Unleashed #75 SUMMER ISSUE

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DRAW YOUR LINE Rider: You Photo I Anna-Lena Mayer

AREA 47 I Austria - Tyrol I www.area47.at

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE MAGNET FACTOR Wibit‘s aquatic playgrounds are the perfect supplement to a cable park, bringing a new dimension of fun and challenge to water sports fans. Attract more visitors by turning your location into a number one leisure destination with activities for everyone!

www.wibitsports.com

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New Forest Water Park, UK

Wibit at Cable Parks

Rider:Luis Montana /© PChuno CIUNI Unleashed Wakeboard Magazine World Headquarters 2 rue Dorbesson 31100 TOULOUSE FRANCE

Graphic Designer Elise Fougere +33 (0) 6 99 10 62 98 elise@unleashedwakemag.com

Issue 75 –JULY/ AUGUST /SEPTEMBER Cover: Felix Georgii /Photo DDB

World Reporter and Proofreading Vicki Hernandez Dill +1(832)338-8116 vicki@unleashedwakemag.com

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 Jon Shrimpton info@unleashedwakemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Corinne Lasmezas 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

Senior Photographer Manager Hector Urzaiz Calpe +34 69 725 2381 Hector@unleashedwakemag.com Unleashed Wake Mag Website and Social Media Manager Alizee Desperies +33(0)6 37 27 91 74 Alizee@unleashedwakemag.com Unleashed wake mag Instagram manager Edgar Petrenko edgar@unleashedwakemag.com +1(954)665-7579 Contributing Photographers:Daniel Deak Bardos, Jon Shrimpton, Phil Sirech, Wojtek Kalka, Roman Nazarov, Jarno Schurgers, Elke Venken, Klavdija Zitnik, AirWolfe, Scott Raymond, Ryan Platt, Jefferson Mathis, Dave Adams, Darren Herbert, Martin Van Doren, Kerri Lohmeier, Kevin Autissier, Peter Vahlfridsson, Hector Urzaiz Calpe, Contributing Writers: Vicki Dill, Martin Martin, Mark Heger, Zack Block, Joseph Matthew, Edgar Petrenko,

Peter Vahlfridsson, Video Crew: Eric Lespagnon, Remi Quillot.

TRANSLATION Vicki Dill COUNTRIES ……………….

UNLEASHED FRANCE Jérôme Macquart +33(7) 60 89 76 43 jerome@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED SPAIN Hector Urzais Calpe +34 69 725 2381 hector@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED JAPAN Nagahisa Matsukawa +81 9 016 752 900 Matsu@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED RUSSIA Katia Volkova +79169000679 kate@unleashedwakemag.com UNLEASHED USA/Canada/SOUTH AMERICA Philippe Sirech +1(407)800-3567 philippe@unleashedwakemag.com Print: EVOLUPRINT France and Sundance solutions Orlando USA Digital: ISSUU.COM

Unleashed Wakeboard Magazine is published six-times annually by Unleash Communication located at 2 rue d’orbesson 31100 Toulouse, France. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Unleashed Wakeboard Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited submissions including, but not limited to manuscripts, photographs and illustrations.

Disclaimer: The activities described and photographed herein 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 a helmet and a life vest !!!!

@ MOFOURWAKEBOARDS.COM APPAREL VESTS

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Rider: Dom Hermel © Daniel Deak Bardos

UNLEASHED WAKEBOARD MAGAZINE 2017 BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE. Like every year, September comes with all the highly anticipated new products highlighted during SURFEXPO show in Florida. Everyone is eagerly awaiting this time of the year to find out what will be happening in the wakeboard industry during 2018.

All the brands are ready to display their 2018 innovations to the professionals and journalists, who come to Orlando to experience the mecca of wakeboarding.

One more time Surf Expo will open their doors to the most eclectic crowd composed of professionals, retailers, cable-park owners, miscellaneous riders, as well as the pros. Experts during the show will present their new signature guns to the retailers of the world.

It’s a real competition between the brands here, each of them wanting to have the best innovations and be the king of style. However, it’s a peaceful battle because ultimately wakeboarding is a huge family where sharing passion is the main objective.

This issue brings you the most incredible content and reports on the most impressive wakeboard events held in EUROPE and especially in the UK during the first part of the season. With reporters located globally, Unleashed gives you the perfect mix of interviews, events, reports, innovations and all the news you should know if you want to stay connected with the heart of the sport.

It is our motivation everyday to maintain our first place position as a worldwide wake magazine. We are grateful to all of our readers for their support in helping us continue to be the “FIRST FREE WAKE MAG IN THE WORLD”. We are nothing without all of you.

Philippe Sirech

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14 / N EW S P RO D UC T S 18 / N EW S I N N OVAT I O N 26 /

20 / ART Y / Zach Block 22 / MUS I C / Mar tin Mar tin 24 / GRO M / Par ker Swope 26 / EV EN T / UK Boa t Na tional 30 / I N T ERV I EW / Plas tic Bro

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38 / EV EN T / Munich Mash 40 / LO C AL H ERO / Max im e Roux 42 / I N T ERV I EW / Jam es Boggia 48 / S T O RY / Indus tr y Pro Tour

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60 / I N T ERV I EW / J im Sedgwick 64 / T I P AN D T RI C K S / Half Ca b Roll 66 / EV EN T / the Loa 2017 70 / I N T ERV I EW / Lauren Hilder-D ar ling

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76 / S H O P P I N G GI RLS 78 / EV EN T / Fise Montpellier 2017 78 / S T O RY / Spot-on Wake 90 / N EW S P O T / Wake Zone Stawiki

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EDGAR PETRENKO - FRONTSIDE LIPSLIDE | PHOTO - MAXX EVAN | VALDOSTA, GA - USA

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/// / MET H O D S I C K \\\\ Definitely the heat of the year! This brand new shape is uncompromising and 100% dedicated to cable use. Particularly strong, this board will follow you on the most engaged obstacles and the most violent kickers or air-tricks landings. Its 3 stages rocker add to its moderate flex provide a sane board with great pop and intensive edges.

Sizes : 140 / 145 method-wakeboard.com

/ / / / MAS T ER & DYN AMI C S \\\\ MW60 WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES MW60 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones are designed to be the ultramodern mobile thinking caps: wireless tools to help focus, inspire, and transport your mind. Designed for decades of use, our Bluetooth headphones are built with only the finest materials and tuned to provide a rich, warm sound. Our MW60s combine patent pending stainless steel componentry with “form-meets-function” exposed all-aluminum antenna to create uncompromised durability, style and best-in-class signal range. Inspired by artist Chuck Close. masterdynamic.com

/ / / / ION

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ION VESTS are designed to cater to all levels of riding. Whether you’re looking for added buoyancy, or peace of mind when on the water, our range of multi-functional VESTS will boost your confidence so you can take your riding to the next level. Forever pushing innovation and design, we take pride in the optimised construction and intricate details that ION believes make all the difference. ion-products.com

/ / / / T RI P LE EI GH T \\ \ \ GOTHAM STYLE HITS THE WATER. Our low-profile Gotham design with subtle brim and Triple Eight logo vents, now in a lightweight super-comfy water helmet. Sweatsaver Halo liner developed exclusively for water. Snap-in ear flaps are also available. triple8.com 14

//// I ON

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ONYX SELECT The main purpose of the select level is warmth.

Many features make this suit very unique but not overdone. All ION wetsuits use new aqua-alpha technology for the seams, which is completely water-based and means all wetsuits are completely free from organic solvents, protecting the health of the workers and the environment. ion-products.com

//// IC E M U L E \\\\

/ / / / BBTALKING \\\\ This evolutionary Bluetooth Waterproof Communication package eliminates push to talk communication! It uses long-range bluetooth technology that allows people to communicate clearly with each other on the water. This system has bridged the gap between teacher and student. This can be used for all levels of training whether advanced (Pro), intermediate or beginner.A great way the multi-connector set has been used by wakeboard professional riders is placing the connection into the speaker system of their boat and explaining the set up of their tricks and their execution in real time. bbtalkin.com

ICEMULE COOLERS PRO This is it, the entry-level ICEMULE Pro™ backpack cooler, clocking in at 23 liters of beer haulin’, ice-keeping performance.

ICEMULE Coolers are designed to be the most portable, high-performance soft coolers ever created, retaining solid ice for over 24 hours! Combining the portability of a backpack with the icekeeping performance of a hard coolers, the large Pro can easily load up with 18 cans + ice making it the ideal accessory for tackling your favorite trail or a day at the beach. No other soft cooler out there is easier to carry, easier to load up and easier to unload. issuu.com/icemule

/ / / / MYS T I C \\\\

/ / / / UA EY EWEAR \\\\ UNDER ARMOUR UA ASSIST GATEWAY MULTIFLECTION www.underarmour.com

STONE Style and quality are paramount in Wakeboarding, which is why we created the Stone wetsuit. Its technical innovation combined with a luxurious feel makes it the most premium suit in the range. Featuring 100% of our finest M-Flex 2.0 neoprene, along with the all-new and fresh looking sublimation techniques, the Stone will make you look and feel more stylish than ever. mysticwake.com

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together with high quality features. The clash foam gives you very high impact absorption capabilities, this foam protects you against impact without compromising on comfort. The side zips provide more freedom in movement so you can focus on riding harder. Comes in pewter (shown) and orange.

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kitvi si o n It ’s t i m e to s e e outs ide the b ox

Discover the ultimate 360 experience - the Kitvision Immerse 360 Duo. This is the action camera that removes the limitations of conventional filming and records not only the action, but everything that comes with it, with full high definition 1080p video recording and dual lenses that capture full 360° views from every angle.

Now you can look up the slope not just down it, re-ride the muddy track with those who were behind you, or step back in time to your most memorable day and be back with everyone you shared it with, thanks to the dual lens on each side of the camera, taking in absolutely everything in a 360° radius.

The Immerse 360 Duo sees more than you do - this is an action camera that can enhance memories with the details and moments you might have missed the first time round.

