Wakedition #6

BRETTHEMMINGS.COM

JAMES WINDSOR >

WAKEDITION IS: EDITOR: JAMES TYRRELL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER: BRETT HEMMINGS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: KYLE SCHMIDT CHRIS FLAXMAN ANDRE KREMMER EMMA MAKEPEACE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: EMMA MAKEPEACE CONTACT WAKEDITION: GENERAL INQUIRIES: james@wakedition.com.au ADVERTISING: advertise@wakedition.com.au EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: editor@wakedition.com.au wakedition is a product of Optika Creative PTY LTD © 2012

CONTENTS

WE Love James Windsor On Board - Tony Iacconi Staying Social Like Harley Clifford What’s up - Matt Marlin Just Go Ride Grom On Tour - Cobe France We Travel - Koh Samui One Last Thing

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EDITION #6 DEC 2012

IT’S A NUMBERS GAME // JUST SAYIN’

TO BE ON TOP OF ANY SPORT BASICALLY COMES DOWN TO A GAME OF NUMBERS. HOW MANY GOALS ONE TEAM SCORES AGAINST ANOTHER, HOW FAST YOUR TIME IS ON THE TRACK OR HOW MANY POINTS YOU EARN FOR A CERTAIN MANEUVER. ALL THESE FACTORS HELP DICTATE A RESULT IN THE COMPETITION ARENA BUT THE NUMBERS GAME OF SPORT HAS NOW BREACHED THE WALLS OF THE PLAYING ARENA AND ENTERED THE WORLD OF SOCIAL NETWORKING. Professional sports people strive to be the best and thier sponsors provide the pay checks. When selecting athletes to endorse their product, brand and team managers have a broarder focus of interest than success in the playing field alone. This is more prevelant now than ever before. A combination of the success an athlete has in the sporting arena is now matched with the potential of self-promotion within the online social space. How many likes does his fan page have? How many followers has she got on Twitter? How many likes on Instagram. It’s a popularity contest.

There’s no doubt that successful athletes who are making a pretty penny have not only won or succeeded in competition, but they are also at the top of this weird popularity contest. In our sport of wakeboarding there’s no doubt Harley Clifford has not only succeeded in competition, but also he’s also winning the popularity contest. With over 23,000 followers on twitter alone,

It definitely was a numbers game at the Tige Boats Owners Reunion in Bonnie Doon with over twenty different Tige boats taking to the deep waters of Lake Eildon during November.

Harley has become a brand manager’s dream. More skills behind the boat than you and your extended family (including backward bare footing uncle Mick), good looks and savvy with the latest in social media. We sat poolside with Harley and hit him up about this emerging game of virtual numbers.

James Windsor has blown up in the last twelve months, with success off shore and a recent cable World Title to boast, we couldn’t help but ask him a few questions. Tony Iacconi secures his first pro-model board, we ask Matt Marlin what’s up? Follow the most inspiring of individuals as Bek and Max attempt the impossible and succeed beyond belief, Cobe France gives us some insight into being Grom on Tour and we take a island holiday to Koh Samui and shred some epic conditions in between cocktails.

Minimal annoying ads, maximum quality imagery and insightful stories; We’re a humble little magazine, but we know what ya want. Some may say all killer no filler? We’ll let you decide.

James Tyrrell Editor JUST SAYIN’

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WE LOVE

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WE’RE CONSTANTLY KEEPING OUR EYES PEELED FOR THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN PRODUCTS THAT HELP ENHANCE YOUR LIFESTYLE ON AND OFF THE WATER. HERE IS A SMALL SELECTION OF GOODS WE LOVE AND SO SHOULD YOU.

LIQUID FORCE HARLEY It’s a shape that just works. How do we know this? Well we’ve tested it ourselves but the obvious proof would be that Harley uses his signature board to boost innovative moves like the double indy-tantrum, crow-mobe 720 and various 1080’s. If you’re a boat rider who craves the most aggressive vertical pop and speed into the wake, the Harley should be on the top of your list. Also available with a grind base for those who like to stop by the wake park for a little jib. www.liquidforcewake.com.au

GOPRO HERO 3 Stick it to your head, chest, arm, board, bike, car, pet lizard or pretty much anywhere you could imagine and shoot a higher resolution than ever before. The new GoPro Here 3 Black Edition enables the ability to shoot video at 4K resolution! We’re talking cinema screen size people.

And now with an even lighter and more compact design the possibilites of where you can mount these bad boys are endless. Control your GoPro via the WiFi remote or sync it to your iPhone or iPad with the new GoPro App. www.gopro.com

Pic: Damo Liddy

SCOTTY

BROOME

Hybrid Core

Stiff Flex

3 Stage Rocker

Dyna 2 Base

ABS Rails

PBT Deck

Dropped Edge Profile

Flat Line Construction

For your nearest stockist Please contact Activ Concepts on 03 8587 1111 or email johnno@activconcepts.com

143 with Unite _Youtube.com/DUPwake

139 _Facebook/DUPwake

_Twitter/DUPwake

DUPwake.com

HARDLINE ROPES & HANDLES Hardline have been industry speciallists in keeping you connected to your boat for many years now. With riders like Scotty Green and Scotty Broome endorsing their products, you can be sure that quality and function are the main priorities when developing gear like this handle pictured. We will be giving a number of these away over summer so follow our Facebook page to find out how.

