Sesitec System 2.0

German cable manufacturer Sesitec introduced their new System 2.0 at the 2008 World Wake Park Championships at the CamSur Watersports Complex in the Philipines.

It won't make it's way to the US until the final stop of the Byerly Toe Jam Tour in Bithlo, FL on September 20-21. It is currently available for sale in the US as of July 7th through The Wake Park Project.

It was developed as two tower part of larger shows using five or six towers as their main event. The entire set up can be broken down to fit in the bed of a truck making it easy to transport for smaller events or even friends getting together to have fun. Rather then one cable in a loop that can leave slack for the ride there are two cables keeping tension consistent for an even ride. A quiet electric motor can be set to different speeds at the push of a button.

The system is likely to become a part of many shows in the 2009 season as it's ease of use and set up makes it an easy choice on many levels. It's price and portability also allow for it to become a favorite of riders looking for a new way to enjoy the water.

AWESOME Nicola Butler vid.

She is so effing cool.

The Wake Boarding Just Don't Stop!

With events and clinics being held all over the US and world the joy of wake boarding is being brought to all who care to hear. From long term events like the Malibu Open/Quake at the Lake in Pontiac Lake, MI which is celebrating it's 10th anniversary to friends setting up to have fun the joy of being on the water is being noticed.

New riders are coming to the sport regularly and helping to bring new tricks and designs for everyone to enjoy. New companies are forming with new gear ideas and older companies are revamping their designs.

Things are cruising along in this great sport with new innovations coming along on a daily basis. Riding styles are ever evolving and changing with the new set ups and many riders are finding new tricks and set ups to challenge themselves with. The new scoring system for the professional events is also changing things up.

As the year goes by and more events are held we shall see how the new scoring system works out. It should make events different from last year and keep things interesting for everyone involved. In such a fun sport and lifestyle the more things change to keep interesting and fresh the more everyone enjoys themselves and wants to keep making changes.

The 2008 MasterCraft Pro Wake Board Tour opener in Acworth, GA introduced a new judging format that really helped make the event interesting. It's still undecided if the change in judging format will really change who is winning events.

Many do think it rewards style rather then just trying to have the biggest move with the most turns. Obviously, all the winners at the event were pleased with the new scoring system, but in reality the winners were not a huge change from previous years under the old scoring system.

Another great thing unveiled at Acworth was the new obstacle course the rooftop rail. The new obstacle course was a big hit with the riders and will help to keep bringing on new tricks and ways to perform old ones.

The top male and female riders for this year's tour stop were Philip Soven and Nicola Butler. Neither one is content to rest on the wins they have behind them at this point. They both want to continue improving their rides and are focused on what needs to be done for the rest of the year in their chase to be King or Queen of Wake.

Winner of the Young Men's event Harley Clifford is young enough to still be riding in the boys events. Thanks to his showing by winning Worlds last year he earned the chance to prove himself in the amateurs this year. Prove himself he did with great rides that earned him a spot at the top of the podium.

Water Sport Pros Keeping the Sport Alive!

Even though watersport professionals don't receive the same recognition as professionals in football or basketball, they are just as important to the sport as a whole.

For one thing, they bring new ides for tricks to the viewers at events and even come up with new set ups, increasing the enthusiasm for the sport and creating greater participation by both professionals and amateurs.

Some professional riders are also bringing greater attention to wake boarding with their designs of boards and other gear. Entire lines of gear are rapidly snatched up by avid fans when things are made and endorsed by their favorite rider. From boots to boats there are professionals involved in art, design, changes and improvements. With boards that will perform and do all they want some professionals are helping to blur the lines in different water sports.

The customized boat that Scott Byerly recently designed is just another way that professional riders are changing and improving things in all water sports. His touch on so many things affecting water sports is easy to see and has influenced many new riders. Other professionals have followed him in designing entire lines of gear and clothing.

Florida Fun

From little lakes dotting the state to set-ups like the Projects in Bithlo and the surrounding oceans, Florida is a great place for all water sports.

Surfing has been big for many years now with well know stores like Ron Jon's and lesser known places like Cape Surf providing for the assorted needs for water sport enthusiasts.

Water parks are also starting to catch on and offer things like surfing rooms and wake pools. The big name Ron Jon's is also building a resort dedicated to water sports of all sorts. Set to open in spring 2010 it will draw those interested in all sorts of water sports and their history to central Florida.

Having been a popular tourist destination for years thanks to large amusement parks makes it easier to attract people to the state for other diversions.

Vacation packages are offered for people interested in enjoying the opportunities offered by the main water sports offered in the state.

With new water sports and places to enjoy those sports Florida will continue to be a huge draw to all those who love the water and things that can be done on and in it.

Big Blue Trash

Every time I see articles about the condition of the ocean and see pictures like this it makes me want to scream. Remember in the movie The Matrix where the dude told Neo that humans, like parasites, destroyed their own host? I mean, seriously. If you look at the entire planet and the way we live here, it defies logic. Not only does it look like crap, but we're actually killing off other species just because we're too damn stupid (or lazy) to buy re-usable water bottles and plastic bags. NONE of this is necessary. All that trash? There are other alternatives.

