FLWake volume 02, issue 03 by FLWake

路 I SS

U 03

FREE

路

路 V OL U

wa k e fl

GAZ

m a G a Z i n e

AMOEBAS SURF EXPO MALIBU JUST RIDE INDUSTRY PROFILES TRICK TIPS VIDEO REVIEWS PHOTOGRAPHY AND MUCH MORE!

FEATURES VOLUME 02 - ISSUE 03

AMOEBAS BLAST Publications, LLC 1406 E. Curtis St. Tampa, FL 33604 PUBLISHER BLAST PUBLICATIONS, LLC EDITOR / MANAGER Jimmie Walker jimmie@flwakemagazine.com ADVERTISING Daniel Epps wakeboardmiami@gmail.com DESIGN / ART DIRECTION Mike Delach myfavoriteﬁghtsong@hotmail.com PHOTOGRAPHERS: Julio Aguilar, Adam Aslanian, Scott Kulp, Jimmie Walker CONTRIBUTORS: Chad Brown, Rachel Brown, Daniel Epps ON THE COVER: Tim Keepers - Nuclear Glide Photo: Jimmie Walker THIS PAGE: Idle time at Blast Part Deux Photo: Jimmie Walker

FL WAKE MAGAZINE is published 10 times a year and is available for free through boat dealers, wakeboard shops, marinas, clothing shops, cable parks, and wake events. Any questions, comments, photographs, or letters can be emailed to jimmie@ﬂwakemagazine.com. BLAST PUBLICATIONS assumes no responsibilities for claims made by advertisers. Advertisers warrant and represent the description of their products advertised are all true in all respects. Any and all letters and their content become sole property of BLAST PUBLICATIONS, LLC., and may be reproduced there in. All views expressed in articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of BLAST PUBLICATIONS, LLC. Use or duplication of materials used in this publication without prior approved consent of BLAST PUBLICATIONS, LLC is prohibited. WAKE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03 00 • Volume 00 Issue 04FLFLWAKE 02

AMOEBAS:

A FEW FACTS ABOUT NAEGLERIA FOWLERI

FL WRAP-UP SURF EXPO: WHY I LOVE SURF EXPO MALIBU JUST RIDE: GRASS ROOTS TOUR

17 18

BETWEEN SESSIONS OLLIE DE PETRUCCI:

OUR FAVORITE FOREIGN WB COACH

20 QUESTIONS TIM KEEPERS:

OBNOXIOUSLY GOOD? OR JUST OBNOXIOUS?

BROWNIE POINTS FOR BEGINNERS: HOW TO OLLIE

EARS TIM KEEPERS’ PICKS

OK GO! Welcome to FL WAKE MAGAZINE! The magazine continues to grow, little by little, and we’re proud of the outcome. Then again, we’re excited about each and every issue, and this one is no exception. This time around we spent a little bit of time with pro wakeboarder TIM KEEPERS, attempting to figure out what makes him tick. Tim’s a lot of fun to hang out with (perhaps a bit too much fun sometimes...) and he’s a good friend. Still, we learned a lot more about him after he answered our twenty questions. There’s also an interview with Ollie De Petrucci, a wakeboard coach at McCormick’s Ski School in Seffner. By the time you read this magazine, Ollie will have already left Florida for school in Australia, and we wish him well in all of his scholastic endeavors. Also in this issue we have info about some of this year’s contest tours, quick coverage of the surf expo, a serious and fact-filled article addressing our amoeba problem, and a great industry profile on Miami Ski Nautique out of, um, Miami. And as always, we’ve got plenty of pages full of great photography, trick tips, product reviews, contest wrap-ups, and tons of miscellaneous goodness. For most people it is the “off season” but here in Florida we don’t quite have a real “off season.” Unless, that is, you take getting a little cold every once in a while. I can only hope that this issue of our mag helps you brave what we consider winter and encourages you to put on that wetsuit and ride anyways. Check it out!