WIN THIS HANDLE!!

www.facebook.com/dupwake

DAKINE SPLIT ROLLER If you’re like us, once summer kicks in, so do the frequent flyer miles, road trips and endless nights away from home. It’s not all bad when you can take your best possesions with you. Dakine offer a tough wheelie bag that will fit plenty of goods to keep you going for weeks. The guys at Balmoral Boards can hook you up with one. Visit them online or drop by their Narrabeen store. They’re nice guys, trust me I know! www.balmoralboards.com.au

WIN THIS BOARD!!

PHALANX CW-425 Phalanx is a word derived from a military formation. Where the total number of infantry in an army can move forward together into battle. After checking out the products constructed by Phalanx wake, we are certain you could take these things into battle and be the last man standing. The CW-425 is a wake riding machine with a bulletproof construction. Not only will it serve you well in the wake front, this board has been know to invade wakeparks and destroy every rail in it’s path. Like the sound of this? Well you can win one of these boards on page 17.

JAMES WINDSOR WENT

AROUND THE

WORLD AND BACK AGAIN

BRETTHEMMINGS.COM JAMES TYRRELL

JAMES WINDSOR.

Where did you start your travels this year?

Well I started at the Wake the Line qualifier in Hydrous Wakepark, Texas. I qualified fourth which gave me a wild card for Wake the Line. So I was super pumped on that, it’s been my dream to ride in ‘Wake the Line’ and I finally got to do it this year.

After the qualifier and spending time in America where did you head?

From there I went on to Europe and went to FISE it’s a 2.0 rail comp in France. I was stoked about the setup and it was awesome to ride against guys like Raph and Ollie Derome, Mitch Langfield and pretty much all the other riders I’ve always looked up to.

How many countries did you actually visit?

I made it to twenty-seven different countries. I had a ball. It was awesome.

Most people don’t even travel to that many countries in their life time and you just squeezed it into six months.

Yeah it was awesome (laughs).

So while in Europe, which other events did you enter?

So I did FISE, Wake and Beach, Wake the Line, TNG Toulouse and from there I went to Wakestock in the UK, followed by Protest Cable Call in Holland then back to America to Hexagon. Then it was back to the U.K to hang out and see a few of my mates and ride some of the new parks. I had so much fun. Then I went back to Orlando.

So you’ve pretty much been all over the shop!

Yeah it was pretty much back and forward all summer.

In between the comps I’d just travel around riding.

Which results were you most stoked about?

I was super stoked to win my first WAA World Stop features only event in Holland. That was in the Pro Men’s division so I was real happy about that. And then the last round of the Monster Energy Triple Crown, to get first there was massive for me.

“IT’S CRAZY GOING FROM IDOLISING ALL THESE GUYS FROM WHEN I WAS A KID AND NOW HANGING OUT WITH THEM AND EVEN RIDING AGAINST THEM IN THE FINALS, IT’S PRETTY SICK.”

JAMES WINDSOR.

“That’s the main reason why I wakeboard, to get as dirty as I can on the rails and have as much fun as possible.”

And you were up against some of the best riders in the world right?

Yeah Raph was there, along with Nico Von Lerchenfeld and pretty much everyone who kills it on rails. I was super pumped just to be a part of it or even just make the final. So to win it was massive.

After traveling around to all these stops, do you get pretty tight with the rest of the competitors?

Yeah for sure, we’re all good mates now. It’s crazy going from idolizing all these guys from when I was a kid and now hanging out with them and even riding against them in the finals, it’s pretty sick. It’s been a big year for me and I’m so stoked about it.

So do most of the riders travel to all the same events?

Yeah in most cases the riders you see at one event are usually going to all the stops. There are about thirteen or fourteen riders going to all the stops. It’s always a good time. The after parties are awesome!

Isn’t it hard to party as a sixteen year-old over-seas though?

Europe is good. The legal drinking age in Germany is sixteen so it’s not too bad (laughs).

Did you run into many of our other Aussie representatives? Like Matty Hasler and Ange Schriber?

Yeah Matty and Ange were at most events, they weren’t at some of the rail events but pretty much all of the cable events I went to, they were there. They’re both killing it this year and I’m super pumped for them.

I was also traveling around the rail events with Mitchy (Langfield) and Chris O’ they’re shredding it. Both those guys are so good.

Mitch was originally a boat rider and Chris O’ the same. Both these guys have now branched out toward rails and cable riding. Do you notice this much among the guys you are competing against?

Definitely, rail riding is getting huge now and WWA are pushing it heaps. You can definitely tell all the boat riders are coming now, everyone loves to ride rails. I think that’s where the sport is going, rails are where it’s at.

