Riders took to the water this past weekend at the Windermere Wake Fest presented by the Windermere Rotary. The event is held on Lake Down on the Butler Chain of Lakes, just outside of Orlando. It's always a huge success because it draws a lot of the local pros plus raises money for local charities. In total, the contest has raised over $500,000, which is no chump change. The success of years past carried through to 2009 as 24 shredders rode in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The crowd showed up for a beautiful Sunday of riding and raising funds while the semis and finals took place. In the end, Phil Soven, Andrew Adkison, Austin Hair, and Steel Lafferty battled it out in the finals. The final results landed Phil in first, Andrew in second, and Austin in third. All in all, the event was a rad way to raise money and enjoy some time outside, I'm stoked to have been apart of it.

The UCF Wake team was broke. That's no surprise actually, since if you went to college, the chances that you were broke, were pretty high. But the problem with the UCF Wake team being broke is that they could not afford to head to the National tournament, a tournament that they are likely to win. Luckily, the team did not just sit back on their haunches and watch some "other" school grab the National championship out from under them. The team did what any college student would do when their account reached zero, they had a party.
This was not your typical party where you're in a dirty, packed house, and the highlight of the night is playing beer pong, if you can get on the table. The wake team's party was a Sunday Funday out at Lake Holden, next to BT and Grubb's place. They built a rail from the lawn to Holden and hit it throughout the afternoon. This was truly a party that appealed to all...wakeboarding and college girls. That's probably why over 250 people showed up and UCF made mad cash to send them to Nationals.
Let this be a lesson to all you broke college kids...if you build it, they will come, and you will no longer be broke.

Just a reminder to all you southwestern folks:
Don't miss Red Bull Wake Lab! It's happening tonight and tomorrow at Tempe Towne Lake. The event will be unreal. A cable, insane apparatus, and the best riders, these ingredients are sure to bring a good time. Wake Lab is like a skate park on the lake...Check it!

For all the details, you can always visit:
redbullusa.com/wakelab

Caught up with Eddie V the other day. Since I haven't seen him in forever and there's basically an entire country between us (east coast-west coast), it was good to hear what he's up to. Read on, read on.

Where are you living these days?
The Wes Side!,Southern California

I know you' (TM)re not riding right now because of your knee, can you give
us the story on what/how it happened?
Well Justine was getting some quick footage out on the back lake of
Randall and I. Just warping up my set and wanted to get this shot
of a melon to blind into the flats, thought I had it and ended up
straighten my leg before I landed then just felt my
knee give and went out the front. I ended up tearing my ACL and minuscus

When will you be able to ride?
The Doctors say its healing well, but I want to make sure its healed
all the way. Shooting for the end of July at least.

What are you up to these days?
Well not to much with not being able to ride. Try and stay busy pretty
much on call for pulling people around here, helping with shoots. But I
really want to start getting in on some judging. I was able to judge a
few contest around here and had a lot of fun doing that.

Are you taking care of Jacob?
Ha yeah always do... Take him to school, pick him up, then go out on
the boat so he can ride. I think I do

Congrats on the recent switch to Company Wake'

How was the transition to the flex board?
I have been riding a Traditional board my whole life so the first ride I
took was a little funny. That second set was one of the best sets I had
in a long time. Then from there it just stuck, landings where super
soft, popped well, and the board was fast.

Which are you riding?
The 143 Recruit with Company boots

It feels like Company has a pretty west coast, stylish feel. True?
Well you got Greg, Tino, Nicola on the east coast and then Randall and I
on the west coast .I think that Company just picked there team of how
they believe wakeboarding should be shown.

How would you define a West coast rider?
Ask Randall

What should we look for from you when you' (TM)re healthy again? Goals?
Well this was my last year in Jr.mens and I'm going to be out this year.
So next year just riding well in contests. It will be pro men so it's a
whole different division. I'll need to step it up for sure to be riding
with them but that's what I'm shooting for.

Finally' you' (TM)re all about the ladies' any luck lately?
Haha... Yeah I get some luck here and there but still rollen single.lol

Summer is approaching and I don't want you looking/acting like a tool on the water. Below is a list of 25 dos and don'ts of wakeboarding. I'm not saying these will totally keep you from being a tool but they will definitely help. Or just forward them to someone you know that has been acting like a douche.

The Dos and Don'ts of Riding
1. Don't state your opinions on discussion forums as fact because you want respect.
2. Do opt to bring a can of gas instead of cash when heading to ride at a buds.
3. Don't take riding on the weekends seriously.
4. Do invest in your friends driving skills it's worth the return.
5. Don' t yell at your driver, you look like a tool.
6. Do invite girls' are you that into sausage parties?
7. Do let the girls ride, they'll probably want to come back.
8. Don't think everyone is THAT impressed by your skill.
9. Do support your local shop over internet purchases.
10. Do take the advice you're given from your local shop.
11. Do take the time to properly weight your boat.
12. Don't drink wine coolers on the boat' or ever.
13. Do wear boardshorts or a wetsuit' avoid both.
14. Don't say you're going to go ' boarding'
15. Don't pull someone the entire perimeter of the lake.
16. Don't wear your neon life jacket, with neon boardshorts, and ride your neon board.
17. Don't get bent when you receive advice, just listen.
18. Don't give advice unless you know what you're talking about and it's wanted by the rider.
19. Do ride in a contest over the summer, it gives you a different perspective on riding.
20. Do line the walls of your cubical with the illest shots of the lake or riding.
21. Don't title yourself a ' pro,' just ride.
22. Don't name drop in Orlando, we know you know him.
23. Don't take marathon sets of you just carving.
24. Do always pack a cooler.
25. Don't wear gloves, unless you're snowboarding in the pipe.