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

VIDEO REVIEW

TRANSGRESSION GATOR BOARDS / SIDEWAYZ

Reviewed by: Jimmie Walker Transgression is the latest Gator boards team video, and all I can say about this video is that it is absolutely RIDICULOUS!! First off, it’s a 16mm film by Ronn Seidenglanz, so you already know it’s visually stunning. They shot so much footage in exotic locations that most of us will never be lucky enough to go to. As for the riding, this video has it all: old pro’s, new pro’s, great wakeskating, and the triumphant return of Randall Harris. For those of you who are new to the sport, Randy is such an amazing rider. He lives and dies by the term “go big, or go home!” He goes bigger off of the wake than a lot of pro’s do off of double ups. Other than Randy’s mind- bottling wakeboarding, other stand out parts include Lidberg’s rail riding, the entire wakeskate team, and all the crashes. I mention the crashes because this video actually shows footage of some of the guys not making some of their tricks in the first couple of tries. But their courage to do these tricks and not give up is a testament to their talent and it showcases why they deserve to be pro. When you see Doyle’s part you’ll know what I mean. Anyways, I really loved this video and it’s definitely earned a spot in my list of favorite wake videos. In my opinion the best thing a wake video can do is show progression in our sport. And to say that this video does that is an understatement. This film is a must see and a must have, not just for riders, but for anyone looking to make a wakeboard video. For more information go to www.transgressionmovie.com www.gatorboards.com or www.sidewayz.com

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

NewWakeSkates too busy skating and building boards. We will try for a better ad next time.

AMOEBAS

A Few Facts About Naegleria fowleri

by: Jimmie Walker & Mike Delach A note from the Editor: At FL Wake, our articles tend to be light-hearted and entertaining. As always, we generally attempt to present the best of the industry - its fun-loving, and often, downright comical side. However, due to the recent deaths this summer, caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, we felt the need to address the issue as best as we can, and attempt to provide a bit of information for others on what to do to protect themselves next season. Our hearts go out to all of those families who have lost loved ones because of the amoeba. Hopefully this article will increase awareness within our community and help prevent more of the tragedies that we experienced this year. There is plenty of information available for anyone who would like to know more. A quick search on Google comes back with approximately 106,000 entries associated with the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, and all of our information came directly from these online sources. That being said, it is very important to stress that we are not doctors or scientists or medical experts, nor are we, or this article, in any way, to be regarded as an authoritative source of medical or scientiﬁc information.

aegleria fowleri. This is the name for a microscopic amoeba that thrives in the local fresh water bodies when water temperatures rise during the summertime. The scientific name itself is most likely unfamiliar to most, but for anyone who spends enough time on the water, especially anyone who was out and about this past summer, the amoeba and its effects are probably already well known. After the deaths of three people in Florida this past summer — all associated with the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, the threat of infection was undoubtedly on the minds of everyone within the industry.

STATISTICS According to the CDC (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention), 23 people were infected by Naegleria between 1995 and 2004. This year health officials say they’ve noticed a spike in cases, with six Naegleria-related cases so far (3 in Florida, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Arizona) — all of them fatal. Though infections tend to be found in southern states, Naegleria has been found almost everywhere in lakes, hot springs, even some swimming pools (although well maintained pools are generally considered safe).

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

Fortunately, infection with Naegleria fowleri is very rare, but that doesn’t mean the threat should be dismissed. Especially here in Florida. When infection does occur, it’s most common when air temperature is hot, the water is warm, and water levels are low. That means that risk increases during summer months, especially when water temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Sound familiar? In Florida, with our long, hot summer months, this is something that all of us should take seriously.

ENVIRONMENT Actually, Florida may see a greater percentage of these kinds of infections because the organism is most commonly found in the upper layer of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud ﬂoors. You know that warm muck on bottom of your favorite lake? This is where the amoeba thrives. According to the Florida Department of Health, if you decide to go into a lake: “wear nose clips, avoid stirring up sediment and avoid swimming near lake bottoms, where organisms are more concentrated.” Nose clips are recommended because that is how infection occurs — when the amoeba enters the body through the nose.

