coastal british columbia  

FIRST ANNUAL RIP CURL GROM SEARCH!!

Aug/19/2009 Muskoka is the heart of Wakeboarding in Canada. It is home to Basecamp (Canada's #1 wakeboard camp) making it the perfect background for the first ever Grom Search for wakeboarding. Scott Duke from Basecamp handpicked 10 of Canada's top Groms to battle it out over two days of solid riding. The spoils at the end of the event would be a one year sponsorship deal for Rip Curl Canada.

Highlights from the 2 day event included the showdown between Jordan Long and Christian Primrose. The two boys rode for almost two hours of W.A.K.E. The battle turned out to be combat of the fittest. Both boys both landing multiple tricks they had never attempted before (backside 3 and switch scarecrow). It was Christian who finally faultered with a slight mistake on a shifty 180 that gave Jordan the advantage and finally the win. At the rail park it was once again the two Ontario natives battling it out on the wall ride. Christian stomping a backroll of the end of it and Jordan spinning out 5.

At the end of the day it was splitting hairs between the two boys. Rip Curl Canada brand manager Drew Hawkshaw ended up making the call and Rip Curl Canada stepped up and doubled their commitment to the boys and signed them both on 1 year deals with Rip Curl.

"It was the most fun I have ever had wakeboarding" said Jordan and Christian after their battle. The event saw everyone riding outside their comfort zone. Multiple tricks were landed for the first time ever and great friendships were made. All in all it was a very motivating event for all the Groms. Wakeboarding in Canada is strong and with events like this for the young Groms to group together and push themselves the level of riding will just keep going through the roof.

Thanks to everyone involved I had a blast!!

Until next years Grom Search or Wakestock this is DW out!!!!
Daniel Watkins.

Red Bull Wake Pool To Make Big Splash In Vancouver
Western Canada's best wakeboarders to ride in Kitsilano's Outdoor Swimming Pool -
No water wings required

On Friday, August 21, 2009, Kitsilano Outdoor Swimming Pool will play host to the most innovative wakeboard competition in Canada's largest, longest draw and fill salt water outdoor swimming pool which sits at 138-metre in length and situated on Vancouver Harbour. Ten of Western Canada's best wakeboarders will showcase their skills and tricks in a unique outdoor environment with the North Shore Mountains and the city of Vancouver as background. Pulled by a cable winch system the riders will navigate through three floating sliders, showcasing their tricks and skills before they are faced with the last stunt, big air. Red Bull Sugga will be providing the winch system along with the entertainment for the evening.

Inspired by the massive floating skate park - dubbed The Wake Lab - which allows riders to perform sets of tricks that were once impossible, and raised the sport to never-before-seen levels, Red Bull Wake Pool is the design of the modern skate park and snow park in an outdoor pool.

Spectators will be able to witness some of Western Canada's best riders such as Matt Bibby, Dustin O'Ferrall, Daniel Dyck, Aaron Lepin, and Tanner Champion. Based on a rail jam format, riders will be given three passes of the course where points are allocated to the best pass. The crowd will have to keep their eyes on the action as they will be judging riders on best trick and best combo.

Red Bull Wake Pool is open and free to the public.

• WHAT: Red Bull Wake Pool
• WHEN: Friday, August 21, 2009 @ 8:00p.m. PST
• WHERE: Kitsilano Outdoor Swimming Pool (2305 Cornwall Avenue, Vancouver)