Wakesurfing Safety 101

In 1982 I was born into a “River Rat” family, and have been around the water sports industry from that day.  Now I know some of you are saying that you graduated college in 1982, or maybe even high school, but this is not my point.  My point is this.  Ever since I can remember there has been one defining lesson taught during my 27 years of being on the water.  SAFTEY, SAFTEY, SAFTEY!  In the next few paragraphs I am going to outline some of the most important safety factors for wakesurfing, and water sports in general. 

To start off, wakesurfing requires the same level of safety that all other water sports require.  This article will cover the type of boat needed for wakesurfing, the type of gear needed, driving/riding safety, and overall basics that a person stepping into a boat should know.  For a seasoned pro, or a newbie to the sport it is always important to refresh safety knowledge.      

Now that it is time to give wakesurfing a try, please make sure to wakesurf

Crowley Wake 2009 Wakesurf Team

Today with the up and coming sport of wakesurfing we have seen the addition of many different teams such as the Crowley Wake Team.  The Crowley wake team is lead by Tommy Czeshchin who has worked hard to become an Olympic Snowboarder with accents such as Medals from the X-Games, Gravity Games, world cups, Grand Prixs, and more.  The Crowley Wake Team has also added Bri Chmel to their team for 2009.  

Bri has been wakesurfing for two and a half years, and has proved to be one of the best women wakesurfers in the industry.  You can check out her website at www.brichmel.com.  It is easy to say that Bri has been on the podium for almost every event that has taken place since she has started riding.  Look for her in the future to keep on pushing the sport of wakesurfing with her spins, shuvits, and airs.  

Check out the video below for some intense skim style wakesurfing put together by the Crawley Wake Team.

Another Wakesurfing Community

 Today wakesurfing is a fairly small sport that is growing in popularity everyday.  We here at Midwest Wakesurfing are trying to broaden people’s horizon while this sport grows.  Another spot on the web where wakesurfing is talked about daily is on the discussion board of WakeWorld.com.  WakeWorld is an online water sports community that is bringing people from all over the world together.  WakeWorld thrives on wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakeskating, and bringing together the pro rider who will give pro tips to the novice rider.  Anyone who is looking to get into any of these sports should look into WakeWorld, become a free member, and enjoy the ride.  You will come out a better person after this experience!  Make sure to check out the Discussions boards which will give you a chance to have your questions answered by pro riders, and people who are actively in these sports everyday of their lives.  

 You can also check out a news release WakeWorld put out on there site about Shred Stixx Wakesurfing Co.  To check out the news release click here à http://www.wakeworld.com/getarticle.asp?articleid=2069 

 

 

 

HD Video Cam for the Average Joe

If you are in the market for a high quality, high definition video camera, but are also feeling the pinch in todays economy, consider the Canon VIXIA HV30 HD camera before you through in the towel on your extreme sports video dreams.  I recently purchased this camera for a mere 500 US dollars and have not regregeted a single cent of it yet.  The HD picture quality is a huge step up from the SD cameras of years past and its size (or lack there of) makes for a great camcorder for those long days behind a boat or on the mountain.

The Greenest Boat Today

Epic Wakeboats out of San Diego Calif. has announced the new release of the ”The World’s First Electric Hybrid Sport Boat,” the Epic 23E.  With the boats new electric hybrid drive system, the Epic 23E uses half the fuel of its combustion-powered equivalent.  This boat is now more environmentally friendly and economical than any other boat on the water.

The Epic 23E currently has 4,000 lbs of stock ballast, “D.R.O.P.” Zone Wake Enhancing Hull Technology, Resin-Infused All-Composite construction, Dual Rudder “Vector Steer System,” 10-Speaker Transom Audio and many other features. Epic currently has dealers located nationwide as well as Australia, Canada and Mexico. For more information, please visit Epic Wakeboats.

 Click here to check out a video of the Epic 23E in action.

Anyone want to Wakesurf behind this guy??

Wake Nation Cincinnati

 

It is safe to say that the Action Sports industry is growing every day.  In May of 2009, Wake Nation is brining a new cable park to the Midwest.  The cable park is located in Cincinnati, OH.  For all of us in the Midwest who can’t travel to Orlando Watersports Complex or other cable parks around the US, we now have a cable park that is a lot closer for us to enjoy.

Wake Nation Cincinnati is a watersports complex designed for wakeboarding,

Wakesurfing the Mag.

I am now convinced that everyone should add this magazine to their pooper material pile.  This magazine comes in the form of Wakesurfing Magazine (Surprised!?!?!).  But honestly I just got my first Issue of the magazine and am super happy with my choice to buy the yearly subscription.  You can see one of Shred Stixx team riders Chase Hasen ripping it up with a few other riders such as Josh Mulcoy.  The stories are written well, and the hype of wakesufing jumps off the pages at you.  Go out and get yourself some, and keep an eye out for this wakesurfing sport, it’s hot!  

You can also find a virtual version of the magazine at http://www.wakesurfingmag.com where there is even more wakesurfing entertainment.    

A Shred Stixx Introduction to Wakesurfing

Before I start this blog, I want to put my opinion of the word “WAKESURFING” to rest.  I know others might say “who cares”, but it is something I end up thinking of and want to put an end to it.  Here it is, “The word Wakesurfing is One Word.”  If you are using “wake surfing”, it’s cool, but come on man Change it.

Now on to your introduction to Wakesurfing.  To Shred Stixx, Wakesurfing is an up and coming sport that people are just starting to catch on to.  The sport has been in the under ground stages of growing since the late 50’s early 60’s

The Ice is Breaking Up

Well the signs of spring are finally here.  Our friend in MN took his first ride on the Mississippi yesterday after work.  He said there was not much ice floating, but when he was running in the back waters to go back to his boathouse; he ended up finding chunk of ice 40 feet by 60 feet.  He said that he didn’t see it because the ice was in the shadow of a bridge and because the sun was going down.  Overall the SS Latch Island VLX Titanic is fine with a few minor scratches, and we hope to be Wakesurfing soon!  He also left us with this picture.  

 

   

 

Boating season 2009 has officially opened!