Check out the article that goes with this picture on the Popular Science website. And get some reusable grocery bags!

How to Wakeboard - Instructional Video

Slip-Offs

The classic skate shoes of my childhood have been reinvented by Shauna Mae Luedtke on her website "Slip-Offs". This talented lady paints ONE OF A KIND canvas shoes (Vans, Keds, Airwalks, etc.).

The cost for the shoes is $180, which is a little steep except that they are totally collectors' items. Each one is made especially for the customer who is ordering. From the looks of her gallery, I don't know if there's much she couldn't do...

The possibilities are endless. I want a pair that have a wake boarder on one foot and a speed boat on the other. Righteous.

John Butler Trio - "Ocean"

Here's a really cool online quiz that tests your basic boating knowledge. It is a Canadian website, so some of the questions may not be the same for the U.S., but most of them are.

My final score was 66%. I think I need to study.

Pascal Jean Delorme

Here's a really cool French artist I found online by the name of Pascal Jean Delorme. He specializes in water sport art! Who knew?

Here's a link to a page on his site which has his art categorized by sport type. He has original paintings, and then prints on canvas, prints on paper, ink on paper--which means some of his pieces are actually really affordable.

I absolutely love the ink on paper pieces. I could totally see a set of them matted with several vibrant shades of blue and framed in my living room.

Son Duong at timesinfinity gallery.

If you're in Seattle there's still time to catch Son Duong at the timesinfinity gallery: 122 NW 36th St. Seattle, WA 98107. Duong is a an artist who works with Byerley to design their boards, and is an illustrator. He also has his own line of t-shirts called Diabolik.

timesinfinity gallery is an extension of Evo, a revolutionary community fusing fashion, music, art, skiing, snowboarding and skateboarding. Their combination gallery and store offers people a chance to experience a true lifestyle brand.

Win Free Board Shorts for a YEAR!

YAY! Check it out--12 pair of free board shorts, one for each month just by entering this sweepstakes on the Killerdana.com website. They have a huge selection on their site and most of them are around $50 per pair, so the prize value is around $600. Nice!

Free Music Yo!

Here's a fantastic site that lists 45 websites offering free online music.

I love the internet! All this great independent music is finally getting the attention it deserves after the music industry's stranglehold has been loosened by big name artists like Radiohead and Trent Reznor who have decided to take their destinies into their own hands. Now it is easier than ever for real talent to get in the public eye without having slick advertising or men in suits controlling their art.

Rock on.

Before You Buy a Wake Board

Here's a really great article from About.com which lists some of the points you should consider before buying a wake board.

If you are lucky enough to have a good wake boarding community, you'll probably get the chance to try your friends' boards out--giving you a good feel for the type of board you're looking for. But if you are just starting out on your own, and you don't know enough about the differences in boards, read this article and do some research.

Definitely shop around--no impulse buying. This article especially recommends doing a demo on the board you want to buy, which I have to agree with. Don't lock yourself into a board that is going to hold you back--especially if you're new to the sport and still developing your skills. Otherwise it could leave you with a permanent handicap.

Aaron Chang

I am in the market for a new suit, and I ran across Aaron Chang on another blog about sustainable fashion.

If you haven't heard of Aaron Chang, he's a really well known surf photographer--his pics are amazing. Here's a link to his gallery.

So yeah, he's not only a photographer, but I found out he's got this line of sustainable swim wear made from recycled polyester and organic cotton. The collection is smokin'. There are one and two piece suits with coordinating cover-ups in some classic surf motifs.

Check out the online look books for his collections.

You can buy them online at Razor Reef.

Once by the Pacific

Once by the Pacific
by Robert Frost

The shattered water made a misty din.
Great waves looked over others coming in,
And thought of doing something to the shore
That water never did to land before.
The clouds were low and hairy in the skies,
Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes.
You could not tell, and yet it looked as if
The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff,
The cliff in being backed by continent;
It looked as if a night of dark intent
Was coming, and not only a night, an age.
Someone had better be prepared for rage.
There would be more than ocean-water broken
Before God's last 'Put out the Light' was spoken.

Photojournalist Mark M. Hancock

I found a really nice photojournalism blog by this dude named Mark M. Hancock. He had some really amazing action shots of a competition from 2006. Check it out.

I love the third pic of Jeff Keiser as he rides past a boat full of judges. He looks like he's just playing it cool.

GIRL POWER!

Yes yes ya'll!

It was great to see the girls represented in my home state! Nicola Butler was the one to watch. She's such a badass and only sixteen! If you've never seen her ride, check her out in this video:



Seriously, she's the one to beat, and everyone knows it. I didn't see her ride in the Twin Cities but for the first time in the history of the tour, she's won three straight competitions in a row.

I need a damn subscription to FuelTV.

Cool Video

Here's a great YouTube vid to get you in the mood for summer!

Hello Summer!

I don't know about you, but Memorial Day is always a big event around our house. It's the official start of summer, and we try to get down to the lake every year for a BBQ and some water fun. This year we didn't get the chance to for a couple reasons and I'm feeling a little pouty because of it. The next opportunity I'll have to get on my board is in three weeks, and by then, summer will be well under way. I hate feeling left behind like that.