Issuu

M E L I S S A

M A R Q U A R D T

Y O U

K N

O W

H O W

W E

D E W E Y

I T .

PHOTOS X BEN CANEVARI

Unleashed Wakeboard Magazine World Headquarter France 2 rue Dorbesson 31100 TOULOUSE Issue 70 –May /June Cover : Felix Georgii /photo Bryan Soderling FOUNDER, CEO, EDITOR & DIRECTOR Philippe SIRECH PUBLISHER Philippe SIRECH +33(0)7 87 95 37 40 Europe +1(407)800-3567 USA/WORLD philippe@unleashedwakemag.com MARKETING MANAGER Philippe SIRECH info@unleashedwakemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Phil SIRECH ads@unleashedwakemag.com P.R (PRESS RELEASE) Stephanie PROTET +33(0)6 11 11 25 32 - sephanie@unleashedwakemag.com CSO , MARKETING & STATS Sophie Sirech-combettes +1(407)800-3567 - sophie@unleashedwakemag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Elise Fougere +33 (0)6 99 10 62 98 - elise@unleashedwakemag.com WORLD REPORTER AND PROOFREADING Vicki Hernandez Dill +1(832)338-8116 - vicki@unleashedwakemag.com SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER MANAGER Hector Urzaiz Calpe +34 69 725 2381 - Hector@unleashedwakemag.com CONTRIBUTERS PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Soderlind, Hector Urzaiz Calpe , Tim Spanagel , Stijn Vanoverbeke, Philippe Turba, Andres Araya, Leo Francis, Stefan Kuhn… CONTRIBUTERS WRITERS Vicki Dill, Stephane Theys, Joseph Holub , Jack Battleday, Scotty Broome, kiel Bonhomme, Jack Battleday, Martin Martin, Olivier Derome, Jeff McKee, Mark Heger, Eric Moulin, Stan Bresson… TRANSLATION Vicki Dill, Dominique Granger COUNTRIES UNLEASHED FRANCE Jérôme Macquart +33(7) 60 89 76 43 - jerome@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED SPAIN Hector Urzaiz Calpe +34 69 725 2381 - Hector@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED JAPAN Nagahisa Matsukawa +81 9 016 752 900 - Matsu@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED RUSSIA Katerina Yuerieva +79 25 26 304 36 - katia@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED CANADA Dominique Granger +1(514)267-1636 - dom@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED USA Philippe Sirech +1(407)800-3567 - philippe@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED SOUTH AMERICA Nathalia Vinee +33750325437 - nathalia@unleashedwakemag.com PRINT : EVOLUPRINT France and Sundance solutions Orlando USA DIGITAL : ISSUU.COM

Unleashed Wakeboard Magazine is published six-time- sannually by Unleash Communication located at 2 rue d ’orbesson 31100 Toulouse, France. All right reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Unleashed Wakeboard Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited submissions including, but not limited tomanuscripts, photographs and illustrations. Disclamer: The activities described and photographed hereim are performed by trained athletes. Attempting anything contained within these pages could result in serious injury or death. Unleash Communication is not responsible for any injuries sustained by readers or the failure of any equipment shown herein. So wear an Helmet and a life vest !!!!

LEO FRANCIS

#INCONTROL NICK DAVIES

NICK DAVIES

I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N WITH MYSTIC

IMPACT VEST

ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESFUL CABLE RIDERS IN THE WORLD

ZIPPER LOCK Features a button to keep the zipper secure and lock tight.

IMPACT FOAM Give yourself some extra protection and make sure your body can take a beating.

With his talent and determination to the sport of wakeboarding he achieved many great moments including three times World Champion. Next to winning Nick is all about having fun and pushing the sport he loves so much.

Nick Davies

SPECIAL RIENFORCED STITCHING

PK FRONT ZIP

The reinforced stitching makes the vest

Keeps the vest nice and

stronger and more durable.

tight around your body.

