By: Josh Smith Photos: Paul Nobles

“Rider operated companies drive new technologies in the wake industry. Wakesites.com co-founder Josh Smith highlights emerging brands storming Surf Expo 2008.”

It feels like a time of change in the Wake Industry. Every year that I go to Surf Expo, (that is 12 of the last 15 years that they have had a wake section) I get fired up by the diversity, growth, innovations, companies, and overall excitement of the show. Always to be disappointed by the lack of follow through and the realization that it is mostly just hype. Something was different this year.

Wakesites.com founder Paul Nobles and I attended Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida, to work on a ‘Design Your Ride’ graphic contest and get some content for our new site. I decided to write something about what I saw at Surf Expo 08.

There was still plenty of hype, but overall this year seemed more somber; there was more humility than I’ve ever felt in past years. The sport is truly growing not just superficially, but players in other industries, not just our own are finally beginning to take it seriously. Now, I’m known for having a problem with people taking things to seriously, unless of course it is seriousness directed toward their passion for the healthy growth of their sports. This is much bigger and more important than individual companies and personal egos. It’s good to see less of the frantic force-feeding of wake to the masses. There are brands and riders in the integral aspects of our sports that have given me new hope and anticipation for the season and years to come. Wake feels more real with less propaganda than ever before. Friends and companies from other industries are finally beginning to show signs of respect and becoming vested participants in wake sports.

The brands that I want to commend are the dedicated ones without the deep pockets scrapping it out in spite of the lean times, and the relatively new ones with groundbreaking technologies and revolutionary direction forcing a breath of fresh air into an often stifled wake industry full of stagnation and fear of the pioneer. These companies because of their values, principles, and true desire to make their sports better for the individuals taking part in them, deserve and must be recognized and supported!

One of these brands is Integrity Wakeskates. I have known Erich Schmaltz for many years and if there is anyone who takes the integrity of his ride more seriously I have not met them yet. When there are questions of ideals, values, ethics, or principles in my own life, I often pass it by the Schmaltz in my head before making a decision.

Erich’s dogged tenacity is truly impressive and I have enjoyed watching him guide his brand. Growing slow and strong for the last four years, they decided to make their first appearance at Surf Expo in 08. With the rock solid team of Nick Taylor and Ryan Lemons, Grant Roberts, Barcellos and many other disciples along with DeBoer and Miller at the helm, you are sure to be seeing much more rider-run Integrity wherever you look.

It can only mean good things to come with Erich able to engross himself in R&D and geek-out in a Factory of his own. Everywhere I turn I hear how incredible the bamboo core is and from the sound of the tests they’ve been putting them through, the urethane sidewalls are unbelievably durable. If you can get your hands on one you should put your feet on it, I know I will.

Not to be overlooked the Mutiny Freeboards brand made an appearance in the Integrity booth and plans for a new strap in Mutiny flex deck were also unveiled.

Buzz of the Show and apple in my straps, Company Wake illustrated that they are something to be dealt with; and not a shoestring hobby brand. Obviously having some serious backing, they showed up with the most in depth line of wake gear I’ve ever seen from a first year start up. Everything was super clean and well thought out. Going with a flex wakeboard construction, which is finally becoming a common theme of new brands.

This team of Owner/Riders, including such heavy hitters as Justin Stephens and Randy Harris, along with Greg Necrasson, Tino Santori, and Eddie Valdez, has some serious potential. I (because I know they like the pressure) am holding high expectations for this crew. Support this Co. and support your sport.

Have you looked closely at that Epic Wake Boat recently? They just keep getting better. The first boat designed for riders from the water up. Even the materials they are using for their interior are plain smart, 4,000lbs of ballast and a shape plate, a dual rudder “vector” steering system for any situation, 10 speaker transom audio that they teamed up on with Kicker and Sony, as well as a 14 person capacity. Please, can I have one? The other manufacturers better make some moves or maybe, just give up. That way Epic can sell some boats and pay for more innovations. This boat is truly designed for the ultimate boating and riding experience, which soon enough, will be a necessity for people bothering with a boat.

This brings to mind Sesitec’s System 2.0 straight-line cable system, which may take the wake right out of wakeboarding. If you haven’t yet, look at thewakeparkproject.com, it’s a new age for Towboards. I mean towskates. I mean wakeboards? This cable system and a well built park of obstacles, will drop in on a small piece of water for well under the price of a decent wake boat and cost virtually nothing to run. Speaking of change. Boat manufacturers better do some quick thinking about their power source or back right out of the game.

