Relentless Wakestock 2010 - Day 3

Can you believe it, Relentless Wakestock has finished with a third day in a row of glorious sunshine up on the stunning festival site in Penrhos. There’s even green grass still covering the whole site which meant the wellies were only out to accompany the tiny shorts, slinky tops and compulsory sunnies that most of the female Wakestockers were sporting!

The day did start slightly differently however with some strong winds and an overcast cloud blanket that covered the wakeboard arena at Pwllheli Marina. It was not ideal conditions to say the least for the final of the biggest event in the wakeboard calendar, Despite this the crowds turned out in their thousands to watch world renowned riders like Randall Harris, Andrew Adkison, Adam Errington and current Relentless Wakestock champion Nick Davies show their commitment to the sport and battle it out in the unsavory epic conditions.

Four heats of four was how Sunday would play out with just the top rider from each going through to a final of four. With the conditions as they were it would take the most hardened contest riders and some steely nerves to come out on top. Australian champion Dean Smith, Austin Hair from the states, current World Series title holder, Philip Soven also from the USA and 2009 King Of Wake, Aaron Rathy, the Canadian big hitter returning for his 3rd Wakestock. The seriously rough riding conditions made this the most testing final on record, but the true professionalism & dedication of these world elite made it an outstanding spectacle for the thousands lining the famous Pwllheli Promenade. Dean didn’t ride to his best with Austin edging ahead into 3rd. The real battle come down to Canada Vs the USA with Rathy most definitely taking the upper hand on the rails, schooling both the Relentless Leviathan and the huge Roof Top. Phil had solid hits on the rails though and with a 720, Tantrum to Blind, a Whiryly 5, no less and a big array of other solid manouevres he had done just enough.

It was back up to the festival site, which, ironically simultaneously produced cloudless skies and much lighter winds setting the scene for a perfect final climax to a memorable 3 days of festival. There was no let off with the crowds, starting off relaxed & chilled with many sat enjoying the still very grassy arena whilst watching Los Campesinos!, Rhys Ifans band The Peth and Huw Stephens favourite, Frankie & The Heartstrings. The crowds soon grew in numbers becoming more active and very much more vocal during some seriously rocking performances from Sub Focus, Robyn, The King Blues and The Futureheads, enhanced by a stunning sunset behind the main stage.

Before reaching the sundown sessions of music the Rococo Rail contest on the pool gap was still yet to be rounded up and the competition was fierce. With eight riders going head to head it was only the 2009 Pool Gap winner who was defending the title against a foreign invasion. Rathy had pushed through as well, looking to take his second Rococo Rail title in Wales knocking out Phil Soven in the Semis. Having taken down rail maestro Adam Errington, CK still had the title in his sites and the final could not have been closer. The UK ripper showcased an incredible amount of variety hitting every option possible, switch and regular. This was most definitely his strategy but there was no getting round the fact that what Aaron dropped some serious hammers that, although coming close, CK just couldn’t match! With the all the wakeboarding action now done and dusted, it was just left for us to get the crowd crazy about the sport for one last time with the prize giving on the main stage right before the headline act.

The spectacle proved very entertaining with it being broadcast for the first time live on TV to the nation. But it’s always a great moment for the festival and the pro wakeboarders as they get onto the podium and milk the acclaim before making light work of 12 bottles of champagne to drench the crowd. Will Bradley, Nicola Butler, Amber Wing & Aaron Rathy all took various titles on the Rococo Pool Gap event but it was the Pro Boat Finals that held the biggest prize purse & greatest prestige. These were taken in the Girl’s event by Argentinian Robbie Rendo, taking 3rd. UK superstar, Nicola Butler in 2nd and Australian legend, Amber Wing took the coveted girls title. In the Men’s it was Auzzie Dean Smith who took 4th, Austin Hair from the USA took 3rd. Canadian Aaron Rathy just missed out on the top spot in second and the Relentless Wakestock 2010 Champion and number 1 spot on the podium went to American & multiple world title holder, Phillip Soven.

It was then on to the final headliners which had the now huge crowds back into a full frenzy with Pete Tong packing out the Main Arena and The Ting Tings smashing the main open air stage with their big hits and a rapturous rendition with the crowd of That’s Not my Name to finish the night & the festival off in fine style.

An amazing weekend that’s had a bit of everything, from the customary rain on Thursday the massive crowds on Saturday enjoying blazing sunshine, the strong winds that left the RAF Falcons grounded and the wakeboarders tested to the limit, to the memorable sunsets and loudest show of the weekend by the RAF Typhoon display. It was a lot of fun having Radio 1 join us and getting over 6 hours of live TV out to the nation but once again it’s the atmosphere that the awesome crowds create that make the festival so enjoyable & an emphatic success. Roll on 2011.

Friday 09 July 2010 | Permalink