INFECTION Infection occurs when people wade through shallow water and stir up the bottom. Generally, this occurs when people are participating in water-related activities such as swimming underwater, diving, or other water sports that result in water going up the nose. This includes wakeboarding and wakeskating and every other sport that takes place on the water. If someone allows water to shoot up the nose, the amoeba invades the central nervous system via the olfactory mucosa and nasal tissues. From there, amoebae climb along nerve fibers through the ﬂoor of the cranium and into the brain. Infection with Naegleria causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain inﬂammation, which leads to the destruction of brain tissue.

SYMPTOMS People who are infected tend to complain of symptoms which include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff neck. As the amoeba causes more extensive destruction of Above: Naegleria fowleri

Opposite: Manner of Infection

brain tissue, signs of brain damage emerge — hallucinations and behavioral changes, such as confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, and seizures. After onset of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually results in death within 3 to 7 days. Once infected, most people have little chance of survival. PAM usually occurs in healthy children or young adults with no prior history of immune compromise who have recently been exposed to bodies of fresh water.

REACTIONS Florida state health officials have advised against going into Florida freshwater areas until temperatures drop. This is bad news for anyone on the water who takes advantage of the warm weather, especially since the season spans the summer months. Even here in Florida, the weather is starting to cool down as the winter season approaches. Anyone who has been out on the water in the past few weeks has probably noticed the temperatures are a bit colder than they have been over the past summer months. At the time of printing this issue (the second week of November, to be precise) the coastal water temperatures in Florida have fallen to an average of less than 70° Fahrenheit. Due to the colder water temperatures, the risk of Naegleria infection is minimal, if not none at all. Still, the social implications within the industry have yet to be determined. After the spike of infections this past summer, general awareness seems to be growing, albeit slowly. The industry as a whole is adjusting, advancing its methods to accommodate safer methods to ride, in spite of the possible

dangers of infection. A few of the regional wake parks have already started to take precautionary measures. For instance, ODUB is providing complimentary nose clips (on request) to its riders, as a way to prevent infection. Perhaps by the beginning of next season the entire industry as a whole will have started to follow suit.

FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL FACT SHEET How to reduce the risk of infection with Naegleria

Naegleria is found in many freshwater lakes and rivers in the United States, particularly in southern tier states. Therefore, it is likely that a low risk of Naegleria infection will always be associated with swimming in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Some measures that may reduce this risk include: • Avoid swimming or jumping into bodies of warm freshwater, hot springs, and thermally-polluted water such as water around power plants. • Avoid swimming or jumping into freshwater during periods of high temperature and low water volume. • Hold the nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, or hot springs. • Avoid digging in or stirring up the sediment while swimming in shallow, warm freshwater areas. • Do not swim in areas posted as “no swimming” or in areas warning about an increased risk of Naegleria infections. For further information on protecting yourself from recreational water illnesses, go to http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming. RESOURCES — http:www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/naegleria/ factsht_naegleria.htm — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naegleria

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

SURF EXPO

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

FL WRAP-UP

by: Jimmie Walker

ecently, when my girlfriend asked me to start thinking about taking a vacation, I told her that it sounded like a great idea as long as it wasn’t in September. In a lot of other spots, September is the time when the season starts dying down. But not here in Florida. Luckily for us here in the Sunshine State, we have a slew of events such as the Toe Jam, Gravel Tour, Malibu Just Ride, and of course Surf Expo. And all of this is happening when our neighbors to the north are parking their boats for winter. For those of you that haven’t heard of or found a way into Surf Expo you’re definitely missing out. Just about every company out there has a booth at the Orlando Convention Center to show-

SURF EXPO!