In just two short years the standard has done more to give back to the sports roots than any publication in the history of wake. They have driven the quality over quantity steak deep into the heart of the wake media monster. Rider owners Joey Meddock and Josh Letchworth (you starting to see a connection?) and many other artists are continually doling out superior work in these books. With most of the money coming from subscribers rather than advertisers they’re not forcing anything down your throat. Its just captivating and appealing Art. Anyone would be fortunate to display these book/magazines on their coffee table. It is a very sad day in wake media to hear the announcement that book 2.3 will be the last issue. We know its not the last we will hear from Josh and Joey.

The Wake Industry is seeing more opportunity from cash flow than ever before, thanks to companies like Nike 2.0, Oakley, Red Bull, and O’neill seeing viability and finding athletes and entrepreneurs worthy of their support. The first generation of towed riders are coming into their own, the monopoly is tumbling and the rotten roots are finally dying off. I can’t wait to see where this new blood and fresh thinking will take us.

With true riders like Scott Byerly, Randy Harris, Erich Schmaltz and Parks Bonifay (riders with integrity, running things) change will come. It can’t be stopped. But with the support of all riders it will happen now.

In our Action Sports sister industries, variety, originality, diversity and integrity are supported, even nurtured. This in my opinion is one of the most integral reasons for the strength and respect of skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, motocross etc. and on a whole still sorely missed in the wake industries.

Create change now, pioneer a project in your area. The time for sitting is over. Make a move. Ride for yourself! (In other words continue to make your ride the best it can be for you and you will have done your part).

found this on www.alliancewake.com and (see what kind of passion for the sports it takes to build a company in the wake space) The more people who do what Justin and so many others have done to build wake, the healthier our sports will be.

Alliancewake.com: Why the change, was it the boards, the opportunity, the long-term for your career, working with someone like Justin? Give us the real answers.
Randall Harris: Let me state first that my moving to Company had nothing to do with any negativisms in association with Gator Boards. I love Erik and everybody at GB. I wish nothing but the best and success for Gator Boards.
Moving to Company was a result of many different factors. First off, the opportunity to be a major shareholder and owner of a brand is very appealing to me at this stage of my life. I’ve paid the cost to be the boss. Time to be a shot caller, ya know what I mean (laughs)? Seriously it’s always been a dream of mine to own and operate my own brand. Organization was also a key attraction. Company as a whole is taking a very strategic and proactive approach at all levels. There is a definitive plan in place. Company as a business is aggressive but at the same time very responsible and well thought out.
The freedom we have in manufacturing is incredible. The manufacturing processes at-hand enables us to do consistent research and development; prototyping will be a constant thing at Company. These manufacturing capabilities will allow us to push the technological limits of the sport. No gimmicks, just creating effective products that work.
One of our key strengths at Company is marketing and media. Of course media is my strong suit. As you will see over the next few months, the vision of this brand is powerful. The marketing force is fresh and creative. What happens when you have the “Video of the Year” producer link up and start a brand with the current “Rider of the Year” and “Video Section of the Year” athlete? You do the math.
Company is a brand founded on passion. We aren’t stopping at anything to realize this dream. Failure is not an option.

A: So Company is your home, are we about to see the next evolution of Randall Harris?
RH: Of course, I’m co-owner of Company Wakeboards. That is motivation. My livelihood directly relates to the success of this brand. I’m going to go harder than ever on the water in order to push and develop this brand. At the same time Company will be allowing me to develop and sharpen existing business skills. My goal is to be more than just an athlete at Company. I want to be a valuable asset in relation to managing and running the business.

A: How do you feel about Company’s technology and how do you see that changing your riding for the better?
RH: There has been a lot of speculation about “flex-tech” and Company being solely dedicated to this type of board construction. The fact is we are dedicated to innovation and new technology. I’m extremely excited about the possibilities we have in creating a product that will advance my riding and every wakeboarder’s experience.

Alliancewake.com: How many hours of sleep have you lost since starting a new company and acquiring a team rider?
Justin Stephens: Not much to be honest, because I was never really getting that much sleep in the first place…

This is my current schedule:
9am-7pm - Office stuff.
7pm-10pm - Eat dinner and hang with family at home. (Not enough time)
9pm-2am - Watch the TV show “24” on DVD with my wife while on the laptop working with our designers over iChat. My wife is discouraged by this, but has been very supportive knowing that some of our designers have day jobs still, and knows that this is the only time that they can get work done for us. Everyone is working really hard for us right now, so we are very grateful for that. As far as the TV show “24” goes, we’ve made it to season 5 so far, and its pretty intense. We’re averaging about 2 to 3 episodes a night.