WHERE ELSE BUT SHREDTOWN! BRENTO N PR I E S TLE Y

B r en ton Pri estl ey

Te rhills Obstacle

J a m 201 6 by Thomas Vincent / photos : Elke Venken

This year’s Terhills Obstacle Jam was much bigger than the years before. On Friday there was a kicker contest on the left Fooshee kicker and the Large right kicker. On Saturday the main event had 4 categories, Open Men, Juniors, Women and Pro Men. There were over 70 boarders coming in from all over Europe and even Israel, Canada and Australia. With a cash prize of 5750€, this was the biggest obstacle contest in Belgium. Riders from last year like Joachim Bertelsen, Lior Sofer, Daan Rigter, Antoni Van Der Wekken were back to win the prizes. Jascha Wonka (GER), Jules Charraud (FRA), Ariano Blanik (DUI), Mateusz Wawrzyniak (POL), Robin Leroy (DEN) were several of the many new guys. With the new category Women, World Champion Julia Rick popped in to get her first competition of the year. With the juniors it became clear how extremely talented the upcoming guys are with Enzo Asseraf (14, FRA), Markus Breuer (17, GER), and Tom Vanhauer (17, DUI).

Name: Dominic Lagace Birthdate: 7/7/77 Hometown: trois-riviĂ¨res, Quebec, Canada Sponsors: Liquid Force, Tige Boats, Drummondville marine, S3 brdshp, Rip Curl Stance: regular

Dominic LAgace photos : Sergey Smolenko

We m e e t t h e Wa ke s u r f L eg end « Doum » La ga ce a nd g ra b t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d o t h e W h a t M a t t er s Int er view

What makes Doum Lagace Cool ? My travelling life and my smile.

What makes a video edit cool? All kind of angles, good music, slowmotion.

What makes a Ride Cool ? When you get flow and you can link trick after trick, big and clean.

What makes a photo cool? From a chase boat with a sunset or a sunrise

What makes a Wakesurf Boat cool? The wave the Tige boat Z3 creates, the sounds system and the people in it.

What’s the most important thing in order to get sponsorship? Be involved in the sport you love and represent it by sharing your passion.

What makes a Wakesurf trick look cool? If you go big above the lip and you grab it.

What’s the most important thing in order to progress? Never let go.

What makes a Wakesurf board cool? Nice shape and awesome graphic design. Like my Liquid Force doum pro.

What Makes a Rider Cool ? The style.

What makes Wakesurf Pads cool? Colorful and grippy. 51

WAKE AREA @AREA 47 First Wake Cable in Western Austria photo : AREA 47 | Wake-Concept | Florian Breitenberger Tirol’s outs tanding Adventure-Par k ca ps off its range of options , one-of-a-kind in Europe: a 19,000m2 large lake for wakeboarder s once and for all makes AREA 47 the “Ultimate Outdoor Playground“ in the Alps .

Boys and girls of all ages looking for adrenaline and action will find the greatest variety of outdoor and action activities in Europe on 6.4 hectares: Rafting, Canyoning, High Rope Course (27 meters), Water AREA with various unique and entertaining options like Slip’N’Slide, Canonball, Freestyle Water Ramp, Speed Slide and much more. Since 2014 there has been a 2 tower system placed inside the WATER AREA, where all guests of AREA 47 can ride free of extra charge. The idea of a full-size cable was born years before. Finally the idea turns into reality. “We want everyone to have a sick time outdoors”is the motto they live by. Wakeboarding fits perfect to AREA 47’s mission to offer trendy action sports under safe conditions. The landscape as well as the approach to build a wake spot for riders by riders makes this place outstanding. Get out here and check out Western Austria’s first Wake Cable!

