Last Saturday, May 9th, marked the second stop of the Arizona Wakeboard Association 2009 Rider Series brought to you by Ronix wakeboards and Paradise Watersports. Ronix was out in full force starting with a clinic on Friday featuring none other than miss Emily Copeland-Durham. Paradise stepped up to the plate as always and provided us with a brand new Malibu VLX and Axis A22 for competition.
What seemed like a slow starting morning was masked by the unnaturally pleasant conditions at Lake Pleasant. The minimal wind and warm sun had people showing up all throughout the day. The level of competition in all divisions was indicative that summer is in full effect as everyone seemed to have the off-season cobwebs completely shaken off now.
Grom rider Matty Estrada surprised everyone with a valiant tantrum attempt on her return pass. In the women division, Brittany Schroeder showed the girls what it’s going to take to keep up with her this season as she took the brunt of three massive backroll attempts, only barely loosing her footing on the landings.
Nobody could have been happier for the good water conditions than the wakeskaters, however. Taking full advantage, skaters Matt Burmudez and Andrew Jellum reached for some of their more technical tricks.
A good turnout and tight competition from the outlaw division including local favorites Jimmy Wolf, Ben Christensen, Larry Taylor, and Matt Coldren had everyone gripping the VLX's plush leather seats in suspense. We winded down the day by winding up Jimmy’s winch. In true Jimmy Wolf fashion, he and Larry erected an office door kicker to Red Bull can jib just off shore, which would end up needing some re-engineering after Jimmy’s first and only attempt.
After a few bi-weeks to allow everyone to get out to Liquid Force's Brostock at lake Powell June 12th-14th, the AWA will return with our 3rd competitive event June 27th (location TBD). Check out www.theawa.com for event info and standings.