A: At what point did you say to yourself, “I can do a board company and do something I believe other brands are not”?
JS: I was at Nationals in 2005 when I thought to myself, “I really want to start a new wakeboard brand”…and I’ve been fighting for it ever since. I think that there is a need for something fresh in my own opinion. It doesn’t mean that I know what I’m doing, it just means that it’s something that I can see in my head, totally dialed in and existing in the market.

A: How has the market responded to the existence of Company?
JS: …. Check out the rest of the article here: http://www.alliancewake.com/article_details.php?id=3998&page=1

Also you can check out all of the Alliance Wakeskate Mags here: (this is cool) http://www.alliancewake.com/wakeskate/home.htm

Amber brought all the Uniquely girls together to wakeboard. (…“Uniquely,” a 35-minute travel-inspired women’s action sports film… check it out here: http://oakley.com/women/uniquely

This weekend at the Carlsbad Lagoon, national champion Amber Wing took the Uniquely girls wakeboarding. After a morning of surfing and BBQ at the beach house in Encinitas. It was time for some more board sports.

Amber made a call to her sponsor Liquid Force and asked to use the team boat for a late afternoon shred session. As soon as she had the OK, the girls loaded up and headed for the Lagoon. The crew included skateboarder Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, skiers Angeli VanLaanen, Kristi Leskinen and Grete Eliassen, snowboarder Silvia Mittermuller, and snowboard photographer Ashley Barker.

Check out the rest of the article here: http://oakley.com/sports/wakeboard/posts/975

found this on WakeWorld… the Russian WW Cup… mad props to Russia pushing the sport!! see the whole story at WW, 200 pics of the event at WW

check it out here: http://www.wakeworld.com/getarticle.asp?articleid=1905

Date: 10/6/08
Author: WakeWorld Russia Press Release
Related Links:
WakeWorld Russia Cup Photo Gallery

The second international wakeboarding festival “Halls Breez WakeWorld Russia Cup - 2008″ was successfully held at the Crocus City Yacht Club. American Dean Lavelle, a four-time world champion, won the event.

The festival inspired great interest and gathered thousands of people. By estimates of the riders, onlookers and the media, the wake contest was the most successful of all extreme events held in Russia.

Another dope production from our friends at Red Bull - See the full article here: http://coastalblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/red-bull-wake-event-at-surf-expo/

Red Bull puts on a sic show! Some of the best rail riders in the world arrived to compete on the straight-line cable system from Sesitec. The new cable system provides a continuous ride. Last weekend we had a long night in Orlando, it started with a Red Bull event at Lake Eola, 24 wakeboarders — that were selected by Parks Bonifay — competed in a new type of wakeboarding event. Lake Eola is right in the center of Orlando, Florida. The next generation of top riders took to a new cable system course that included an elevated pool, hand rails and sliders inspired by skate and snow parks. HERE’S VIDEO!

“This system is going to change wakeboarding forever,” Bonifay said. “The pull of the rope is so high, it clears the sliders.”

Normally, wakeboarders are pulled behind boats.

The field will be whittled to 12 wakeboarders after qualifying, then to eight for the semifinal round. Bonifay, a former X Games champion, and Josh Sanders will automatically advance to the semis.

Bonifay, who is sponsored by Red Bull, selected the competitors. One of them, J.D. Webb, soared over the 30-foot-high fountain at Lake Eola two years ago.

“I think it will be competitive but fun and unique at the same time,” Bonifay said. “Everyone is on the same playing field.”

Homegirls gettin’ some love!

FUEL TV’s The Daily Habit

In case you missed it, Liquid Force Maven’s own Shelby Kantar and Melissa Marquardt recently appeared on FUEL TV’s the Daily Habit. The girls were up at the studios in LA to discuss their new ’09 pro-model boards/bindings, what’s happening in the next few months, and all things Maven related! Check out FUEL TV as they’ll be re-running the show regularly over the next few weeks.

I ran across this ask Randy a question column on wakeworld and thought it was a pretty cool reflection of the early years in the sport. Check it.

just curious how today compares (if at all) with the ground y’all broke in the early years of the sport’s progression?

Wakeboarding life today is something completely different than wakeboarding life during the “early years of the sport’s progression.” It’s a complex evaluation because 10 years ago I was going through puberty and experiencing life for the first time as a youngster, going through my wonder years so to speak. Looking back at that whole time period invokes somewhat of a mystical feeling. That romanticized memory is due in part to the fact that I was coming of age alongside the legends of the sport, whom I idolized, and partly to the fact that I was in a drug and alcohol-induced haze most of the time.