The new artificial lake has the following facts: •20,000 m2 hectare surface (surrounded by natural reserve area) •5 towers (Rixen Cableways | Concept, Layout & Assembly by Wake-Concept 360° GmbH) •420m length •Clockwise 6 carriers •5 obstacles (Shape OG): Kicker Small, Asym Kicker, Rainbow Popoff, Rooftop Butter Combo, Funbox w/ Postbox designed A-Frame; more to come •Partners: Red Bull, Stiegl, Bergbahnen Sölden, GoPro & Schöller •Wakeboard Shop, restaurant and accommodation on site •Located 30 minutes from Innsbruck Airport and 5 minutes from the next train station (Ötztal Bahnhof) •Best glacier snowparks within one hour ride (Glacier Oetzal | Soelden)

Contact WakeConcept : Moritz Grotepass moritz@wake-concept.com I 0049 176 20 313 606 www.area47.at

B R EN T O N P R IES L EY, TANTRUM INDY JAMBOREE 2016 TEXAS Photo : Bryan Soderlind

You ride both boat AND cable - Can you tell us why? I really enjoy mixing it up when I’m on the water. If I start to get bored with cable I’ll go ride boat, and if I start to get bored on boat I’ll go ride cable. I think it helps keep riding fresh and fun.

Tell us more about this last victory and how you felt when your received your prize in front of the insane FISE crowd? The way they announced the awards on the water was super cool. We were all just standing in the middle of the river with people surrounding us and applauding. The people on the sidelines cheering you on during the contest just got you more fired up to ride and do your best!

Lately you’ve been traveling all around the world, what are you trying to accomplish by traveling and riding? I’m really motivated to continue my travels overseas and competing there as well but also to keep pushing myself to film better video parts and keeping my riding new.

WAKEBOARDING IS FUN! IT HAS ENGULFED MY WHOLE LIFE AT THIS POINT AND I WANT TO MAKE THE BEST TIME OUT OF ALL OF IT!

What is a typical day for GUENTHER OKA? Normally when I’m in Orlando my days consist of riding at OWC or Area 52 in the morning and then heading to the lake after for a quick boat session.

Who are the riders that influence you the most? Oli Derome, Felix Georgii, Kevin Henshaw, Mike Dowdy, Meagan Ethell

Tell us your five favorite cables to ride and why? 1. Wake Nation Cincinnati: That’s been my home cable since day one and the vibes and people there never get old. 2. Area 52: Kevin Henshaw is the man and he has dedicated his whole life to making wakeboarding better. The park is perfect for hitting some scary features and I’m stoked to have the opportunity to be a part of that paradise. 3. Valdosta Wake Compound: The boys at VWC are like non other. The most laid back vibes and one of the best setups around, you really can’t go wrong there. 4. Velocity Island Park: The Cali crew is so sick and VIP has some of my favorite Unit features! 5. Terminus Wake Park: Good features and good people!

Which videos blow your mind the most this last season? Bob Sichel - Consolidating Oli Derome - My wake Raph Derome - Real wake Tell us more about your life and your training? I switched to online school half way through grade 11 so I could make the move down to Orlando. Being in Ohio for the winter where all the lakes freeze over just wasn’t cutting it for me. I knew I had to be involved with wakeboarding 24/7 if I wanted to do my best. I don’t do much training off the water but that’s definitely something I need to get started with.

Do you do any other sports? I’m really big into skiing and snowboarding. Before I started moving to Orlando for the winter, just about every day back home was spent at my ski resort.

What have you been focusing on during the wakeboard off season? I’ve really been focusing on trying to make my riding legit. I think it is super important to be doing grabs differently and performing tricks in a way that’s unique from everyone else. I see a lot of people who go out and all look the same when they ride and that is something I’d like to move away from.

You’re probably the newest revelation in USA with your fresh victory at the most popular European contest “THE FISE“. How do you feel about that? I’m still so stoked on that! It was like no contest I’ve ever been to and the fact that I had my first pro victory there was all time! I cannot wait to head back next year.