How about you personally. Do you still work on new tricks off the water? Or has your focus shifted more toward rails and obstacles?

I do work on air tricks every now and then. But lately I’ve mainly been focused on rails and getting steezy I guess.

That’s the main reason why I wakeboard, to get as dirty as I can on the rails and have as much fun as possible.

I do still like going upside down sometimes.

What do you like to see people doing on rails?

Anything where you’re locked in and pressed I think looks dirty as.

There has been a little debate floating around the internet about grabbing on rails. What’s your opinion there?

Well, I’ve seen it look cool but it can also be super uncool at the same time. It just depends on who does it and how you do it. I think if it’s pushing the sport and people have different ideas, then they should try it out.

What are your goals for the coming season here in Australia?

I just want to film really. Get out there and have fun, shred with friends. When I’m home I want to find some winch spots and do some shooting.

So does that mean you’re looking at the Australian season as some down-time or even your off-season?

I’m looking at the Australian season as a time to hang out and ride with friends and practice. I’d love to get to all of the Aussie events but I had such a massive year of travel and I will miss a few from being over-seas at other events. If I can make it, I’ll definitely like to ride in some Aussie events for sure.

So your main competitive focus is based on the events off shore?

Yeah I want to make it to all the World stops and Triple Crown events along with Wake the Line again next year.

How do our events differ?

When you first jump off the dock over there it’s scary, The rail set-ups are scary and its always nerve-racking. You look at a rail and it gives you butterflies. But that’s what you want. Riding around the cable park isn’t quite the same, you look at a flat bar and it’s always the same, never intimidating. But that’s why I think the sport is growing.

People get to see these events in cool locations and everyone is pushing it. I think that’s why rail riding is where it’s at right now.

“I JUST WANT TO FILM REALLY. GET OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN, SHRED WITH FRIENDS.”

JAMES WINDSOR

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TONY IACCONI

On Board It’s every wakeboarders dream to have their own pro-model wakeboard. Just think of it... the shiny new graphics, decks on tap and the royalties! Oh if only right? Well our good mate Tony Iacconi is one of the latest wakeboarding phenomenons to come out of Australia. With an impressively successful U.S season recently tucked under his belt, Tony now has his very own board to show for all the hard work he has put in over the years. But how does one come about a pro-model board? Well yes you could find a manufacturer who will print a custom graphic onto a basic mould, but to claim a shape and graphic with one of the worlds most reputable brands, that’s a whole other kettle of fish.

WE ASKED TONY HOW HIS NEW CWB PRO-MODEL THE TI CAME ABOUT AND WHY HE’S SHREDDING SO HARD ABOARD HIS NEW PLANK.

BRETTHEMMINGS.COM

JAMES TYRRELL

ON BOARD

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ON BOARD

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How did the sponsorship with CWB come about in the first place?

CWB had been following my riding for sometime, I had the opportunity to test out some of their products, and I was really impressed with the quality Have you spent much time with the CWB and performance of their products, so when they team in the states? What are those guys offered me an international contract I was pumped, like?

I’m so stoked to be part of the CWB Team.

Yeah I spent a bunch of time with Trevor Hansen They were pretty quick with hooking you up and a few of the other riders like Mike Dowdy, with a pro model board, was this something Daniel Powers, Josh Twelker. It’s awesome they offered you as soon as you signed with watching these guys ride. The guys just go out and kill it in every aspect of the sport. them?

After the results I had overseas, I think CWB were impressed with how I conducted myself over there, especially when I had a Pro Tour win in the hometown of the CWB factory and all the staff from the CWB factory had stopped work to come down and watch me ride, I guess the TI board was part of their plan.

Tell us about the graphic, do you have much say in the look of the board?

CWB presented the board to me and I loved it.

What boots are you riding in?

I’m riding in Trevor Hansens boots the Marius.

Tell us a little about the board and how it per- They are super comfortable and light weight.

CWB have changed their boots completely this forms. What style of rider will it most suit? year. The boots are the lightest most comfortThe board has a continuous rocker so your al- able and strongest boot on the market. ways going to know what the board is going to do and you will always have control over it. The Do you ride the same board behind the boat board is very light and strong so if you want to go and cable? out and ride the rails it won’t hurt the board at all.

The board has plenty of pop. The most pop I’ve On the cable I ride the Jive. It’s new for 2013. ever felt from a board. It’s a wider board than most On the boat I ride my board. The Ti. The Jive others but has mini step system in the tip and tail rides really well on the cable it has a grind base which allows you to go from edge to edge a lot and a little bit of flex on the tip an tail. It’s a really quicker and if you want to land out in the flats, good board for the cable. the dual spine design makes for the softest landing. The board is not too fast but it’s not too slow. Where can we expect to see you riding on It’s the perfect speed to make any ride comfort- your new board this summer? able out there. The first time I ever jumped on this board I could land everything first go. I find that I will be riding my board in all the Wakeboard anyone can jump on this board for the first time an NSW summer series events. On the 22nd of November I’m heading to Indonesia for the first have the ride of their life! stop of the World cup series. I will be heading How does it feel to have your name on a board, down to Moomba masters in Melbourne and also Nationals in Mulwala. it’s a pretty big deal right?

