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THE GEAR GUIDE 2013
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INTERVIEW: KURT ROBERTSON TOP 10 WAKE SPOTS + THE OLYMPIC DEBATE + WHERE THE HELL IS WEATHERALL+ EDUCATE + WAKEPARK WORLDS + REVIEWS + HEAPS MORE
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Rider: Josh O’Connell Photo: Luke Thomas Cover Photo: Brad Smeele
DATES Places YOU should be this SUMMER
Boards n BBQ’s - 2nd March
Back again this year, this great grommies comp towed by Mastercraft.
Go Outdoor Show - 22-24th Feb
Clashing with North Islands’ this is basically a watersports demo on a huge scale held in Christchurch, with most major brands in attendance. www.gooutdoor.co.nz
North Island Champs - 23-24th Feb
North island riders battle it out for a chance to be crowned North Island Wakeboard Champion.
NZ Nationals - 22-23 March
Being held in the south island this year after being cancelled a few years back due to the CHCH quakes. The national title is in hot contention this year which should make for a good show.
Keep an eye out on our website for the latest - all dates are subject to change.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Luke Thomas Luke@Forwardwake.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Logan Collier Luke Thomas Paul Maguire Jeff Weatherall Brad Smeele Kurt Robertson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Josiah Murray James Clarke Luke Thomas Blair Robertson Jackson Wells Su Kay
STUFF
TO WIN Liquid Image EGO HD Camera
Read our review, and decide how much you want one! Then head to www.forwardwake.com/win, or check out our facebook page for a chance to win one! Easy!
ADVERTISING SALES
Advertising@forwardwake.com 021510050
CONTENT SUBMISSIONS
We try to include as much user submitted content as possible. If you’re up to something, or get a great shot, get in touch. Luke@Forwardwake.com
WWW.FORWARDWAKE.COM
Forward Wake produce 2 online releases each year, supplemented by a hard copy edition/gear guide. Online Editions are available free at www.forwardwake.com The magazine is advertising funded, please support those companies that are investing in our sport, the companies advertising in this magazine are a great example of this. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this magazine, however, we are human (barely), mistakes will have been made - sorry!
RONIX Rope and Handle Combo
Riders are always short of a rope and handle, for some reason it’s always the thing people forget to buy, so to help out we teamed up with Ronix to give you the chance to win a One handle with 80ft R8 Line. Info on Facebook.com/forwardwake and forwardwake.com/win We are always posting new competitions. Keep an eye on the ‘Win’ section of our website.
HOT TE ht Now The World Rig ar In The World Right Now”, if you Ge Hottest Gear In st te e ot magazine, hit th this editions “H re is e rest of this That’s right, he this list, skip th vourite item, st something on lea at pick up said fa n e, ow or st n’t to do in ad he , rs ile r list of reta reading. JOB back page for ou home - continue rn tu re t, en ym process pa DONE!
GEAR Liquid Force B.O.B $999
www.LiquidForce.com
The Liquid Force B.O.B. brings you the next generation in PRO Models. This new shape incorporates our new performance paradigm offering the rider a board encompassing an innovative core, construction process, and design features that make your board come alive. One ride on the B.O.B. and you’ll feel the difference. A thin profile CNC all wood core is the heart. Next it’s wrapped in our lightweight glass layup for the ultimate in responsive flex. Then we finish it with a one- of-a-kind see thru graphic to show the beauty that starts at the heart of this board. Also available in a Grind version, you can get your B.O.B. with our exclusive GRIND base and a softer flex pattern for pressing rails and maximum durability. If you’re like Bob Soven and you’ve been waiting for that next level wake charging ride, your wait is officially over!
THE
WOR JetPilot ChrisO Vest $279.95 www.JetPilot.com
Chris OShea’s signature vest is the lightest weight AU certified wakeboard vest on the market! Pretty essential if you’re planning a cable trip to OZ any time soon.
-
100% Flex-Lite stretch panels Super lightweight design for comfort & fit PVC foam core for supreme buoyancy Vest ships with Chris OShea’s signature Custom “flanno” print lining Glide skin upper panels for extra comfort
Want To Be Hot?
If you’ve got a great product, and want to maximise your exposure to the New Zealand Wakeboard market by being featured in future editions Hottest Gear In The World Right Now, then get in touch with us at Editor@forwardwake.com to find out how!
EST JetPilot C4 $299.95
www.JetPilot.com
Looking for a lightweight, well fitting and stylish impact vest. Look no further, Jet Pilot has created the all new C4.
- PVC Foam core for supreme buoyancy - 100% Flex-Lite stretch panels provides insane stretch - Super Lightweight design for comfort & fit - Ergonamic segmented panels to ensure ultimate fit - Contrast accent panel
R IN
Liquid Force Flex Comp Vest $199.99
www.LiquidForce.com
The Liquid Force team was looking for a comfortable, flexible vest that will fit every one. The Flex Comp has all the flexibility of our pullover vests but ease of entry of a front zipper. Fully segmented design, wide neck and arm openings makes this the vest for every one in the boat. Get your size and rock out in the Flex.
RLD Liquid Image EGO $299
www.liquidimageco.com
The Liquid Image EGO is a mountable HD Action Camera that is also Wi-Fi enabled to work with Android and IOS iPhone platforms through a downloadable App. The Ego is highly adaptable and can be mounted with a variety of accessories, it is much more than your average helmet cam.
Forward Wake Instagram $Zilch @ForwardWake
Not exactly gear, but it’s hot, like a $Billion hot. And we are all over it. Well we are on it anyhow! Like Facebook, but just for photo’s. Chuck us a follow to check out what’s going on in the world of Forward Wake, including details on new editions, competitions, shots, and general feel good photo’s.
THE GEAR GUIDE 2013
TheGearG uide Welcome to the 2013 W Gear Guid akeboard you need to e. Pretty much ever ything k n ow about in NZ. Fro wakeboard m boards, ing here boots, wet right throu suits and vests gh to wher e to ride. There’s alot of new gear and as we out there are official this year, ly in the fu hands on ture, we ge it before th t our e rest of th e world. So here it is, the late st and Happy shop greatest in Wake. ping. Shot: Luke Thomas Rider: Rhidi an Scott-T owers
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Eleven
Science & Stuff
W
hen it comes to wakeboarding there are a few technical aspects that make a big difference, and cause most new riders a headache whilst trying to pick their first board, or second, or third... There’s really only a few
things that you need to know. The main thing to remember is that all of the different technology that goes into a wakeboard just gives you more chances to find a board that suits you best. Of course, the best way to discover this is to grab a
few boards, head out to the lake, and decide which one’s going on your shopping list. However, here’s a guide to help you when it comes to understanding wake jargon, and what it means for you.
1. Continous 3 Stage / Hybrid
2. 3 Stage
2. Continous
5 Stage
Rocker. Rocker is the curvature between one end of the board and the other. This is measured not only in how much rocker there is (how bent the board is) but also how the rocker is shaped! Different styles and sizes of rocker produce different effects. To generalise, a bigger rocker means more pop, but less consistent, and with harder landings. Rocker shapes are explained below (as above diagram) 1. Continous 3 Stage or Hybrid Rocker. Basically a 3 stage rocker, but with the stages smoothed out. This helps to make the board more predictable, and more forgiving, whilst retaining most of the 3 stage pop! This is a relatively new development, and a direction alot of boards are headed in. 2. 3 Stage Rocker A 3 stage board has a flat base, with all of the boards curveture at the edges. This gives you an ‘Explosive Pop’, as you kick off the wake with your front foot,
and then your back. Opinion is that this gives you a ‘straight up’ pop. However it does mean the timing of your pop is less forgiving than with a continous rocker. 3. Continous Rocker. A continous rocker is the orignal wakeboard concept. The rocker basically starts at one end of the board, and finishes at the other! One continous curve. This creates a very predictable release from the wake, and smoother landings. The downside to this is that some people find that the lack of a
ROCKER
flat base means you lose out on that ‘kick’ at take off. Whilst the continous is considered more of an ‘old school’ design, this design is going to suit some riders styles best! From beginner right through to pro. 4. 5 Stage Rocker. A new concept. To put very simply, its a 3 stage rocker with two different angles of rocker. In theory this should make the board really poppy, with smoother landings. Overall a more forgiving ride.
2013 NZ Gear Guide
SIZE
I
t’s not the size, it’s how you use it. OK- well some of its about size, however there’s no real straight guide to which size board you should be on. There are general guidelines for board size based on your weight (below), however you also need to take other aspects into account when chosing a board size. Ability Generally speaking, the bigger the board - the more stable it is, and the easier landings it will have.
So beginners tend to upsize, Whilst advanced riders like the extra mobility of smaller boards. Style Depending on your style you may pick a different board size, for example if you go big, and floaty you will likely opt for a larger board. Fast and techy- and you will choose a smaller board. Environmental Other factors that can influence your choice of size can be environmental factors. For example; boarders who ride rougher
water (in the sea) will want a larger more stable board. Or some boat wakes might have a really small take off wake in which case you would go for a smaller board! Salt water can also ride differently! Board Just to confuse things, you might pick one size for one wakeboard, and find you like a totally different size on another model. This could be due to the materials (lighter more bouyant materials = a smaller board) You get the picture
As mentioned above, this is by no means a definitive guide to the size you should be riding. Remember to try things out if you get the chance! But here’s the general rule of thumb!
<45 KG = 130cm (or less) 60-80 KG = 135-139cm
F
40-65KG = 130-134cm >75 KG = 140cm+
SHAPE
rom a distance you may be fooled into thinking wakeboards are all the same, or a very similar shape. WRONG. Things have changed alot when it comes to wakeboard shaping, think back to the mono-directional skurfers with pointed ends like a surf board. If things hadn’t moved to the uni-directional boards (which was shunned by many at the time) just think how far behind we’d be now! I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be seeing any 1260’s or Crow Mobe 7’s going down!
There are so many different types of shaping its going to be impossible to go into any great depth. However a general rule of thumb is that the squarer the edges of a wakeboard the more stability they have, and therefore the better for beginners they are. More advanced and intermediate boards have more agressive shaping which allows for harder cutting, and a better release from the wake!
FINS
F
ins are pretty simple really. There’s 2 types of fin; moulded and screw ins. They come in all sorts of shapes and size’s, but the outcome is simple, they give you stability in the water, and stop you sliding out. Therefore it’s relatively safe to say that the bigger the fins the more stable you are going to be on the board, and the easier your landings are going to be. That may be good when you’re first learning, but big fins make surface spins damn near impossible!
BASE
I
t’s import to pick your base material well, depending on what your going to be using your wakeboard for! If you’re going to be riding purely boat, then you can go ahead and pick the board that takes your fancy. However if you’re going to be hitting alot of obstacles then you need to have a good hard think about how long you want, or need you’re board to last. Traditional boards don’t hold up on rails, where as wood cored boards will hold up a little better. But to be safe you are going to need a rail specific board with a rail safe base. Different companies call these different things, for example Ronix have “Sintered Base” where as Liquid Force have a “Grind Base” so it’s worth doing your homework! The base material and general board material are also going to affect how the board rides, and especially how much “Flex” you have. Older boards tend to be very rigid, with little in the way of flex, however newer boards with wood and composite cores will have varying amounts of flex, either throughout the board, or just in the tip and tail! Sounds complicated, although to summarise very crudely more flex is great for rail riding, however not so great when it comes to the boat as you can lose some of your pop through the flex in the board, although too stiff and you might not be able to flex the board enough to pop in the first place! There’s no right and wrong, try a few boards out and see how it feels with your style of riding.
