June 2014: No 4 Preview

“While they were wakeboarding, we were wake surfing” - Todd gaughan - vp of marketing

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ach morning I jump out of bed and think to myself (sometimes out loud), “I get to do this again! This is awesome!” Life is full of experiences to be had and I feel my own ambition to raise my personal best each day and I consider myself a focused entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, I do not settle for mediocrity but rather I look for and recognize true innovation from those that are determined to be exceptional. After all, this is what drives the human race! People like this are visionaries, and without them and the changes they bring, the world would suffer in stagnation, complacency and mediocrity. In my opinion, that just wouldn’t be any fun. The revolutionary new sport of wake surfing is so much in its infancy that innovation and creativity abound and it’s full of visionaries.

After careful observation and comparison, two certainties exist in my view of wake surfing now. The first certainty is that one brand stands out and continues to dominate, and secondly that the only comparison to be made is that of someone like Steve Wynn for how he envisioned a new culture, revolutionizing the hotel and casino industry.

When it comes to wake surfing, that visionary is Rick Lee and his group at Centurion Boats. When all other boat companies were at each other’s throats competing for the oversaturated wakeboard boat market, Centurion was experimenting and created the emerging sport of wake surfing, as we know it today. Rick Lee and his team were not being stagnant, complacent or mediocre. Rick Lee and Centurion were performing like true visionaries.

At one point in watersports history, it was not practical to mount ski pylons to boats. Other boat companies excluded them or voided warranties when they were mounted via aftermarket kits. Additionally, it was unrealistic to create bigger wakes when the ski boat manufacturers were all huge proponents of smaller wakes. What Rick Lee and Centurion saw was inefficiency in the market, and for Centurion the solution was more inclusive for people and families. Their idea was more fun, it was less physically demanding and more importantly less prone to injuries – something that wakeboarding has never been able to claim!

The sport of wake surfing had been around for a few decades. “Inland surfers” took to their powerboats to get their surf stoke on rivers, lakes and other waterways when the ocean surf was flat, but with smaller boats of the time it was nearly impossible to toss the handle and surf purely on the wake’s propulsion. The sport never gained much attention www.boardersmag.com | May 2014

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until 1995 when Centurion built the first dedicated wake surfing boat, The Wave. For the first time in boating history, a boat was being marketed for surfing and with the wake created by The Wave, a rider could ride without the use of a towrope – just like ocean surfing! The boat itself was an innovation in design. It featured a Deep-V Hull and was specifically designed to make a wake and wake surf wave whereas all other current tournament boats focused on 3-event sports and small, soft wakes. This innovation later pushed Centurion to utilize V-Drive power placing the engine in the rear of the boat for the first time in the watersports industry – a Rick Lee innovation which is now an industry standard in all wake boats. The Wave featured the first inhull ballast and manufacturer mounted tow-pylon. Over time, further improvements included adding more ballast to create a bigger and better wake.

“Their idea was more fun, it was less physically demanding and more importantly less prone to injuries – something that wakeboarding has never been able to claim!”

This was all new thinking, but many watersports community leaders including Centurion’s competitors and even members of the media were snickering at Rick and Centurion as they sat back and watched these seemingly goofy ideas progress. As wake surfing gained popularity, other boat companies voided warranties for wake surfing modifications. Unfettered by this, Rick Lee poured more and more resources into Centurion’s wake surfing project by using higher quality materials and while others decreased, he increased Centurion’s warranty value. Today, Centurion offers and five-year warranty – the longest warranty life for any watersports specific towboat!

In 1995, Rick Lee invited top ocean surfing professionals from Rusty Surfboards to try his new perpetual wave machine. The team had so much fun surfing all day that by day’s end they’d crowned a champion and proclaimed the first World Wake Surfing Championship. The honor went to Tim Lopes, Centurion’s research and design manager who out-surfed the surfing professionals! The outcome of such an event only foreshadowed the appeal and awesome energy of wake surfing.

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May 2014 | www.boardersmag.com

“Passion

is one thing you will undoubtedly feel at the Centurion Boats factory in Merced, California.

1997 Wave with updated tower

”

Wake surfing was barely a blip on the water sports radar and the Centurion team was blazing a trail that would take a few more years before the masses and competition would legitimize it. Even in the early 2000’s wakeboarders and the wakeboarding media would laugh at wake surfing as something you only do when the water is too rough, but Rick Lee kept pushing forward. As the famous Mahatma Gandhi quote goes, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win,” Centurion has remained a leader in wake surfing innovations, while other brands have finally awakened to the opportunity that wake surfing brings. Driven by sales demands, other brands opted for transom accessories to wakeboarding boats instead of the more expensive path of designing wake surfing hulls from scratch. With the 2014 release of the Centurion FX44 Enzo, combining two decades of wake surfing innovation including the remarkable CATS and RAMFILL systems, Centurion leads the field. The FX44 is a 24-foot beast that was engineered to provide the biggest, longest, and most powerful waves.

