is wakeskating on the decline

[dirtyohioriver22]

is wakeskating declining in popularity?


what would wakeskatings graph look like?

[Raven]

waterskiing yes........wakeskating is an uprising with way to much passion to enfold.

can't wait to see what this year holds in store.......specifically at the suwannee pro

[nick]

dirtyohioriver22, Nope.

Wakeskating is on a steady climb, but you're not the first person to wonder about that, assuming you are basing your concept of wakeskating's numbers on the activity of these forums... This forum used to be the only way to connect with other wakeskaters around the world & hear all the newest updates with everything going on. As this is no longer the case, wakeskating.com's forums have seen less in-flow of new faces looking to get in touch with the wakeskating world, but that doesn't mean that there are less new faces looking to join in on the fun





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[jdarr]

nick, I agree.

My friends that I wakeskate with dont ever come to this site. They think its kinda dumb that I care so much about wakeskating, but they love shred and spread the wurd.

Its not declining. Thats for sure.

[Jake S]

I want to see some numbers

[nick]

Jake S, Statistically, what do you think would be the most accurate indicator? Board sales is the the first one that comes to mind, but the figures would be super warped because of A) people that ride a wakeskate they bought 7 years ago, and B) people that buy 3 new boards every year...

In my own observation, seeing the development & growth of The Wakeskate Tour, as well as multiple independent wakeskate companies pushing harder than the waterski/watersports conglomerates, plus the rapidly growing list of full-size cables, two-tower systems, and backyard gap setups; They might not be black & white figures of perfectly charted accuracy, but in my eyes, these are all indicators of healthy growth for wakeskating.






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[Jake S]

nick, I wasn't too specific there I am interested in board sales, I love wakeskating and as much as I have always tried to push it in my area, it is hard to see the results. It would be interesting to see the number of skates sold each year as a whole or within specific brands, as well as locations in which board sales are highest. Although this information altogether most likely does not exist.

[johnnyk]

I think that the wakeskating industry is growing, but I don't feel like non-wakeskater's interests are growing with it. I sometimes wonder if the exclusivity of winching stunts the growth of the sport, because of the work that must be put in to winching and the externalities of winching(cops, sketchy landings, not landing tricks, costs of a winch)...

The wakeskate tour is obviously doing a great thing, and people that are competing are obviously going to keep doing what they love. But in my opinion, the growth of the sport is not going to come from winching, but from newbies riding behind a boat, pwc, cable... If you love to winch, then you will disagree with me. And I understand that, but you disagree because A) it is easy access for you B) you have been winching for a long time or C) you are very good at wakeskating, and winching is more realistic and challenging to you. And that's cool, I wish I was you. But from a midwest wakeskater who doesn't have easy access to winching, and is removed enough from the scene, I believe that the only way for the sport to grow is to get people back on the lake, as a leisure activity, trying to land that first shuv-it which doesn't require the most work or talent, but brings a giant smile to their face.

[tad]

#cableparks

[wakemitch]

From what I can see, wakeskating is definitely growing.
This last week I sold three remote skates to walk-in customers who wanted to wakeskate for the first time. That was surprising to me. People are paying attention to what's going on in wakeskating and want to be a part of it. They are also paying attention to the progression and seeing what is really going on in the sport. As an example, my shop hasn't even sold a foam top skate to a walk in customer this year.

I'm so stoked on wakeskating this year. I've definitely been more excited about riding in years, and I've always been too excited haha

[girlsafteryou]

Oh if it's on the rise then we need some more wakeskate brands.

[Jama]

tad, it seemed like johnnyk was talking more about where new riders would could from--not telling established riders "no" in regards to winching.

[Lollar]

[nick]

[tad]

#graphs

[wakemitch]

[tad]

wakemitch,

[johnnyk]

tad,

I'm not really sure where in my last post you found me saying that the wakeskate tour was going to turn kids away from wakeskating.

The only thing that I was trying to bring was that other forms of pull are just as affective as winching when it comes to the growth of wakeskating, and shouldn't be ignored. My love for wakeskating came from Aquafrolics, where the winching blew my mind. But those overhead views of andrew doing front 3, 3 shuv, frontside flip, back 3, front big, switch 3... all in a line behind a pwc, made me want to go out and learn how to wakeskate just like that.

I just think that there should be a balance, and not the whole "out riding boat, so epic, look at my new sponsors and ridiculous boat" 1 minute video that alliance puts out to say they care about wakeskating. Its just like snowboarding. Urban riding is accessible to anyone with snow and a handrail, which is great, but most kids aren't gonna go straight to the handrails when they buy their first snowboard.

I'm sorry if I offend you or you see differently, maybe I'm just getting too old and need to get off the forums and go ride.

[tad]

#boating

[johnnyk]

Tad,

My reaction to your response.