PRO MOD BOAR 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Men’s Wakeboards: Pro Models
CTRL RX
CTRL STANDARD
A thin, durable and lightweight board that handles just as well behind the boat as it does at cable. Ridden by WWA Wake Park champ Dom Guhrs. Lengths: 132,136,140
An extra durable board with a fast continous rocker and screw in fins. Great for any entry level wakeboarder. Lengths:129,134,139
CWB DB9
CWB
MSRP: $549
Wood core, continous rocker weighing in at only 2.7KG this is one of CWB’s lightest boards. Lengths:
MSRP: $1199
MSRP: $399
MARIUS
This board has a massive midsection for soft landings, and a moderate continous rocker for that consistent pop. Lengths:136,141
MSRP: $799
CTRL BLUEPRINT
A great park and boat with with innovations like plug in fins for easy swapping between boat and rails! Built to last. Lengths:134,138,142
MSRP: $799
CWB TRANSCEND A fast subtle three stage rocker board with great edge release off the wake. Lengths:138.142
MSRP: $799
CTRL HUSTLE
A bamboo cored park board, this deck will take whatever abuse you throw at it. Lengths:137,141
MSRP: $859
JOBE AUSTIN
Austin Hair’s pro board is a lively poppy 3 stage board. Reinforced sides for extra protection on rails. Lengths:138, 142
MSRP: $699.99
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Fifteen
P
ro Model Boards donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that you have to be a pro rider to ride them! In fact some of them make great mid level wakeboards. Although the price of pro setups is generally higher than non pro model boards, this is where you find the latest innovations in wakeboard technology. Pro boards generally have lots of rocker for maximum pop. For more information on what that means to the ride of the board, see our guide to rocker on page 11
DEL RDS JOBE CLICK
A fast, stable consistent continous rockered board, just as at home behind the boat as it is at cable. Lengths: 139,143
JOBE BRIGADE
Full of flex, this board will be great on obstacles, this hybrid rocker board Lengths:134,139
JOBE DECX
Strong, grippy and stable makes this deck a good all round choice for the rounded boarder. Hybrid Rocker. Lengths:137,141
MSRP: $699.99
MSRP: $699.99
Liquid Force B.O.B
Liquid Force PEAK
Liquid Force WATSON
Liquid Force HARLEY
A brand new shape featuring a HUGE 5 stage rocker, a wood core its great on boat, or cable. Available in a grind base. See reviews for more. Lengths:133,137,141
Nicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hybrid three stage rocker, designed primarily for cable but holds its own behind the boat! This is a legit all round board. Lengths:132,136,140
Hybrid The Watson Hybridstands for class, and versatility. It delivers on all levels, a great choice for all rounders. Lengths:135,139,143
This fast edged board with a aggressive 3 stage rocker will help boost you just like Harley Clifford. Lengths: 131,135,139 143
MSRP: $999.99
MSRP: $649.99
MSRP: $999.99
MSRP: $999.99
MSRP: $799.99
Page Fourty Two
Getting Wet Bu t Staying Dry Fresh Powder on the slopes in Wanaka, cold wa ter and early starts. Jamie Ba rrow stays dry in style. Rider: Jamie Ba rrow Trick: Nosepres s 270 Out Shot: Luke Thom as
PRO MOD BOAR 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Men’s Wakeboards: Pro Models
Liquid Force S4
Liquid Force FLX
King of boat Phil Soven’s board is back again, solid as ever, this progressive 3 stage board gives you exactly what you need . Lengths:138,142
With the increase of cable parks in NZ you need to get yourself a rail board, and here it is. Super flexible, but solid when it needs to be. Get it while its hot. Lengths:134,138,142
O’Brien CONTRA
O’Brien CODA
O’Brien VALHALLA
A forgiving, stable yet super poppy 3 stage rocker will make this a popular choice this year. Lengths:133,137,141
Flexible tip and tails for extra boost off the wake alongside a snappy 3 stage rocker and you can find yourself some serious hangtime. Lengths:127,133,141
Backbone of the O’Brien lineup this solid offering is back for 2013 with a new lower pricetag. Catch it whilst you can. Lengths:129,135,138 143
MSRP: $659.99
MSRP: $899
MSRP: $899.99
MSRP: $699
O’Brien PARADIGM
Designed from concept through to production to the the ultimate park and boat crossover board. This gentle 3 stage rocker achieves. Lengths:136,141,144
O’Brien NATURAL
A smooth, edgey responsive 3 stage board from O’Brien for effortless pop. Lengths:134,139,144
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $899
MSRP: $699
Ronix ONE
Timebomb Edition Ronix’’s lightest, stiffest 100% wake focused board for the mid-advanced boat rider. 3 stage. Lengths:138,142
MSRP: $1079
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Nineteen
DEL RDS Ronix CODE 22
Ronix PARKS
Ronix ONE
Dean Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new board set to boost as much as he does! This 3 stage hybrid flex board should have a great debut season. Lengths:134,139,143
ATR Edition A fast and agressive board, but with a blended 3 stage rocker makes this board super user friendly! Lengths:139
ATR Edition A leightweight forgiving board with huge amounts of pop off the wake, capable of spinning Danny Harf through 1260 degree. Lengths:138,142,146
MSRP: $1099
MSRP: $949
Ronix PHOENIX
Mark Rossiter- best rail rider ever? In my books yes! And his super lightweight board nails it behind the boat too. Lengths:
MSRP: $969
MSRP: $949
Ronix WILLIAM
A new skate inspired shape for 2013, feauturing a flex core and a progressive 3 stage rocker. Similar to the Bill, but more refined for a better ride. Lengths:135,140,145
MSRP: $1099
BEST OF T REST 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Men’s Wakeboards: Best of the rest
CWB VIBE
Super strong wood cored flex board. Designed for park/ rail riding. Lengths:136,142,147
CWB GROOVE
CWB FACTION
JOBE VANITY
Strengthened flat based continous rocker design. Great for the boat rider that indulges in the occasional cable trip! Lengths:129,139,145
A continous rocker, advanced to intermediate board with a huge center spine for clean landings everytime. Lengths:138,144
An old shape, still going strong. Designed to be ridden by beginners and pro’s alike, this continous board delivers just that. Lengths:131,136, 141
JOBE REPUBLIK
O’BRIEN
O’BRIEN SYSTEM
LIQUID FORCE
A moderate 3 stage rocker that delivers speed, pop and soft landings. A well rounded board. Lengths:127,135,140
Is an aggressive board, with a shape you’d expect to see in the pro models - without the price tag. Lengths:137.132
MSRP: $775
MSRP: $699
MSRP: $499.99
ACE
MSRP: $399
MSRP: $699
A predictable ride all the way, This board is a great entry level board at a great price point. Lengths:135,140
MSRP: $349
MSRP: $549.99
SUPER TRIP
The classic Trip shape on steroids! Spruced up with a hybrid rocker and flex core for maximum versatility. Lengths:131,135,139
MSRP: $999.99
T THE T. 2013 NZ Gear Guide
LIQUID FORCE
WITNESS
A tried and tested crowd pleaser, no wonder the witness is back for 2013. Its a good choice from beginner through to pro. Lengths:132,140,144
MSRP: $599
LIQUID FORCE
TEX
A quick, responsive, a stiff mid section with bundles of tip and tail flex for rails makes this a great boat and cable choice. Lengths:134,138,142
MSRP: $849.99
LIQUID FORCE
TRIP
Page TwentyOne
RONIX PHOENIX
The benchmark in boards. Once upon a time all boards where measured against the trip. Now they face a riot if they try and axe this great value board. Lengths:130,134,142
Park Edition Designed to ride like a snowboard with plenty of tip and rail flex. Perfect for hitting cable. Hybrid Rocker Lengths:137, 142
MSRP: $819
MSRP: $499.99
RONIX ONE
RONIX BILL
RONIX VIVA
RONIX VAULT
Modello Edition A super strong construction board with a fast yet poppy 3 stage rocker. Lengths:138,142,146
A great boat and cable board, its been redesigned this year to give maximum water contact for an easier ride! Hybrid Rocker Lengths:135,140, 145
A quick board with good edge hold to help your cut to the wake, a hybrid rocker to get you in the air and into the flats. Lengths:136,140,144
Ronixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry level option, this consistent continous rocker board gives you alot of bang for your buck Lengths:128,134,139, 144
MSRP: $819
MSRP: $799
MSRP: $699
MSRP: $399
Mens Boot Bind 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Mens Boots/Bindings
CWB AA
CWB MARIUS
CWB FACTION
Andrew Adkinson’s super lightweight, super tough shock absorbing closed toe boots. Lace and Velcro straps, packing heaps of ankle support.
Trevor Janden’s pro model boots making it back again for 2013. Lace fastened, shock absorbed boots. Sure to be a popular choice this year
Dual laced, shock absorbed mid range closed toe boots. Good stifness for extra ankle support.
MSRP: $799
MSRP: $799
CWB TORQ
CWB EDGE
CWB VENZA
A mid range, rear hinged open toe offering from CWB. A thick base for extra padding and a front lace make this a great open toe choice.
Slightly more flexible than the Torq, the edge is a more tradional flexible open toe binding, whilst still introducing the new hinge tech.
A very credible budget open toe offering from CWB. A high topped boot, gives plenty of support. A great choice for the price
JOBE AUSTIN
JOBE CLICK
JOBE LIBERTY
Austin Hair’s super flexible closed toe boots are designed to match his pro-model board perfectly. Designed for maximum flex and durability.
A really tall boot for maximum control and comfort. Dual laced.
A great high end durable, comfortable low cut boot for maximising pokes!
MSRP: $449
MSRP: $699
MSRP: $439
MSRP: $699
MSRP: $599
MSRP: $379
MSRP: $599
s ts/ dings Forward Wakeboard
Page Twenty Three
O
pen toe, closed toe, stiff, flexible... A boot is not just a boot. It’s your whole interface between your body and the wakeboard, and they are just as important as the board itself. Some boots are stiff and supportive, whilst others are flexible and allow sideways movement. There’s no right or wrong, it’s a matter of choice. Another thing to watch when choosing boots is that they are compatible with your board! Some brands have changed over recently, so you may need a retro fit kit if your just kitting your old board out with new boots! Ask the instore guru.
JOBE REPUBLIK
LIQUID FORCE ULTRA CT
Austin Hair’s super flexible closed toe boots are designed to match his pro-model board perfectly. Designed for maximum flex and durability.
A brand new boot for 2013, flexible yet supprotive dual laced boot makes a great addition to the LF lineup.
LIQUID FORCE VANTAGE CT
LIQUID FORCE HARLEY
Kevin Henshaws signature boots feature a triple velcro system for a secure yet flexible fit in a responsive closed to enclosure.
Harley Clifford’s popular boots are back again, designed to match his signature board. This comfy performence boot ticks all the boxes.
