Recent Comments matthew47 says: "Nice pictures I'm more into snow boarding I like the thrill of putting my life in danger on snow and ice I prefer than water but dangerous is dangerous." letsgo19 says: "I know what you mean.My 3 boys love that same feeling when they board .I am very emotional when i watch them and the looks on their faces are priceless.With the music playing on the tower the sun on the water,forget it, not all people will ever know that emotion! Enjoy!!!!!" | Check In with Slingshot Wakeboards Just wanted to take a moment to check in with Slingshot wakeboards and keep you filled in. Let' (TM)s start with the basics. Slingshot is the first company (that I know of) to create ' flexible' boards. This flex is created with Future Response Technology (FRT) and technically provides flex control, rebound, energy, and pop. This all sounds fantastic for the knees (especially mine) on those into the flats maneuvers. Slingshot has lined up three boards for the guys. The Recoil is the more aggressive, advanced board, with a 3 stage rocker. The Response is definitely set for the freerider. It' (TM)s fast, has taperwall sidewalls for edge response, along with a continuous rocker. The Reflex has more of a mellow 3 stage rocker (aggressive continuous, if you will). The Reflex is made for rails by coming equipped with Dura Base which allows the board to last longer than your new girlfriend. Speaking of girls, Slingshot has the Drama for more aggressive chicks and the more mello, Pearl, for a freeride feel. Not only are the boards unique and innovative, the team is rad as well. The team has adopted a new member to the family for 2009. Rob Jacques from South Florida has joined the alliance at Slingshot and knowing the rest of the team, he' (TM)ll fit in just fine and only increase the shenanigans at Slingshot. To me, Jeff McKee is leading the charge with fresh ideas that always keep Slingshot on the forefront of creativity (who else could think to combo a hamburger eating contest and riding). Plus, on the girls' (TM) side, Heather Johnson works rails. She' (TM)s got style that guys would only hope to have at the cable. And, one relieving aspect to Slingshot is that if you end up sucking at riding, you can always take up kiteboarding, they make those too. Channels: More Texas Big: Boardshorts, Bulls, Bikinis Is it any surprise that the 4th annual Boardshorts, Bulls, and Bikinis was its typical Texas style big this past Saturday night? I mean with a rail jam, bull riding contest, bikini contest, and plenty of Monster mixed drinks, the event practically spells PARTY. And that was just what it was. The boys from Step-Up productions in Orlando designed a pretty sweet set up to session. It included a 40 foot rooftop, wedge kicker to fun box for transfering, and a big air kicker. You can see that this meant pro riders and local boys alike were throwing down. Highlights from the night were Kyle Alberts going huge off the kicker. Kyle sealed a third place finish with his boosted indy tantrum. Gabe Lucas pulled off his switch toe side transfer to front board, which grabbed him second place. Finally, to claim first place, Phillip Soven stuck a switch 270 to front board on with 270 transfer to switch front board 90 out (technical as usual from Phillip). Of course, the shredding was followed up with some good old fashioned bull riding. The six rail jam finalists with returning champion, Shane Bonifay, battled it out in the ring. In the end, Shane claimed the first place belt buckle yet again for a ride of 27 seconds (this is a HUGE feet, I could only last for 11 secs). Finally, to cap off the night as the drinks started to kick in, the bikini contest began. Not a sight to miss. Check the photos for a recap on that. So basically, I think I have just proved that Boardshorts, Bulls, and Bikinis or just riding, Texas, and girls, is always a good time. If you need a break from the winter next year, stop by Gilleys Landing in Dallas, TX next year for a good time. Rail Jam Round-by-Round Results Heat #2 (Top 2 advance to finals) Heat #3 (Top 2 advance to finals) Finals Channels: More If You Still Don't Get It...More breaking news: In case you haven't caught on to me telling you that Nicola Butler has mad skill and is on the rise, read on for the announcement of Nicola joining Team MasterCraft. I'm telling ya, keep your eyes on this girl.