This is the future of your most special events, enabling you to revisit any occasion, event, or moment, and see everyone and everything exactly as it was.

Control, capture, replay, and share your 360° footage with the compatible interactive app. Simply download the interactive app to your smartphone to review all your footage. With four viewing modes to choose from, you are in complete control: from full screen and ultimate fisheye view to the ‘VR glasses mode’. The app enables you to drag your finger around your screen to see the parts you missed, loved, or laughed at, and even freeze any of the action too with the 5 MP camera.

Built-in Wi-Fi capability makes it easy to share everything, share footage and photos with friends and family, and even upload it all onto compatible platforms such as YouTube and Facebook thanks to Android and iOS compatibility.

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The Immerse 360 Duo Action Camera comes with a range of accessories to get you started straight away. Keep your world steady when you capture with the included Flexible Tripod, stay charged with the universal USB Charging Cable, get creative with angles with the assorted Mounts and Adaptors, and then jump into your immersive experiences with the Cardboard VR Headset – a free bundle worth over £65!

360° footage is the ultimate experience and it deserves the ultimate stage.

Completely immerse yourself in your footage and photography with the included Cardboard VR Headset. Just slot your smartphone into the front, select the ‘VR glasses mode’ on the app, and hit play to jump back into the awesome moments.

Now is not the time to hold back. Capture real life like never before; your adventures and explorations, their first birthday, family holidays and that wedding – now you have 360 movies of life, and enhanced memories for life.

The Kitvision Immerse 360 Duo is available from Amazon UK. Price : £249.99 kitvision.co.uk

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Š Olivier vinot

Martin Martin, nicknamed M2X, from his real name Laurent Bolorinos, is a French artist from Toulouse.

He started his DJ career when he was very young and became passionate about electronic music.

As a winter sports lover, wakeboarding is a good substitute for snow, and mixing his two passions came easily to him.

M2X often mixes at wakeparks with musical and punchy sets in a sunny lounge atmosphere for the happiness of riders and families. This is a special place of human interaction where people share a great time while making memories, achieving new tricks all with M2X creating a soundtrack for life.

We wish him the best and hope he discovers new trendy spots, travels around the world, meets other musicians,and continues performing, progressing and making a living from his passion!

M2X can diversify his sound at his best. He considers the meaning of a mix, its atmosphere and its inner energy are key points for him. M2X’s music is not a simple series of sounds but a real and deep reflection: Mixing compositions, searching for new sounds, developing originality and matching with riders is his specialty.

Bakermat, Alex Clare Living (Hugel Remix) Future House

You can find his new sound selection in the next edition.

Follow him on Facebook : www.facebook.com/2xMartin Follow him on Soundcloud : www.soundcloud.com/martin2x

Bodyrox Yeah Yeah (Chocolate Puma Remix)

Hight, Felix Jaehn, Alex Aiono Hot2Touch (Nu Aspect Remix Extended Version)

Future House

Future House

EDX Bloom (Extented Mix) Future House

AC Slater, Chris Lorenzo Fly Kicks (Wax Motif Remix)

Justice D.A.N.C.E (OriginalMix)

Future House

Future House

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ZACH BLOCK

Z a c h wo r k s o u t of Los A ng el es , CA a nd a side from h is wa keb oa rd i ng g r a p h i c n ove l , is invol ved in mul t ipl e a ct ion spor t s compa nies and s i d e p ro j e c t s . He wor k s ful l t ime for t h e sk a t eb oa rding net wor k , ETN, as t h e D i re c t o r o f P roduct ion M a na g ement a nd a l so h el ps r un El 3va ted fo r h i s b ro t h e r M a ch i.

The professional return to the action sports industry follows a college degree in Satellite Communications and years of work in that field followed by entertainment film production and project management for an advertising agency.

Having grown up in Northwestern Montana, he is a participant in many of the seasonal action sports of the region such as motocross, wakeboarding, snowboarding and rock climbing. From that vantage point, coupled with his varied professional experiences, Zach has focused on some common threads which are highlighted in his story writing and character depictions. «Sport is passion and adventure,» he says. «But there’s also 23

this strong pull to outgrow those passions and move your life into something more universally recognized as professional.

That’s compounded with the subconscious fight with the clock to stay young, hip and in athletic shape. This dedication required to excel in any sport can often impede on other life plans and we end up with a notso-accurate stereotype of action sports athletes that are depicted as adrenaline junky, non-professional, singular minded individuals whose parents probably want more out of life for them. I like to tell stories about those types of characters being at odds with the rest of the world and show how they overcome those obstacles and carve their own way.»

PARKER'S PERSPECTIVE AT PLASTIC PLAYGROUND

by Vicki Dill / photos : Velocity Fyre

Par ke r Swope i s n ’ t yo u r t yp i c a l Te xa n t een. Wh il e mos t of h is sch ool ma t es a re focused on foot ball and b a s e b a l l , i n a s t a t e t h a t ca t er s t o t h e b a l l spor t a t h l et e, Pa r ker is l oa ding up hi s board and e q u i p m e n t a n d h i t t i n g t h e refresh ing wa t er a t t h e ca b l e pa r k a ft er sch ool w hi le his pe e r s are s we a t i n g i n t h e Te xa s h e a t . Pa r ker is 14 yea r s ol d, h a s b een r iding ca b l e for fi ve year s and his h o m e p a r k i s Wa ke N a t i o n, H ous t on. Pa r ker recent l y ma s t ered h is doub l e ca b roll and he also bu s t s o u t s w i t c h Pe t e 5 ’s l i ke t h ey’re no b ig dea l . H e wa s invit ed t o compet e i n the G RO M div ision a t P l a s t i c P l a yg ro u n d a n d jus t ca me h ome from a n exper ience of a l ifet ime.

got picked to go, and I saw my name. Then I had to put away my phone and pretend I wasn’t excited but was still working on my paper.

How did you get started riding cable?

I’d been riding for about a year when one season there was a drought so we couldn’t get our boat out. We heard about a cable park and decided to try it out, and I decided I really liked riding there.

Did you get any good advice regarding the competition, the layout or the park?

Yes, I talked to some of last year’s competitors and asked them about the park - what it was like, and what they thought the judges were looking for. It helped me know what to expect.

Parker-tell us about the moment you realized you were invited to compete at Plastic Playground.

I was in my English class at school and working on an essay. I went to the website to see if they had posted who 24

As a first time international competitor, set up the scene at Plastic Playground for us from your 14 year old perspective.

The sun comes up super early over there, like 4 AM. With the time zone difference it felt like I was waking up extra early every day. But the sun doesn’t go down until 11 PM so my internal clock was all messed up. At the park all the features were twice as big as what I’m used to.

Normally a park will have a few big features but there they were all big. The number of tricks you could do on each hit were endless, so you had to spend a lot of time figuring out what kind of tricks would work or not, and what the judges might like. And the park itself was massive. Normally it takes about a minute to make a lap, but at LL it took a minute and a half. And they had a family of swans who didn’t really like people on their rails.

could in the days between getting there and the actual contest. Preparing for Points Chase WWA Nationals at BSR was more laid back since it’s close enough to home that we drove up several times to ride there during the summer.

Preparing for WWA Wakeboard Nationals, the boat contest in Georgia, is different from preparing for a cable contest because it’s tough to ride behind the same boat in the same conditions, and the wake is always different so you have to adapt pretty quickly. And getting time on a boat is more difficult than just going to the cable park.

Tell us your best memory from the event?

My favorite memory from the contest was getting to meet so many pros, hang out with them and watch them ride.

Do you have any specific people who really push you to be your best or motivate you to try new tricks?

Anna and Erik Nikstad who are also Wake Nation locals, Thomas Elwood, Denver Jordan who managed Wake Nation for several years, and my dad.

Do you do any other sports or activities? Any that directly relate to wakeboarding?

I don’t really do any school sports since those schedules normally interfere with wakeboarding. I like to snowboard during the winter and get to the mountains as much as I can.

We are sure you saw some crazy riding at PP...which riders/tricks/hits stand out in your mind?

Liam Peacock did a massive switch backside 270 gap over the entire pool that had everyone going crazy, and Timo Kapl had some huge kicker hits.

How would people describe Parker?

I asked my mom to answer this one. She says I’m a hard worker (especially when I’m working towards something I really want), always up for a good joke, and I’m a generally nice guy.

Did you have any favorite obstacles at the event?

The Wake the Line hit was probably my favorite obstacle.

You could do lots of different hits on that one, like go rail to rail or banana slide it.

Tell us three tidbits about you that would surprise us.

I don’t like chocolate or mashed potatoes, I like wearing long-sleeve rashguards so I don’t have to wear so much sunscreen, and I’m a morning person – I almost always wake up before my alarm goes off.

You’re a Texas kid...did the weather affect your riding at all?

The air temp was like it is at home, but the water was a lot colder than I expected. I had to wear a wetsuit or heater top during practice, but it was warm enough on comp day that I didn’t need those.

Favorite Riders: Brady Patry and Guenther Oka Regular or goofy: Regular

What were your impressions of the international grom riders? Any big differences in style between Americans & Europeans/British?

I didn’t expect the other countries to have full teams and travel with coaches and stuff. They miss school and it’s excused and their country sponsors them which is way different than in the US. Just like you see in the pros the different country’s riders had their own style.

Spins or inverts: Inverts for dayz Biggest wakepark pet peeve: Prespinning on kickers Prefer summer/crowded or winter/no lines: Summer but crowded, when you get to hang out with your friends. Plus winter is for snowboarding.

What will we see from Parker in the future & any shout outs?

Hopefully you’ll see more of me riding to the best of my ability. Huge shoutout to Hyperlite Wake and Sun & Ski Sports for their support, and most importantly Mom and Dad!

So you’re also doing Points Chase WWA Nationals at BSR And then straight into WWA Wakeboard Boat Nationals in Georgia. How does your preparation for each event differ?

