Despite rainy weather, rough water conditions and the
occasional moment when a rider had to be stopped mid
course to allow a huge boat go by, Wake West 2004 was a
great success.
Aaron Rathy, a national water-ski champ new to the
wakeboard scene who has only been riding for the last 8
months, took first place in open men with a solid final
run. Aaron Lepin took second place with Bradey Price from
Calgary claiming third. Rathy also placed first in the
slider comp and 2nd in Jr Men.
Wakeskate was ruled by James “cowboy” Balzer with big
wake to wake jumps, shuvits and an impressive ability on
the slider.
Jr Women saw some impressive riding; Sheena Price from
Calgary won first place, Emily McDougal from BC took 2nd
and Sunni Ann Ball from Ontario placed third. Sheena
also took first in Womens open on Sunday with Tressa
Main in second and Sunni Ann in third.
Jr Men was claimed by Quebec’s Olivier Derome, I’ve read
about his riding but never had the chance to see him
until this weekend and I have to say his riding is
awesome! Men 1 was won by BC’s own Jamie Rose with his
stylish off axis spins, Aaron Lepin, another BC local,
took first in Men 2 with a huge S bend and stylish
riding. Masters was claimed by another BC rider, Kurt
Jesson and Vets won by BC’s Rob Parker.
Slider finals went off with big back boardslides to 270
off, tricks I can’t remember (hey I don’t usually judge
slider!) and some guys acting liked they owned “The
Dragon” a sick slider built by one of the Deas Nutz
crew.
I have to say the BC riders are amazing (don’t get me
wrong, the other provinces rode well also, I just can’t
speak for them as this is the first time I’ve watched
them ride). I’ve judged them over the years in various
water conditions and they rarely fail to have a solid
run or stoke the crowd with their riding abilities.
Canada has some pretty amazing riders in general, both
male and female. I know you’re going to see a lot more
of some of our younger guys and girls dominating over
the next few years.
BC riders killed it this weekend. They made us first
place in provincial order with Ontario coming in second
and Quebec in third.
Unfortunately, I can’t give too much of an overview of
the bands or anything that went on as I spent pretty
much all my time on the boat. I saw Sum 41 on Friday
night; they rocked the Plaza of Nations for a huge crowd
and impressive mosh pit.
In all, even if the sun only came out just as finals
were over on Sunday, it was an awesome weekend. By
Sunday we had filled the stands and spectators lined up
along False Creek to watch Canada’s best riders.
Hopefully we got some of them interested in trying it
out. Waterski and Wakeboard BC, Waterski and Wakeboard
Canada, Deas Nutz Wakeboard club did an awesome job of
organizing the event and keeping things running
smoothly.