Known for her aggressive, yet smooth, style, the native of Cape Town, South Africa is stoked to have the support of MasterCraft and the pull of the award-winning X-Star to add more tricks to an already full bag. "It is an amazing honor to be on the MasterCraft roster," says Butler. "Everyone knows the X-Star is the sickest wakeboard boat on the water with its huge and rampy wakes. Plus MasterCraft is killer to work with because they really do understand our sport and where we want it to go." MasterCraft, which pulls the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, Wakeboard World Cup and IWSF World Championships, is equally excited to have Butler on its team. "Nicola is so valuable to our industry because she is the whole package - she is an incredibly impressive rider plus she is already highly regarded for her approachability and work ethic," says Aarne Clow, team and event manager for MasterCraft. "As the sport evolves and gains more notoriety, it is crucial to have well-rounded athletes that not only represent sponsors favorably behind the boat, but in front of the public as well." Butler is the current Queen of Wake Champion, Pro Tour Champion and World Champion and in 2008 alone she grabbed seven first place honors out of nine events. As if the first-place hardware was not enough, Butler was also named 2008 Female Rider of the Year in both Wakeboarding and Alliance Wakeboard magazines. She joins a roster that is full of the industry's best riders, including Andrew Adkison, Rusty Malinoski, Parks Bonifay and Shane Bonifay. Vital Stats on Nicola Butler: Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa Career Stats: 2008: Queen of Wake - 1st MasterCraft strives to deliver consumers the ultimate water sports experience by designing and building the world's highest quality, best performing sports luxury boats in every significant inboard niche. Tours of MasterCraft's world headquarters in Vonore, Tennessee, are available Monday-Thursday from 2pm to 4pm. Channels: More Pay It Forward I'm pretty stoked here. Hyperlite has just announced the return of "Pay It Forward," a national tour of Shaun Murray's pro model board. Pay It Forward began last year (2008) when Shaun had the idea to ship the boards that he doesn't use at his house out to folks who wanted to give riding a try. With Shaun being an amazing guy and Hyperlite being a fully supportive company, Pay It Forward was a huge success last year. From what I heard, the folks on "the list" were anxious to shred the board for a couple of days and then send it on to the next in line.Word of this rad program spread like wildfire last summer and I guess not everyone had a chance to get their hands on a board.So, to solve that problem, Shaun and Hyperlite plan on sending out more boards (9 total) in a little more orderly fashion.The nine boards that will be passed along include his 135, 140, and 145 lengths, so there is something for everyone.The shredsticks will begin in the south of three regions, west, middle, and east.Since Hyperlite is so smart, the boards will then navigate their way north as temperatures rise and summer approaches in the colder regions. Channels: More Exclusive with Chris O'Shea While everyone is suffering through the chilliness of the winter months in the U.S. , I had a chance to sit down with Australian Chris O' (TM)Shea. I am pretty jealous that he' (TM)s been able to get a year of summers by living in Orlando and Australia. If you don' (TM)t know ChrisO, you need to get to know him. He' (TM)s got unreal style behind the boat, totally unique and huge, completely freestyle. Plus, at the end of the day, when the riding is finished, he' (TM)s hilarious to have around. He' (TM)s just a stand up guy . So, read on, and get to know one of your new favorite Aussie shredders. You headed back home to Australia for a couple months, what have you been up to? I spent some time with my family over Christmas and New Years. That is always a good time. My whole family is pretty funny to hang out with. Then after the New Year I drove up North to Scotty Broom' (TM)s house. Lake Conjolar is where we are at and it's my favorite place to be in the world. There are beautiful bush lands and a massive lake and a beach which has sick waves. All of this is a bike ride away. Most days go like this: up at 6, go for a wave then come back and have a wakeboard. Then go for a bike ride down the bush track. Finish the day with another surf or ride, it's been action packed days, I love it. Any crazy adventures with old friends while back home? Scotty and I were on a road trip to a contest. We went on an adventure through all these bush tracks and found a really small beach with cliffs on each side. The waves were just going off. We had about a four hour surf. I've never gotten in the green room so much. This weekend I'm off to Playground Weekend, a three day music festival on a river. There will be all sorts of adventures to be had. How about some new music for me, what's the latest in heady music that you're playing? Um I've been learning a lot of the Kooks songs lately. They' (TM)re cool. You were telling me awhile ago that you would like to stay in Australia for the winter but are headed to Orlando in February. Why are you coming back to Orlando early? I'm coming back to film for Hyperlite. We are working on a new team movie. I'm excited to come back and work on such a progressive project. I love being in Australia seeing my family and surfing our beautiful beaches but wouldn' (TM)t miss filming for this movie for anything. The shots we have been getting so far are groundberaking in our sport. I'm pumped to get back and shred. I know you're featured in Collin's film, "Box of Fun." How are things coming together for it? It's just come together in a real natural way. Collin has been filming for years, gathering loads of funny footage of the crew. It really has just been fun. Collin works his ass off with the editing and always comes up with cool creative things to do. He has his own style of editing which is really different to any other wakeboard films that have come out. It will be fresh and for sure funny. When can we expect to see the masterpiece, Box of Fun? I think that Collin is going for spring this year but he won' (TM)t bring it out till he is 100% happy with it. Any highlights or good times during the filming process? There have been so many and you will just have to wait and see. What else can we look for from you in '09' I got about five trips I'm trying to do. Keep an eye out for video of those trips. I've been working on some new Jetpilot stuff. I've got the comfiest vest out, super pumped with it. Maybe a freeride contest still in the workings. Are you planning on riding on the PWT? NO You're a huge freerider, anything you're scheming on the water for this year? Yeah I've got lots of new trick that I want to do, mostly wrapped tricks. I just want to grab and stall everything out as much as possible. I've got some new rails on the mind as well. Other than Box of Fun, any other films we can expect to see you in? Hyperlite and maybe one other. Any other words of wisdom? Live it Love it Live on the water. Channels: More |
Vonore, TN - MasterCraft Boat Company announces that it has recently signed rider Nicola Butler to its world-class wakeboarding team. Butler, 16 years old, is a podium tour-de-force in only her 2nd year as a professional and is easily considered not only the best female rider, but also the future of women's wakeboarding. 