As time progressed, Rick Lee and his creators, designers and fabricators were busy in research and development, and riders like seven-time World Champion Drew Danielo began developing more and more complex moves to meet the challenges brought on by a constantly improving and more powerful wave. Today Centurion’s professional team includes more world champion wake surfers than any other.

As the Wake Surfing World Championship evolved year after year, Centurion’s boats with their precision wakes www.boardersmag.com | May 2014

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2014 Enzo FX44

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were the boat of choice and have remained as such today.

As Rick Lee describes it, “Our boat used the Deep-V Hull with a trailing edge that enhanced the displaced wave into a consistent face. We refined the distribution of weight to create the perfect power-to-drag ratio.” The boat was a remarkable discovery for producing large, powerful wakes.

No other current watersports designer has more tenure than Rick Lee – he’s the present-day patriarch of watersports boat design.

“Our boat used the Deep-V Hull with a trailing edge that enhanced the displaced wave into a consistent face. We refined the distribution of weight to create the perfect powerto-drag ratio.”

Passion is one thing you will undoubtedly feel at the Centurion Boats factory in Merced, California. We met with Connie Jones who has been with Centurion Boats for 24 years and has seen everything from the economic ups and downs to the way Centurion revolutionized watersports with a wake surfing fever that is stronger than ever. One thing that she said has never changed is, “Taking pride in our product and always striving to innovate.” Centurion paved the way with what is known as the best wake surfboat hull, the “Enzo,” named after the Ferrari racing legend. When Centurion created the Enzo it had the deepest degree V-Hull in the industry, displacing more water and ultimately creating a bigger, better and more surf-able wave. The Enzo hull is now a staple in the Centurion Boats line and will be used

as the towboat for the World Wake Surfing Championship to be held at Lake Las Vegas on September 25-27, 2014.

For more information about Centurion or Rick Lee please contact Fineline Industries at 209-384-0255.

May 2014 | www.boardersmag.com

- Rick Lee CEO & President of Centurion Boats.

James Harold Centurion Wave

www.boardersmag.com | May 2014

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River SUP

by Taylor Robertson

The discipline of river standup has seen its fair share

Celestial Falls in Oregon. I reluctantly replied yes, and

of growth throughout the past two years. Once a small

found myself at the brink of the falls two days later. I

niche sport has now progressed into a recognized

had run the falls before in my kayak and I knew the

discipline within the SUP world. In 2014, the biggest

pool was deep; I careened off the lip of this monster

cash prize in SUP history will be granted to a river

and launched from the board in mid-descent. Although

sup paddler at the Payette Games near McCall, Idaho

neither of us stuck the drop, it has given a glimpse into

where paddlers will battle it out for a $50,000 purse.

what might be possible on a board.

For me, the sport has offered much more than prize money or winnings. River SUP offers the perfect blend of surfing, kayaking and perhaps a bit of skateboarding.

As a former US Kayak Team member and long-time expedition kayaker, river SUP has opened a new chapter in my pursuit of experiences as a river advocate and paddler. River SUP allows the participant to be very creative by expressing his or her combination of river surfing maneuvers with the assistance of a single bladed paddle. The diverse nature of this activity allows paddlers the opportunity to surf nice glassy/foam pile river waves for extended lengths of time in contrast to an ocean wave that will end quickly and abruptly.

Negotiating class IV water is not out of the question, as many waterfalls and class IV rapids have now been successfully negotiated on a SUP board.

Perhaps the best element of the sport is challenging the unknown and the possibilities of what may be achieved. River SUP pioneers including Dan Gavere, Charlie Macarthur, Ken Hoeve, Ian Smith, Mike Taveres and Nikki Greg to name a few, have been pushing the limits of whitewater SUP for some years now. In the fall of 2012, Dan Gavere (who gave me my first SUP board), asked if I would like to attempt running 45’ 32

May 2014 | www.boardersmag.com

“The diverse nature of this activity allows paddlers the opportunity to surf nice glassy/foam pile river waves for extended lengths of time in contrast to an ocean wave that will end quickly and abruptly.”

Rider: Miles Harvey

SAFETY

BOARDS

Safety

Boards

River safety is always a top priority for the river SUP’er.

Proper gear is a must for the river SUP paddler.

Certain elements such as learning how to “read the

Traditional epoxy boards will definitely take a beating

river” may only be learned through experience and

on the river but often work great for park and play

proper instruction.

It is highly recommended that

situations, where there are few rocks and deep water.

anyone interested in this sport take a class from a

These venues will better accommodate epoxy board

certified professional instructor.

Don’t expect to

construction. For downriver paddling, inflatable boards

successfully jump right in to this sport even if you are

from companies such as ULI, Badfish and Starboard

an accomplished waterman in the ocean!

have become the preferred choice.