case their new gear. You can check out new stuff from just about anything you would be interested in... clothes, watches, sunglasses, shoes, and all the new wakeboards and wakeskates from whatever company you happen to be into. They have a mini ramp contest hosted by the Skate Park of Tampa, bikini fashion shows, and a huge party courtesy of Volcom. And, if you’re reading this, you would probably want to check out the huge pool gap set up located right outside. I believe they added the winch driven rail jam just last year. If you were lucky enough and/or smart enough to go, the first thing you will notice is how sick the set up is. It is massive. And only the who’s who of our industry gets to play on this make-shift wake park. The guys start on a elevated pool and have

their choice of two different rails. After they land whatever trick they are pulling they can either let go, or ride up the huge wedge ramp that leads up to the platform holding the winch. The wedge ramp option makes for some unique tricks that you don’t always get to see. Mainly, some rock to fakies on the guard rail, and shuvs on the wedge. And if the riding couldn’t hold your attention, the Monster Energy Drink girls are right there to give you something else to stare at. And they give away free cans of Monster, too! We here at FL Wake seriously recommend that you experience Surf Expo for yourself, but if you can’t make it there next year, don’t worry. We will be there to cover the event for you.

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

INDUSTRY PROFILE

Interview by: Daniel Epps FL WAKE: How long has Miami Ski Nautiques been around? MIAMI SKI NAUTIQUE: Well, once upon a time in a land far away…. OK, maybe not that far but anyway, two people were having a conversation in the boat between sets. It all began with your basic “Wouldn’t it be cool if…” conversation. Next thing we knew, we had purchased 6 Nautiques and sold them all pretty darn fast. We decided to go for it and become the South Florida dealer for Nautique in 1998, and are approaching the 10th anniversary of Miami Ski Nautique next year. Things weren’t always like they are now, though. We used to have a much smaller space. For a while we were all crammed into a tiny office in a bus station terminal. Our entire staff is comprised of athletes, and two of us happened to be on crutches. So you can imagine what that was like… running into everything, trying to maneuver around desks, equipment and each other. We wound up buying a building that served as an auto body shop and com-

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

pletely converting it into a showroom. It was a lot of hard work, but we got it done. Since then we’ve really developed this space into a store, added a second ﬂoor, offices, and really made it ours. The shop is stocked with everything you could want or need, and we’re surrounded by what we love every day. Life is really good right now and we couldn’t be happier. FL WAKE: What kind of products do you sell at the shop? MSN: Hmm… where should I start? Well, we sell a lot of wakeboard AND ski equipment, but I’ll stick to wake gear for you guys. We have Wakeboards, Wakeskates and Wakesurfers from Hyperlite, Byerly, Liquid Force, Ronix, CWB, and Omen. We have vests and wetsuits from O’Neill, Rip Curl, Jetpilot, Liquid Force, Hyperlite, Ronix, and Roxy. We have boardshorts, bathing suits and apparel from Fox, Billabong, UGP, O’Neill, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Roxy, Hyperlite, Liquid Force, and Jetpilot. We have ropes and handles from Accurate, Straightline, Ronix, and Liquid Force. We also have some sick UGP Wakeskate shoes. We sell towers,

MIAMI SKI NAUTIQUE

light bars, speakers, tubes, fat sacs and pretty much anything else for the boat that you can think of. Also, can’t forget board bags, helmets and backpacks. Whew! Did I forget anything? FL WAKE: Tell me a little about the Watersports scene in Miami. MSN: The local riders are very tight knit because the wakeboard scene isn’t as big here as it is in Orlando for example. We just don’t have the freshwater resources they do. We’ve got plenty of salt water, but less than ideal riding conditions a lot of the time. Everybody makes the best of it, though. The local riders pretty much all know each other, and I have to say that they are pretty darn cool people to know. We have Board up Miami now which is pretty rad. Having some of the pros in our neck of the woods is nice, and we don’t mind sharing our water or our dolphins, ha ha! Last year was a lot of fun, and we’re looking forward to this year. Miami is a revolving door for people from all over the world, so on any given day there are at least 5 languages spoken to us in the shop. It’s an interesting city with an in-

teresting scene. FL WAKE: How do you stay involved with the Wakeboard scene in South Florida? MSN: Well, we do what we can to help out our local riders, offering sponsorships to some, and keeping an ear out for opportunities for all of them. Everyone on staff is a rider and/or skier, so we’re out there charging the wake, too. We sponsor and host events like Board Up Miami, The Ronix Hospitality Tour, and The Liquid Force Maven Sessions which are always a blast. It’s super cool to be out there doing things and actually getting involved. It’s not always about making a sale, you know? You have to love what you’re doing and have fun with it. We also host and participate in ski tournaments such as the Senior Latin Tour among others. We always try to keep up with the careers of our sponsored riders, and do what we can to help them get to where they want to go. Jimmy (LaRiche) is just blowing up right now and we couldn’t be more proud. Stef Tor is a new addition to the team, killin’ it on the skate, Jimmy Trask is rippin’ in Orlando,

