 Home
All Articles
Wakeskate Guide
Discussion Forums
Features
Reviews
Trick Tips
Wakeskating History
Links
Link To Us
Wakeboarding
Wakesurfing
Wakeboards
Wakeboard Towers
Hyperlite Wakeskates
Liquid Force Wakeskates
Byerly Wakeskates
Buy Wakeboards
Ronix Wakeboards
Liquid Force Wakeboards
Buy Wakeskates
Wakeboard Towers
Wakepics
Wake Videos
Complete Longboards
 Article Alert
Media Center
Pictures
Videos
Buy Wakeskate Videos
Grip Deck
Getting Up
Dock Start
Ollie
HS Wake Jump
TS Wake Jump
HS Backside 180
BS Pop Shuvit
FS Pop Shuvit
Surface 180 Shuvit
FS Bigspin
TS Shuvit to Indy
Kickflip
Advertise
Contribute Articles
Submit A Trick
Feedback Form
Visitor Feedback
About RSS
|
2007 Nationals Semifinal Wakeskating: A Low Resolution MemoirDate: 07-13-2007
Author: Wakeskating.com Staff
First rider off the dock for the semi finals was James Balzer. The water was better than the day before, so the "H" was "O." As far as temps go, you can see that the day looked gloomy...I think my camera exaggerated this effect. But none the less, Balzer stands in the shadows (despite Billy Idol's demands) and throws a solid backside 180.
Bro-brah was also one of few wakeskaters to actually hit the flat bar. As you can see, he's got a boardslide that will turn you to stone.
Chase Gregory was next off the dock. His first run consisted of a lot of lip and re-entry maneuvers. However, for just one moment, Chase wanted to fly with the birds while doing a switch 180 nosegrab off the kicker.
A unique trick at nats: wake to wake shuv with tail grab-ish flavor.
This is where I was supposed to show you the grace and majesty that is Reed Hansen. He even attempted a wake to wake three shuv, which blew my mind. However, his riding was not taped but the down time was. (How did this happen?) As you can see, my denim was looking quite fierce that day...
Brandon Thomas was rider number four in heat one, and didn't have any qualms about getting his wake to wake on. Here he is with his patented 180 with switch nosebone flavor. You know, cause he throws it all late and what not.
The water isn't any wetter in Wisconsin, but it is a bit cooler. BT laying back and checking the waters...
Brandon gets jiggy while on the apparatus--merciless tuck knee boardslide.
Towards the end of pass two, the flats and BT met with open arms. Kickflip on lake Andrea.
The end of the day for BT came in the form of a failed re-entry backside big spin. Jigga who? Jigga what!!
Grant Roberts kicked off heat two, but it just wasn't meant to be. One moment of glory came in the form of a re-entry 3 shuv.
Stu Shinn. What else is there to say...he pawps it like it's hawt...maybe even too hawt. He kicked his run off comfortably and stylishly with a massive backside shifty, complete with empty inside-out pocket flair. It's the hottest trend since Derelict.
At the end of pass one, Stu chucked a frontside 3 (from the heels, bro), and tried to no-comply his landing. JK bros, but it stresses me out just looking at that.
Wake to wake linked spins were a big deal at nationals 07. Here's Stu, mid switch frontside 3. The trick that preceeded was a frontside three (heelside) and the trick that proceeded it was a backside three. And that, my friends, is one good reason why he earned the highest score of the day. Well, that and the pockets (because the judges dig style).
Mind blowing wake to wake 3 shuv attempt, Lifetrap style.
Matt Manzari was another bro who had an off day and an unfortunate equipment malfunction. Attempts to charge ensued but were left unsuccessful. Was it the sound of "Killing me softly" from the boat's thumping speakers that enchanted his heart and captured his soul? It's hard to say. But much like safety, style never takes a vacation.
Manzari, mid varial flip attempt.
Brian Grubb also knows how to backside shifty and he won't let you forget it.
Brian Grubb boosted right out of my camera frame. I also managed to get quite a bit of that wake and rooster tail in my frame. Whatever, at least we have a point of reference. My notes say that this was a backside wake to wake shuv with an indy grab. My notes are amazing. It's also worth mentioning that this trick was followed up with a frontside grabbed, wake to wake shuv revert. That was also from my notes.
A lovely mute frontside 3, with set back framage so as not to cut off the action. I mean, that's a sweet background, right?
Professional Wakeskate Semifinals results (Top two riders advance to the finals)
Heat #1
1) Brandon Thomas USA 71.67
2) Reed Hansen USA 68.33
3) James Balzer CAN 60.00
4) Chase Gregory USA 48.33
Heat #2
1) Stu Shinn USA 76.67
2) Brian Grubb USA 71.67
3) Matthew Manzari USA 35.00
4) Grant Roberts USA 33.33
Shop For Wakeskating Gear
|
|
Wakeboards
Ronix Wakeboards
Hyperlite Wakeboards
Liquid Force Wakeboards
Slingshot Wakeboards
CWB Wakeboards
Wakeboard Bindings
Ronix Bindings
Hyperlite Bindings
Liquid Force Bindings
Slingshot Bindings
CWB Bindings
Wakeboard Packages
Wakeskates
Wakesurf Boards
|
