on my own personal wake boarding expeditions, history, and maybe even a current arsenal of tricks just to establish a little bit of credibility. So come along with me.

-I have been competitively waterskiing for about, let's say, my entire life. I started wakeboarding when I was about 15 but only got the opportunity to board behind a wakeboard boat (I occasionally used a high pole) once or twice before I joined the ISU Wakeboard Team in 2008. The jump up to using actual wakeboard boats really helped excel my boarding to where I am currently (even though I am still mostly using waterski boats).

So here is an idea of where I am at currently (as far as my better tricks):
-Hs backroll ~~ hs backroll to revert ~~ switch hs backroll to revert
-Ts backroll ~~ ts backroll to revert
-Scarecrow ~~ switch crow
-Tantrum ~~ indy tantrum (working on the whirly bird and the blind landing)
-Railey ~~ Krypt (working on the hoochie glide)
-hs 360 ~~ ts 360 (with grabs and backside)
-hs 540 ~~ ts 540 (off axis also)