Preparing for PP was more intense because I had never been there before, so I crammed as much practice as I 25

UK Boat Nationals

by Mark Osmond photos: Chris West Photography & Mantis Pro Media - #shrimpboi

M a l i bu B o a t s Wa ke b o a r d N a t i o n a l C h a m p i o n s h i p s . N a t i o n a l r a n k i n g s . S u n ny days . Fla t wa ter. Dream only. No this is real. Ver y real. Living a dream. Yes , I am.

Cas tle WaterSki Club at Tatter shall Lakes Countr y Par k near Lincoln. July 1-2,2017.

What amazing hos ts . What a venue. What a weekend. Why? I jus t love this spor t, that’s w hy.

PRACTICE DAY

Tony Snelgrove turns up at my house 10 in the morning on June 30 to pick me up for the drive up from South of Guildford to the venue. Bang on time. And I’m ready. Practice set at 3:10 p.m.

Can’t be late. Tony’s one of my best wakeboarding buddies, and also one of my biggest rivals. A third Quays rider, Mark Goldsmith, is also riding in our category, Masters 2. Contest within a contest. Juicy. Also competing is last year’s champion and my first ever UK wakeboard coach, Brett Hodgkins, from when I rode down at Princes Club. Now wouldn’t it be good to put one over on him. At this stage, we have no idea who else will be riding.

of my run then as 15 mins before I’d just suffered a random chin injury, as you do, so just wanted to measure the wake out before getting that checked! Same boat, but different lake, different water means different wake. How’d it feel? Sweet.

Meaty. First jumps in and feels good to set down some of my run. Three runs up and down. Wake good. Nice. Worked well so all set for qualifying tomorrow. Stretch down. Watch some others practice. Catch up with the crowd and back to the caravan, home for the weekend, to freshen up before hitting the restaurant for dinner and more chat. Such a good, friendly and welcoming crowd; and a lot of these are competing against each other over the next two days. Back early to catch some good sleep so rested for tomorrow.

We arrive at 2:30 and check-in. Forecast for the weekend is lightish winds with some showers. Turn the corner to the lake.

Gentle breeze only and flat water. Yes. Sweet. Some of the usual crowd around. Boat out already on the lake for practice set.

But who’s that? Quays’ coach and Open Mens’ own rockstar, and one of the best UK riders, Jorge Gill in the driving seat for practice. I wasn’t expecting that.

QUALIFICATION DAY

Up early. Breakfast, then chill for a bit and down to the lake for briefings. The schedule’s out; our category’s out early. Tactics.

Feeling good from my practice, leave some tricks out of my run and try some other stuff. Goes well. Good enough to mix up my run for finals but not good enough to get up the running order list.

Just time to settle down, get changed, get a decent warm up in, and hit the water. The boat: Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ. Impressions: I’d ridden this same boat about a month before on the nationals practice day at Quays. I hadn’t thrown much

Lucky enough that our category goes early on, we can enjoy watching the rest of the riding with the pressure off. Lots of

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tactics. Riders putting the pressure on, others holding back; good riding all round. Last Chance Qualifiers for those not going straight through, with some going out after that.

others after me so need to land everything I can. It rarely goes as planned. Fall on second to last trick at the end of the first pass, and so I miss the last trick too. Good start to second pass but fall again, fourth trick. Game over; here comes the rescue boat again to take me back. Watch others; and know I’m beaten.

Congratulate other riders as they come in, then quick stretch down.

Freshen up again, then dinner. Some of those not riding hit the bar hard (and the mic too!), with a few stars spangled, but tomorrow’s riders head home to bed for an early night, mostly..

Early again, and time now to watch some of the country’s best wakeboarding. The weather’s brought out a good local crowd.

What a spectacle.

FINALS DAY

The forecast has changed. The rain has chosen to stay away.

Replaced in the afternoon by sunny spells [and a Spitfire and Lancaster flypast]. Sun’s out; big guns out.

And what riding it was. All categories, youngsters – the stars of the future - as well as us older generation, and the nation’s best, the open categories. Live feed going out but this would make such good TV too. So good to watch. Everything in wakeboarding is harder than it looks and these guys have put in hours of work

It’s all down to this. One run up and down the lake, throwing down the best tricks I can. Planned my run, mixing some of the good stuff from qualifying with some of the good stuff from practice. Second off the dock, I don’t know what’s to come from

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to get their riding looking this good. Inverts, grabs, spins, high enders all over the place.

And then to results. I suspect I’m off the podium but who knows. Board ready just in case. Tony Snelgrove 3rd, Mark Goldie 2nd, Brett Hodgkins 1st. 4th. Oh well, not beating the old master today.

Who knows on Open Men? The standard was insane. Certainly the best and closest final I’ve seen with the top five all throwing the hammers down. Such a high standard of riding and so good to watch. Drum roll… it goes to Luca Kidd, [16 ] years old, first place in his first year up from Junior Men. That’s nuts.

And for the double up contest after the main event. Big tricks.

And some of the biggest falls too. More prizes. Dan Nott takes it: TS 720 MC Dan Williams, who did a sterling job on the mic all weekend, thanked the hosts (Castle WaterSki Club & Tattershall Lakes Country Park) the officials (without them the event could not happen and the sponsors: Malibu Boats, Jobe Watersports, Extreme Gene, The Quays, COW, LDB Wakeschool, Over for another year, but yes, what a weekend.

Oh, I just love this sport.

Open Ladies… goes to “KTB” Katie Bachelor but not landing her wrapped roll to blind meant Best Trick went to Charlotte Millward for her peachy front roll.

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plastic

bro

by Nick Coates / photos: Mantis Pro Media - #shrimpboi

What up Unleashed Reader s!

It’s N ick from b ro ! h e re , c h e ck i n g i n f ro m Liq uid Leisure in t h e U K. Th e wa keb oa rd commun i ty i s absolutely bu zzing over here, having jus t witnessed one of the crazies t wakepar k events that the wor ld has ever seen, the Plas tic Playground Wakepar k Championships .

On the July 15, 2017 the world’s best wakepark riders descended on the plastic wonderland that is Liquid Leisure. This park is literally full to the brim with almost every UNIT obstacle imaginable, and at just a stone’s throw from London. You would be hard pushed to find a better location for a wake event.

he is today. When you watch Matty ride, he literally blows your mind with his tech lines and unique style. He has some of the most ridiculous rail skills around, charges the kickers, and blends double flip hammers with insane spin variations, oh and he can hold his own behind the boat too!

The competition setup at Plastic Playground has been getting bigger, better and more progressive every year, and this year was certainly no different. Not content with their already feature-packed lake, the Liquid Leisure crew hacked their plethora of UNIT features together to create some truly aweinspiring combinations, which allowed for some seriously creative lines and a veritable toolbox full of hammers to be thrown down by the best wakepark riders in the world.

Given Matty’s recent success, I thought we should jump on the opportunity to catch up with him and a couple of our other riders who were down at the Plastic Playground Wakepark Championship representing for bro! out on the water.

At the end of an absolutely insane weekend of riding, it was the Australian wonder boy, Aaron Gunn, who took the crown for the second year running, followed by Ariano Blanik in second, Daniel Grant in third and our very own Matty Muncey in fourth position - an incredible performance from the young gun who is fast proving himself to be one of the most creative features riders not just in the UK, but also on the world stage.

Our brand - bro! clothing - is all about having fun and riding with your buddies. We don’t take life too seriously and the focus has always been on keeping it fun since day one.

Over the coming pages we’ll be chatting with Matty Muncey, Freddie Carter and Bobby (Le Boobie) Carne, three of our biggest hitters from the bro! wakeboard team.

Which is why when the opportunity to pen this article came about, myself and Jon Shrimpton (Mantis Pro Media / Unleashed) decided to catch up with the boys for a shred and a chat down at the UK’s premier wake facility and the venue for the Plastic Playground Wakepark Championship itself Liquid Leisure. (Matty joins us over the magic of the interweb from Atlanta).

Conveniently, Matty also rides for us here at bro! and has for quite a few years now. We’ve watched him grow from a talented grom into the powerhouse of wakepark riding that

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Off the water, I’m still at school studying photography, music and media so a lot of that time is taken up there, but when I’m not at school and not wakeboarding, I like to skate, play drums and throw in a bit of snowboarding too during the winter.

Yo Matty! Let’s kick things off on this interview thing with an easy one, hit us with your age, home park and current location?

I’m 17, I ride at Liquid Leisure and I’m currently out in Atlanta.

You recently took home 4th place at the Plastic Playground wake park championships, beating out out some of the best riders in the world to get there, how did that feel and what were you most stoked on about the comp?

I was so stoked to make it to the finals! It’s crazy riding against the people you’ve looked up to ever since you were a grom haha.

I felt that going into this contest a lot of people didn’t really know who I was and so for me, this contest was all about getting more recognition I guess.

You were just out in Texas for the US Wakepark nationals, and it looks like you’ve had a pretty busy year of traveling! What has been your favorite destination so far?

Yeah Texas is crazy! I’d say probably the Philippines. That place has so much that you can do and I never got bored out there, but for me, it depends more on the people I’m with more than the location. Luckily all the people I travel with are always super fun.

What’s your number one spot to travel to with Wakeboarding?

Is there anywhere else on the hit list?

Hmmmm… I honestly have no idea! One place I want to go for sure is Thai wake park. I’ve still never been.

There were a whole bunch of UNIT hacks throughout the course, we know you love a good unique feature, did you have a favorite obstacle out there?

Yeah for sure! I’d say my favorite feature would be the Henshaw X Fun box hack. There are so many possibilities and there’s still so many lines that nobody has even done on that before.

What’s a must have in your bag? Do you have any travel essentials?

Definitely a set of headphones and a laptop. The worst thing is sitting on a plane with nothing to do. Apart from that not really anything to be honest, haha.

You’re a super creative rider, always finding new lines and laying down some insane tech maneuvers - where does your inspiration come from?

Honestly everywhere! As a kid, I would relentlessly watch edits all day and that always motivated me when I was younger but now, I’ll only watch edits from time to time. I really get inspired watching my friends ride and seeing what they make of a feature.

What’s next for you and do you have any shout outs you’d like to give?

