Quayside Wakeboard and Waterski will be hosting the second and final stop of the UK Boat Pro Wakeboard Tour 2010. With over £13,000 worth of cash in the pot, this pro only contest is the biggest tour of its kind in Europe, and will be showcasing the best of British wakeboarding. With perfect riding conditions, awesome atmosphere and a party venue right next door, this event is sure going to finish the season in style!

Relentless Energy Drinks have gotten on board as the main sponsor, plus there will be DJs and live music, Double Up Comp, System 2.0 best trick, a HUGE after party, and of course the main event which consists of all the UK’s best battling it out and throwing down some hammers behind the fully loaded Mastercraft X2 wakeboard boat!

The Event will kick off on Saturday the 4th of September at 10am so be sure to get down early to secure your best viewing spot. Camping will be available at the cost of £15.00 per tent per night but spaces will be limited so contact the Quays on 01252 524375 for your camping pass.

So after a big day watching the pros rippin it up on Saturday some of you may be getting itchy feet to strap on and get out there your self to try that new trick or to wash away your hangover. Well we are going to be running the first stop of Quayside’s very own A.O.D competition (all other divisions) on Sunday. So no matter if you’re just learning to cross the wakes or busting some crazy shit into the flats, 5 years old or 85 years old, Male or Female or BOTH, we have the division for you. This is a great opportunity for those of you want to try out a competition for the first time with out the stress and pressure of a full blown comp! There will be great prizes up for grabs and good fun to be had by all at this light hearted FUN competition!

Check out the official Pro Tour website for the latest news and info along with chances to win awesome tour and wakeboard prizes courtesy of our sponsors.

Wide-a-Wake’s report on the first stop of the tour at JBSki

Ladies! As you’ll be aware Hip-Notics cable park out in Antalya Turkey, is hosting the WWA World Cable Championships at the end of September. With all the hype building, we want to make sure you guys can go and see what the fuss is about at this amazing cable park.

We want to remind you that ALL WAW readers can get a 50 Euro discount on bookings with them for the rest of the year (excluding the week of the WWA competition) That’s over 10% on a week long booking! Laura Christian loved it so much back in Easter, that she’s out there again as we speak! 

So if you’re looking to get away before the end of the year, then make sure you e-mail sarah@wide-a-wake.com to get your unique code to add to your booking mail to claim your discount.

Flights are available direct to Antalya with Pegasus,  Easyjet, Thomas Cook and other airlines.

Don’t let this offer go to waste ladies. Remember it is NOT valid during the WWA competition week.

Pictures Courtesy of Neil & Sara Christian

The competition is from 10th – 15th August in the stunning setting of Fagersta, north of the Capital Stockholm. Amongst the ladies representing are newly crowned Girls Champion Katie Batchelor following her triumph at the recent Junior Wakeboard Nationals and Charlotte Bryant on unstoppable form retaining her Junior Women National title at the same event. Charlotte will be joined by Nancy Creedy in the Junior Ladies and for the Open Ladies, Jules Haley and Sam Knott will taking to the water.

Charlotte, Jules and Sam have showed impressive form this year so far with the Relentless Pro Tour stop at JBSki earlier on this year. It’s great to see so many ladies in the team this year. We’ve got everything crossed for you girls, have an awesome trip and we’ll be thinking of you xxx

Girls
Katie Batchelor

Junior Ladies
Charlotte Bryant
Nancy Creedy

Open Ladies
Jules Haley
Sam Knott

Pic credit © 2010. Peter’s Photoblog

Year on year the standard of wakeboarding takes big strides forward and this year was no exception at the 2010 UK Cable Nationals hosted by Box End Park near Milton Keynes. All the girls and boys really pushed it this year, and it was great to see Chloe Goudie (girls) Ellie Taylor (junior ladies) and Kirsteen Mitchell (open ladies) take the titles for the girls.

As is always the case with the girls’ competition, the camaraderie is great to see which not only spurs on each rider, pushing themselves within the competition and beyond, but it also encourages and inspires more girls to enter for next year.

This year, we saw Chloe Goudie (recently crowned World Champion) add variations to her already enormous raleys with a heel side grab (hoochie). Not many girls feature this in their run, so it will be interesting to see how this will inspire other riders to include it in future.

Huge props go to Katie Batchelor (girls second place) for landing her raley for the very first time on a long line in her comp run. Katie’s been working really hard to get her raley and to land it in competition illustrates just how much extra effort the girls put in at competition and how competing can really help you push yourself.