Chino Bonnard and Cristina Amador are killing it in Ecuador, and we can’t forget our Miami Boys- David and Nacho Hernandez, Andrew Mcreary, and TJ Geisythe local legends. We just really want to progress the sport and encourage people to learn. It’s such a cool sport, and we want to spread the news. FL WAKE: What sets Miami Ski Nautique apart from other wakeboard shops? MSN: Well, our store is pretty big- 6,000 square feet growing. We also have one of the largest in store inventories in the world. We have a web site and do a lot of online transactions, but we’re not a warehouse. We’re a real store so everything is right here for you to see and touch before you buy. Our staff is comprised of athletes so we have a real love for the sport. Kim and Henrik Laursen (the owners) were married on a Friday night the night before a record tourna-

ment in Charleston, SC. Kim competed in the 1st event the next morning. So, in a lot of ways our lives revolve around the sport. We also do boat repair service on premises. Plus, we have been known to feed customers cookies and coffee. What more do you want? Ha ha! FL WAKE: What do you see in the future for Miami Ski Nautiques? MSN: We see growth: The growth of our company, the growth of our sport, the growth of our staff, and the growth of our riders. The sky’s the limit as far as we’re concerned, and we can’t wait to see what next year has in store for us. We hope that you’ll all come along for the ride, and hang with us when we revisit the Maven Sessions and Ronix hospitality tour later this year. We are so grateful for the success of our business thus far, and hope that the future brings us even bigger and better things. FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

TAGGED!

ANDREW PASTURA photo: Adam Aslanian

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

TAGGED!

VICTORIA KULP photo: Kulp

TAGGED!

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

TOM FOOSHEE photo: Kulp

TAGGED!

AUSTIN HAIR photo: Kulp

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

TAGGED!

JOSH SANDERS photo: Kulp

BETWEEN SESSIONS

OLLIE DE PETRUCCI

Interview by: Jimmie Walker For this issue we decided to interview Ollie De Petrucci, a coach at one of our local camps, McCormicks. He is here from Hong Kong on a work visa to coach wakeboarding. Aside from coaching he does other stuff around the camp including helping us out when we were getting ready for the BLAST wakeskate comp we did in November. And when he is not here, he is in some other country doing what we all wish we were doing. Check out his interview to see the differences between someone who was born and raised in another country and you. -------------------------------

FL WAKE: Ok - introductions... Tell everyone who you are, how old you are, and where you’re from. Ollie: I am 18 years old. I’m British, but I was born and raised in Hong Kong. FL WAKE: How long have you been wakeboarding? Ollie: I’ve been riding since I was 14, but I had to take one and a half years off because of a recurrent dislocating shoulder and two shoulder reconstructive surgeries. FL WAKE: What sponsors do you currently have? Ollie: Quiksilver, Island Wake, and Wakeaholic Wakeboard Center.

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

FL WAKE: What tricks do you have down? Ollie: I have all basic inverts down. I don’t do any raley base tricks anymore because of my shoulder. I can do TS 5’s, HS and TS grabbed 3’s, TS off axis 5’s, rolls to revert, and I just started landing tootsie rolls which I’m pretty stoked about. I’m currently working on a couple of mobes, Crow Mobe and HS Mobius, but they are pretty tough. FL WAKE: Who or what inﬂuences your riding? Ollie: I think the people I ride with inﬂuence my riding the most. One of my friends named Julien in Hong Kong. He is my favorite person to ride with. He has mad style! I guess a lot of the wakeboard videos that come out also