LIQUID FORCE SHANE
LIQUID FORCE WATSON
LIQUID FORCE ULTRA OT
A ‘Snug but loose’ performence feel boot designed as a top end all around boot, regardless whether you ride boat or cable.
A super responsive high end boot, featuring a double lace system. A halfway house between flexibility and support makes this a popular choice
One of the classic boots redesigned for 2013, providing a great mid range option, providing good ankle support, yet retaining flex.
MSRP: $639.99
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $749.99
MSRP: $799.99
MSRP: $649.99
MSRP: $799.99
MSRP: $549.99
Mens Boot Bind 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Mens Boots/Bindings
O’BRIEN PLAN B
O’BRIEN CONNECT
O’BRIEN LINK
A best seller from 2012 back for ‘13 the Plan B is a popular choice open toe boot. With 3 velcto straps and an “Orthotic footbed!”
The partner boots to the Natural setup offers a tri-strap velcro fastening and heaps of ankle support to boot!
Designed with flexibility in mind the Link’s are a good open toe option, with a great comfy footbed.
O’BRIEN ACCESS
O’BRIEN KICK
O’BRIEN SYSTEM
A solid mid-range offering from O’Brien, designed to take the rider from a beginner and onto more advanced riding styles!
A step up from the O’Brien System, the Kick gives the rider a tighter fit, with a bit more support to the ankle and a great single laceup construction.
An entry level boot, well priced at the sub $200 mark! This is going to be great for beginner riders and casual wakeboarders alike!
RONIX ONE
RONIX CODE 55
RONIX PARKS
Best selling boot from Ronix, Heat formed insole for the perfect fit, shock absorbing foam and heaps of other science stuff.
A supportive, ridged backed boot provides a responsive interface to the board. All the latest in tonix tech!
Brightening things up, the Parks. A high end boot featuring heat molded fitting, loads of flexibility, and RAD foam for impact dampening.
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $399
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $299
MSRP: $870
MSRP: $890
MSRP: $599
MSRP: $199
MSRP: $870
s ts/ dings RONIX FRANK
Basically the one boot, one a budget. Dual strapped, mid stifness boot ticks all the boxes. Complete with Intuition Liner.
MSRP: $750
GABE LUCAS TRANSCEND/FACTION BOOT
RONIX PRESTON
A high end boot, on a mid range priceband, all the normal ronix goodness without the cost of the custom fit liner and shock absorbing tech.
MSRP: $640
RONIX VIVA
A super stiff open toe offering, for those who like to feel their toes in the water. Easy entry system, dual laced.
MSRP: $590
SALES@KAIMAISPORTS.CO.NZ FOR MORE INFO
PAC AGE 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Men’s Wakeboard Package Deals
CWB ABSOLUTE
The Absolote + The Torq bindings for an affordable high end setup
MSRP: $949
JOBE CLICK The Jobe Click board and boots! Lengths:127,135,140
MSRP: $1349.99
CWB KINK
A great low cost, high performence package from CWB
MSRP: $899
JOBE LOGO
The Jobe Logo with Crypt boots. A great midrange offering from Jobe.
MSRP: $699
CWB LOTUS
The CWB Lotus + Bliss for a great women’s wakeboard setup from CWB.
MSRP: $749
LIQUID FORCE
WITNESS
The Liquid Force Witness with Domain boots.
MSRP: $799
JOBE AUSTIN
The full Austin Hair setup, board and boots Jobe’s top end pro package.
MSRP: $1349
LIQUID FORCE
S4 King Of Wake Phil Soven’s S4 with Transit boots.
MSRP: $899
CK ES. 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page Twenty Seven
LIQUID FORCE
HARLEY
Harley Clifford’s best selling wakeboard combo available as a great priced package.
MSRP: $1199
O’BRIEN CODA
The Coda Board with your choice of either Link’s or Plan B’s.
MSRP: $899
O’BRIEN NATURAL
The O’Brien Natural with connect, a perfect all level setup. Lengths:
MSRP: $899
O’BRIEN VALHALLA
O’Briens critically aclaimed board now part of a great price package bundle.
MSRP: $799
PACKAGES the board t few years
O’BRIEN VIXEN A well priced girls combo setup from O’Brien
MSRP: $819
as eetening Over the p started sw ave really h s wakeboard ie a g an n p com es to buyi m co it So even if en h bindings). the deals w board and deck and g n ew ei n (b a e p packag g to pick u in k again. It ok lo in t th g ou raps, then st you’re goin o tr re d pick up d head out an ’re set of ol u to yo u g yo n r fectly si u eal fo rgrate per ay better d ill they inte w oney in ly m may be a w on of p ot setup. N rself a hea u ew n yo e ve ol buying h sa w to a literally mpared ut you can 0% when co 3 t ou ab together, b to saving up separately. the process the setup consider. mething to so in w , win It really is fer. Ask deals on of e package th e deals ag of k n ac io ere are p all select th sm d a n fi s l e’ il er w H you s. r more, as most board instores fo available on
2013 NZ Gear Guide Wetsuits
E
verybody knows that the best water is in the winter. The amount of time I spend looking out on lakes mid winter, wondering why the hell I put the boat away. Well, the reason the boat is away, is because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (insert expletive) freezing! But that aside, with the right wetsuit - you should be able to ride until your arms fall off pretty much all year round. For this reason wetsuits are probably one of the most important bits of kit that you can own, and also the reason why they have an entire mini-guide section in the magazine! Ideally you want 2-3 wetsuits in your quiver for year round riding. A winter suit (for making the most of the calm
cold water), a spring suit (a transition between the winter and warmer waters!) and a summer shorty. But pick carefully, because not all suits are created equally; A 5/3 steamer of one brand may keep you toasty in the depths of winter, yet another is going to leave you wishing you were somewhere else..... anywhere else! Being cold isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fun, and traditionally this meant dressing up in more rubber than (perhaps we should leave that one for another day). But now you can get away with a 4/3 for a winter suit, allowing you that all important mobility to crunch up and grab the board.
2013 NZ Gear Guide
WIN TER WET Page Thirty Three
Mens Winter Wetsuits
BILLABONG XERO FURNACE
0mm Impact Welded seam inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 7c-11c MSRP: $599
BILLABONG
XERO REVOLUTION
0mm Impact Welded seam inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 11c-16c MSRP: $429
JET PILOT A-TRON 4/3
0mm Impact Welded seam inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 9c-12c MSRP: $579.95
SUITS NP SURF RISE
0mm Impact Welded seam inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 6c-11c MSRP: $****
NP SURF MISSION
0mm Impact Welded seam inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 6c-11c MSRP: $****
NP SURF LUCIFER
Not technically a wetsuit, but a drysuit! If you want to ride year round, get one! Check out the review.
TEMP: 4c-10c MSRP: $****
WIN TER WET 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Mens Winter Wetsuits
O’NEILL PSYCHO 3
O’NEILL
SUPERFREAK
4/3 The latest product of insanity in the Psycho lineup. Featuring all new technobutter!
TEMP: 8c-12c MSRP: $699
4/3 Fuze closure system, 100% Superstretch, Glued and blind stitched seams.
TEMP: 10c-14c MSRP: $399
O’NEILL EPIC
4/3 inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 10c-14c MSRP: $579.95
Boats and Riders
When you’re dr iving either a wakeboarde around on a jet r, a skier, or you’re thrashing boat, jet ski, or do have the ab biscuits - you re ilit run. For a start, y to make or break a wakeboar ally ders wh en you’re driving a you want to ma wake rider. Perform tig ximise the straight runs yo boarder u providing it’s sa ht P turns at each end of your give the fe to do so, run course, and This minimises ba ck do wn your own course wash, and gives perform tricks! . th e rid er a longer straight The same appli run to es for a for driving a lar skier, they won’t thank you ge circle. If you’re not dr ivi ng a wa ke bo towing on your ar waterway, then der or skier, but there are pe ople and waterskiin give them spac g are totally de e. pendant on havin Both wakeboarding on a jet ski, or a biscuit and th g flat water. If yo er u’re without it affec ting you, then go e’s somewhere rough you can run for from the riders whose flat water it. You’ll get a big thumbs up important than you, however we you preserve. We aren’t more the conditions. Also I can’t tell are alot more at the mercy of you how many or ski has been times wi jump my boats thin inches of me riding, and a jet boat trying to wake! Its’ dang erous and defin COOL! No matte ite r how good we look, we fall. (A ly not lot) and you will hit us!
SUITS
SPR ING WET 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Mens Spring Wetsuits (full)
BILLABONG FOIL 302
3/2 Comfy, and flexibility in this spring suit.
TEMP: 12c-17c MSRP: $329.99
BILLABONG
REVOLUTION 302
3/2 Warm smooth skin suit, Glued and blind stitched seams.
TEMP: 12c-14c MSRP: $399
JET PILOT A-TRON 3/2
3/2 Warm and stretchy in the right places, with welded seams.
TEMP: 12c-16c MSRP: $579.95
SUITS JET PILOT A-TRON 2mm
2mm Comfy and flexible. All over protection from slaps!Amazingly warm for a 2mm suit.
TEMP: 13-18c MSRP: $439.95
JET PILOT THE CAUSE 3/2 3/2 Warm, stretchy and super comfy, in this wakeboard specific suit.
TEMP: 12c-17c MSRP: $199.95
SPR ING WET 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Mens Spring Wetsuits (full)
O’NEILL PSYCHO 3 3/2
3/2 The latest product of insanity in the Psycho lineup. Featuring all new technobutter!
TEMP: 8c-14c MSRP: $699
O’NEILL REACTOR 3/2
3/2 Fuze closure system, 100% Superstretch, Glued and blind stitched seams.
O’NEILL SUPERFREAK
3/2 inside & out / triple glued & blind stitched internal seam
TEMP: 11c-16c MSRP: $399
TEMP: 9c-14c MSRP: $579.95
Look After Your W etsuit!
You know the dr ill, you read the warning labels on the wetsuits you actually ta ke note?! Probab , but do ly not, until recently, neither did I. But gues instructions ac s what, the tually work! My suits get ALOT use, fresh and of saltwater, and they are holdin brilliantly since g up I’ve started taki ng a bit more ca re of them! It’s not horrible and just a case of wa it doesn’t take forever, it liter ally is shing them thro water when you’ ug re done! Hang th h with some fresh thickest coat ha nger you can fin em up to dry (on the d) out of the su it’s dry on one n, when side reverse the suit, and let th e inside dry out.
SUITS O’NEILL EPIC 3/2
2mm Epix by name, epic by nature, thin but flexible and toasty warm, a great trasitional suit
TEMP: 10c-14c MSRP: $699
Job done.
(Also, don’t wee in your suit, yo u know who you are)
Sum mer 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page Thirty Seven
Mens Summer Wetsuits
BILLABONG LONG JOHN
BILLABONG FOIL 2mm
JET PILOT THE CAUSE SS
TEMP: Warm MSRP: $429
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $579.95
suits Old school suits are back, and it doesnt get any more old school than a long john. Perfect freedom for summer shredding.
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $599
Thin and flexible hih quality, sealed short suit.
Jet Pilots wake specific short suit.