It’s always been my dream to have a board with my name on it. I have always ridden pro model boards. Now to be riding a board with my own name on it, it’s a feeling like no other.

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“

I had a Pro Tour win in the hometown of the CWB factory and all the staff from the CWB factory had stopped work to come down and watch me ride, I guess the Ti board

was part of their plan.

n this game the s r e b m u ries, was a n tition victo rs ing really e p d r m a o o c b e re k dolla If wa ith mo d probably n be king. W a ld s u n o fa w e r. y gu s, obsessiv y other wakeboarde e v o m st re u n signat ore than ju st about a m ju e d n a a h m t s k rd ha d in the ban arley Cliffo of wakeboarding an H n w o ’s a world even Australi self in the sport and e im h h t r d e fo s e s nd a nam has progre ung aspiring riders a e H . s t r o p r yo e. action s recedent fo tes from a young ag p a t e s o t athle began ds invest in n ra b y a w the ks and con r o w t e n l he ia, socia has seen t igital med y d f le r o a ld H r , o n t him rmatio In a new w ho suppor stant info w in f s o d n s d ra e b ide. te the stant fe ns world-w time elp promo fa h f o o t l g ia in t w n pote t follo some asts a gian and found o y b le r w a o H n lifford h d an ut Harley C oolside wit o p b n a w n r o a d t le We sa osts to stagram p in n e e w d. t be r and bran e rd a o b e k the wa

INTERVIEW: JAMES TYRRELL IMAGES: BRETTHEMMINGS.COM

HARLEY CLIFFORD

“Social media p days in prom sucks but we al

You came home to Queensland from Orlando a bit earlier this year, what was the reason for that?

I’m pretty sure it’s already happening out there where people are getting paid by certain brands to promote through social media.

I guess I was over there for so long and had such a good season but I was just ready to come home. All year I spent just about every weekend competing and doing photo shoots all week so I was pretty tired by the end of the season. I was satisfied with the season I had over there so I was ready to come home and chill with the family and my friends.

Yeah I heard a rumor that if Justin Beber shouts someone out or does something for a company he gets like 30,000 dollars for one tweet. That’s pretty insane. Hopefully it might happen to me one day but I doubt I’ll ever get that big.

I want to talk to you about social media. There’s no doubt ‘Tweeting’ and ‘Instagraming’ has become a vital role for all new-age athletes in promoting themselves and sponsors, do you have sponsorship obligations with social media?

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plays such a big role these moting yourself. It kinda ll have to do it to keep up.”

Well I don’t really have obligations with Tweeting and stuff. I mean if I’m out doing a photoshoot with a sponsor and they want me to tweet about it, they might be like ‘hey you need to tweet this at this time’. Not all the time, maybe when a new video comes out or something. I obviously have to keep my sponsors in mind when posting photos like I can’t Instagram a photo where I’m riding behind a different brand boat for example.

Social media plays such a big role these days in promoting yourself. It kinda sucks but we all have to do it to keep up.

Do you ever get paid to post certain things?

Not really. I guess I am contracted to all my sponsors so I just do what they tell me. They don’t pay me extra to do stuff like that. Maybe one day if I get enough followers (laughs).

That’s absurd.

It’s really crazy hey. Imagine every time you posted a tweet you got paid 30,000 dollars.

If only!

How many followers do you actually have on Twitter?

I think I have around twenty-three or twenty-four thousand. Not too sure but since the MTV show (Wake Brothers) launched it seriously goes up a thousand or two each week so hopefully it keeps going.

What was it like shooting Wake Brothers?

Looks like you guys had some fun.

Yeah it was pretty fun, a little weird. It wasn’t what I expected, they were such long days. It’s crazy how much we actually shot and how little they actually showed in the episodes. We’d shoot for like eight hours every day and shoot twenty different scenes and they would only pick one or even half of one scene to put in the show. A lot of wasted footage I feel like.

Was it a good time chilling out with all the cast every day? I mean it’s probably not too different from what you would do when the cameras weren’t there anyway right?

Yeah it’s really what we do anyway. We all hang out together a fair bit so it was pretty normal.

But some of the things we got to do were set up and heaps of fun like hanging out with a lama for a couple of days (laughs), we went and did this thing called ‘mudding’ where

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HARLEY CLIFFORD

we were hanging out on quad bikes in the mud which is something I haven’t done before. It was definitely a cool experience.

Do you know of a second season being planned?

I’m not too sure to be honest. Hopefully there’s something in the works.

It’s been a massive year for the exposure of wakeboarding. With Wake Brothers airing on MTV and events like the Redbull Wake Open airing on NBC in the States. Are you happy to be at the top of your game and the sport for that matter with wakeboarding receiving so much positive media attention?