inﬂuence my riding. FL WAKE: Where is your favorite place to ride? Ollie: I’d have to say Wakeaholic in Hong Kong. Even though it is on salt water and the water can get a little bit choppy, it is home. The place is in a bay which is closed off by Hong Kong’s airport so we ride up and down the runway all day. You can get some pretty sweet photos with planes taking off in the background. FL WAKE: What are you planning next as far as wakeboarding is concerned? Ollie: I am planning to start college, in February 2008, at the University of Queensland, in Brisbain, Australia. They have a wakeboard club with two boats

on the river, so I should be able to ride loads down in Australia. I don’t really have any goals as far as competitions go but I want to try and compete in a couple in Australia while I’m at college. Other than that, I just want to ride as much as I can, meet lots of people that are just as into wakeboarding as I am, and to just have a lot of fun out on the water. FL WAKE: Do you have any advice for anyone just getting into wakeboarding? Ollie: Ride for yourself, with your own style. Just ride because you love it. FL WAKE: Outside of wakeboarding, is there anything else that inspires you? Ollie: I like being outside. I like building stuff, surfing, and snowboarding when-

ever I can, but there isn’t any snow in Hong Kong, so I don’t get to snowboard too much. FL WAKE: Anyone you might like to thank? Ollie: My Mum and Dad. They have supported me though everything. They were the ones that bought me my first board when we used to go out on my dad’s company boat, which had an outboard speedboat with a skylon. I would also like to thank my sponsors because they have helped me get where I am right now with my wakeboarding and have stayed with me when I was injured for a year and a half. They have also helped me keep doing what I love to do. Thank you. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

20 QUESTIONS

WITH TIM KEEPERS

What to say about Tim Keepers? I can think of a few things off the top of my head, but none of them have to do with wakeboarding... So we’ll keep it simple: Tim Keepers is a very stylish wakeboarder (his riding is stylish, but not his fashion sense - not at all. Sorry Tim). He’s also completely out of his mind - both on the water and out. He’s also one of my good friends. The interview we did with him is definitely one of the most entertaining to date, both to read as well as to take part in. Still, I think it rings true to his personality. What might not be completely clear in this pro feature is Tim’s absolute dedication to the things that matter most. Before, after, and even in between his demanding architecture classes, he is calling me up to go riding. I hope that you enjoy getting to know Tim Keepers - he’s a bit loud and a little strange, but he is also an extremely talented wakeboarder. Oh, and if you ever get a chance to ride with him, don’t be surprised if he shows up wearing some creepy mask. Interview & Photographs: Jimmie Walker

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

1. Ok, introductions... Tell everyone who you are, how old you are, and where you’re from. Tim: My name is Tim Keepers. I’m 23 years old. I’m from East Troy, Wisconsin. 2. How long have you been wakeboarding? Tim: 7 yrs. 3. Who are your current sponsors? Tim: Gator Boards, Ten-80 Wakeboard Gear, Reactor Watches, Fly High, Black Flys Sunglasses, Guru Trampoline Boards, Bern Helmets, Fixx Energy Drink! Etnies Shoes, Motto Stencils. 4. What is your current set up? Tim: Gator Militant 141 with the Gator close toe binders. 5. What tricks do you have down? Tim: A bountiful gaggle, a cornucopia, if you will… of them. 6. Give me the rundown of the tricks you are working on and hope to stick in the near future? Tim: Oh, jeez… tuffie. Probably a ts bs off axis 3 and then 5, get my wake to wake hs sevens consistent and probably throw in a moby dick 5… oh, and a hs mobe. I know that trick is so easy for some people but it’s a tuffie for me… a real hooker. 7. Do you have any superstitions or rutines before you ride? Tim: First off you spelt routines wrong, FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

20 QUESTIONS and no not really. 8. Who or what inﬂuences your riding? Tim: Ahhh… definitely Gordy Bubolz. He’s a mentor of sorts for me and also John Nadolski… I haven’t seen him in a while but I liked him… he’s nice. 9. Where is your favorite place to ride? Tim: Lake… not too dirty, not too clean. Usually either on Lake Magdalene or with two fellas named Jole and Dave on Lake Mango… and McCormick’s Ski School. That’s here in Tampa. When I’m home it’s the Wolf River for me. Oh, and Potters Lake… that’s where I grew up. 10. What are some of your career highlights so far? Tim: Lots of good things have happened in the past and the future… lots of tournaments won and some lost. I try to not get too caught up in what I do