At the start of next year I want to properly film a part and then after I finish school I’m gonna travel more. Shout outs, I’d of course like to thank all of my sponsors! I especially want to shout out Ck Koester, without him I don’t think I would be where I’m at in wakeboarding right now. Also Paul and Karen, much love.

How do you keep it fun on and off the water?

Well, on the water I love riding doubles with friends and a good Sunday funday is always sick.

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What up Fred! Here’s an easy one to get your question answering muscles warmed up: what’s your age, home park and current location?

I’m 21 years old, riding at Liquid Leisure cable in Datchet, currently living in Chertsey.

You’ve also spent a lot of time riding down here at Liquid Leisure and this year’s setup for Plastic Playground was pretty crazy, did you have a favorite feature out there?

Yeah my favorite feature this year has been the transition curb into the tech series rail, it’s so fun to boost out of the curb and into the transition.

You’ve been sending it at Plastic Playground for a good few years now, what’s your favorite thing about the comp and did you have any favorite moments or riders from this year’s event?

The best thing for me is that Plastic brings all the top riders together and everyone has to push their limits as the set up just gets crazier every year. What stands out for me is when people take risks with different lines and hits. Favorite moment for me was when I went off the dock for one of my runs and as soon as I hit the water I felt like I was going so fast….. turns out that the cable was doing 36kph !! Haha thanks Rocco!

How do you keep it fun on and off the water?

On the water I keep it fun by trying new things all the time, new lines, new ways to hit the rails and do different things rather than keep doing the same things lap after lap! Off the water I like to keep myself active and stay relaxed.

We know you like a spot of fishing and golf, so question 1.

When did you become such an old man?! … And 2. Do you find those sports help your riding in any way?

Haha!! Well I started playing golf when I was about 10 but I’ve just recently gotten into fishing so I would say I’m a newbie old man! I find they do help me in a way where I can still keep active with things and get away from the cable.

You’re always a favorite of ours to watch with a riding style that blends tech rail tricks with absolutely charging the kickers, is there anyone or anything that inspires your riding?

There is one person that sticks out to me for inspiring me to ride and its Dan [Grant]. When I watch him absolutely charge at the kickers and send a double grab back 5 going bigger than anyone else and just riding away like nothing, it just makes me want to go out there and charge at the kickers myself.

You’ve been part of the UK wakeboard community since you were super young (and WAY smaller), what’s the best thing about the UK scene and why should people come and ride here?

The best thing about the UK wakeboard scene is that all the riders get along with each other, there is never any tension between cables or crews or anything, everyone just wants to ride and push the sport in every way!

We know that you & Dan, plus a few other homies, have been spending a bunch of time together out in Thailand, what’s the vibe out there and are you guys all pushing each other or just straight chilling?

The great thing about being in Thailand is just getting up to ride and hang out without the distractions of fitting riding around work or British weather. It’s one of the nicest cables in the world to ride with a lake full of plastic too! It also helps that we have such a solid crew out there! We have a pretty strict routine every morning getting to the cable for open to get the GoPro laps done. With everyone out there riding at the same time we are always pushing each other!

Any shout outs?

Massive shout out and big thanks to DUP Wakeboards for supporting me! Without them I don’t know where I would be!

I would also like to thank you (Nick) at BRO! always hooking me up with the best clothes going! The warmest jumpers and the snazziest designs!

Always a big shout out to everyone who helps me out throughout the year! All my boys too, you know who you are!

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wakeboarding season I have the snow season to look forward to and vice versa –love both worlds! I want to do both for the rest of my life!

Riding in the UK or Vive La France?

Vive La France as there are so many more cable parks around, with a mixture of Unit and really good handmade rails that are a lot of fun (Weather tends to be better too!)

AH! Monsieur Le Boobie, what brings you to the UK mon ami?

Bonjour Mr le Nick! I’ve been coming back to the UK over the summer since I can remember, mainly to catch up with the English family and in the last three years been making it over for a couple of comps.

So a mixture of business and pleasure! You threw down some hammers out at Plastic as well as a few creative tricks that we don’t see many of. Did you have favorite feature out there and was there a stand out rider for you?

The general level at Plastics was amazing, it gets better and better every year. It’s hard to say who stood out the most for me but Victor Salmon and Matty Muncey’s riding was insane. The whole set-up was super fun, my favorite feature would have to be the ‘Wake the line’ rail – endless lines and possibilities on that rail.

You’ve traveled a fair bit with wakeboarding, do you have a favorite place to ride?

I love riding at TNS 73 as the spot is amazing surrounded by the French Alps, the park itself is super fun and you can always count on good vibes.

Do you have a favorite French phrase that you’d like to teach our non-francophone readers?

‘On est pas sorti de l’Auberge!’ (Said with a very strong Savoyard accent)

You’re a super fun rider to watch with some really creative tricks in the bag, is there anything or anyone that inspires your riding?

Cheers mate. I think I like to mix both French and English riding together, they both have their own styles. I also have the chance of spending the winter in the French Alps, so snowboarding inspires me a lot. I have to admit that my bro Sam has got me pumped and inspired to wakeboard more than anyone, cheers Sambo !

…And that means?

It doesn’t really have a translation it’s a “saying” but it kind of means “we ain’t out of the shit yet“.

Any shout outs you’d like to throw out there?

Shout out to Hyperlite, TNS 73, Ion, bro! clothing and of course I need to thank the parents and everyone else who helps me out doing what I love.

How do you keep it fun on and off the water?

The people who you ride with and chill with are what makes this sport so awesome. Surround yourself with a good bunch of friends who enjoy riding and trying new things on the water as much as you do and you’ll be hooked.

Well, that was a fun catch up! And I guess that about wraps it up from the boys and myself… Be sure to keep a look out for the bro! team tearing up a cable park near you this year they’ll be the ones keeping it fun with big smiles on their faces, sending it hard both on and off the water.

Check out the full bro! range at brocerystore.com and be sure to get yourselves down to Liquid Leisure for a ride in their feature-packed fun park!

At the time of writing the Liquid Leisure crew have just announced that they’ve secured yet another awesome obstacle to add to their already incredible set up; they’ll soon be taking delivery of the Munich Mash signature UNIT feature from this year’s competition, get down there and check it out!

Happy shredding!

Alright, time for some quick fire questions: English Breakfast or French style (CROISSANTS FOR DAYS)?

Nothing beats a full English Breakfast, sorry frogs!

Sunday Roast or Fondue?

Now this is a hard one…but growing up in Savoie where Fondue was created, I have to go for the cheesy heaven.

We know you like a bit of skiing and snowboarding in winter time, soooo… Mountains or Lakes?

Can’t make a decision on that one. When I’m over with the

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MUNICH MASH through the eyes of

Felix Georgii Name: Felix Georgii Age: 24

Town: Allgäu, Southern Germany Stance: Goofy Homespot: The Bricks, Inselsee Allgäu, Turncable Sponsors: Red Bull, Liquid Force, Ride Engine, Sesitec, Unit Parktech, Pullin

Felix has been a Ger man pro wakeboarder for m a ny ye a r s n ow. H e i s s p o n s o r e d by R E D B U L L and Liquid force and he has won the Bes t Tr ick P r iz e dur ing th e s e c o n d e d i t i o n o f t h e M unich Mash with his Mute Cab 540 One Foot…!

On my way to Munich I got a call from the UNIT guys. They asked me if I could check on the Mash setup. Nico von Lerchenfeld, who was supposed to check in, couldn’t make it in time due to a car break down. I wasn’t excited at all because last year’s setup needed so much adjustments before it finally worked.

As soon as I arrived, Dom Hernler and I went to the wakeboard setup and we were ready to do the first couple hits on the mega ramp. We were both a little bit scared, but as soon as we both hit it one time we knew that all the adjustments that

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Unit did on this year’s setup were really good. The setup didn´t need many changes.

The kickers and landing ramp were perfect and everyone could do their best tricks. As soon as the contest was on everybody killed it, and it was an intense qualification round. I was pretty stoked to make it to the quarter finals. On Sunday during practice it was raining really bad and I wasn’t really motivated to try anything. But as soon as I started trying my Cab 540 with one foot I knew that trick was going to work for me. After practice the weather started to clear up and the crowd started to come to the site. Everyone was hyped because the sun was out and there were so many spectators.

It was a fantastically fun contest and all the riders killed it.

I was lucky enough to take home best trick with my Mute Cab 540 One Foot.

D O MI N I C K H ER NLE R

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Name: Maxime Roux Age: 13 Town: Capdenac, France Stance: Goofy Homespot: TNG Wakepark (cablepark), and Cajarc Nautique (Boat) Sponsors: Ronix and Sooruz

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MAXIME ROUX Pro Wakeboarder Photo : Didier Roux

a session. Maybe it will be possible in the near future, Italia and France are not so far.

How did you get started Wakeboarding?

I started wakeboard when I was five, behind a boat with my daddy, who has been riding wakeboard for a long time! Then, we started together cable wakeboard at Rouffiac wakepark (France), and I continue to evolve in both disciplines today.

Tell us a bit about your home spot: My two home spots are cable and boat. I take lot of pleasure in both places, thanks to the staff and my friends.

TNG Wakepark is a nice six tower cable. Obstacles are cool, two big kickers, rails and sliders. Wonderful spot for airtricks too.

Riding is a pleasure, and after riding too, thanks to nice place.

My boat home spot is in a river. It always has nice flat water. I ride behind a heavy Air Nautique 210, with the maximum load that the engine can support. I like the wake even if it’s smaller than boats used in competition.

Do you do any other board sports?

I also do other board sports, for having fun only, and not at a high level: surfboard and snowboard.

In fact, my second favorite sport is basketball. No link with wakeboard, it’s really different but it allows me to change my mind during the winter season. I like this sport, and I try to do my best.

Do you always ride alone?

I often ride alone in boat. My daddy coaches me, and drives the boat. And sometime I train with the French team and it’s a real pleasure to meet my friends!

