I have been training and mentally preparing for the weekend but I know I can plan for nothing when it comes to the shenanigans of next weekend. Seriously.
If you live in Orlando or even if you're visiting from April 23-26th, I can promise you a good time. Beginning with Wake Games on Thursday the 23rd. Wake Games will be holding it down at OWC on the boat lake from Thursday all the way through until Sunday. You can watch both your buds and your favorite pros ride, pretty rad combo of events. After Wake Games on Friday and Saturday evening you best stick around OWC. Byerly's Toe Jam will be taking place with the top wakeskaters along with their hipster entourage. You may as well stay out for both events, with gas prices on the rise, it only makes sense.
After you've spent nearly 12 hours at OWC on Saturday, why wouldn't you want to celebrate your marathon day of wake, with a wake party. "Out of the Pond" will be premiering downtown Orlando at the Lake Eola Ampitheater on Saturday night. Check my video section for a trailer and you'll be convinced to celebrate the premiere.
On Sunday the finals will be going over at OWC for Wake Games. You'll most likely be hungover on Sunday or just beat, so this is a good opportunity to catch sun and watch riding while still feeling like you had a productive day.
To wrap up this banger of weekend, Collin Harrington will be premiering his "Box of Fun" downtown at the Social. This will be out of control. Guaranteed. The boys on Clear Lake will definitely have a work hard/play hard mentality that will be shining on Sunday. Just an FYI: The Social is awful for underage drinkers, I've seen many a fight go down due to underage cocktails...check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Forty VII Clothing is a fairly new store located basically in central downtown Orlando. It's a rad spot to shop, chill, or meet at. The first time I made it over there was for my friend Elus1V's art feature. I was stoked to find complimentary wine, keg beer, a mellow crowd, forward clothing, and amazing artwork. If you live in Orlando, stop by and make it a regular shop. If you don't live in Orlando, stop by when you come to visit and ride. Read on for more info on Forty VII...fresh thoughts from the store's manager, Brad. He hooks it up.

Who put Forty 7 together? Who owns this masterpiece?
There are 2 owners. Jeff Faine and Pete Downing.

Why Forty 7, what's the meaning behind the name?
They wanted to incorporate Orlando (407) into the name somehow without
being cheesy or lame so they dropped the 0 and the result is now Forty VII
Clothing.

How did you get involved with the store?
I worked with Pete at the bar and knew Jeff from mutual friends. Pete
mentioned he was opening a clothing store which I've always had a huge
interest in. So on days we'd work together I would recomend brands and
websites not thinking anything of it besides helping out a friend. A few
months later they offered me a job.

How would you briefly describe the store to a pal?
The sickest layout you can imagine all the while being able to find a $20
tee to a $120 tee. We have the illest shoe wall too. Same applies for the
hunnies. We bridge the gap, either you're looking for a summer day dress
or something for da club, we got it!

Give me three words describing the style of the clothing here.
Something For Everybody

What brands do you carry?
Well if you want a list I can provide that but its something along 30
different brands for men and women. From surf skate to streetwear to
nightlife to buisness casual to custom suits to bathing suits.

Who designs the Fort VII brand? What's the style behind that line?
We have a graphic designer who pumps out drawings all day and then all of
us get together and decide on which ones will go into production. The
style is that...everything we put out has style.

Any focus on independent artists (music, walls)?
We have an art show on the 3rd thursday of every month to coincide with
the downtown art walk. We also do small sponsorships of upincoming local
acts. Anything we can do to cross-promote and stay unique.


You have some amazing space for events. What are some of the events you have going on?
Well every monday we have Manicure Mondays where you can get a free
martini and manicure with a purchase of anything in store from 5-8pm. Also
the above mentioned art shows. In about a month or so we are doin a huge
skatedeck art exibit which I can get more details for you soon. Mon-Fri
from 11-1pm its our Lunch Box Special where the whole store is 20% off go
anybody. Also all day sunday is our hospitality special where everything
in store is 20% off to people in the biz.

Anything up your sleeve for future gatherings?
Just be here for those art shows. The next one on the 23rd will feature
our screen printers Enemy Ink. We will be printing shirts in store live
where you can pick your size and color for a one of a kind, limited shirt.

What's with the loft in the store? I like it.
The original idea of the lofe was for DJ's to come in and spin for our
events. But now the DJ just spins downstairs and the loft is used for some
much needed storage.

How long has the store existed?
We've been open since about Thanksgiving.

If we want updates on what you folks are up to down here, where can we
check?
You can always check our website www.fortysevenclothing.com
Also for quick updates twitter.com/47clothing
And good ol' myspace.com/fortysevenclothing

Any other inside notes we have to know about the store?
Please feel free to come by the store whenever. We have a fully functional
kegerator and some wine to make your shopping experience pleasurable. We
are always bringing in new product. Support local stores, not corporate
americas malls!

Tonight just might be the Friday night that you stay in, to do a bit of surfing, coach surfing.

Legendary Shane Bonifay will be featured tonight on Fuel TV's, Daily Habit. Make sure to tune in to hear what this Pointless crew member has been up to lately. You will get an amazing taste of Florida with Shane's interview and a performance by Gainesville's own, Less than Jake.

Enjoy your Friday!

Jeff is one of those old southern boys that everyone tends to like. He opens doors for girls, cooks bbq with buds, and shreds his face off. He stopped by the house last night to fill us in on what he's up to. For more from Jeff, you can check out his features in both Alliance Wake and Wakeboarding Magazine this month. Two mags in one month-what what.

Where are you from?
RomeGA A small town just outside of Atlanta.


What's your home lake?
I never lived on a lake. So now I guess I'd say I have a home lake, Clear Lake.


How'd you start riding?
I was 16 or 17 years old when I made the switch from three event to wakeboarding. Some friends had a wakeboard and I tried it out and done, you don't need anything to do it, like with three event, so I was hooked.


Where'd you work prior to coming to Orlando?
Gravity Research Center for three years. I plan on heading back in the summer to work again. I've also spent time around the Atlanta wake scene like at Ambush and other board shops.


Who do you live with now on Clear Lake?
Collin H and Clay F


How is helped you living with them?
Collin is the Dad with all the wisdom. Clay is the crazy Uncle who corrupts me. And I just absorb it all.


What tricks are you working on right now?
Back mobes and toe back 5s.


What are your plans for the summer?
Travel the coast do to some premieres for Collin's Box of Fun. Road trip, ride, and shoot with that. Hop on the wakeboard tour and shred. And also some coaching with Gravity and in Jacksonville.


If you were on a singles network how would you market yourself?
Hateful. Just hateful. If I'm a bird, you're a bird. Ha


Any last words?
Shred. And have good times. Thanks to my friends and family.