TIM KEEPERS - NUCLEAR

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

WITH TIM KEEPERS ... CONTINUED

in which, though. I try to do my best at each one. Right now the thing I’m most concerned with each year is making it on to the pro tour - gets harder and harder each year. Although the coolest is the two years I made it onto the IWSF USA wakeboard team. We traveled to Sydney one year and Sevilla the next. It’s pretty much where they treat wakeboarding as an Olympic exhibition sport. I think the Olympic committee has something to do with it. I took 5th one year and then team USA won it the next year, so I was super har gnar stoked. 11. What are you planning next as far as wakeboarding is concerned? Tim: Getting loved in a way the M.A.M.B.L.A would want it if M.A.M.B.L.A wakeboarded. 12. If you could be better at any aspect of riding, what would you want to improve?

Tim: Ahhh, well one answer is that I’m definitely doing it for fun and for me. I also do things to make my sponsors happy. I really like the sponsors that I have now, and I really like and respect all the people I’m working with. Still, I don’t want to be concerned with who I’m better than, or who’s better than me, or what someone else is doing and then compare it to myself. I just get bummed out that way. I don’t think you should really care… Most of the world doesn’t care how you ride and they definitely won’t remember you 8 years after you have quit. But to actually answer you question, I’d have to say spinning! 13. What would your ideal day? Tim: Fitting everything I want to do in one day… in one day. 14. What would make next year perfect for you? Tim: $CASH$ All ones, wrapped in

bundles of 50 and given to me in a basket. A colorful basket… preferably one with spring colors. 15. For the music section of the magazine. What 5 bands are you into right now and which albums from them? Tim: Hmmmm, well, this is always the hardest question for me… even when I was a kid, was it Peter Gabriel or Onyx. Ah, the times have changed… Right now I would have to say: 1. The Lillingtons Death by Television 2. Street Dogs Back to the World 3. Rancid… every single album… for fun I will say ...And Out Come the Wolves 4. Teen Idols Full Leather Jacket 5. Misfits… all albums, either with Danzig or Michael Graves… they’re both good singers… but right now I like Famous Monsters 6. GWAR Scumdogs of the Universe 16. Any advice for anyone just getting into wakeboarding? Tim: Be Patient. Have fun and listen to people better than you are. It’s very easy to make bad habits when you try to learn everything on your own, so try to find out what you should be doing instead of what you want to do. If you want to lean fast, you have to swallow your pride and listen to others, or call me. And get hurt… It’s the only way to really feel like you’re learning. I lie. 17. What other sports do you like? Tim: Dodge ball and petting puppies. 18. Outside of wakeboarding, what else inspires you? Tim: Architecture & Catherine Schultz. FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

20 QUESTIONS

WITH TIM KEEPERS ... CONTINUED

TIM KEEPERS - ROLL TO REVERT

“I don’t want to be concerned with who I’m better than, or who’s better than me, or what someone else is doing and then compare it to myself. I just get bummed out that way.”

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

19. That’s right, you’re also in the architecture program at the University of South Florida. How difﬁcult is it juggling your wake career and taking on something as demanding as your class schedule? Tim: Really hard, but I love to do both. If you really love something then you make time for them… just ask Catherine. 20. Who would you like to thank? Tim: Mommie and Poppie. Gordy Bubolz, Grant, Nick, Mike Conner, all of my sponsors… I love each and every one of you… Catherine and everyone in the world that knows me, if for a brief moment. Hmmm, that gave me a calming sensation... Jimmie, I love you… I will see you this Saturday, and give me that 6th band… you know Gwar is worth it.

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

BROWNIE POINTS

HEEL SIDE OLLIE IN THE FLATS

by: Chad Brown

Start out close to the wake, edging away from the wake with a heel edge. Keep your arms and handle close to your body and waist.