At the wakepark in France, I know a lot of riders. Usually, I meet a friend and we spend the session together in order to find motivation to attempt new tricks!

What do you like the most about wakeboarding?

I like the diversity that this sport can offer! Boat riding, kickers, sliders and air tricks. Thanks to the diversity, I am never bored.

I take pleasure every time I take the handle.

What do you dislike?

I dislike injuring myself! But it has never happened fortunately and I try to avoid it by a “smart” way of riding.

I am always self-confident when I try new tricks. Even if today I am able to do huge tricks, I would never take too many risks.

What Wakeboard or Snowboard LEGEND do you admire?

Legend? Do you mean an old rider?

I am a fan of Danny Harf. He won the X-games several times and he is still a good rider today!

Which do you prefer, rails or kickers?

Depends on the wakepark. At Plastic Playground, I prefer rails! Honestly I like a lot kickers and I spend time to play on them. Probably because I am also a boat rider!

What are your goals for 2017?

The Boat World Championships! I’m still under 14, and I train hard to perform well at this event.

I was 6th in 2015 with a poor run compared to what I am capable of doing today. So I hope my result will be better, even if I am aware that other young riders have seriously improved their level as well.

If you could have a session with anyone, who would it be?

I already had the opportunity to ride with Daniel Grant in Geneva, Switzerland.

I would really enjoy a session with Massi Piffa! I’ve met him several times at the European Championships, but never for

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© Lior sofer

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James

Boggia

By Phil Sirech

James Boggia is a famous OZ r ider traveling the wor ld to pursue his passion. He spends most of his year in the Phiippines. He assists the Filipino team with their training, teaches the Filipinos new talents, and helps grow the spor t in this area of the world.

then make another new edit on their sick new rails they have installed. That will nearly bring me to the end of 2017. Already planning for 2018.

Hi James, can you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is James Boggia. People also know me as Boggia or JP because of my Insta name @jpboggia. I’m 25 years old, born out of the UK, but spent half my life within Australia.

What is the best event you dream to be a part of?

I really would like to try LAO, FISE and Plastic Playgrounds since I have only ridden in World titles and LF rail jams.

The obstacle lines at all the events lately are looking like so much fun with so many lines to choose from, any would be a pleasure to go to. I guess the one that stands out and would make me feel like I’ve achieved a bit of my dream would be the Shredtown Jamboree. Each year I always look at it and would love to take part. Stuff can really go wrong if you mess up in anyway and that scary factor always attracts me. The Valdosta Yardsale looked dope as well. Getting invited to an invitational event would definitely be high on my list.

When did you start Wakeboarding and Why ?

I started Wakeboarding just over a decade ago. I lived on a boat while living in Hong Kong in my early years and had always been attracted to any kind of watersports. After moving to Australia my Dad decided to take me to Bli Bli cable on the Sunshine Coast Australia. As soon as I saw it I never wanted to do anything else. Love at first sight I guess you could say haha.

Where is your Home Spot?

Bli Bli was my first home cable and my riding there was getting the attention of other riders such as Scotty Green, Daniel Pyne, Justin Abbott and the other top riders from Bli Bli. While always moving and searching for new experiences Cairns cable was my second home riding with Busty Dunn and Sam Gunn. I then moved to CWC to work as the head coach for two years and rode with all the main boys on the circuit. I have loved every cable I have been welcomed to and I guess they are all my home.

Do you have any plans to compete this year & what is your schedule for this year?

WWA Worlds will be next at CWC at the end of September. I am planning in 2018 to get to LAO, FISE and Plastic Playground.

I’ll be working my ass off with riding and fitness to try get better each day and hopefully more opportunities will come up so I can add them in to my 2018 season.

Can you tell us more about your 2017 season, any plans ?

I have just released my latest edit from CWC “RAW” from my stay there. I’m currently on a fitness course at the best gym in Asia“Unit 27 Phuket Thailand”. Getting my body ready to take some hard hits and crashes for my up and coming edit in USA filming with JB Oneill next month. After that I’ll be going back to CWC to train and compete in the 2017 WWA worlds

In your opinion is wakeborading a lifestyle, a sport, or both?

It’s definitely both for me. I love rocking up to a cable to ride with my mates and have fun but since I’ve started taking it more serious I love trying to have a structure and goals with each set. If it’s to work on a new trick or put all my main tricks in a line to get more consistent. I always go out with a goal

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in mind and try my hardest to achieve that goal.

Where is your favorite place to live ?

I’ve always loved Asia to be honest. I lived in Hong Kong for seven years as a young one and I guess that has stuck with me.

I love the CWC scene, meeting all the new people and of course riding the best park in the world.

I also like spending time in Phuket for the fitness and diet side of riding on the off season.

You told us that you were going to leave the Philippines for a while.

Can you tell us more about that?

I have already left the Philippines so I can get my fitness to its peak.

So I will be stronger than I’ve ever been. I am trying to make sure I have less chance of injury which is a common hazard of riding. I’ll definitely be going back to ride there for a chunk of time each year but I have other filming goals and events I would like to explore like I have stated before.

Do you prefer riding boat, cable or both?

I’ve tried boat and what some of the guys can do behind boat is sick. I prefer riding cable for the fact you can change your line up each lap with hitting obstacles rather than just wake to wake. I guess it’s just like some people like street, and some people like pipe riding. Two different sides but both make wakeboarding what it is today.

What is your best memory as a coach?

I have so many to be honest. It’s weird I get the same feeling seeing

one of my students land a trick they have been getting punished on as I do when I land something for the first time. Knowing my input and knowledge has helped someone land a new trick is a great feeling.

I just like sharing my knowledge to get results for others just like I do myself. I want to see wakeboarding grow more and more each year and I feel that’s how I can do my part for the next generation.

What is your best memory as a Pro-rider?

My best memory is probably winning my first Pro event in one of the rail jam events in Oz. Getting put in a heat with someone I look up to or I think rides super sick and then coming out on top is always a great feeling.

What is your feeling about sponsorships in 2017?

Firstly I’m really grateful to my current sponsors EVL NUTRITION, UNIT-27 and PODMX. I’m chasing a board brand at the moment and any wakeboarding related products as I really feel I can offer something quite attractive to companies that support me. Hopefully my edits this year will make people go “wow” and convince the to have a spot for me on their team. I am really focusing on becoming a complete athlete. I have always been very loyal to my sponsors and hope that my riding and my character will open some doors.

What is your funniest wakeboarding memory?

There is always something funny happening each day riding and even more so at events. Dice for

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© Chr is Hop f

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© Chr is Hop f

© C hr i s H o pf

dares is always a good one at events and some funny things have come out of that on each roll of the dice.

more than I can count but I guess that’s what most riders can say when you ride at this level.

What’s your technique in order to not stress in contests?

I love listening to music all the time in life so I try to chuck my headphones on to just chill. The main thing for me is when one of crew who is also riding against you comes up and gives you a hug and says you will “kill it”. It is always a good feeling getting that positive vibe from your true mates before your set.

What are your global plans for this season, events, coaching, other ?

My plans are to concentrate on my riding for the next couple years see where I can get to and leave coaching aside for a bit.

I want to get to events, do my edits and try to push my limits and keep ticking the boxes of my goals and ultimately fulfilling my dreams.

What is your scariest moment on a wakeboard?

Definitely something JB Oneill has suggested to me which was flipping rails, and making a big gap to an obstacle. That’s the stuff I love. That scared feeling inside gets me going because I never want to let it beat me. I’ll always make sure I try what’s in front of me so I don’t say, “Oh I wish I had tried that” or go home kicking myself for B*#ching out on something.

Thanks for your time James, any shout outs?

Yeah massive thank you to my current sponsors: Unit27, EVL Sports Supplement’s and PODMX kneebraces. A massive thank you to all the guys who pushed me in riding last year: Chris Hopf, William Klang, JB Oneill, Anna Nikstad, Ben Leclair, Lior Sofer, Jonathan Silvershatz, Cam Graham, Graeme Burress and all the others. Without you guys I wouldn’t be loving riding and had this improvement. I would also like to thank Congressman Lray Villafuerte and Gov Migz Villafuerte for giving me so many opportunities while being part of the CWC family.

Any huge falls or injuries ?

Yeah I’ve had a few surgeries on my knee. Knocked myself out

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Dan Baerselman, the style-monger from New Forest Wake Park, enjoying smashing an Industry Beer Can on tour - as everyone did!

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industry Pro Wakeboard Tour Article by whom ever has written the article and Mantis Pro Media

H ow d o we s u s t a i n wa ke b o a r d i n g ? We l l , i t h a s t o grow of cour se. How does this growth occur? How d o e s t h e s p o r t m a i n t a i n a c r e d i b l e fo c u s o n t h e c o re w h i l e b e fa r re a c h i n g e n o u g h t o evo l ve i n t o something that is more than jus t niche? I’ll tell you how. You take the spor t to the people…

The first solution to this conundrum came in the form of the wakeboard winch in around the early 2000’s to 2005. The pool gap phenomena swept the wakeboard world with every conceivable manifestation of this creation popping up at boat shows, wakeboard events, multi action sports events in any situation from a car park to an indoor exhibition centre and everything in between. Some were impressive feats of engineering and some were far less so, but all had the same goal in mind, place our sport centre stage where the people couldn’t help but have wakeboarding shoved down their throats.

The winch served us well for a time but then the quantum leap forward really came about with the visionary creation of the Sesitec System 2.0. Thank you Sesitec. Those same pool gaps in the middle of festival sites and boat shows became something entirely more rider and spectator friendly, enabling quick fire entertaining events with truly legitimate and credible riding going down.

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Barrel slapping and tapping a plenty - Dec Clifford, hand slap backside 180 over the barrel hop.

Freddie Carter, backside power shred - for that freshly shorn lawn.

Jump forward another few years and we are now treated to a plethora of incredible two tower wake event productions of incredible scope and variety. From the Red Bull Wake Lab that started it all through to Wake The Line, FISE, Wake Of Steel, Munich Mash, Red Bull Harbour Reach and many more besides, these creations place our sport in the heart of cities, action sports festivals and other weird and wonderful locations. All of the above have strived to and succeeded in growing the sport by parking it in awesome locations and in front of new faces as well as through the mass exposure that comes from such alternative spectacles.

then Liverpool for the following four years right up to 2015.