It was also good to see Ellie Taylor back on the water after a small hiatus, showing us all exactly where she belongs!

The event was joined by the Relentless Pro Tour for the Open categories, meaning that not only did the podium places win prize money, but also built their points towards the over all tour title. Current World Champion Kirsteen Mitchell took the National title for Open Ladies and the title for the second stop of the Pro Cable Tour very closely followed by Steph Caller less than 2 points behind. The third and final stop of the tour will be on 11th September at Princes Cable where the over all tour winners will be decided.

Of course it’s all about the girls, but we just can’t ignore the intimidating level of riding that opened up the competition from the Mini Boys. These guys are really raising the bar at the base level and setting a fantastic precedence for the future.

Well done to Liam Peacock taking top spot, Joey Battleday for landing his first long line raley in the competition placing second and Scott Rosewell for putting together an impressive run despite injury. These little men deserve all the recognition they are fast getting. Well done from the girls.

Ian Edmondson of ExPix has kindly let us use some of his images from the event. There are literally hundreds more, so please take a look around the site where you can order any pictures you like.

Results

Mini Boys
1. Liam Peacock
2. Joey Battleday
3. Scott Rosewell

Boys
1. Daniel Grant
2. Freddie Carter
3. Cain Hamilton

Girls (picture above)
1. Chloe Goudie
2. Katie Batchelor
3. Laura Christain

Junior Men
1. Connor Jones
2. Dec Clifford
3. Dean Warboys

Junior Ladies (picture above)
1. Ellie Taylor
2. Lara Mackey
3. Charlotte Rider

Open Men
1. CK Koester
2. Nick Davies
3. Garry Stelfox

Open Ladies (picture left)
1. Kirsteen Mitchell
2. Steph Caller
3. Emily Bebbington

Masters Men
1. Keith Hooks
2. Lewis Hurst
3. Darren Barber

Veteran Men
1. Larry Donaghey
2. Paul Peacock
3. Jak Woodward

Video of the Relentless Pro Tour competition (Open Men and Open Ladies categories of the UK Cable Nationals 2010) Courtesy of Tim Royle at White No Sugar productions.

Relentless UK Pro Wakeboard Tour Stop 3 from Tim Royle on Vimeo.

After the whirlwind of world class wakeboarding talent converged in North Wales for Wakestock (part of the WWA Wakeboard World Series) we were delighted that second placed and World Champion Nicola Butler, took the time from recovering to come and share her expertise and advice with us before heading back to the US.

Nicola made the trip to Liquid Leisure Friday and Saturday to host a boat and cable coaching session with 6 lucky ladies, giving them a chance to hang out with the leading rider, get some top coaching tips, pick her brains until the late hours and get some free give-aways to boot!

The weather gods blessed us as we all met on Friday afternoon to meet Nicola and soak up some sun before heading out on the boat. With nice long sets, all the girls managed to refine their riding with encouragement and guidance from the guest coach. Some really pulled out all the stops, Rachel W throwing a surprise backroll at the end of her set! For a few it was a great refresher having taken time out from wakeboarding, and others a chance to make those minor adjustments that make all the difference, Nikki getting more pop to reach for grabs, and Mel and Rachel S getting their ‘GRRR’ on to make wake to wakes. Brenda was working on surface spins and Amy, not having ridden for a few years, took to it like a duck to water.

So after the long evening’s coaching we settled down for a BBQ and chance to laugh at the campers amongst the girls as their fully assembled tents had to be relocated due to the 05.30am triathlon swimmers! As the evening set in, Mat Priddy, organised a secluded area of the bar with sofas and monitors for us to have a private screening of some of Nicola’s riding videos, theory coaching and a little Question and Answer session. The theory took an interesting turn as Nicola produced a pellet gun along with a handle for demonstration purposes! Thankfully the prospect of a ‘tough love’ approach to learning didn’t materialise and the girls practiced handle passes, body positioning and better hip and handle discipline. Before we knew it, the bar was shutting up and time for bed ahead of the cable sessions the following morning.

Saturday again was glorious weather and the girls were joined by Laura Christian for a couple of hours of cable coaching. As with the boat, each girl was given private tuition from Nicola as she rode ‘doubles’ allowing her to talk each rider through their chosen tricks right there with them. It was great to see that most girls, fuelled and inspired from the day before, despite being obviously tired, were asking for advice on their raley cuts.