Once in motion, keep looking in your direction of travel and start producing a stronger edge by making more of a chair out of your body. Rock back onto your heels against the rope, causing the underneath part of the board to be visible to the boat.

Back off your edge a little by ﬂattening out the board and making a rocking movement with your body weight from lead foot to back foot.

Key points to a good Ollie is good body position, speed, and a good transition from step 3 to 4 so it will be quick and smooth. This will allow you to not lose the speed that you built up from the edging, making it easer to pop higher. Note: It doesn’t hurt to make small bunny hops at first to get used to the feeling of an ollie.

With the rocking movement of lead foot to back foot, jump off your back foot while pulling your lead leg up. Your back leg will follow into the air.

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

Last but not least, land setting back on your heel edge of the board, and moderately lean against the rope to finish the trick with the travel of speed left over from the cut.

A Tribute to Thomas Kranendonk On July 13, 2007, I went to a memorial for Thomas Kranendonk. It was held at the Kranendonk home on Lake Saxon in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. It was more a celebration of Thomas’s life than a memorial. His father, Jim Kranendonk, owns the local Mastercraft dealer and organized the day bringing together our entire watersports community. Attendance was estimated at over 150 people, including a Mastercraft VP, Zane Schwenk, some show skiers from Cypress Gardens and many others. Throughout the day we saw some wakeboarding, jump skiing, swivel skis, barefooting, pyramids, and some guys with blocks of cheese for hats. There was even a guy that took off from a Mastercraft on a hang glider. There was plenty of food, tons of boats, and the entertainment lasted all day. We should all be so lucky that when we pass, we can have this type of day for people to remember us.

IN LOVING MEMORY: Thomas Kranendonk (3/25/91-7/6/07)

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

FROM THE DOCK

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

EARS! Tim Keepers’ Picks:

The Lillingtons

Death by Television

Street Dogs

Back to the World

Rancid

Teen Idols

Out Come the Wolves

Full Leather Jacket

Prefuse 73

Caribou

Misfits

Famous Monsters

FL Wake Picks:

Rob Sonic

Sabotage Gigante

Band of Horses Cease to Begin

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

Preparations

Andorra

Zillionaire

The Street Lights Have Been Turned Down

NEXT ISSUE! Next up for the magazine: The Wakeskate Issue! Of course, FL Wake Magazine is devoted to covering all things on the water, but next month is wakeskate only. We will be interviewing three different pro wakeskaters so you can learn the different aspects of what it takes to be a pro in this demanding sport. We will also have coverage of the most exclusive wakeskate event anywhere: Toe Jam, as well as coverage of another all wakeskate event, Blast! Also: a tutorial on how to build a winch, wakeskate trick tips, and one of our best photo sections to date. See you then!

FL WAKE MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 02 Issue 03

AVAST YE!

JUSTIN SAVAGE

FL WAKE MAGAZINE • Volume 02 Issue 03

Sorry, Justin, but breakdancing and wakeboarding just don’t mix. Arrrgghhh!!! photo: Walker

It’s just like wakeboarding...

Ok, so there’s no boat, no tow rope, no life vests or alligators. So I guess the only similarity is the fact that snowboard and wakeboard both have board in the name. Oh, and they’re both insanely awesome.

North Miami Off the Palmetto & 12th Ave. 900 Park Centre Blvd. • (305) 622-6440

West Palm Beach Between I-95 & Turnpike 4833 Okeechobee Blvd. • (561) 683-4044

East Ft.Lauderdale Corner of Sunrise & US1 1771 East Sunrise Blvd. • (954) 467-7872

Jacksonville • The Avenues Mall Tampa Across from Ruby Tuesday 1/4 mile north of Busch Blvd 10330 N. Dale Mabry Hwy • (813) 960-2453 between Belk & Parisian 10300 Southside Blvd • (904) 538-0988 Altamonte Springs 2 miles west of I-4 990 North State Road 434 • (407) 788-3334

Delray Beach On Linton 1 block East of I-95 1350 Linton Blvd. • (561) 330-8501

Orlando On I-Drive,1/5 mi E. of Kirkman 5403 International Drive • (407) 354-1234