Then, as was always going to be the case, it ran its course and a very big hole was left. Step in Industry Wake Parks, the people behind all Sesitec System 2.0 installations in the UK and the forefathers of all big wake event installations in the UK. With over 30 commercial System 2.0 wake park installations across the UK but now missing the means by which to give our sport the grandest stage at the most prime event and location possible, Tim Woodhead, one of the OG’s of our sport in the UK and the man behind Industry, conceived of the Industry Pro Wakeboard Tour. The Industry Tour saw it’s first year in 2016 through a series of System 2.0 wake park contests that tagged on to existing, hugely attended events and festivals that would give the sport the stage it needs to continue pushing and growing our support through solid

The UK found itself on the roster of these huge, wakeboard event productions in the through Harbour Reach, taking place in Lyme Regis on the south coast for the first two years and

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prize money for the riders and insane exposure for the sport, both direct to the masses at each event and also to far more people through the resultant media coverage and exposure that these unique events would create.

to each venue installations with solid cash purses, massive crowds framed by unreal backdrops, second to none coverage of every sort from none stop Facebook Live’s to multiple crazy high quality video edits and, most importantly of all, a crazy talented set of riders creating an awesome atmosphere at every stop.

After an insanely successful inaugural year, 2017 came with the prospect of more stops at even bigger events. This could only be capitalized on with the assembled Industry crew who first and foremost are riders and fans of wakeboarding but are also extremely experienced, knowledgable and crazy passionate ensuring the Tour would be all it could be a far as the end product is concerned. This team, headed up by Tim Woodhead, surpassed all expectations to create something the UK scene should be truly proud of. The Industry Pro Wakeboard Tour boast four stops of purpose built, bespoke

It’s hard to knuckle down every sick rail and kicker hit, all the spanks our riders took, - of which there were many - the true vibe of the après ski shenanigans and the definitive blow by blow of the tour because there literally were so many good times, funny incidents and a copius amount of off the hook riding. This, however is our best crack at it.

Stop 2, Gloucester Tall Ships Festival

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Scotland’s finest, Blair Fraser barrel bonking in front of his home crowd.

for those descending on this awesome spot just outside Edinburgh, Scotland from near and far.

STOP 1, FOXLAKE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

The tour kicked off at one of THE premiere S2 parks out there – Foxlake Adventures. Dual System 2’s and one mini, overwater high ropes course lake, zip lines through the surrounding forests, off-road Segway tours and even a full blown frisbee golf course through the expansive woodland in which the park is nestled. Having been around for a good number of years now Foxlake stands tall as one of the out and out best S2 parks come outdoor adventure centres in Europe.

As the only stop on the tour taking place at a permanent commercial wake park there was only the need of some additions and tweaks to the existing features set-up. Every year at, Harbour Reach, monumentally large kicker hits over weird and wonderful obstacles of varying sorts where always a staple of the course. As it was Tim and his Industry team who created all of this madness at that event, the knee crunching theme continued for the Pro Tour. Stop 1 had a big leap of faith either over or around a metal barrel stuck upright about 10 feet in the air at its highest, ripe for the bonking there of. Then there was the same incline to tractor tyre jib from last year, Industry A-frame to metal barrel hop and the favourite/most worrying feature of the weekend, the dual skinny metal rails raised up on a disco

For this event weekend, the tour action created the centre piece for an outdoor festival held every year at the site.

With live music across multiple stages, live comedy acts, a stomach groaningly large number of food stalls and huge interactivity area for the kids, it was a packed weekend

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Freddie Carter - mute cab 3 over the Industry transfer box hip

Matty Muncey - front lip to hand plant backside 270

box with a crazy kicky booter in between each right at the end. This became affectionately known as ‘The Twins’ and ‘Devil’s Alley’.

Constable brothers along with Blair Fraser were getting absolutely launched off the booter in between the metal twins with Alfie honestly going higher than anyone did off the kickers all weekend. Honourable mentions go to Matty Branston who made his Tour debut at Foxlake the previous year and man, how he has pushed his riding since then, earning himself the Industry Stand Out Rider award.

Alongside him, Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh joined the tour for the first time and showed no fear, perhaps too little fear, in throwing a mute half cab roll over the barrel, once with more than enough height and the second time with a bum twitchingly close lack of amplitude, narrowly missing his head and t-boning his board. He lived to fight another day and the crowd breathed one huge sigh of relief.

On the riding front, the field was going to be left wide open with a whole new fraternity of young bloody chomping at the bit to take on the tour and with Ryan Peacock out through injury, Liam Peacock all booked up, Jack Battleday in Oz and Joey Battleday getting an invite to the Langenfeld Open, unfortunately clashing with the first stop, it was going to be good to see so many new faces in the running for the top spots. Having said this, there were old favourites in the mix from the get go. Freddie Carter was doing silly things, the most silly of which was back lippin’ on to the twins from the side in the wrong direction which was roughly a chest high ollie on him at least. Matty Muncey couldn’t get enough of his old favourite Indy Tantrum hip jump and the

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Finally, Jonty Green gets to wear what he wants on tour but still fit in!

Alfie Constable making every inch of every course look effortless Jack Constable hitting the Flat bar at Bolesworth International.

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The centre piece of the course, however, was the brand spanking new Industry ‘Beer Can’ as it became known, unsurprisingly because that’s exactly what it looked like.

Sitting a good seven feet off the water and, as usual, anchored a sizeable gap away from one of the kickers, it quickly became the new fave of all the riders.

STOP 2, GLOUCESTER TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL

Celebrating 10 years since it’s first outing, the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival makes for quite an incredible show piece when it comes to city centre events, throwing out all the stops to entice the masses. Over 200,000 people made their way round the central Gloucester dockland area over the course of three days, wakeboarding could not be getting any better exposure with so many new faces witnessing the sport for the first time. Hundred year old military and pirate reinactments, musket fire en’all, activations of all sorts on land, freestyle jetski displays, New Foundland Dog rescue demos (a crowd favourite) plus the wakeboarding and much more besides. It was pretty awesome for the tour and our sport to be part of it all and the riders put on an amazing show that went down a storm in one of the most unique, almost purpose build spectator settings we could have come up with.

Yet more newcomers to the tour were added at this stop with the WMSki crew, the most local park, there in full effect even wheeling out Johnny Carne to help out on the Mic as well as get stuck into the riding. However, it was Ben Jones out of this crew who made the most friends and enemies all at once through his insistence on throwing the latest possible air tricks he could and colliding with the boats and docks off the quayside on no less than three separate occasions. Absolutely awesome, largely because he somehow didn’t brain himself, but also because it was just absolutely awesome.

A far less hectic course made up the layout for this stop with a couple less features and a slightly longer run. The flat bar added the traditional park riding element along with the usual meaty kickers. However, the disco box was back in play but this time with three metal barrels stacked high for a sizable push needed to clear them requiring young leg spring to avoid a beating. As usual Jonty Green didn’t worry about such things giving those barrels a good old kicking in ultimately making for a much more manageable leap, until the Industry crew went out and fixed them again.

Other newbies to the tour took the form of two ridiculsously talented riders from Box End Park, James Masterson and Ben Frisby. Apart from being solid quality to hang out with, they can both shred. James earned himself the honour of Stand Out Rider for some crazy dangerous and stylish spins all over the set-up but most impressively of all, on the beer can. It was to be Matty Muncey’s stop again, though, with that double toeside back roll amongst a variety of other big hits to push him further in front overall.

Stop 3, The Equerry Bolesworth International, Cheshire.

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arenas but also lots more besides such as falconry and dog agility displays, fairground, trade village, evening entertainment and so on. There also happens to be the most perfect System 2.0 wake park event lake sat at the foot of the hill on which this stunning castle sits, overlooking the entire estate. Technically it’s a follee i.e. a non defensive structure, but it’s got turrets and everything and is called Bolesworth Castle, so we were going to be wakeboarding in front of a castle and that is that!

STOP 3, THE EQUERRY BOLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL, CHESHIRE

Quite the title for an event and is named as such because this particular weekend on the Bolesworth Castle Estate, yup, I said castle, is one of the foremost equestrian show jumping events in the world. Yup, I said showjumping. Kind of a weird clashing of worlds but totally amazing. It all came about from me having worked this very event back in 2016 as one of the hosts, taking on the role of ‘billy punter’ to be that link between those who are entrenched in the showjumping and those who really are not, like me!

The course was a tight one and the riding was hard. We were joined by none other than Nick Davies and Liam Peacock at this stop, perhaps enticed by the prospect of an all tweed attire weekend which I was trying to enforce with all invites to this

It’s a huge country fair style event with multiple showjumping

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Liam Peacock riding just the one stop of the tour was more than enough for the other riders. Liam drops a toeside castle over SUP crew flip

X Factor Industry Pro Tour Style

stop of the tour. We also had Dec Clifford back after missing the second stop, bringing with him the Netherland’s Sam De Haan who, like Dec, is a formidable force on the water.

20 years I’ve been in the sport.

I guess it is fairly likely that you’re set for a good weekend ahead when, on the very first night, the festivities commence with champagne and canapés in a castle with a fashion show in which three of your number are rather awkwardly stepping out on to a catwalk for the first time only to then roll this party on down into the festival site. It was much the same for the rest of the weekend, but perhaps the most impressive of thing of all, beyond the riding, was the dresscode that the entire crew adhered to every evening. This was the smartest bunch of wakeboarders you have every seen!

So the riding was insane, as standard. Liam dropping doubles like they’re hot, a crazy battle royale between him and Nick Davies. The course made things testing as as with every stop.

A silly ‘T-Bone’ hop in and out of the flat bar and both the twins and beer can were in play too. There was grass sliding contests, non stop lazing and paddle boarding in the 30 degree heat all weekend, the first and only sessions of the tour so far that were open to the public and these fully booked throughout, camping like the good old days and overall one of the best vibes I’ve ever experience at any event over the past

Thank you Bolesworth. We can’t wait to come back!