Right now is definitely the right time to be at the top of your game. We had Redbull Wake Open this year which was live on NBC in America and that is probably the biggest deal for a wakeboarding event we’ve had so far. And the MTV show was massive, not many people know about wakeboarding and that really brought it out to the for the World to see and show people how cool it actually is. It’s definitely the right time to be at the top of my game and I’m glad that I am right now, hopefully I can keep it going.

So where are you at with your riding right now?

You’ve stuck a number of double indy-tantrums off the wake this year, plus various 1080’s and new mobe variations. Where do you go next?

Yeah I guess after learning moves like double tantrums and crow 9’s I’m kind stuck right now. I’m working on a couple of things like wake to wake 1260’s and double tantrum’s to blind. It’s hard you know. But I just want to stay on top of this sport and continue to push the boundaries until I can’t wakeboard any more.

Is it hard for you to come up with new tricks?

Well it’s pretty crazy with boats like the new X-Star pushing such big wakes it’s making things possible that we never thought would be. We’ve come up with some things that nobody has been able to do yet. I’m going to have the new X-Star for the whole season in the U.S and here in Australia too so hopefully we can come up with some new stuff.

“It’s definitely the right time to be at the top of my game and I’m glad that I am right now, hopefully I can keep it going.” .

HARLEY CLIFFORD

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So when you’re looking for inspiration to learn new tricks, which riders do you look up to? A lot of riders look up to you as the benchmark in a lot of respects so who influences your riding?

It’s hard, I mean the tricks that I’m trying to do these days, and a lot of the other guys are trying have never been done before. It’s hard to get inspiration from other wakeboarders but I go and watch snowboard videos, those guys flip and spin like crazy.

“it’s hard, I mean the tricks tha I’m trying to do these days, an a lot of the other guys are tryin have never been done before. It hard to get inspiration from other wakeboarders.”

I always watch guys like Danny Harf and Phil Soven, Rusty and Bob. Those guys are always coming up with new stuff. It’s always cool to feed off their riding as well.

Here’s one for ya. Do you know any celebrities? Or have you taken anyone famous wakeboarding?

So out of the Australian scene who do you like to watch ride?

How did that come about?

Dean Smith is killing it, he’s always been pretty on his game but this year he was doing so many tricks.

He can do like every trick it’s crazy. Then Brenton Priestley ripped it in the wakepark scene. He’s doing doubles off the kicker like it isn’t anything and he’s one of the best in the world on the rails. It’s always good to watch those guys ride and they’re really helping Australian wakeboarding grow bigger and bigger.

I have. I took Wiz Khalifa wakeboarding one time.

My roommate has a friend who is one of the main song writers for Universal Records, he knows everyone. I went through his phone one day and took Justin Beber’s number and Rhiana’s (laughs). But Whiz Khalifa came through town one time for a concert and we happened to be there at the same time. We invited him over and he came out on the boat. It was a good time.

And I’ve been on a boat with Parks Bonifay, he’s a celebrity now days (laughs).

You really spend a lot of time in America these days. Is Australia still home for you?

Yeah for sure. Australia will always be home. It’s where my family is and where I’m going to end up once I finish my wakeboarding career. But it seems like now the U.S is home; I seem to spend way too much time there. Don’t get me wrong I have the best time over there but nothing will compare to Australia, it will always be home.

Click the icons to connect with Harley.

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HARLEY CLIFFORD

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at nd ng t’s

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“I took Wiz Khalifa wakeboarding one time.”

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HARLEY CLIFFORD

What’s Up With...

Matt Marlin 2 2 , H a w k esbu ry, N S W

A quiet achiever from the Hawkesbury in NSW, Matty’s riding style speaks of legitimacy, we dropped in on his session at Cables Penrith to ask what’s up!

> What’s up with the rails at Cables Wakepark Penrith?

They’re well looked after, the wave kicker and the flat bar are the best. A hand rail wouldn’t go a stray!

What’s up with The price of petrol these days?

I have no idea, I’m lucky my boss has given me a fuel card over the past two years.

What’s up with button up shirts over your life jacket?

Something different to everyone else at the cable, I first got the idea from an edit of the Vandall I saw a while back.

What’s up with wrapped spins?

I love wrapped spins especially when people make them look so easy and holding the board the whole time.

What’s up with the Aussie crew living in Orlando?

Loose! Mitch, BP & Chris’O were all very welcoming, I had a ball riding with those boys. Cheers to Mitch Langfield for putting myself, the Napier brothers and Lukey Donohue up at his place.

What’s up with the party scene in Penrith?

I don’t go out in Penny much, too many heroes.

What’s up with Winching?

Glen Napier and I have just recently gone halves in one, big plans are in the making.

What’s up with your mad-dog haircut?

It’s a crowd pleaser with the boys, the girls on the other hand are a bit touch and go. Some love it and some think I didn’t have enough money to get it all cut...and my dad seems a bit worried.

What’s up with wakeskating?

I think wakeskating has blown up, there are so many guys out there doing things I thought would never be done on a skate; like Dieter Humpsch kick flip to front lip. That shit is crazy.

WHAT’S UP?