JULIA RICK Known for her “better than most guys” airtricks Age 22 / From Germany / Home park is “Wasserski Bleibtreusee“ / Rides for Ronix Who pushes you the most in your training? I think I’m the one who pushes me the most. I just want to improve my riding every session and step up my game. For me, the best feeling in wake boarding is landing a new trick. In addition I not only want to push the level of my own riding but the level of women’s wake boarding in general! Landing new tricks, that no other woman has landed before, motivates me most! What are your strengths in riding? I try to be a very balanced rider so I pay attention not only on my air tricks but also on my obstacle riding. However, I think the air tricks are definitely my strengths and I really enjoy doing them! What are 3 things that most people don’t know about you? I have turtles as pets, I’m afraid of spiders and I just finished my bachelor thesis of business administration at the university.

ANNA ZHAKOVA Known for her over-the-top fashion style AND strong riding! Age 27 / From Saint-Petersburg, Russia / Home parks - In St. Petersburg and Thai Wakepark

What is the FIRST thought that goes through your head when you think about the Plastic Playground competition? I think it will be one of the biggest events this year. There will be all the best riders competing, and the set up will have amazing features!

DEANNA HATTEN Age 18 / From the Sunshine Coast in Australia Home park is Bli Bli Wake Park but spent this summer at GoWake Mackay. Who pushes you the most in your training? Probably Jacob Vinali, he’s such a good rider. Filming and riding with him nearly every day has helped a lot with my riding. He also pushes me to hit set ups that I’d usually be too scared to do. What are 3 things that most people wouldn’t know about you? I still love kid’s movies. I’m probably going to be that crazy old cat lady with 20 cats and I wish I was talented enough to be a tattoo artist. What is the FIRST thought that goes through your head when you think about the Plastic Playground competition? That it’s going to be an insane competition to be a part of, both riding and watching.

ELKE VENKEN Known for beating ALL the best Belgian guy riders at the Red Bull event in Antwerp in 2014! Age 29 / From Belgium / Home park is the beautiful spot - Terhills Where is your favorite park to train at & why? Terhills Cablepark! It’s only ten minutes from my house and the park just gets better every year. Each winter we build new obstacles and we switch around the old obstacles to different places so the park just never gets boring! What are your strengths in riding? I love doing kicker tricks and I mostly practice on this so I think that it would be my strength. Who are the girls that you think are up and coming? I think in two years time Zahra Kell will be the best wakeboarder out there. She is only 12 and she is already landing some crazy tricks with a lot of style!

MEG BARKER Age 22 / From West Yorkshire Lass, UK / Living down south at her home park Liquid Leisure. Where is your favorite place to ride? My favorite place to ride IS liquid leisure. They have a Nautique G21 with the meatiest wake and a whole wake lake full of only Unit plastic fun.

What are your strengths in riding? My strength in riding would have to be how I bounce about and keep my energy. Also I would have to say kickers are definitely the key to my riding. After riding so much boat this is what feels most natural. What are 3 things people don’t know about you? I live in a tin-on-wheels...just me and my dog. I love to eat and eat and eat. I wake up at silly times in the night just for a tin of spaghetti hoops. Lastly - I’m quite destructive. I enjoy ripping out kitchens, bathrooms and floors way too much and re-building new ones.

STEPH CALLER Age 31 / From London / Home park is WM ski What is your favorite park to train at & why? I love my home cable WM ski, but it has been shut down for the past two years, waiting for planning permission on a new lake. So I have been riding all over the place which has been fun. In the UK I really enjoy going to New Forest Wake Park and JB ski. Abroad, I love Copenhagen Cable Park as I have so many good friends there and CWC in the Philippines... anyone who has been there will understand why! Who pushes you the most in your training? The Team Great Britain coach, CK, is fantastic at pushing the whole team. The Peacock and Battleday brothers are also really encouraging and are always be pushing me to try something new. What are your strengths in riding? I think I am a good all-round rider - I enjoy obstacles and air tricks. I also really like doing competitions because I think the pressure to perform on the day pushes you. What are 3 things that most people wouldn’t know about you? I run my own graphic design agency - zebrative.co.uk. I have a yellow kitchen and I have just taken up water polo!