&
Thermals O’NEILL REACTOR
Traditional summer attire in a high quality yet affordable package!
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $189.95
O’NEILL HAMMER LS
The ever popular long sleeve short leg summer short wetsuit.
TEMP: Warm MSRP: $229.95
O’NEILL GURU SS
A great summer suit for those who want coverage on their legs and bare arms!
TEMP: Warm MSRP: $339.95
Sum mer 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page Thirty Eight
Mens Summer Wetsuits
BILLABONG FOIL JACKET
NP SURF MISSION TOP
JET PILOT F-38 FLIGHT
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $119.99
TEMP:Warm MSRP: TBA
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $199.95
suits JET PILOT F-18 FLIGHT
JET PILOT F-15 FLIGHT
O’NEILL HYPERFREAK
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $169.95
MSRP: $149.95
TEMP:Warm MSRP: $189.95
&
Thermals For More From Forward Wake
O’NEILL HAMMER CREW TEMP:Warm MSRP: $129.95
(including competitions, photo’s, video’s, gear + more Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/forwardwake OR For digital versions of this magazine and previous editions check out www.ForwardWake.com
Summer Time Multi Talented rider Cody Tucker shreds the rails up on his skate near Wanaka. Shot: Jackson Wells
WAK 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Wakeskates
SKAT CTRL BRAND
A maple deck with re-inforced ABS sidewalls to withstand what ever obstacles you want to throw at it. Lengths:39”,41.5”,44”
CTRL VICTORY
A bi level board, the top layer for responsiveness and the bottom for impact. Lengths:40”,42”
MSRP: $POA
CWB FOUR
A 14 layer maple construction board. 3 stage rocker and a grip tape top. Lengths:39.5”
MSRP: $599
CWB ONSET
Matt Manzari’s signature deck, a fibre glass re-inforced 3 stage deck. Lengths:41”
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $249
CWB DECK
CWB BASE
JOBE EXCEED
Molded EVA top deck with a continous rocker. 8ply Poplar Wood. Lengths:45”
Flat based entry level skate. Wood design with a grip tape top and a continous rocker. Lengths:41”
EVA top deck on a 14 layer maple construction makes this a stable ride. Lengths:41”,43”
MSRP: $399
MSRP: $239
MSRP: $299.99
JOBE EXILE 9 Layer maple deck with a strengthened base and sides for hitting rails. Lengths:43”,45”
MSRP: $249.99
KE 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page Fourty Two
S
ome people pick up a wakeskate for something to do on a slightly rougher day, or when they are too tired to wakeboard anymore. But more often than not it turns into their number one obsession. Wakeskating is one of the fastest growth areas of our sport, mainly due to how accessible it is! You don’t need a fancy boat, a jet ski, winch or outboard tinny will do you just fine; couple that with how addictive it is OBSCURA and you can see why so many people FACTION are hooked on it. A perfect beginner deck, foam top with a Here’s a good gentle 3 stage rocker, range, whatever Lengths:40”,42”44” your budget. MSRP: $249.99
TES JOBE SAVAGE
EVA top on a maple base, continous rocker and two .9” centre fins. Lengths:43”
MSRP: $249.99
OBSCURA ANTHEM
A soft riding EVA top deck wood construction board with a 3 stage rocker. Lengths:40”,42”,44”
MSRP: $349.99
OBSCURA SIGNAL
LIQUID FORCE
A durable high performence skate deck build for jobbing, but has a mellow 3 stage rocker for boat. Lengths:40”,42”
Danny Hampson signature multi level deck. 3 Stage Rocker, Composite construction with grip tape top. Lengths:40.5”,42”
MSRP: $549.99
SST
MSRP: $799.99
OBSCURA TAO A flexible, durable hybrid construction deck with wood and composite construction. Lengths:39”,41”
MSRP: $799.99
Catch all the action
$299
WA KE SK AT ES. RONIX
BOOMSTICK
RONIX
HOVER BOARD
A bi level Eco sourced wood base. Providing a consistent quick swing rate makes it great for pro’s whilst being a stable option for beginners. Lengths:40”,42”,44”
Have a Nice Day. You will with this explosive 3 stage rocker wood construction skate deck. Lengths:40”,42”
RONIX ELECTRIC
RONIX
MSRP: $599
MSRP: $649
ego
Introducing the HD
TM
action sports camera
sales@kaimaisports.co.nz - www.liquidimageco.com
The Electric Collective has a similar construction to the boomstick above but in a lighter single level deck. Lengths:41”,43”
MSRP: $459
ROVE
A new style skate with a large surface area to add stability and create an old school longboard feel. Lengths:40”,42”,44
MSRP: $299
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WAK SUR 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Wakesurf’s
CWB BENZ
Expoxy construction skim style surfer. Shortboard design for maximum versatility. Lengths:55”
MSRP: $1099
CWB NOMAD
A longboard by surf standards for those wanting to recreate a mal feel, whilst retaining mobility and a kick tail. Lengths:61”
MSRP: $1099
CWB RAZR
Hand Wrapped construction gives this board a real surf feel. Molded kick tail and an EVA pad for grip. Lengths:60”
MSRP: $999
CWB LAGUNA
PHASE 5 TRIDENT
A great family wakesurf, good for all sizes and abilities. Compression molded construction. Lengths: 63”
A soft, super durable fast and fun board! FCS styles fins and a foam core. Lengths:56”
Super techy carbon construction thruster style board. With foam top.
MSRP: $599
A compression molded high performence board and an eva tip protector if you get a bit close to the swim platform! Lengths:57”
MSRP: $899
CWB RIDE
MSRP: $749
CWB TSUNAMI
Lengths:60”
MSRP: $1099
PHASE 5 MODEL X Designed for performence whilst retaining speed for larger riders. Carbon Fibre Construction. Lenths:58”
MSRP: $1099
KE RFS 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page Fourty Five
JOBE
PHASE 5 DANIELLO
FADE
A very responsive and maneuverable board. Better suited to mid to large wakes. Carbon Fibre. Lengths:51”,54”,58”
Jobe’s first surf, and they have hit it hard! With an advanced shortboard for maximum trick ability. Lengths:4”3’
MSRP: $1099
LIQUID FORCE
FISH
Designed for everyone! Compression molded design, shaped as the name suggests like a fish style surfboard. Lengths:5”,5”3,5”6
MSRP: $759.99
LIQUID FORCE
DOUM
Best selling board back again for 2012, compression molded, easy to ride board. Lengths:5”4,5”8.
MSRP: $799.99
MSRP: $649.99
URFING
LIQUID FORCE
LIQUID FORCE
QUAD
NOSERIDER
ATR Edition Hand wrapped fibreglass finnish, quad fin setup for a lively ride! Lengths:4.8”, 5”
MSRP: $999.99
WAKES esome! More Wakesurfing is aw e getting into ar and more people the technology is wakesurfing, andf! Carbon boards, surf e roo going through th ats, it’s all change! gates on bo a BIG wake, you need to create For wakesurfing mean you need a super boat, but that doesn’t ing surfable from most ski/ th you can get somebit of work. It’s all just a case of a wake boats with much weight you need, and where working out how finding the right speed and going it should go, then to remember when weighting your s for it! A few thing the front will create a longer but boat; Weight up re weight in the rear will create ect drive boats lower wave, and mo orter wave. For dir a higher - but sh b a bigger board gra
Longboard shape and riding style, great for first timers through to seasoned mal riders. Lengths:5.2”,5.6”
MSRP: $999.99
iting for What are you wa
?
WA KE SUR FS. 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Wakesurf’s
O’BRIEN ALIAS
Durable compression construction, foam pads and a gentle rocker. Lengths:4.6”, 5”
MSRP: $499
RONIX ONE SKIM
A think profile skate influenced surfboard. Epoxy construction with EVA top deck. Lengths:
MSRP: $899
O’BRIEN NALU
A versatile board designed for all wakes, big or small. Durable construction. Lengths:4.8”, 5.4”
MSRP: $799
RONIX DUKE LONG
A perfect longboard, whatever your wake. Epoxy construction with EVA grip pads. Lengths:5”4,6”
MSRP: $1049
RONIX PARKS
Hybrid Carbon fibre construction, a super fast surfboard EVA top deck. Lengths:4’4,5’1
MSRP: $1149
RONIX CORTEZ
A fast durable construction board for a real surf feel ride. Lengths:4”8,5”4MS-
RP: $599
RONIX KOAL LTD
Complete with LED lights for twilight rides, a light responsive Expoxy surf. Lengths:4”6,5”,5”6
MSRP: $899
RONIX
MARSHMELLOW
A durable constructed bouyant board, similar in shape to the parks, but on a budget.
Lengths:4”8 MSRP: $599
S
BO AT S.
BOAT t year, we ng way in the las alo me co s ha g le tantrums ub Ridin do d an ’s 80 g 10 have started seeinthe wake. (where as they have , being thrown off rown off double-ups). Of course th previously been y responsible for this, through e ink alot of th riders are partl ion; however I th natural progress th the boat companies. The big wi flagship boats credit has to lie all released newd) released the re 3 boat companies tu fea t (no u rcraft this year. Maste e released the G23 and Malib iqu new Xstar, Naut Z. These boats have a few things . released the MX y the wakes are RIDICULOUS in common, firstl are massive, and don’t take No kidding, theyt to get them there. Obviously e wake, the much extra weigh ing, the bigger thost, and give bo that’s great for rid to it d fin to ing s. easier you are goe you need to throw your trick you the extra tim ver other side effects to these ) There are howe 22/24 (Malibu) 23 (Nautique ’re new boats. They raft) feet long, and ALL weigh e and 24 (Masterc nnes as a dry weight with th ) to over 2.5 (metric r weighs a wopping 3.25 tonnes trailer. (The Xsta trailered!) out there, these the best wake’s Now - if you wantat you need! Although just make are the boats th something grunty to tow them sure you’ve got with! want these , you’re going to Save your pennies boats...
BO TS 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Wakeboard Boats
NAUTIQUE SAN G23
Length: 7m Capacity: 16 People Weight:2500Kgs Factory Ballast:1300 KG Brief: Nautiques history making flagship wakeboard boat. Landing in NZ soon! MSRP: $POA
NAUTIQUE SAN 210
Length: 6.4m Capacity: 12 People Weight:1770Kgs Factory Ballast:411 KG Brief: A well known icon on the water, choice of many Pro’s for years. Reknown for its no effort well shaped wake. MSRP: $POA
NAUTIQUE SPORT 200
Length: 6.1m Capacity: 10 People Weight: 726Kgs Factory Ballast: 334 KG Brief: Nautiques ski/wakeboard crossover boat will keep the whole family happy! MSRP: $POA
Nautiques
During the G23’s debut competition las t year (Wake Ga mes was broken with the first wake to ) history being landed in wake 1080 co m pe tit ion , not both Harley Cliff ord and Oli Dero just once either, me stuck the Wa Wake 10 on the ke to same day! Nautique have been making bo started focusin ats since 1925, g on waterski bo but really ats in the 80’s took off, and th when watersking en wakeboarding with the launch of the Air Nautique in 19 97. Nautique pride themselves on their 5 year wa rranty.