CHRIS O’SHEA FLORIDA, USA

We can never turn down a shot of Chris’O behind the boat. Word is he’s been working hard on his rail riding and even cutting regular laps at the cable park. It’s great to see our favorite pro’s diversifying their riding techniques, but there’s something pure about Chris’O’s style behind the boat that will never grow old.

KYLE SCHMIDT

BUSTY DUNN CABLE SKI CAIRNS

Young Cairns local rider Busty Dunn is improving out of sight. Here he pops into the blinding flash from Flaxman’s camera off the kicker at his home town cable park.

CHRIS FLAXMAN

DANIEL GRANT

Republic Wakepark, Philippines

Daniel Grant keeping himself very happy with this melon grab at the new Republic Wakepark while shooting with Chris Flaxman for the web video ‘Republication.’

Chris Flaxman

LACHLAN BURGESS Bonnie Doon, Lake Eilldon

At Bonnie Doon the water levels are high and tree tops are low. Recently Lachy Burgess found himself up in the trees, mid-method while locals enjoy the high waters of Lake Eildon James Tyrrell

TONY IACCONI

RAYMOND TERRACE, NSW

Tony only had a split second to set up for this shot as we hadn’t planned it. After passing under the bridge, photographer Brett Hemmings signaled Tony to hit the wake. Somehow he managed to poke out a nice crail with very little notice.

BRETTHEMMINGS.COM

KALE JUDD

BONNIE DOON, VIC

Kale doesn’t get to ride as much as he would like to these days.

Lucky the ProWake team have been dragging him around the country to coach, mentor and socialise during their Tige Boats Owners Reunions.

JAMES TYRRELL

BRETT HEMMINGS

CABLES WAKEPARK, PENRITH

No it’s not a typo. This actually the man behind some of the best photos in this magazine, and the wakeboard world in general. Not only is Brett a boss behind the lens, he knows how to shred too.

Kind of like the ol’ scratch and sniff this photo features a click and win for all those playing at home, ya dig?

JAMES TYRRELL

DANIEL WEHMANN Germany

We always get pumped to see the photos Andre Kremmer sends to us. He kept busy over summer covering events and working on exclusive shoots like this one with Ronix Germany rider Daniel Wehmann. Get pro-active like these guys do and you might see your face in a magazine too!

ANDRE KREMMER

BEK AND MAX

JUST GO RIDE // What if you had been told you would never walk or talk?

Would you just give up and except it? Or would you prove everyone wrong? And once you proved everyone wrong, would you stop there? Or would you keep pushing your own expectations for yourself and continue to exceed the imposed limitations placed on you by those at birth?

< STORY & IMAGES BY: EMMA MAKEPEACE >

INSPIRED.

Meet eight-year-old Bek and ten-year-old Max. Both were told they would never walk or talk. Bek has Cerebral Palsy and Autism.

Max was born with multiple physical impairments due to his brain not fully forming during birth. Both now walk, talk, and with the help of the GoRide and Steve Dipple, both can now wakeboard.

It might not be wakeboarding in the true sense of going around on the cable or hitting obstacles, it is after all only their second lesson. But for Bek and Max it’s an accomplishment so huge, that you can’t wipe the smiles off their faces, or their mum’s and dad’s for that matter.

The process for teaching Bek and Max is different to normal coaching. Steve Dipple works along with a coach, and even the parents, in the water. Every step is broken down into it’s smallest part to build confidence in their ability and to take the fear out of the end result – standing up on a wakeboard and cruising along on the water.

For Bek it started with floating in the water. She had only ever been swimming in the shallow of a swimming pool. The ocean scared her too much. So with two life jackets on, Bek floated in the water, before a board was even put on her feet.

Next there were rides on the GoRide on a tube, to help get use to the speed of the cable. Then there is standing in the

water with a board on, lying in the water with a board on, learning to turn and flip over.

Once confidence is developed then it’s on to body dragging holding onto the handle and finally standing up. It doesn’t all have to happen in one lesson. But it doesn’t matter. It’s about coaching the muscles to learn new movements and skills, and for the brain to connect with the muscles by passing the messages on. It might take 20, 30, even 50 tries, but finally, exhausted, but smiles beaming from underneath their helmets, Bek and Max will get their arms to straighten and then legs to bend, their brains connecting the message to their muscles, which have a mind of their own.

Watching Bek body drag, you can see her little mouth moving underneath her helmet as she sings Advance Australia Fair, it calms her down to deal with her fear of moving fast over the water. When Max comes back into the dock he is giving hi-5’s and fist pumping in the air, cause that’s what Metallica would do.

It’s inspirational to watch. What’s more though is the enthusiasm both have to come back over and over again and learn to wakeboard. The determination and the way each deals with the fear of the unknown as they learn an entirely new skill, outside the realms of anything either of them were ever told was possible to achieve.

BEK AND MAX

INSPIRED.

BEK AND MAX

“Why was that sick?”

Bek and I float in the middle of the GoRide cable lake, having just stood up on a wakeboard for half a lap together. I’m more excited than she is, giving hi-5’s and rambling about how sick/awesome/rad it was that she stood up and rode so far on a wakeboard.