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STOP 4, INTERNATIONAL MERSEY RIVER FESTIVAL, LIVERPOOL

The home of Industry Wake Parks, or at least Liverpool Wake Park which sits just a couple of docks down from the main event site. It is in these docks that Red Bull Harbour Reach went down for so many years ensuring this city and venue is rather special for the UK riding crew who are lucky enough to have ridden there. With a very similar vibe to the Gloucester Tall Ships festival, including the tall ships, historical and contemporary maritime vibe and the hundreds of thousands of visitors over the three days, this stop it rounded off the tour in fine style.

In place was the biggest course layout so far and perhaps the most technical with the beer can squared off in front of the kicker, T-boner to incline, flat bar to hand rail transfer and the huge Industry transfer box, there were unlimited ways of making this course your own. Crazy variety with the best riding of the tour so far is exactly what went down.

Matty Muncey was back again after missing Bolesworth but Freddie Carter who had two second place finishes on the tour was unable to make this last stop. This meant, that Jack and Alfie Constable were tied for first place overall coming into this stop with only Matty Muncey able to do anything about either of them taking the title. It was going to be tough for Matty though as he would have to take the win with both constables missing out on the final four for the overall title to be his. As neither Jack or Alfie had missed one semi finals round all tour, it wasn’t looking so promising for Matty.

Jack Battleday was there to throw a spanner in the works

though which he ultimately did, but just for Constable senior and where I couldn’t do anything about Alfie’s unstoppable form in my semi final against him, it ended up being Alfie taking the top spot against JB and Jack Constable taking third ahead of me.

The main event aside, very notable mentions are David O’Caiomh joining us for the first time and putting jaws on the floor with his kicker action, in particular his whirly dick to take best kicker hit. Then there was Jonty who was just waiting for an opportunity to stall his board way up in the air on something extremely solid to kick him into a front flip and the last stop gave him an opportunity which he took without hesitation as only Jonty can.

Finally Dan Baerselman of New Forest Wake Park who was at Liverpool last year and a staple favourite on the tour this year, came up with the most insane backside 180 off his toes on to the flat bar to front board transfer across on to the hand rail to get best rail hit of the weekend. So good to have him get some limelight after such sick riding all year.

Prize givings, photos, bro hugs and big high fives all round followed by the usual apre ski shenanigans that Liverpool provides so effortlessly, this was a great signing off to an amazing tour.

You could not get a better crew of those making it happen off the water and those making the most of it on the water. There was the strongest collective will I’ve ever experienced to not only have a good time but remain appreciative of this amazing opportunity we as riders, fans and those working in the industry have to continue doing what we love! Thank you O’Brien, Liquid Force, dryrobe, Sesitec, Foxlake, Gloucester, Bolesworth, Liverpool and of course Industry Wake Parks.

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A Crowhurst caress for the Industry Beer Can

Final stop podium, 4th - Matt Crowhurst, 3rd - Jack Constable, 2nd - Jack Battleday, 1st - Alfie Constable

Jack Battleday’s only stop of the tour but owning it just the same

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Jim

Sedgwick text & photos : Maria Cuenca Nunez

Jim is from Liq uid Leisure ca b l e pa r k . H e has b een wor k ing a t t h e U K pa r k for six yea r s and r iding for 15 yea r s . Jim s t a r t ed a s a b oa t r i d er b eca use t h ere were no ca b l es w h ere h e us ed t o l ive. Now h is pa ssion is r iding wa kep ar ks a nd h it t ing ra il s . H is fa vor it e spot s a re: Li qui d Leisure, CWC, Th a i Wa ke Pa r k a nd Wa kebeach 257. H e wor k s a l ot in t h e summer a nd then t ra vel s t o r ide in t h e wint er.

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Name: Jim Sedgwick Age: 34 Town: London Stance: Goofy Homespot: Liquid Leisure Sponsors: Slingshot, Ride Engine, Woosports, LKI Likes: Riding with his friends Hates: Cold water!

What can you tell us about Liquid Leisure?

Well a lot has changed since I first started at Liquid Leisure 6 years ago. When I started there were only 6 UNIT features…. Now there are 22! Well I think so…I lost count! We are in our 4th year of Plastic Playground this year which is set to be the biggest and best one so far with a prize pot of nearly $50,000 up for grabs. It’s going to be epic!

We know that you are an important team member at Liquid Leisure, How long have you been working there and what is your position?

I first walked in the doors at Liquid Leisure six years ago asking for a job as a cable operator and Stu turned me away saying he didn’t need any staff.

Luckily two weeks later he called me up and now I am the general manager.

What are your main job roles at Liquid Leisure?

I basically do anything and everything that needs to be done but my main passion is keeping the wake park fresh and coming up with new ideas for the layout. I also build all the UNIT rails when they get dropped off (with help from the guys from UNIT of course), the most challenging being the 2 MEGAPOOLS. I also spend a lot of time maintaining the cable.

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Besides work you have been around the wakeboard industry a long time, how long have you been riding and how has the sport changed?

I started boat riding up in my home town of Lancaster when I was 17 (I am now 34) thanks to my friend Kent James. I was riding boat for around five years before I even tried cable. I then decided to start riding cable every weekend at my nearest cable park which was two hours away, Sheffield Cable Waterski.

Eventually I moved down south and started working at Boxend Park as an operator and boat driver and after that I moved on to Liquid Leisure. Features in wakeboarding have become a much bigger part of wake boarding over the years compared to the days when we used to hit canoes behind a boat. These days there are insane setups that people have come up with and with the development in two tower cables the possibilities are endless!

Thanks Jim, is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes I would just like to thank my sponsors: SlingshotUK, RidengineUK, WaxthatUK, Woosports.

And also big respect to all the riders out there pushing the limits of what is actually possible in the world of wakeboarding and I’m super happy to be a part of it.

half cab roll (HEEL SIDE SWITCH BACKROLL FS 180)

Axel Modin Photo : Peter Vahlfridsson

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// STEP ONE // Approach the kicker switch heel side, keep the edge all the way to the kicker and flatten out right before hitting it.

// STEP TWO // When you pop off the sweet spot(top of kicker), remember to pop off your toes. This is to make sure you don’t “slip out” and keep control throughout the flip.

// STEP THREE // If you want to go for a mute grab like I did in this particular roll then lift your knees up towards your chin and grab ahold in between your feet with your front hand. If not then simply extend your body and lift your head to spot the landing.

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// STEP FOUR // Prepare for impact! Spot your landing as early as possible and bend your knees when embracing the impact. You want to land with the handle pointing “thumbs down”, meaning your thumb on leading hand is pointing down. This is to ensure that your shoulders lands on top of the board.

© St e fa n E i g n e r

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THE

LOA 2017

By Daniel Wurm

The fir st edition of the LANGENFELD OPEN presented

by O ’ N e i l l i s i n t h e b o o k s a n d m a r k s a h i g h l i g h t o f t h e e a r l y c o n t e s t s e a s o n . Wo r l d c l a s s a t h l e t e s from 15 different countr ies battled it out on a u n i q u e s e t u p f e a t u r i n g U N I T Pa r k t e c h h a ck s a n d wa ve b r e a ke r s . U n s t o p p a b l e we r e U S R i d e r s A n n a N i k s t a d a n d J o h n D re i l i n g , b o t h t a k i n g t h e i re fi r s t win at a major inter national event.

V IC T OR S A LOMON

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© Jo n a s Sp e ck

After a long abstinence, the world’s largest Wakeboard Center, Wasserski Langenfeld, returns as a host of international Wakeboard Contests. 60 riders from 15 different nations took part in the first edition of the LANGENFELD OPEN.

other again. But this time the Thai legend struck back and saved his seat in the “Round of 8”.

After intense battles in the “Round of 8”, John Dreiling, WWA World Champion Gunther Oka, Daniel Grant and Australia’s Aaron Gunn advanced into the super final. In two runs, the four athletes stepped up their game once again to get the best share of the $10,000 prize money.

Due to the field of high level riders, the pressure was on from the first run of the day. Just 16 out of 46 Men and 8 out of 14 Women would advance into the head to head finals. Even a few top-class riders like Dominik Gührs, Lior Sofer, Steffen Vollert and Dylan Miller, were already eliminated after qualifications.

An audience of 2800 spectators pushed the excitement to the limit before the head to head finals started. In qualifications, local hero Nick Schäfers accomplished the unthinkable and put himself in front of Thai super hero Daniel Grant. In the first head to head round Daniel and Nick had to go against each

Gunther Oka was amazingly consistent all day but couldn’t put it together in his final runs. Daniel Grant laid down a safe run at first, and put it all on the line for his second run.

Unfortunately he fell on a switch KGB 5 and couldn’t raise the bar any farther. However, John Dreiling went for the best run of his day and executed every trick to perfection.

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© S t e fa n E i gn e r © S tefan Eigner

© S tefan Eigner

COURTNEY AN G U S

stood against Julia’s “313”. In the end Anna Nikstad claimed her first win at a major international event at the first edition of the LANGENFELD OPEN .

The winner, John Dreiling, was stoked about his championship title. “I am super happy, this was a perfect day for me. The contest covered every aspect of wakeboarding. At the typical events that I attend, I don’t get to ride against Air Trick focused riders. It was nice, that with the alternative kicker, it was possible today.”

Anna Nikstad: “This is overwhelming! I am so happy to win this unique event. I am looking forward to the second edition of the LANGENFELD OPEN in 2018.”

After stunning performances all day, Courtney Angus got unlucky in the final and fell in both of her runs. Maxine Sapulette from the Netherlands was in control of the course all day and made it to 3rd place in the end.

The question was, if odds-on favorite Julia Rick could claim first place. But Anna Nikstad wouldn’t surrender that easy.