No matter whose perspective is being offered, I doubt anyone could argue that the years surrounding Byerly and Gator winning the Worlds on the Flight 69, when Nelson was on top of his game and when we were scaring the hell out of the ski community for the first time was wakeboarding’s golden era. We were all about having fun and doing crazy looking things that had never been seen before. There was no corporation sponsored club event to attend in order to keep up appearances and grease palms. Most nights were spent looking for a good time and a house party or chilling to the sounds of Skynard and a campfire blazing alongside the river.

The wakeboarding personalities of the time all offered a unique take on life and the energy in the boats was raw and untamed. Who would have thought that the channeled angst of this group of misguided youth would have spawned what has now become an entire bustling industry. None of us really approached wakeboarding as a business or a career. We never expected wakeboarding would eventually cross paths with that of the rap/hip-hop world or that we could become legitimate business owners and team managers. It was more like we were all along for the crazy ass ride and had no idea where it was leading us.

So to answer your question, wakeboarding life today doesn’t compare at all to wakeboarding life back then. I do feel truly blessed to have been a part of the sport during its magical incubation period and still be a relevant rider/business person in the commerce that the activity of wakeboarding has become today.

Do you feel more or less inspired by the newer riders?

The talent in wakeboarding today is amazing. Do I feel as inspired by the top athletes in the sport today as I did by my superheroes back in the day? No. It doesn’t really matter though because I haven’t been drawing inspiration for my riding from this sport for many years.

Does the fact that you’re not the “kid” in the boat change the way you approach your riding?

The fact that I’m not the “kid” in the boat doesn’t necessarily change the way I approach my riding, but it does change the way I behave in the boat. I’m not the little turd that has to be coaxed into riding the early morning session. I’m not the kid sitting shotgun and sleeping while the older guys drive and do all the work. Even though I now have seniority, I feel like I have to step up and show the younger riders what it takes to make it in this industry.

In your opinion, how does the new wave of riders compare with the guys who laid the foundation in the first place?

I think I’ve clearly explained the mind state of us that laid the foundation. The new wave of riders are more athletic, serious and goal-oriented. Riders nowadays aren’t riding to tweak their board in a way no one has ever tweaked it. They are riding to build an arsenal of check cutting sponsors. Riders today don’t ride, they train. They train three to five times daily. They train to be consistent. They train to be the wakeboarder on Fuel TV mounting the podium. They train to be the next rider with a line of signature products and a pro model boat wrap.

Do any of today’s riders remind you of the older guys who don’t strap in anymore?

No, I don’t see any similarities between the current wakeboard stars and that of the past. That’s not to say there isn’t any riding out there that is jaw dropping and inspirational. It’s just a different time with different mind sets and different goals. Every now and then you can spot the influence of Greg Nelson’s flawless toeside frontside melon 360 or Gator’s gigantic hoochie glides or Byerly’s stylish hook. There are a select few like Ben Greenwood, the Valdez bros, Collin Harrington and Lyman that appear to have captured a spark from the once roaring fire of soul that ignited this sport.

Valla Con Dios

(the complete article is at http://wakeworld.com/getarticle.asp?articleid=1818)

Team Wakesites

The Team Wakesites riders are recognized not only for their skills on the water but also for the contribution that each has made to the sport of wakeboarding. Our team recognizes and appreciates the individuality and diversity in the wakeboarding community.

We work with leading manufacturers and sponsors who are passionate about wakeboarding. We differentiate our riders, participating manufacturers, and sponsors from those exploiting the sport for purely financial gain. Join Wakesites and help us build our sport: For the riders. By the riders.

“Ride for yourself” –Josh Smith Co/founder – Team Manager.

Click here to see the Wakesites team in action in the killer new DVD “Authentic” .

Wakesites was built for Riders, by Riders. We are Riders, Media and Industry with one vision: The healthy progression of wake sports. Our mission is to provide a place for people from all cultures and diversities to come together and be a part of the growth of Wakeboarding and Wakeskating.

Our sports are the fastest growing action sports over the past ten years. Innovative technology and its advancement is a major focus for Wakesites and its dedicated riders. Wakesites is a place for riders and manufacturers to show how they are constantly pushing the sports to new levels as well as a place for the media to document this progression.

Wakesites philosophy is that the sports begin with the rider and end with the rider. We are rider owned and operated and our vision is of sports in which the rider pushes the industry to embrace open-minded technologies and develop new innovations through the riders’ style and progression. Style over Standings. Quality over Quantity.

Wakesites provides a place for all Riders, Media, and Industry to show what they can bring to the table to help grow the sports. We believe all companies–small, medium and large–that participate in the sports should have the opportunity to show their products and services and collectively influence in a positive way a healthy progression of the sports.

Help us build the sports! Join Wakesites today!

Paul Nobles and Josh Smith
Founders

For more information about Wakesites, please email us: contact@wakesites.com