Dancing with the Pros

[JAM]

I hate seeing companies only sponsor riders who win everytime only to push their own product rather then push the sport. That goes with any company and any sport really. I am not hating on the fact that some people are sponsord by major companies, just when a company uses a rider to push their logo to everyone. I guess though, if companies didn't do that then they would never make it in the marketing world. It would be cool to see more people being picked up by sponsors, just like skateboarding, by how they ride outside of contests. We all know thats where most of the footage (video/photos) usually comes from anyways. For the unknown ripper, I guess its just to bad that all eyes are usually only looking at you during contests rather then when you out shredding in your usuall atmosphere where you feel more comfortable.

[JAM]

thats another thing, some ladies are starting to emerge. All the girls who competed in the blast contest in tampa a month or so back are progessing like crazy. I think its awesome.

[lllongneck]

JAM, a men to that you the man for that say

[electricsnow]

This is how it starts out though, and how it has been in every other boardsport. Contests played a larger role in skating a while back--skaters had to work their way up through the NSA ranks before they became pro. Snowboarding's early days had a heavier focus on comps as well--Craig Kelly was one of the first guys to walk away from the comp scene, even though he was extremelly successful in that arena. Being able to freeride for a living and not really care about contests is one benefit from growth. And truthfully, being sponsored means you do need to get that company's product out to the public--and that's anyone from a shop sponsored rider to a high end rider.

And on a side note, magazines aren't the only place a company can attract new clientele. You're selling yourself short if that's what you think.

[NaRC-P rider]

electricsnow, true that esnow, good call.

that's why making videos is so important to me though, pushing that side of things rather than contests. a rider can really impress more people through a video part then a contest pass. and a better impression = getting the product out more. in my eyes at least. that's why to me companies should sponsor people more based on video parts than contest abilities (which i still highly respect). and really a lot of wakeskate videos haven't really been set up the right way: lots of them are art experiments (which is DEFINITELY necessary and an amazing thing, i really love artsy films and the medium they use...dont get me wrong), but things like that are not primarily focused on exposing talent and getting raw tricks done on film. Filming for short periods of time is just stupid too, it really cuts the rider short and does not represent them well in a medium that is supposed to do just that (represent them well). team videos are pretty cool, i'm sure that works well to get product name out (at the same time still making money off it...holla!). but i'm way more into the idea of just solid video parts from people that need it and have the skill...which they DID NOT have to prove at a contest.

[DirtyCracker]

the same debate has been going on for years in surfing. there are so many gifted surfers that are amazing free surfing but cant get keep it together to win comps.

as the sport progresses just like surfing more videos more pictures more free riders can just free ride. If a company sees a kid getting alot of coverage in magazines just free riding their going to be interested. A company has business and marketing plan they cant just sponsor the kid on a unknown lake where no sees him. Its the riders job to get their face out there to get noticed and promote their company.

Surfers on the north shore get paid for each picture that is in a surfing magazine of them. If they have a full spread pick with their sponsor stickers showing they get x amount of money just like if they get a cover they get x amount of money. And almost all of these pics are free riding. This is why pro surfer surfboards are covered in stickers top and bottom.

[electricsnow]

I hear you Narc-P. I personally love most forms of videos, whether they be arty or focused on pure progression. I'd hope that either form could be valuable for a rider because when it comes down to it, exposure is extremely important. It's like aaron reed in Narla, or issue 2 vs. RLAND. I think the first two films showcase a more well rounded style (especially combined), but RLAND is something else entirely...but still bad to the bone. I can't put my finger on it, but the vibe in that film is something that resonates within me, and from the riding perspective there's really nothing like aaron's re-entry ollies...sorry, but I'd rather see that than a "smith grind" on a wakeskate (unless you have ben horan's iron thing).

And I agree on the filming for short periods of time thing. Another cross over reference (since lots of people on here seem to relate to and speak that language), but older films used to get away with filming some riders for a month or less. One thing that was pointed out about video days is that a lot of the footage with guy mariano was filmed in one day--you can tell because of his clothes. I think wakeboarding wore that concept out a long time ago...mayday is legendary, and welcome [hopefully] laid that concept to rest. Asterisk was also pretty impressive, given the amount of time they had to film...but the second version didn't really live up to the progression in the first (also taking into consideration the weather). Just seeing some of the other films, they're more entertaining when you have a variety of footage from different locations and mediums...and I dig narla for the fact that they used a number of cameras to capture their footage.

Anyway, I think we could all talk about videos all day long. Point blank, well done videos are important to wakeskating, or any boardsport. They're progressive/memorable moments that are captured and will live on to inspire riders for years to come.

[Frye]

electricsnow,

[scott a]

I was waiting for someone to post something to the effect of what ES just did. This sport is just too young and small to have the amount of companies throwing enough $$$ at it to support a whole lot of free riders. Maybe in a few years, but not now. We're probably a few years away from seeing any amount of "video-only" guys, too. The unfortunate thing about the whole mess is that WBM essentially runs the PWT (sorta...), so as long as the PWT exists they'll be running articles on it in their magazine and posting pictures of the winners standing on the podium with their boards all stickered up with their sponsors' logos. And so you're left with a 4 page recap of the event, which contest winners and their sponsors love, and only a paragraph or two written about an upcoming (or recently released) wake DVD. It totally sucks, and I do agree with you, NaRC-P rider, but unless everyone collectively turns their backs on the PWT and pays total attention to who's in what video, the contest scene isn't gonna be going anywhere. Unfortunately, the most that us DVD-loving people can ever do is to support the people who make the videos and the publications who kick love down to the video producers to help get that video made and known to the masses.


One thing that's important for everyone to remember is that it's always good to be involved. If you've got a friend who rips why not shoot some photos and video and get the dude's name out? I mean, how many people have gotten hooked up based on the footy that they post online? And then in doing this you can get your name out, too. That way you can raise your bro's profile so he can get get some flow, and you can work your way up to submitting photos to a mag (or beyond) to help pay for those pesky gas bills.

[stompin9s]

hype owes me $25 for welcome

[wakevision]

Definitely Justin Forrest

[kyle41]

CHEEZ aka sam langley is a sleeper for sure

[Rick O'shay]

JAM, : ): )

Love this thread.
Trav and Andrew are def. rippen it

[tr@v]

i LOVE wakeskating

[nick]

I love losing my wallet and being stuck in Horlando

Travis Doran and Andrew Fortenberry, that's all you need to know.


Peep Volume 6 to check out these gnarshredders.

[t-rex]

joey phillips rips too!!

recently got picked up by hyperlite



raven's little brother

[nick]

I've met Joey!

[finlesswonder]

anybody else?

[doubleg]

Good on you to start this thread finlesswonder, i totally agree with Narc-P, ES & Scott A on how videos, be it on dvd or online posts and being consistent in contests are a must for any AM trying to get a spot amongst the pros.

After watching Vol 6, it was clear to me that the "resident" pros ought to take notice that unless they step up, otherwise their time's gonna be over in a year or 2. This is a clear sign of progression & the best part is that it won't be stopped.

[NaRC-P rider]

Collin Gee - style, pop, flow

Steve McMurtrie - mad flip tricks every try

Gib Gibbons - ripper and loves to ride

Cody Rivet - coming up and getting better every day. understands wakeskating more than most pros...he's got the gift -- watch out.