But the question, why was that sick, stumps me.

“Well, because you were wakeboarding and that was so cool.”

“How is it cool though?”

After spending so much time around cable parks and cable rats, the cable lingo has entrenched itself in my vocabulary, a language not understood by the general public, let alone an eight-year old girl with Autism.

Autism is characterised by the inability to interact socially, adjust to change, and showing unusual attachment to objects or words.

In Bek’s case it’s an attachment to the literal meaning of the words used. Telling Bek that her achievement of standing up on a wakeboard was sick… probably not the best way to explain her incredible accomplishment.

And not wanting to scare her off learning to wakeboard for fear of getting sick or cold, I spend the rest of the lesson trying to put into words how wonderful it is that she has stood up on a wakeboard and why it’s so wonderful.

At the end of the lesson, Bek is still asking why and how, and still trying to comprehend why what she did today is anything special.

For everyone that has ever wakeboarded, you always remember the first time you stood up on a board and glided across the water. It is an amazing achievement, because wakeboarding is difficult. It goes against everything your brain tells your body to do, everything that feels natural. So imagine trying to learn to wakeboard when your brain can’t

always communicate with your body. Imagine learning to wakeboard when you don’t deal well with change…

It’s all of these traits that makes coaching Bek so unique. The process has to be broken down into its smallest parts, to ensure that very slowly she can deal with changes. A change in environment, people, the awkward moment of getting up out of the water and falling under the water when the cable stops, a change in the slow speed from body dragging to the faster speed required to pull her out of the water.

My board floats behind me and I sink under a little as I lift Bek up out of the water, and we wipe her eyes dry.

“I saw four fish when we went under water.”

Bek tells me.

She handled that better than I thought. Bek’s coping mechanism kicked in with the sudden change from moving on top of the water to sinking below.

As we paddle over to Bek’s dad, who is waiting for us in the middle of the lake, he calls out “Bek that was awesome!”

Bek looks at me, then back at her dad.

“But why was that awesome?” She asks.

Bek looks at me, then back at her dad.

“But why was that awesome?” She asks.

INSPIRED.

< STORY & IMAGES BY: JAMES TYRRELL >

COBE FRANCE

GROM ON TOUR

Wakeboarding, like all other action sports has experienced a huge influx of young talented riders breaking onto the scene. We like to call them grommets. It’s what they have been referred to in the past and what we here at Wakedition intend to continue labeling these young humans for many years to come. Now one may ask what defines a grommet. Well, we tells ya, a grommet is defined by age, usually pre-adulthood and dependent on elders for direction.

But what many may not know is grommets have a specific set of tasks that must be carried out to aid surrounding elders. We thought it would be best to get some insight into the activities, tasks and day to day living of a real-life grom.

Enter Cobe France, a great young kid from Queensland. He absolutely rips on a wakeboard and at the ripe age of twelve is beginning to grasp the concept of being a grom. With veteran grommet and road tour legend ‘Rubber’ Johnny Henson as his mentor, Cobe has set a fine course as a wakeboarder and emerging grom. We asked Cobe a little about his role as a grom while on tour.

(Naturally Rubber chimed in to ad clarification to the topic!)

Veteran grom, ‘Rubber’ Johnny Henson >

GROM ON TOUR.

Cobe, tell me what you think your roll is as number one youngest grommet on tour?

So Cobe if you’re always someone’s grommet, who are you grommet to?

Beer runs and wakeboarding. Showing people how to wakeboard.

Rubber, everyone older than me I guess.

Rubber chimes in: Well Cobe there are many duties. Firstly there’s the monkey thing, he’s got to do the trick thing behind the boat. But mainly he’s got to take care of all of us. Supply us with beer and entertainment, food. Also covering of boats, cleaning of boats and making sure they have fuel. And heaps of backflips, grommets love backflips.

Cobe do you think you have succeeded in your role this weekend as grom on tour?

I think I’ve done all right, I may not have done everything but I tried my best.

Rubber: He’s catching on.

Is it really all that bad being a grommet?

Nah it’s not too bad really. The beer runs do get a bit boring, but it’s not that bad.

You really get treated pretty well for a grommet these days. I know Rubber had a few harsh experiences back in his early days. Do you feel you get treated all right?

Yeah I reckon I’ve done pretty good considering I get to wakeboard and they don’t leave me out.

Rubber has he succeeded?

Nup. Not yet. They never do, they’re grommets, they never succeed. (Laughs) Tell me about your dietary requirements being a grommet?

Meat, more meat, bacon and eggs and coke.

How many liters of coke do you think you drank this weekend?

All the cans in the esky I think.

When do you think you graduate from being a grommet and become a real human?

Probably never.

Lets go to Rubber for that one.

Well I’m twenty-seven, and I’m still a grommet.

I actually live with the guy who I was originally grommet to. So yep I’m still a grommet. You’re always someone’s grommet. So sucked in Cobe, you’re a grommet forever!

COBE FRANCE

GROM ON TO

“they’re grommets, they

never succeed.”