It was a great experience for the girls to get an insight from one of the best female riders in the world, and with signed posters, glasses and a load of Company goodies, the girls left obviously amped to ride and empowered to push themselves. We think Nicola’s a great role model for female wakeboarders out there and we’re really grateful that she took the time out to come and inspire a few us.

Huge thanks to Stu Marston and Mat Priddy at Liquid Leisure for all their help and support in making this session possible, and of course, thanks to Nicola Butler and Company for their time and contributions.

Pictures courtesy of Mel Collins

Watch out for them at WAW supported events this year and please don’t think that it’s all for twenty stone rugby players! Their products can help you train longer, work harder and recover quicker.

Keep checking WAW for special offers in the MaxiMuscle range.

Amber Wing - The first ever women’s 900 from OAKLEY on Vimeo.

Night shifts and shenanigans!

I always knew there were going to be peaks and troughs with my level of motivation and dedication to my rehab, but twenty weeks in, (oh my word, twenty weeks!) I’m forgiving myself for focussing on fun!  My Birthday celebrations were the perfect time to really let my hair down and behave like a loon! At thirty something, I wanted nothing more than for us all to swing about like monkeys in the forest, so to Go Ape we went! It was as good as a gym and agility session and besides which, the most fun I’d had in a very long time!

By the following weekend I was back ‘on it’ with a spin class on Saturday morning and a good swim – obviously followed by Jacuzzi, sauna and steam, don’t be silly, I know my muscles need soothing! But it wasn’t long before the righteous peak in my efforts was followed the long trough. A fortnight of night shifts and generally feeling like a zombie wasn’t conducive to regular attendance at the work gym, nor any physical activity other than eating and sleeping really! It’s all too easy to get grumpy about all your prior efforts feeling like they’re wasted, but they’re not. It just takes a little longer sometimes and hitting the gym when my mind and body are exhausted is pretty much a waste of time. So, I once again put my efforts into doing what makes me happy and catching up with friends and family before the wakeboarding takes over again.

The funny thing is, that now I’m able to physically join in with pretty much any bonkers activity my friends invite me to, I’m doing exercise without realising it! My friend Ria’s Hen Do incorporated surfing, pole dancing, running about and a lot of dancing! Heels are strengthening my knee, not that they’re a physio endorsed means of rehab, but using muscles in a different way certainly feels like a workout. I’ve just realised that the copious amounts of alcohol involved might explain that sense of effortless workout!

Dooms Day

A month had passed since Tom Williams did his benchmark strength tests with me so I was hoping that provided I showed enough strength development, then he’d be booking me in for my brace fitting and getting my ‘back to the water’ timetable planned out. As much as I hadn’t been doing anything like as much formal strengthening in the last fortnight as ideally I’d like, I was pretty confident that things would go well and I’d be heading out for that water and getting my buzz back. I’d been looking forward to this for so so long, I was on the verge of bursting. All was going well, my quads were up 25% and my hamstrings up 10%. He said I was on target and doing really well. Then my summer disintegrated before me. He said I was on target to get on a skate in 4-6 weeks! It was like the rug was pulled from underneath me. The Worlds were out, the Nationals were out, Pro Tour was out. Pretty much my entire season was washed away in one sentence. I lost a season back in 2006 when I broke my leg, the thought of it happening again just made me feel like lead. I was gutted. I missed the Worlds back in 2008, it felt like it just wasn’t to be. What I would give to ride for my country at the Worlds, but not this time. Maybe not ever.

Depression kicked in. The news should have kicked me abruptly up the bum, but instead, I wallowing worse than when I had the accident. The season’s started now, everyone’s out on the water and I’m still not back. So I did the very stupid thing of retail therapy! I took myself off to Westfields to meet a mate and spent silly amounts of money I don’t have on stuff I don’t really need. But for a few hours I felt better. Usually I’d go and take out my frustrations on the cable or crank the fat sacks on the boat, but this was all the release I could manage.

Snapping out of it

So until I got my training mojo back, I just jumped feet first into coaching. Although it’s not the same as riding myself, I can’t deny the buzz I get from helping the girls make that next step and leave a session with a Cheshire cat grin. LDB Sessions, JB Ladies Mornings and Quays Ladies Night put my head back together. I fully snapped out of my silly ‘Kevin the Teenager’ sulk. I realised that as frustrating as it was not being able to ride, sharing in the celebrations of nailing a new trick, was a good second. Sitting on that boat and dock was everything Wide-a-Wake is all about. The community of the female wakeboarders and the atmosphere and fun that it generates is what it’s really all about. I’ll just have to be a little more patient to get back right into the centre of it all again.