OA S. MALIBU
Malibu had a hu gely sucesfull ye ar in 2012, Mali riders Phil Sove bu n an top respective ac d Amber Wing took out their colades as king and queen of wake. Malibu also spon sored the bigges t wakeboarding event ever - the Red Bull Wake combined boat Open, which and cable ridin g and placed it huge stage infro on a nt of tens of th ousands of peop le. Due to constant innovation Mali become the mar bu last year ket leader, selli ng a huge 25% all watersports of boats in the US last year.
MALIBU MXZ 22
Length: 6.8m Capacity: 15 People Weight:2000Kgs Factory Ballast:430 KG Brief: Malibuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monster flagship boat. Sports boat of the year at last years NZ Boat Show. MSRP: $POA
MALIBU VLX 21
Length: 6.6m Capacity: 14 People Weight: 1680Kgs Factory Ballast: 408 KG Brief: Malibuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old flagship boat, well known for producing meaty poppy wakes. MSRP: $POA
MALIBU VTX 20
Length: 6.1m Capacity: 11 People Weight:1590Kgs Factory Ballast:408 KG Brief: Little brother to the VLX the VTX still packs a hell of a punch with a meaty wake. MSRP: $POA
*All figures approx, weights shown without trailer.
Page Fifty One
Steezy Stubbsy David Stubbs boosting off the rooftop rail at Dick Park, and spinning a tailgrab backside 360! Jamie Barrow likes this alot. Board:Phoenix Project Shot: Luke Thomas
WOM WAKE BOAR 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Women’s Wakeboards
CWB SAPPHIRE
Nicola Buttler’s pro model board delivers a big pop with a blended 3 stage rocker whilst retaining its preditability! Good ride! Lengths:134,140
CWB LOTUS
A straight forward, high quality, uder frienfly girls wakeboard. Solid choice for any level of rider. Lengths:130,134
MSRP: $599
CWB BELLA
A predictable, stable and forgiving board for the junior riders! Lengths:124
MSRP: $449
Jobe LISA
A relaxed 3 stage wakeboard designed to provide a smooth pop and easy edge release from the water. Lengths:127,135
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $649
SUPPORT
YOUR
LOCAL
Alot of people are going online these days or ordering gear from abroad, in search of cheaper gear, couriered to your door. But remember, the heart of the wakeboard community is its dealers. They’re a hub for riders, a source of knowledge (both product and local spots), they provide demo gear, warranty servicing, the opportunity to see the gear for real, and often they’re either the same price or cheaper than the online retailers, or ordering from abroad after you’ve paid postage and customs charges! NZ has an amazing network of retailers, and they’re the backbone of the wakeboard scene in NZ. They’re supporting competitions, this magazine, local riders... So help them out, and support them too! They’re worth it, I promise.
Jobe MAX
World Cable champion Maxine Sapulette’s signature board. An easy boat and cable board, with a durable base for obstacles. Lengths:131,136
MSRP: $549
Jobe Charm
Speed, Pop, Control, Grace, and Charm think that covers all bases. Hybrid rocker and rail reinforced. Lengths:133,137
MSRP: $599
ENS E RDS 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page Fifty Three
T
he biggest piece of advice when it comes to girls wakeboards is BUY ONE! I can’t tell you how many times I hear of girls struggling on riding their boyfriends/ brothers/friends board! Seriously, get your own setup and see the difference it makes! Not only is it going to be your size, lighter and be much more your colour scheme.... but its also shaped for female weight ratios.
Liquid Force WING
Brand new shape, featuring a 3 stage hybrid rocker, a fast fluid board with heaps of vertical pop. Lengths:130,134,138
MSRP: $799.99
Liquid Force Angel
A fun, smooth, continous rocker makes pop easy, and landings gentle. A great beginner-intermediate board. Lengths:130,134,138
MSRP: $499.99
O’Brien SKYLA
O’Brien SIREN
A predictable pop, smooth landings, and an easy edge release make this a great top end board on a budget. Lengths:129,135
A solid, predictable and stable board, great for a beginner looking for a barhain setup! Lengths:
Liquid Force JETT
Liquid Force MELISSA
An easy to handle, high standard progressive 3 stage board. Lengths:132,136
Hybrid Edition A hybrid board for boat and cable riding, reinforced base and a smooth, yet agressive continous rocker for boat. Lengths:127,132,135
MSRP: $699
MSRP: $599.99
MSRP: $349
MSRP: $799.95
If you don’t believe me borrow a friends setup, or head to a store that runs demo boards and try it for yourself. You will never look back.
O’Brien VIXEN
A great, progressive 3 stage rocker board, designed for the ladies looking to take their riding to the next level on a budget! Lengths:132,137
MSRP: $499
2013 NZ Gear Guide
WOMENS WAKE BOAR DS. Women’s Wakeboards
RONIX F.H.L
The Faith, Hope, Love was 100% designed for the female rider, and balanced accordingly. Featuring a 3 stage blended rocker, and moderate flex. Lengths:132,136
MSRP: $649
RONIX Q.T.M
The Quarter Til’ Midnight is Aussie rider Hayley Smith’s signature board and is a great, fast, 3 stage addition to the Ronix lineup. Lengths:130,135
MSRP: $529
ROAD
RONIX KRUSH
Hybrid A thinner toeside edge to help master your toeside cut, a stable, mellow rockered continous board. Lengths:134
RONIX AUGUST
A junior board for the up and coming little rippers in your clan . Lengths:120
MSRP: $329
MSRP: $399
TO
PROGRESSION
When I’m coaching people I find their biggest frustration is their percieved lack of progression. And ladies, I have to say - you’re the worst. Perhaps it’s because you have the most drive, or perhaps because you ride with guys all day long that huck themselves into back rolls way before they are ready! Sometimes its good to take a step back and have a look at your riding, realise how good you really are, and how much more solid your riding basics are than the guys that you ride with. It will pay divident in the long run! The NZ competition scene is desperately low on female riders, so don’t be daunted, even if you’re just starting out, enter some competitions (dates in the front) it will fast track your progression!
CTRL STUDIO
Super soft landings, based on the design of the mens RX but customised for the female riders proportions. Lengths:132,136
MSRP: $399
CTRL VOGUE
A fast yet forgiving board with heaps of pop. Continous Rocker. Bombproof on obstacles! Lengths:129,134
MSRP: $399
2013 NZ Gear Guide
WOM ENS E WET Page Fifty Five
Womens Wetsuits
BILLABONG REVO
3/2 A light welded seam wetsuit, for seeing off the last of the cold water before summer!
TEMP: 13c-17c MSRP: $TBC
BILLABONG SYNERGY
2mm A budget friendly, rear zip, superlight and flexible short suit.
TEMP: Warm MSRP: $129.99
JET PILOT CAUSE
3/2 The latest product of insanity in the Psycho lineup. Featuring all new technobutter!
TEMP: 13c-17c MSRP: $199.95
NP SURF SERENE
4/3 Wetsuit tech at its finest in this warm, comfy spring suit.
TEMP: 11c-15c MSRP: $POA
SUITS NP SURF SPARK
3/2 An iconic spring suit from NPSURF, a wekk seaked lightweight spring suit.
TEMP: 14c-18c MSRP: $POA
O’NEILL REACTOR
3/2 Fluidflex material, alot of technology, and a budget price!
TEMP: 12c-17c MSRP: $229.95
O’NEILL REACTOR S
3/2 A great slap stopping, wind reducing summer suit. Breathable seams.
TEMP: Warm MSRP:189.95
O’NEILL EPIC
3/2,4/3 Super stretchy, glued and blind stitched seams. Double neck seal.
TEMP: 10c-17c MSRP: $329/349
WOM Boot Bind 2013 NZ Gear Guide
Womens/Bindings
CTRL VOGUE
CTRL STANDARD
CWB EMBER
Andrew Adkinson’s super lightweight, super tough shock absorbing closed toe boots. Lace and Velcro straps, packing heaps of ankle support.
Trevor Janden’s pro model boots making it back again for 2013. Lace fastened, shock absorbed boots. Sure to be a popular choice this year
MSRP: $399
MSRP: $399
Dual laced, shock absorbed mid range closed toe boots. Good stifness for extra ankle support. Great for the mid to high level rider!
CWB SAGE
CWB BLISS
LIQUID FORCE PLUSH
A well constructed mid end, womens open toe boot. With top strap for support, and a bottom lacing for a great fit. All within budget.
Hinge technology for a snug, supportive fit all in a budget friendly price bracket.
Womens budget option from Liquid Force. Good construction, a comfortable open toe
LIQUID FORCE TRANSIT
LIQUID FORCE WING
LIQUID FORCE MELISSA
A tall boot with double lacing for good support, and responsiveness from this popular open toe choice.
Amber Wing’s pro model boots. Shock absorbing footbed, supportive yet flexible and a dual zone lace system.
Super flexible boots for an agressive riding style, snug - hassle free fitting with the bottom lace and top velcro strap.
MSRP: $379
MSRP: $599
MSRP: $379
MSRP: $549
MSRP: $499.99
MSRP: $599.99
MSRP: $659.99
MENS ts/ dings Forward Wakeboard
Page Fifty Seven
O’BRIEN SKYLA
O’BRIEN VIXEN
O’BRIEN SIREN
Medium flex, closed toe boot with a lightweight liner. Dual zone lacing for a tight- yet comfortable fit. Great high end female offering from O’Brien.
Easy entry, comfortable and flexible open toe boots, with a soft shock absorbing footbed.
Lightweight, flexible, budget friendly boots. Flexible materials mean a large size range, so perfect for those looking to share a setup.
RONIX FHL
RONIX HALO
RONIX LUXE
High end, baseless boots, with double lacin, Ultralon liner for extra comfort and durability.
High end open toe design with all of the tech you would expect in a closed toe boot. Designed for the high end rider that likes getting their toe’s wet!
Loads of support in a budget friendly boot. Baseless design. Single lace construction.
MSRP: $299
MSRP: $199
MSRP: $499
MSRP: $590
MSRP: $360
MSRP: $470
CATCH UP
RONIX AUGUST
Style and performence aimed at the younger rider! All the features you will find in the adult boots in kids sizes.
MSRP: $350
e you have Is this the first tim ke? If it is you’ve read Forward Wa ns, which just so itio ed missed 5 whole able free online at happen to be avail wake.com rd wa www.for ones ine, on iPad’s, iPh offl e, lin on em th of s pie co You can read few a u might even find stores ke and androids! Yo wa in nd ou ar ition floating last years print ed e lucky! nationwide if you’r
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FORWARD
Shot - Fawcett
WATER TIME with
K U R T ROBERTSON We catch up with kiwi wakeboarding icon, celebrity wake coach, head judge and 3 times NZ Masters Champion Kurt Robertson to find out a bit about his past, present ACL injury, and what the future holds instore.