She put down a perfect executed and technical run with rail to rail transfers and stomped a big “KGB” off the Kicker, which

www.langenfeldopen.com www.facebook.com/langenfeldopene

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LAUREN HILDERDARLING

By Phil Sirech

For those who don’t know you, can you give us a bit of background info?

I grew up in England and after leaving school, worked a number of seasonal contracts on the beach and in the mountains in Greece, France and Portugal. I moved to Australia in 2011 and got into wakeboarding at the cable parks in 2012. Most of my weekends have been spent there since.

Have you traveled much with wakeboarding?

Not as much as I’d like to. But there’s still plenty of time to travel to more parks. I’m kind of locked down for the next year with uni, but have lots of travel plans once I’ve graduated.

The more you travel to different parks, the more creative you become, the quicker you can adjust and learn new lines and tricks. However, nothing beats hanging out after a session with your local cable park crew.

Do you feel like there are life lessons you have learned on the board?

Patience. To take more calculated risks as this leads to personal progression and confidence. That you’ll always perform better when you’re having fun.

© Da rren H erb er t

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© J oh nny Bon n a r

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Age: 29 Town: Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast Stance: Regular Homespot: Bayside Wake Park & Gold Coast Wake Park Sponsors: Slingshot Australia, Elevated Australia

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Do you compete much then?

I’ve always been very competitive with myself so I love that there are so many different ways that you can improve and progress your own riding. I’m not a particular fan of the competition scene, but think some of the competitions that are being run out of Europe are pushing things in the right direction.

So where do you think the scene is going?

There’s been a big move towards gnarly set-ups, but videos are definitely a big thing.

There’s been so many great edits coming out lately, and I’m really keen to watch the edit that Courtney Angus and Marilynn Pruitt recently organized (#outofthekitchen). I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

Cable parks are popping up everywhere, making the sport way more accessible than it ever was before. Just check out the groms at the cable parks, most of them have only been riding for a couple of years (Mikayo Mundy, Raph Trinidad). They are learning really technical stuff at such a rapid rate so I think this is just the beginning.

What do you want out of wakeboarding?

To keep progressing, to keep connecting and to maintain a good distraction from the real world.

Any shout outs?

Shout outs to Marilyn for always putting out the good vibes, Courtney for always motivating and Josh VB for always being up for a beer and down for a ride.

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© Jo hn ny B o n n a r

//// TRIP LE EIG H T \\\\ GOTHAM STYLE HITS THE WATER. Our low-profile Gotham design with subtle brim and Triple Eight logo vents, now in a lightweight super-comfy water helmet. Sweatsaver Halo liner developed exclusively for water.

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MASSAGE — ON DEMAND Foam rolling is a cure-all for many different aches. It helps lengthen and loosen muscles, relieving joint pain, breaking down knots and increasing range of motion. It mimics the myofascial release treatments used by sports therapists, with no appointment necessary. mobot.com

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FISE 2017 Montpellierďż˝ through the eyes of

Daniel Grant

by Daniel Grant / photos: Franck Besson

D anie l G r a n t i s o n e o f t h e b e s t pro ca b l e-r ider s on t h e pl a net . S t a r t ing wake bo a rd i n g a t t h e a g e o f 1 1 , h e l a nded h is fir s t M obydick Five a t 12 yea r s old T h i s wa ke b o a rd g e n i u s i s a lso one of t h e b es t wa kesk a t er s in t h e wor l d landing t r i ck s t h a t n o o n e i m a g ined were possib l e. Th is yea r h e wil l cel eb ra t e t ur ning 2 0 ye a r s o l d a n d a t t h i s young a g e h e l ea ds b ot h t h e wa keb oa rd a nd wake sk a t e wo r l d s c e n e s .

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Name: Daniel Grant NickName: Tao Age: 19 Town: Bangkok Stance: Goofy Homespot: Thai Wakepark Sponsors: Liquid Force, Rip Curl, Spy Optics, Thai Wakepark, Unit Parktech.

FISE is an event I try to make as a priority on my competition schedule. My first FISE was in 2013 and I have competed in it every year since, with the exception of 2015. That year, not only was I competing at several events, but I was in the middle of filming three projects, including the X-Games Real Wake.

FISE brings wakeboarding home to its “Mother”, the place it belongs and sits most comfortably.

I started wakeboarding because of the influence of skateboarding. I got my first skateboard at the age of three, so that definitely had an influence on me.

Riding at an event like FISE in front of so many people, with pro skateboarding going at the same event as wakeboarding, is living the dream. I’m pumped to watch the skateboarding, but even more pumped that wakeboarding is represented.

You have to be there to believe the size of the event. Across the five days, there are more than 500,000 people watching something like 2,000 athletes. That takes a huge amount of organizing, and they do a great job.

The wakeboarding set up gets better every year, and with a Sesitec System 2.0, the level of riding and the way the event can flow, just gets better and better.

The riders are looked after, the event organization is always spot on and they show the main events with a live web broadcast. At the end of each day wrap up, those broadcasts are then uploaded, for those who could not be there to watch on-line. FISE hit its 20 year anniversary this year and definitely deserves credit for pushing the direction of our sport into the mainstream.

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The wake event was pretty stacked and started with 45 invited riders.

This was broken into nine heats of five people. The top three of each heat would qualify to the semi’s.

Semi’s had 12 riders in two heats with top three of each heat making a six man final.

I qualified through to the finals with Aaron Gunn, Dom Hernler, Victor Salmon, Timo Kapl and Clement Nadal.

I was stoked to stick my runs, with a combined score to come out on top, to take home the bacon. Aaron took second and Dom took third place on the podium. I was especially pumped, as I had to take the win, with my final pass and as the last rider. Both Aaron and Dom, dropped me down to third place, until my last run!

I can’t wait to go back to FISE again next year! This epic event is definitely one of the best ways to represent wakeboarding to a bigger audience. www.waketao.com 81

Spot-On

Wake The Background Story ByPete By Matt Crowhurst / photos: Mantis Pro Media - #shrimpboi

I a lwa y s h a d a p a s s i o n fo r b o a r d s p o r t s a n d grew up spending a lot of my time windsurfing, surfing and skateboarding around the beaches a n d s k a t e p a r k s o f C o r n wa l l a n d S o u t h Wa l e s .

T h i s ga ve m e i n s p i r a t i o n t o bu i l d a wa ke p a r k tha t was a bi t different from anything els e already in the UK.

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I really wanted to combine aspects from all board sports into wakeboarding. I’ve been lucky to be able to dig out a lake specifically with this in mind, hence a double pool gap over three different water levels.

The concept of building a lake on our small family farm in South Warwickshire was something that I had dreamt about from a young age. At first it was a childhood dream to be able to sail or windsurf on the lake! Later in life, after studying Leisure Management at Uni and working for several years as a landscaper, it has become a reality.

I learned to wakeboard behind a boat while working abroad as a windsurfing instructor, nearly twenty years ago. Over the years, I had ridden a few of the full cable systems around the country, however, I had little experience in cable wakeboarding. It was only when I came across the Sesitec System 2.0 did I seriously consider that building a wakepark could be a great investment and business opportunity. Plus, it would give me a chance to ride everyday in my own back yard!

As the two-tower system can be put up pretty easily and only using a relatively small body of water I decided that this would be the way to go. We didn’t have any large lakes or ponds on the farm so I knew I was going to have to dig one! At this point I got in touch with Tim, at Industry Wake Parks, and went up to see the System 2.0 in action at the Wakestock event in North Wales.

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Soon after this I started planning out how I was going to get the investment together to purchase the systems and build the lakes. That was around five years ago and I guess things just snowballed from there. We got planning consent from the local council in July 2015 and work began on digging out the lakes. At first, I was doing it in my ‘spare’ time but I quickly realized what a mammoth task I had undertaken! I quit my fulltime job and dropped onto digging and landscaping the park full time from January 2016. We then opened Spot-On in April 2017. As a result we now have four pools and two cables.

The ‘Base Line’ covers the beginners and intermediates with kickers and sliders and the ‘Gap Line’ has two pool gaps, one around six feet high and the other around three feet, perfect for the wakeskaters!

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The ultimate goal is to create a great wakepark in our beautiful countryside setting that offers wakeboarders something that they are unable to get elsewhere in the country. With two cables, double pool gap and unique rails we aim to appeal to any level of wakeboarder.

Integrating the lakes into the surrounding countryside was also very important to me, to protect the wildlife and remain sympathetic to the environment. Many trees, shrubs and reeds have been planted on the banks and in the lake margins. This all helps to absorb riders’ wake and protect the water on even the windiest of days. The water in the lakes is circulated from one to another to maintain levels and is filtered through natural reed beds to keep them clean and fresh.

I am keen to keep developing the park with new and unusual features and obstacles, some of which can be found lying around the farm! Year on year we are hoping to add to the pool gap and lakes to make SpotOn wake a real destination park and a ‘must see’ water sports activity center for individuals and families.

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Wake Zone

Stawiki Photos: Bartosz Pieczonka

Wake Zone Stawiki is a new cable park complex, 5 tower, 10 carrier 750m Rixen Full size and Sesitec 2.0. It is located in Sosnowiec, just South of Poland, in the center of Silesia.

It’s an artificial lake with first class clean water, covered and protected from the wind. With eight WakePro obstacles including kickers S,M,L Street down rail, FunBox, 20m Pipe, 20m Slider, and a 14m Slider.

Wakeshop sells wakeboard equipment including: boards, bindings provided by Liquid Force, Ronix, Hyperlite, Vests, wetsuits, sunglasses, and clothing.

Full rentals provided by Nobile and Mystic.

After a good riding session the Beach Bar offers 100% beef burgers, delicious pizza, beer and drinks.

It is a great location in green park right off the highway with many hotels. It’s the perfect place to spend time with friends or family while riding and chilling. For youngsters we provide a playground.

Experienced staff offers help for beginners and pro riders.

More info on the website www.wake-zone.pl Like us on facebook wakezonestawiki Follow us on instagram wakezonestawiki

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Ph o to C . Gr o li er

w w w . s a i n t j a c q ue s - w e t s u i t s . c o m