RUBBER

OUR GROM ON TOUR.

WE TRAVEL KOH SAMUI

T H A I L A N D A tropical climate, full-moon parties, fresh seafood, friendly locals, clear blue water and white sandy beaches are just some of the known attractions of Thailand.

We did some research and found that not only can you have a great tropical holiday here, there is also plenty of wakeboarding to be done.

Among the wakeboarding scene, Thailand has become well known as a wakeboarders paradise with the opening of Thai Wakepark. A perfect playground of rails, kickers and obstacles for some, however not all wakeboarders desire the repetition of the enclosed cable complex.

Enter Koh Samui, one of the most popular destinations for holiday goers featuring all that you love as mentioned above and home to ‘Water Edge Sports’ who keep a mint Nautique 230 in their possession.

PLACES WE RECOMMEND

TO EXPLORE & RIDE

THE PROS Clear, blue warm water.

Great nightlife and entertainment Cheap food and drinks Interesting culture Caters for all types of travellers Good boat (Nautique 230)

THE CONS The boat riding isn’t cheap 1500 TBH / 15mins (Approx $47 AUD).

Old / worn out wakeboards Water conditons can be rough depending on wind direction.

WE TRAVEL.

WE TRAVEL THE SHORT OF IT Location: Lamai Beach, Koh Samui Cost to ride: $47 AUD / 15mins Equipment Quality: Poor boards, good boat Season: Year round Ability Level: Beginner to expert

GETTING THERE Water Edge Sports are located on the Island of Koh Samui. We fly from either Bangkok or Phuket, which are both popular travel destinations. An internal flight from either location should cost you less than 100 Australian dollars (approx 3,190 Thai Baht). You can organize a transfer to your accommodation from Koh Samui airport for a small fee.

PLACES TO STAY We stay close to Chaweng Beach. This is where you will find the best nightlife, good eats and plenty of Thai culture. You can wakeboard straight off the beach at Chaweng however we recommend you hire a scooter or Tuk Tuk and head to Water Edge Sports which is about half-an hour away. There is a plethora of accommodations in Chaweng ranging from 20 to 500 dollars a night depending on your budget.

“WE STAY CLOSE TO CHAWENG BEACH. THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND THE BEST NIGHTLIFE, GOOD EATS AND PLENTY OF THAI CULTURE” OTHER ACTIVITIES Diving, snorkeling, partying and partying. Koh Samui has everything you need and more for a perfect tropical holiday. If you’re in town during the full moon period, we recommend you take the short boat ride to Koh Phanagan, another island close-by where the full moon festivities will blow your socks off. Stay there for a night or two.

Head to the Arc Bar on Chaweng beach on a Wednesday or Friday night for the best party in Koh Samui with fire shows, cheap drinks and festive times on the beach.

HOT TIPS Make sure Tim, the Aussie who runs the Nautique at Water Edge Sports is on site for your session. We made the mistake of not calling ahead, the man at the front office informed us that he was not at work due to a hangover. You’re excused Tim, we would be too. Unfortunately the local Thai’s who drove the Nautique for us didn’t even know how to fill the ballast, let alone use the Perfect Pass.

If you’re serious about a good session behind the boat take your own board. Their equipment is dated and well worn.

Stop at the Cliff Bar and Grill on the way back to Chaweng for some post-wakeboard food. They serve some of the best western and local food on Koh Samui, not to mention an amazing view.

CHAWENG

X

LAMAI

GET THE WORD FROM www.wateredgesports.com

THERE’S NOTHIN’ QUITE LIKE COMING HOME! We all try to travel and experience different places, dip our bindings into unfamiliar waters to lifting our excitement levels and stoke on wakeboarding. There’s something about wakeboarding in foreign territory that makes you’re senses light up. I’m itching in my office chair just with the thought of coasting across deep, dark lakes of un-chartered waters in foreign places.

But one thing we all experience when we finally come home from our adventures, is there’s nothing like a place that feels familiar. The place where you spent most of your early years boating with your family and close friends. The stretch of water where you practiced your moves, using the fallen tree on the bank as the start of your course. Somewhere that always has that same atmosphere in the late afternoon, even if it’s been a year since you’ve entered those familiar waters. I have personally experienced this after leaving my home-town on the Hacko to travel the World.

Every lake and river I explored offshore left some of the best memories of my life, but I can assure you that the excitement of coming home to where you know best, is just as good.

JAMES TYRRELL

Daniel Watkins

Hometown StaleďŹ sh Bonnie Doon, Vic

Daniel Watkins has probably traveled to more foreign waterways than you can imagine. Endless months on the road chasing the never ending summer and living the life of a wakeboard pro. These days Daniel resides on the Gold Coast in Queensland, and has made it his home. When Daniel makes the trek back to his old stomping grounds of Bonnie Doon, Vic he still gets the energetic buzz to ride like he did as a teenager.

During the 2012 Tige owners reunion in this very location, Daniel spent more time in the water than on the boat as he beamed with excitement all weekend long.

ONE LAST THING.

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