Age? 37 Stance? Regular Years Riding? 17 Sponsors? Liquid Force, Performance Boats, The Wakeboard Camp. Occupation(s)? Owner of Enzeel Wakeboard, Head Judge and Development officer of the Mexican Wakeboard Association, Instructional writer WAKE Mag, Wakeboard Coach. Favourite wake film section? Scott Byerly and Greg Nelson from Skurfs Up! Formalities out the way, lets dig a bit deeper. Talk us through Enzeel? When I left for Florida in 1999 the whole idea of it was to gain knowledge to bring home to NZ to help develop the sport. Enzeel is a project of mine to promote and develop the sport that has given me so much in life. The main goal is coaching with stages that involve funded clinics and a small clothing line. You spend your time travelling between clinics, in NZ, OZ, Canada, Mexico and the States. Is NZ still home? Of Course, I am actually sitting here with one of my NZ T shirts on. I am proud to be from such a small nation. When did you decide that coaching was the direction you wanted to focus on? My Mum always taught me that you have to put back into what you do. By the age of 15 I coached a kids hockey team. Pretty much from the 1st time Wakeboarding I started helping others. After my 1st season in Florida where coaching was the best way for me to get to ride behind big wakes things went from there. I helped Trevor win Worlds, met Kyle Schmidt and gained sponsors for being a coach and things pretty much snow balled from there.
Page Sixty Three
Tail Poke, by Fawcett
Forward Wakeboard
You’ve coached a pretty impressive line up of riders (Amber Wing, Hayley Smith, Ben Greenwood, Jeff House, Trevor Hansen among others) who’s under your wing at the moment, any future world champs? I have two types of students at the moment, families who want to progress safely and Grommets who wanna someday be on the tour. A couple of the kids are for sure going to be National champs and if they stick with it will be on the US Tour one day. What’s it like living in Wake Central (Clermont)? You are never short of a ride or someone that is stoked on wakeboarding. The golf cart regularly has Trevor (Hansen), Ben (Greenwood) and Danny Harf on it. That’s always fun. One of the coolest things that happens is getting to help out with projects that are going on and being able to pull out my camera while doing it. Spent a bunch of time out at Blue Lake helping on Defy watching Danny hit double ups, was insane. You also get to just sit on the dock and watch some seriously insane riding going down on any given day.
Kurt with Kyle Schmidt
1st Masters, Rockstar Wakeagames 2010
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Sixty Five
Touchy Issue, you’re down with injury at the moment, what happened? Double Up in the Masters WWA Worlds Final got me. ACL and Meniscus. Ended up 3rd though and it is the 1st time having surgery, so not all that bad after 17 years on the board. So this is your first real time off the water in 17 years? How’s that impacting you? I have had a ton of other injuries for sure but this is the first surgery. At first it didn’t seem so bad, I normally rest the body from riding at this time of year. But now as I drive around the glassy lake and see Ambers MXZ just chilling (she’s in OZ) I really want to go for a ride. Overall it’s a great experience in a weird kinda way that has many benefits. You learn a lot about yourself, you have time to focus on new things and I also look forward to using the knowledge to help others with in the future. Also my Black ops skills are improving 10 fold! When can we expect to see you back on the board? My goal is to start wake-surfing early March and back on the board when I get back to Florida in April. As one of the most respected coaches in NZ give us a few words of widsom for the young up and comers. Well I could go on all day about building a foundation of skills that you will progress from but I think it’s just more important to enjoy what you do when you’re out there. Ride with better riders and take advice when it’s offered and if you really want to get better you can’t replace time on the water. Pay your way and you will get invited back, remember a boat runs on more than just gas! Oh and one more thing, Its not what you do, it’s how you do what you do!!!! When do you start your 2013 NZ clinics? Looks like I will hit NZ mid rehab around mid January and will start immediately. Future Plans? To keep developing Enzeel. There are some pretty interesting plans on the books, all with the interest of kiwi development. Would like to get some of the younger riders to FL, Stay tuned. Thanks? Koenraad from LF in NZ, Don, Matt and Aaron LF in USA, The Wakeboard camp and crew, Kyle Schmidt, Performance Boats, BG, WNZ, My Students and their parents, WAKE and Forward Mags, Beavertown Board riders and of course my Mum and friends.
Melon Poke, Doster
WNZ Development Clinic
Top wake Spots
10
(Worldwide)
I
’m a firm believer that NZ has some of the best (and most undiscovered) wakeboarding spots on the planet. Both in terms of the waterways, but also the scenery, coming from the dull lakes of the UK, it’s pretty incredible to wakeboard alongside dormant volcano’s and snow capped mountain ranges. In this feature we ask some of NZ’s top wakeboarder’s their favourite places to ride, both within NZ and worldwide, and look into some of the wakeboarding mecca’s from around the globe, and how to ride them. Before
reading,
book
a
few
weeks GO!
off
work,
and
start
packing.
10. SPROAT Lake
Vancouver Island, CAN.
At 45,000 acres, with over 1100kms of shore line, you are pretty much guaranteed to find some glass somewhere. This lake also hosted 2010â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BROstock, which is as good of a reason as any to include it on the list!
Picked by: Aaron Rathy Hookup: Sproat Lake Water Sports
Sproat Lake is where world champion Aaron Rathy was born and raised, which says alot for it. Nestled in some of British Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national park land, amidst some incredible scenery to create the perfect backdrop for your set.
Jetset?
9. BULL
SHOALS AR , USA
8. RADAR
WA. USA Radar Lake is probably one of the best known, and most iconic wakeboard sites in the world. It was the vision of the late Herb O’Brien, who first saw the site as a young man, and then later coming to own the property and dig the lake, then lose it, then own it again! It was used as HO’s and Hyperlite’s test facilty when Herb was in charge, and then for Ronix when Herb and Paul O’Brien started up Square One (Ronix and Radar Waterski’s) If you’ve watched Defy, you’ll have a good idea of the crazy stuff that goes on here each and every summer. Some of the most progressive ideas, and concepts start here. We’ll be seeing this lake in wakeboard movies for plenty more years yet.
7. GERMANY
Yes, you read right, Germany. Yes, as in the country. For those that don’t know, Germany is churning out some of the best wakeboarders in the game right now, especially when it comes to cable. There is a very good reason for this there are currently 60 cable parks in Germany. Imagine that, you could ride a different cable every weekend for more than a year without revisiting one! For anyone with a spare year, this sounds like a great idea. Let me know how you get on. ..... Just don’t mention the war.
6.
East
Crooked Lake FL. USA
Brad Smeele’s pick, is East Crooked Lake in Florida. Outside the traditional wake hub of Central Orlando, and Clermont this place is a haven for riders. Here’s what Brad Smeele had to say: East Crooked is probably my favorite place to ride for several reasons. Firstly it is in Florida so the water is always warm, it is a long and narrow shaped lake with two sections connected by a narrow crossing, this means you can get a nice long run through both sections of the lake and you get no rollers from double ups at each end. It is also surrounded by some hills (which are very uncommon in Florida) which means it is a nice protected lake. The final reason it is my favorite lake to ride on is because I landed my 3rd and most recent 1080 on that lake. What more reason do I need?
Picked by: Brad Smeele Picture: Rider: Brad Smeele Hookup: Unfortunately, your going to need you’re own boat for this one.
5. C.W.C Phillipines
Hookup: Not required! Head to www.cwcwake.com who have all the info you need on the cable, and their onsite accomodation.
CWC - or Camsur watersports complex is located in Naga, a 30 minute flight from Manilla in the Phillipines. It’s a pretty impressive setup, with a 6 point full cable, heaps of system 2.0 setups and winch pools. When you combine this with the fact that you can ride the cable unlimited for a full week, including accomodation for just $99 US then you can see the attraction! Flights from Auckland are pretty easy, there’s heaps of airlines doing that route for around $1500 return. So if you’re looking for a mid-winter break when NZ waters get a bit cool, then look no further than a few weeks kicking back in the sun. I hear the rest of the Phillipines are pretty impressive too!
4 LAKE
WANAKA
SOUTH ISLAND NZ
Lake Wanaka is a south island mecca for wakeboarding. It’s got everything you need; shelter, depth, scenery, a good night out, alot of sunshine hours and a large population of wakeboarders. It does have its draw backs, in that it’s cold. But cold is good, refreshing some might say. But seriously if you haven’t made it down this way yet with the intention of getting some solid water time in, then you should take a good hard look at yourself, and then get on a plane/ferry/bus or car and make a B-line for Central Otago. You won’t regret it.
Hookups Ride: Watersports Wanaka (0800 WAKEBOARD) Stay: Oakridge Resort www.oakridge.co.nz Shot: James Clarke
New and used wake & ski boats Parts & Accessories Servicing for all make and models Fatsacs & Pumps Props akers & Racks Spe ts, Ligh
n
ilto Showroom - 554 Te Rapa Rd, Ham z o.n es.c www.Nautiqu 0800 SKI BOAT info@Nautiques.co.nz
I T I H 3. TA
Jeff’ Weatheral l’s pick, is Tahi ti. Not somewhe immediately th re that you’d ink of going on a wakeboard tri pictures show, p. But as the it can be a wake board paradise here on a shoo . Jeff came t for the video “D eliberate” along with Brad Smeele, Troy M ackey, Chris Os Deliberate is ou hea + more. t on DVD, and trailers are on YouTube.
Picked by: Jeff Weatherall Picture: Marlon Platt (Wake Mag ) Rider: Jeff Weat herall Hookup: Tahiti Wakeboard Family/ Tahiti Ski Club
2. Orakei
KORAKO North Island NZ Almost nowhere else in the world, bar perhaps Costa Rica can you wakeboard alongside spurting hot springs and active geothermal activity. Not only does this warm the lake up, to keep is pretty toasty year round, but it also creates one of the most amazing backdrops anywhere in the world. Now I’ve got you excited about this spot, it’s time to knock you straight back down. Orakei Korako isn’t a public lake, infact it’s not even a lake you can pay to go and ride on. It’s private and protected - but here’s the upside. Every year the are a good few competitions that get permission to use the thermal reserve as their comp lake. Which in my mind, makes the entry fee worth it for riding the lake alone! You can also wonder around the thermal park, and suss out the spot. Visit www.orakeikorako.co.nz for info.
Hookup: Check out www. wakeboardingnz.co.nz and keep and eye out for the latest comps at this site! Or go and check the spot out beforehand - details here: www.orakeikorako. co.nz
1. Lake
POWELL AZ. USA
Hookup: There are literally hundreds of places to get either a lesson, or a boat rental here. Here’s a few I found www.invertsports.com www.goplaylakepowell.com
Lake Powell - has to be the best riding spot on the planet. It’s been immortalised in countless wakeboard films over the year, perhaps most memorably in The Butter Effect or The Faction. As far as useless facts go, it’s actually the second largest man made reservoir in the US (It was flooded in the 70’s). There’s literally hundreds of back waters to explore, and thanks to the canyon side’s most of the lake is glassy flat. If you’re looking for a real wakeboard holiday, grab a bunch of mate’s, hire a house boat and a wakeboard boat, and tour around Powell for a few weeks taking advantage of the State’s ridiculously cheap fuel. Best week ever, guaranted.
Josh’o for Pressident. Josh O’Connell once again proving that he’s the deserving king of press on the rooftop at Dick Park whilst testing out the 2013 rail range for Liquid Force.