Newer plastic

boards have also hit the scene with construction similar to whitewater kayaks, and they are

“River SUP offers the perfect blend of surfing, kayaking and perhaps a bit of skateboarding.”

very durable but sometimes heavy.

www.boardersmag.com | May 2014

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L A I T S E L E C

FALLS

Charlie Munsey, Taylor Robertson and Dan Gavere reunited at Celestial Falls in 2012 to push stand up paddle boarding to the limits in world record fashion Photo: © 2012 - Charlie Munsey / Adventurelightphoto.com

“Celestial Falls is a visually stunning place; I knew it would be cool no matter what happened and at the time it was definitely a world record attempt. There was a sign that said no kayaking, but it didn’t say No SUPing. Taylor Robertson dropped the falls first followed by another good friend of mine, Dan Gavere.

The Falls had a ramp lean in and drop off so it allowed Taylor and Dan to stay on their boards for most of the drop. I’m not sure a drop like that will ever be stuck.

The drop is almost 50 feet. It was a cool photo and an intense challenge, pushing the boundaries and seeing what was possible and no one had tried it before.”

-Charlie Munsey

“Above all, be safe, have fun and tread lightly as the river demands respect and will always win in the end!”

-Taylor Robertson

PADDLES

Paddles

Common carbon/fiberglass paddles will not hold up to the rocks and abuse dished out by the geology of the river. The leading SUP paddle manufacturing company Werner Paddles has introduced a river specific paddle called the Session. This paddle incorporates Werner’s legendary durability and performance at a price of $219.00. The high cadence blade shape is low impact on shoulders and joints while providing a stable platform for bracing and ruddering in river hydraulics.

PFDS AND PADDING

PFDs and Padding

A PFD is a must on the river. A leash can be utilized on the river, however; IT MUST BE CONNECTED TO A QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM AND NOT TO THE SUP’ERS ANKLE OR KNEE. There are quick release belt systems on the market that make leash use much safer. Using a leash on the river is not recommended unless one has been properly trained. Proper footwear and splash protection is a must. River water can be as cold as 40 degrees necessitating the use of a drysuit or thick wetsuit from quality companies such as Kokatat Watersports. Last but not least, a helmet should always be worn along with shin, ankle and knee pads.

35-year-old Taylor Robertson is a long-time riverman and the SW Sales Rep for Werner Paddles. He has many 1st place SUP and kayak titles to his name, spending the better part of his lifetime on the water.

When not on the river he can be found surfing breaks from Hawaii to CA, living the Sprinter Van lifestyle. www.boardersmag.com | May 2014

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Aaron & matt

koch

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Nine years ago I had the urge to escape the cold winters of Kentucky. Granted, KY winters are not that cold, I just couldn’t handle kayaking in the cold water. Those days I didn’t know anything about SUP or any kind of paddle boarding. My how things have changed! My annual pilgrimage to Mexico has brought me endless rivers to paddle, great friends and amazing food! Can we really ask for more? Apart from kayaking, Mexican rivers offer incredible chances to SUP, raft and even jump and swim waterfalls. With no crowds!

ch at the by my brother Matt Ko This picture was taken eek. This on class 2-3 Elkhorn Cr Jim Beam Dam, located cause of t Kentucky boaters be dam is famous amongs particular s at higher flows. This its dangerous hydraulic ns for the ws and ideal conditio day we had lower flo drop! of boaters portage this Bombdrop. 95 percent unity attention from the comm This picture drew a lot de dams. nt danger in man ma because of the inhere with the I have always paddled Andrew, Matthew and reckless ople know we are not idea of safety first. Pe ened to oto many eyes were op and after seeing this ph ny part is of River SUP. The fun the infinite possibilities ! an part of the whole run that this is the only urb -Aaron Koch 36

May 2014 | www.boardersmag.com

Mexico has plenty of hardcore class 5 rivers with 120 foot waterfalls, steep rapids and huge committing river canyons!

On the other hand, SUP in Mexico gives us access to hundreds of rivers that are skipped over by kayakers, due to their lack of class 4-5 rapids. River SUP transforms the most mediocre class 2 river into a challenging maelstrom of whitewater! OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it does give us adrenaline seekers a taste, without having to deal with the consequences of difficult whitewater.

The nice thing about Mexico is that whitewater paddling of any sort is still relatively unknown. Rafting is the most popular, followed by kayaking (especially waterfalls), then tubing, swimming with floaties and finally SUP. Paddling SUP here makes me feel quite famous. If we encounter groups, on or by the river, the cameras come out and everyone turns into paparazzi! Gotta love that! All kidding aside, south of the border you will find miles of clean, deep, turquoise colored, spring fed rivers. The people are always welcoming and the scenery is extraordinary! When the snow starts to fall, you know where I’ll be!

See you on the river!

Aaron