By Sammi Filsell

Loch Stock was originally designed to bring together all the pockets of wakeboarding throughout Scotland from club riders to boat owners. What it has turned out to be is a phenomenon, with partying and riding as a common interest, and fun a common goal, bringing people together all over, all year round. There are loads of girls riding, with Suzanne and Trudy buying into a Malibu wakesetter with HOTM original, Scottish Stu. But now is the time to step up the game a little and get showing off this progression.

For 2010 Loch Stock have introduced a new way of girly competing to help encourage more girls to participate in the tour, no matter what their level. Groups up to 5 go out in the boat at the same time and judge each other, allowing feedback on falls and creating a relaxed, non intimidating scene. Supported by Kezvegas headwear and Wide-a-Wake.com there are plenty of prizes for the girls to go all out for, including a special Kezvegas award for the most improved Saturday to Sunday rider.

The first tour stop on June 12th saw Sam Filsell win the women’s event, with Suzy Lenox placing second and Claire Lampard third. And let’s not forget that June’s Hottie of the Month, adopted as Scottie of the Month, went to Ali ‘Super’ Snowie.

The next Loch-Stock stop is:

Stop 2: Sat 17th July, Loch Earn
Stop 3: Sat 7th August, Loch Lomond Wakeboard, Loch Lomond

In the mean time, get practising your moves at Loch Lomond Wakeboard, where guy domination is a thing of the past. We regularly have girls only boats, from hen parties to random sessions with resident coach Sammi Filsell taking the helm to ensure no boys allowed!

Ripping at the moment is Nina Fraser, learnt her first switch HS 180 after only 3 weeks riding, Becky Hall, up to train for Wakestock Qualifiers, Jen Davies, now consistent wake to wake on a 65ft line behind the big boat, Susie Waudby, needs to be pushed more and needs YOU to help!

So no more excuses! Girls get yourself to Loch Stock, show us what you’ve got and flaunt it.

To enter go to www.loch-stock.com then head to www.lochlomondwakeboard.com and get practising!

Thanks to Tim Royle for always helping out the girls!

Wakestock Women’s Round Up from Tim Royle on Vimeo.

With just a fortnight to go, get to your application in for the UK Cable Nationals for your chance to be crowned National Champion! This year, the Championship to find the best in the UK will be hosted at Box End Park on Sat 24th July.

It’s worth stressing that not only is this a great opportunity to see the best emerging talent hold their ground with established riders and British Squad Members (possibly World Champions after the IWWF Worlds in Germany the week before), it’s also where scouts are looking out for 2011 British Squad contenders, 2011 Pro Tour candidates and 2011 sponsorship opportunities! So, don’t wait until next year! By competing and showing what you’ve got on offer, you could be paving the way for 2011 to be your year.

Categories for the 2010 UK Cable Wakeboard Nationals are: (Categories take into account your age as of the 1st of January)

Under 11 Girls
Girls 12 - 14
Junior Ladies 15 -18
Open Ladies: No age limit
Masters Ladies 30 - 39
Veteran Ladies 40 +

Entry is £25 (download entry form) DEADLINE FRIDAY 16th JULY – NO LATE ENTRIES ACCEPTED and you must be a member of British Wakeboard and Waterski and have a valid Cable Wakeboard licence to able to compete. All details found on the British Water Ski & Wakeboard website Get prepared!

If you’ve never entered a competition before, see our ‘How to enter a Comp’ guide and speak to the pro’s at your local cable park to get tips and advice on how to compose your trick run. Then get practicing!

Top Tips:
1. Show the judges the tricks you CAN perform
2. Make sure you use ALL of the course, fill open spaces with surface tricks and mix up the obstacles inside and outside the lake, do regular and switch trick if you can.
3. Practice your pass as much as you can and work out a ‘plan b’ if a trick doesn’t work out.
4. Don’t repeat tricks

Most importantly, have fun! Riding in a competition is a skill in itself that needs practice and gets easier the more you do it.

2009 results – Could your name be amongst these for 2010 ??

Girls
1 – Chloe Goudie
2 – Katie Rowling
3 – Lara Mackay

Junior Ladies
1 – Tor Young
2 – Ellie Taylor
3 – Sophie Cordery

Open Women
1 – Kirsteen Mitchell
2 – Steph Caller
3 – Emily Bebbington

Masters Women
1 – Sarah Kingdom
2 – Alexandria Gardiner
3 – Katie Glen