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Seventy Nine
EDUCATE
The HS FS 540 is to be a staple in any intermediate riders bag of tricks. This spin tends to be one of the first 540 variations a rider learns due to the basic foundations of the trick. Being most riders tend to learn a HS FS 360 first, adding the required further 180 is a natural progression down the track. If your comfy landing your HS FS 180â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out past the second wake, and got your HS FS 360 on lock, then your ready to combine these into one and either conquer your first 540 or simply add another to your repertoire. The Approach - Approaching the HS FS 540 you want to make a conscience effort to take the trick upward and not out past the wake. This approach maximizes airtime to complete the rotation, while at the same time minimising line tension helping with the extra handle pass. It also allows the rider a easier landing on the transition of the second wake. You want to take smooth progessive edge in keeping line tension low with a seated position. Edge to the top of the wake and really focus on using that seated position to drive up, and stand tall off the wake maximizing pop. Airborne - Once in the air you want to initiate the spin the same as you would for your HS FS 360. This time be firmer on the handle pull as your going to need that extra slack to make the extra pass. Remeber to lead your rotation with head and wait till your fully in the air before beginning the spin. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to grab your HS FS 540 the same principles apply as to grabbing a 360.The main focus on bring-
M
MUTE HSFS 540 with Paul Maguire
ADIIUM AKE
ing the board to your hand and not reaching down, grabs for this spin is anything with the front hand generally nose, mute, melon etc. The good thing when grabbing or at least attempting to grab this spin is it pitches yourself over you board, putting yourself in good position to land over your switch TS edge, which is a crucial part of this trick. Once you make the first handle pass as you would for the 360, you want to continue leading the rotation with your head whilst keeping the handle moving across your body making the final pass to finish the 540. Landing - Three quarters of the way through the spin you can begin to see the landing zone. Once you have the handle in your now new front hand having completed the 540, your ready to touchdown. The hardest part of landing this trick is getting over your switch TS edge two things that will help get you over your toes are; keep your head up and looking out not only where your going to land, but also looking to where your going to edge to once you have landed. Next is once you have the handle in your new front hand, continue with the handle movement and push the handle past your front hip and back towards the wake, this will get you chest over toes and on that all important edge. Land knees soft as always, chest over your toes, with your head up looking out and continuing away from the wake.
ADIIUM AKE M
DAVE KAY
WWA MASTERS
WORLD #3
NZ’s Dave Kay, perhaps best known for his kiteboarding background, set up and built Ruakaka’s 2 tower cable; scored NZ one of our first ever WWA cable competition podium positions a few weeks back at the WWA World’s
held at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi. That’s despite NZ not actually having any of it’s own full size cable parks such as the competition rig - which makes the feat even more impressive!
Photo’s by Su Kay.
The competition played host to 25 countries, of which we had two entries Dave, and Brad Smeele, who also MC’d the event which again helps to make a name for NZ in the wakeboarding world! Dave Placed 3rd in the Masters Men division. Dave’s kite origins showed through with an impressive array of air tricks, pulling Blind Judge’s, Switch Krypts and Roll to blinds out the bag. Although the WWA world’s favour obstacle riding, so despite making it through to the final, Dave knew he would have to step it up to make the podium and step it up he did! >>
>> Continued. Dave finished in 3rd behind Andreas Voss, who’s one of the biggest wake distributors in Germany - who happen to have more cable parks than any other country in the world. And in 2nd “Bobbay Borras” who is an operator at a cable park in the Phillipines. So for Dave to rock up to his first full cable wakeboard competition, having limited exposure to riding a full rig becomes pretty damn impressive! A huge congratulations to Dave, for representing NZ in such a positive way and coming out with a medal at the end of it! Hopefully we can use this exposure to gain some traction with building our own full size cable in New Zealand and then start taking out some more major world titles! In the meantime, make sure you check out the existing cables, which are listed in the back. And also Dave’s old stomping ground in Ruakaka by visiting www.cablewake. co.nz - and also get onboard and support the ongoing efforts to put a cable park in place here in NZ, including the Aotea WakePark project planned for Wellington. (www.wakepark.co.nz)
OLYMPIC DEBATE OLYMPIC DEBATE T
he whole scene and industry has worked for years in an effort to try and get wakeboarding including as an olympic sport. But is it a good thing?
As many of you will be aware there has been a huge campaign that has been playing out over the past few years in order to push wakeboarding as a sport for the 2020 Olympics. Vision 2020 has been successful in having wakeboarding shortlisted alongside far more conventional sports such as Baseball, softball, squash and karate! If the project is sucesfull and wakeboarding is accepted as an olympic sport the impact will be huge! However as snowboarding have found out (losing control of their sport to a skier orientated organisation) this can have implications. I don’t think anybody is rubishing the benifits of being an olympic sport - and if they are, they are crazy. Becoming an olympic sport creates massive opportunities, both for riders in terms of how much more accessible the sport will become, and also for the industry. At the moment wakeboarding is a barely viable sport to be commercially involved with everywhere except the US and perhaps Canada. Imagine if wakeboarding populations expanded, this isn’t just going to make a few well placed people a bit of cash, it’s going to flow right the way through! More spots to ride, more media coverage, bigger sponsorship deals - the benefits are massive. To get a rough idea of the kind of money involved in the Olympics, the average cost of obtaining a medal at the 2012 London Olympics (Including training, facilities, qualification rounds etc) was about $9m! Can you imagine the difference even a fraction of that amount would make to our facilities here in NZ.
Photo: Peter Towers Rider: Mark Holder Words: Luke Thomas In addition to this, just think how difficult it is proving to get a cable park built here in NZ. If wakeboarding was in the Olympics the NZ sports council would push through approval for a few cables within weeks! However; there are those within our sport who don’t think the inclusion is such a good idea. There’s no doubt about it, it will change the sport forever. Should wakeboarding be included who would be the governing body? Bearing in mind we have the skier orientated IWWF and the wakeboard orientated WWA who would take the lead? I would say without must reservation it would be the IWWF. Would that leave us in the same situation as snowboarding with the FIS losing control of how our sport is run, and how it is perceived to the rest of the world. Which has in snowboarding caused many of the sports best athletes to boycott the Olympic Games. Does that really show off the best of our sport? Cable’s would be busier, more people would be out in boats churning up the glass and throwing power turns. There are alot of positive’s and certainly some valid downside’s, the grass isn’t always greener, but it certainly is something to think about and have your say about, for or against. But before you do- just think how good it would be to not have to tell anyone “It’s like snowboarding behind a boat”. I think it’s worth a punt. #Vision2020
#Movember Josh Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell embracing the mo, whilst pres sing out at the 2013 product te sting sessions. Rider: Josh Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Co nnell Trick: Nosepres s Board: LF Wats on Hybrid Shot: Luke Thom as
2013 NZ Gear Guide
Poke like Logan Collier
Cables WakePark: Penrith Words: Logan Collier Photos: Josiah Murray /NZwakeboard.com
Day 0 Wednesday night the whole crew met at the airport: Logan Collier, Regan Carlyon, Brad Smeele , Jamie Barrow, Paul Maguire, Brant Hales, Antz Colling, Darryl Mcfarlane, Francesco and Grant Hazelwood, Brad and Morgan Haakma, Josiah Murray, and Jake Munro -the film guy. We jumped on the A380 bound for Sydney, got picked up by a shuttle and taken straight out to Penrith to rest up in prep for a big first day on the water! Day 1: Thursday morning, everyone got up early and was pumped to get out on the water, 10 o’clock opening time couldn’t come any quicker. Finally the clock hit 10 and we geared up and jumped on the cable for the first ride. Today was about getting those who were new to cable used to the feel of it and for those who hadn’t riden cable in a while it was a good chance to get their bearings. The youngsters managed to get a good feel for cable riding and loved it! Those of us who hadn’t been to Penrith before found it to be one of the best cables we’ve experienced! With a solid first day of riding under our belt we finished the day off with a group barbeque.
Day 2: Friday morning was raining so we all had to sit in anticipation, waiting and hoping for the rain to stop! By 1 the rain had stopped and the sun shone for us! We managed to get a good 4 hours of riding in, sweet footage and we were all in the zone so much we didn’t break at all! At 5 they opened the clockwise cable for us which was a new experience for many of us but quickly became our favorite cable. We managed to get some awesome footage as the sun was going down before ending the long day with a beer and food at hooters which was entertaining! Then back to the 20 bed bunk room to try and get a good night sleep amongst the variety of snores and sleeptalking.
Day 3 over page.
Day 3: Saturday morning the staff at Penrith Cable opened the clockwise cable 2 hours early just for us so we could get some really good close up footage using the lake boat. It was also great to ride with just the crew where we could push each other, before the park opened to the public. Nearly everyone landed new tricks that session, the camera was rolling and the pressure was on. This is where the juniors really stepped it up in my books. We all had a great last session, lots of laughs and good times. To finish off the weekend we headed down to Penrith Panthers football club for food, beers, rugby and good chat! Boarded the plane back to New Zealand 6am Sunday morning after a hectic weekend. Bodies were sore, but awesome memories and a great crew. Bring on next year!! Big thanks to our boy Jake for the countless hours behind the lens. A video of the trip is up online at NZWakeboard.com For more info on Cables Wake Penrith check out CablesWakePark.com.au Brad Smeele representing.
Sunset over Penny Cable. How long until we get a sunset like this in NZ?
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Ninety Three
WHERE THE HELL
IS WEATHERALL Ahhhhh, the best time of year -Autumn in Southern California and springtime in Australia/NZ. The past few months has been amazing… A lot of great riding, kicking some long time goals off my list and generally having the time of my life. Now that my schedule is no longer ruled by the US Pro tour anymore, I decided to stay and spend a little more wintertime here on the Gold Coast. Although you can hardly call it winter when it’s 25 degrees and not a cloud in the sky day after day. I have spent a fair bit of time running laps on the cable parks around the place lately. Love it, it’s so nice to show up see your friends and ride, whether you’re working on tricks or just having some fun it’s always a great time. It sure will be nice when NZ gets some cables up and running. I have no doubt that it will help grow the sport immensely in New Zealand! June/July/August were awesome it’s a time of year that I’ve never really been in Aussie
for and finally I got to watch the humpback whales migrate. Being able to see them every day from my apartment that overlooks rainbow bay is amazing. And it’s even cooler to be able to go out and see them up close and personal on an SUP. September rolled along and it was time for me to head back to California to catch the end of summer and ride. I just recently moved my self away from Oceanside and up to Canyon Lake, the home of Southern Cali wakeboard style and the WSR crew. Moving in with Jesson Vedal was an awesome choice, he’s been a long time close mate of mine, and we spent many years travelling on the World Cup circuit together. Jesson is Tahiti’s best Pro wake boarder, and although he’s retired now, he hasn’t lost any of the passion and love for riding. So the next few months were been spent riding almost every day on the back waters of Canyon lake with the likes
Words: Jeff Weatherall Photo’s: Jeff Weatherall
of Melissa Marquart, Eddie Valdez, Ricky Gonzalez and a crew of Southern California’s most stylish riders. There really is nothing better than riding with a killer crew of people that are stoked on the sport and always pumped to be out on the lake. Catalogue shoot time, I love shooting with my sponsors and each year Alpinestars sends us out for some shooting. It’s fun getting together with Eddie Valdez, Jesson and the photo/ art department for a few days of shooting. Early mornings and late evenings are had and a ton of riding goes down, and in between a little bit of ‘lifestyle modeling’ happens to show off all the new clothes for the coming season. On this particular shoot we also shot a lot of video footage for an Art/Music/ Actionsports Video compilation that Alpinestars had going. 4 days of solid riding. Such a good time, it trips me out to call it work.
2013 NZ Gear Guide Page Ninety Five This last month has been a blur of awesome times all rolled into one, Jesson and I started out our month with a bit of skydiving, wakeboarding and a trip up to Big Bear before the snow started to fall for a weekend long Moto trip in the mountains. As with anything fun it was over so quick, but with the ever-hectic schedule coming up there was no shortage of things to do. Two good mates Richie and Kendal flew up from the Gold Coast and an amazing photographer friend of mine flew out from Texas. We all met up in LA, stopped by the Alpinestars factory for some new threads and headed off on one hell of an epic journey. First stop was a Hot Air Balloon ride/ jump. We meet up with friends Donald Shultz (South African animal nut/snake handler), Mathias Ringstrom (Swedish
vert Skater), Brandon Lillard (skull candy team manager and all round Hell man) and Ian Flanders (base/wingsuitnut) for a Double hot air balloon excursion. Two balloons go up, the one with the boys in wing suit’s goes higher and the boys jump out and fly right on by us in the second balloon, then when they’re done we head to 6000ft and jump as well. Just when you think you’ve had the best morning ever and we’ve all landed safely in the car park, Donald reaches in the back of his car and pulls out a bucket with a couple of Rattlesnakes he’d found earlier… Go figure. The next part of the trip to the Perrine Bridge in Idaho was to realize a life long dream of mine. To start B.A.S.E Jumping! We meet up with Jimmy Pouchart from Apex BASE who was going to be our
guide for the next three days. Richie had already done a fair bit of jumping, but for Kendall and I this was to be our first BASE experience. I got back on a plane to the Gold Coast to surprise my dad for his birthday just in time for summer to arrive here in the southern hemi! I hope so see you and New Zealand in my very near future. Enjoy the days as they get warmer and get your shred on… One life… Live it up.
Jeffherall Wwat
2013 NZ Gear Guide
STUF WE G OUR H ON! ur Hands On! sent down their Stuff We Got O rward Wake. The best in the business ople that read by Fo d let the good pe Tried and tested . , ride, abuse an st te h as cr to gear listed below some amazing latest gear for us is e er Th . up know what’s Forward Wake on it: ke ta r Here’s ou
Jet Pilot Shane $279.95
www.JetPilot.com
Yes - this is a denim styled life jacket. Yes this is cool, yep, you should probably own one. It’s a really lightweight bouyant vest with a front zip for easy entry and exit. Great for comfort.
NPSURF Lucifer $TBC
www.npsurf.com
I’ve always been pretty dubious when it comes to dry suits. I first wore one years back, and to be honest it wasn’t a great experience I found it uncomfortable and restrictive. From the first moment I put on the NPSurf Lucifer my opinion has forever been changed. The Lucifer was designed specifically for kitesurfing, so doesn’t restrict movement at all which is great when it comes to wakeboarding. You can wear what you like underneath so you can stay nice and toasty on the inside no matter how cold the air and water is on the outside. The suit looks like a two peice snowboarding suit, which means you don’t look all that out of place hanging around on boats in the middle of winter, There’s even a pee zipper if nature calls, which will save you having to take the suit off and exposure yourself! We tested this suit thoroughly spending a day in icey water taking photos. And can thoroughly recommend it.
Jobe Click Boots $699 www.jobesports. com
The Jobe clicks are a great set of bindings. They are the highest top boots in Jobe’s line which gives them heaps of support, great for people who suffer with ankle problems. Normally with high boots you get a bit of a lack of flexibility which restricts your ability to poke the board out on grabs. These boots have the support when you need them, but retain maximum flexibility. Overall a great set of boots.
FF GOT O’Neill Psycho 3 (3/2) $649
www.Oneill.com
Following up something as popular as the Psycho 2 take’s balls. But the team at O’Neill have pulled it off. For a start they invented a whole new material called “TechnoButter”. The only way I can really describe technobutter is by saying “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS STUFF”, which happens to be the exact words that came out of my mouth as I put the suit on. It’s a wetsuit, but not as you know it, it’s a stretchy, very lightweight material that absorbs less water than normal neoprene. This makes the suit alot more flexible in the water, and noticely lighter both whilst you are wearing the suit, and once you have taken it off, whilst if anything being even warmer than its predecessor. Good job O’Neill.
Page Ninety Seven
Liquid Force Peak $999
www.LiquidForce. com
A brand new shape from Liquid Force, this flexible park inspired board delivers. It’s the most fun I’ve had on a wakeboard in ages. There’s heaps of full board flex, but it’s stiff enough when you need it to be. Despite being a rail focused board I tested this on the boat too, and was amazed at how well it coped with the wake, the rocker really boosts you up in the air with a moderate explosive pop, and with the .7 fins it holds a great edge to the wake with a solid release. Consider this board for more than just the park, it will serve you as a great crossover board.
HANDS Liquid Image EGO $299
www.liquidimageco.com In any review of a action sports camera it would be stupid not to refer to the Go-Pro, and I can honestly say this thing stacks up to it. It’s a really handy size, its got a standard tripod mounting which is more than useful. From a film point of view, you can either shoot 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps so you can create some slow mo shots of you out on the water! The image quality is great, and performs very well in low light. The onboard microphone functions well, perhaps better than its better known rival’s. The WiFi streaming feature is a huge winner for me, you can not only see what your filming, but you can also use your iPhone or Android as a remote trigger when shooting stills! I’m impressed with it - these things will sell like hot cakes.
2013 NZ Gear Guide
STUF WE G OUR H ON! ur Hands On! sent down their Stuff We Got O rward Wake. The best in the business ople that read by Fo d let the good pe Tried and tested . , ride, abuse an st te h as cr to gear listed below some amazing latest gear for us is e er Th . up know what’s Forward Wake on it: ke ta r Here’s ou
Billabong Foil Jacket $119.99
Liquid Force Flex Vest $199.99
www.LiquidForce. com
I found the segmented sections on this vest a great addition, occasionly with other segmented vests the pieces of foam crumple up and flip over, however these sections are tightly stitched in and provide impact relief where you need them every time.
Ronix Code 22 $1099
www.Billabong. com
Billabong have created a 2mm wetsuit top, perfect for summer wakeboarding, this keeps the wind chill of your body and forearms and also dampens any impacts. The thin neoprene doesn’t restrict your movements at all, which makes it an ideal addition to your wetsuit quiver.
www.ronixwake.com
Over the past couple of years Aussie rider Dean Smith has gone from strength to strength, you only need to look at his riding in “Defy” to see that. This year Ronix gave him his own board to shape, and he came up with this. Ronix have redefined how you can make a wakeboard with this deck, it’s made from Carbon Fibre, Paulownia Wood and other crazy materials, and the outcome is mindblowing. A superlight super poppy, fast edging board capable of going as big as Dean does - and soft landings even out in the flats. If you get a chance to strap into one this year, don’t pass up on the chance.
If you have any products you would like to submit for review please contact Luke@forwardwake. com to find out how to get your product in this section.
FF GOT Billabong Syngery $129.99
www.Billabong.com
A great cheap girls short wetsuit from Billabong. It does exactly what it needs to, it provides all the required flexiblity, its as warm as it needs to be, and protects you from the slaps you might take from any back edges you catch! If we could see a short leg, long armed version of this suit available Billabong would have a best seller on their hands at this price!
O’Neill Gooru Vest $239
Liquid Force Wing $799.99
www.LiquidForce. com
A great board from Liquid Force’s 900 stomping Amber Wing. This board is totally redesigned from last years model, and the improvements are huge! It has a kicky 3 stage rocker that really does kick you in the air with explosive pop but also has a really easy edge release thanks to the small, yet well shaped molded fins. It’s a smooth ride, and perfect for the female riders looking to take their riding to the next level, be that bigger jumps, your first invert or starting to throw 900’s like Amber! If your local store doesn’t have one, order one in, it’s worth it.
HANDS www.Oneill.com
One of the most recognisable impact vests on the market, and one of the most comfortable. Not much more needs saying about this solid favourite from the team at O’Neill.
Jobe Austin $699 or $1399 with boots
www.jobesports.com
Jr Pro Mens World Champion Austin Hair has created a new board with Jobe this year, after a complete revamp of the jobe lineup. This board is a solid choice for an accomplished boat rider. It has huge pop, and a ridiculously strong edge into the wake. This is pitched as an advanced board, and they’ve got that right. It can go huge! But it is an aggressive model board. I’d say this board would be ideal for you if your riding a slightly smaller wake, and need help with your cut to boost you over and across the wake. There’s also a dial knob on the board if you feel like “cranking your riding up to 9”.
Logan gets dirty Logan Collier gets down and dirty, sessioning a decked out puddle somewhere near Auckland. Shot: Blair Robertson
2013 NZ Gear Guide
Riding Spots Who? BackPaddock Lakes What? Boat and Cable Where? Central Hawkes Bay, 10 minutes south of Waipukurau.
Web? www.backpaddocklakes. co.nz Call? 021757892 Say? Purpose dug cable and boat lakes, dream setup or what!
Who? Christchurch Wake What? Boat Pro Coaching Where? Dunsandel, 30 mins south
of Christchurch
Web? www.facebook.com/ chchwake Call? 021510050 Say? Pro coaching on a Super Air
Nautique on a private lake.
Who? WakePark NZ What? Cable Where? Canterbury, 20 mins south of Ashburton
Web? www.wakeparknz.com Call? 027 CABLE NZ (0272225639) Say? 2 Tower cable system with kickers and rails. Resident coaches.
2013 NZ Gear Guide
Page One Hundred Three
DEALERS DIRECTORY Ballistics
66 Barrys Pt Road, North Shore, www.ballistics.co.nz/ 09 489 4074 Stocked Brands: Hyperlite, Liquidforce, Byerly, Slingshot, Ronix, O’Brien, CWB, Jetpilot, O’neill
MIA
Hyper Ride
737 Great South Road, Penrose, AK. www.hyper.co.nz 0800 4 HYPER (49737) Stocked Brands: Accurate, Byerly, CWB, Hyperlite, Jet Pilot, Liquid Force, O’Neill, Ronix.
2 Tawa Street, Mangakino www.m-i-a.co.nz 0218 MIA KI (64254) Stocked Brands:CWB, Hyperlite, Jet Pilot, Ronix
Urban Edge
Cnr Gascoigne and Tamamutu streets, Taupo www.urbanedge.co.nz 073787400 Stocked Brands: Byerly, Hyperlite, Jet Pilot, Liquid Force, Ronix
Quest Wanaka 16 Helwick St, Wanaka. www.queststore.co.nz 03 443 9412 Stocked Brands: Jet Pilot, Liquid Force, Ronix, Straight Line.
Snow and Surf
85 Tuam Street, Christchurch www.snowandsurf.co.nz 03 366 7351 Stocked Brands: Accurate, Hyperlite, Jet Pilot, Liquid Force, O’Neill, Quiksilver.