OAKLEY PRO WAKESKATE POOL JAM
Presented by SBC Wakeboard Magazine
The Oakley Wakeskate Pool Jam is the most unique and progressive event at Wakestock because it’s the only one that takes place both on the land and on the water. Pool jams have become a popular part of the sport and Wakestock has played a major role in pioneering their direction over the last several years. This year the Oakley Pool jam is a wakeskate only event. Taking influence directly from skateboarding, pool jams were started by wakeskaters and then the wakeboarders wanted in on the fun. In a effort to take wakeskating back to its roots and reflect it’s phenomenal growth, the pool jam is designed specifically for wakeskaters this year for the first time.
For those who have never witnessed a pool jam the concept is pretty simple; think skateboard park on water. Riders will begin on a starting platform on shore, and then pulled through an above ground pool. At the end of the pool is a staircase featuring four different handrails. The wakeskaters will have to jump, or “ollie” out of the pool and slide across one of the four rails landing in Long Pond. The pool jam is always a crowd favourite because of how close spectators can get to the action, just 5-10 feet away from the spray.
The Oakley Wakeskate Pool Jam at Wakestock has been the benchmark pool event by which all other pool events are measured around the world. With a few exciting twists and change-up this year it is expected to once again push the envelope. First, off the Oakley Pool Jam has been shifted to the heart of the Wakestock site, located next to the beer garden, which typically boasts the biggest and most raucous crowds. Secondly, the Oakley Pool Jam will debut a new portable cable system, that will pull the riders out of the pool, across Long Pond and back again. Designed by Sesitec Systems out of Germany, the System 2.0 cable will ensure rapid fire action on the Oakley Pool throughout the weekend. Don’t miss this event!
BILLABONG PRO MEN’S WAKESKATE
Presented by Monster Energy
What is wakeskating you ask? Wakeskating is to wakeboarding as what skateboarding is to snowboarding. Wakeskates are considerably smaller than wakeboards and there are no bindings to keep you attached to the board; just gravity. Wakeskaters wear skateboard or wakeskate-specific shoes and the top decks of the board either have skateboard-style grip tape or EVA foam for traction.
Wakeskating has become one of the fastest growing watersports during the past few years and the progression level of the top riders has been skyrocketing. Because wakeskaters aren’t attached to the board they can both jump off the wake of the towboat, as well as flip or spin the board with their feet similar to many skateboarding tricks. While wakeskating may not have the high-flying maneuvers of their wakeboarding counterparts, it’s a much more technical sport.
Wakestock played host to the first pro wakeskating contest in 1999 and today the best riders from around the world come to compete in Wakestock’s prestigious Billabong Pro Wakeskate title. The wakeskate event at Wakestock remains unique because it’s the only contest in the world that combines riding behind the boat with sliding rails in one contest. Look for riders to throw down numerous grabs,180’s and 360’s behind the boat and mix it up with some technical railslides.
The defending champ is Brian Grubb – he’s won this event four times in the last seven years – and he will be back to defend his title.
THE TOP CONTENDERS – OAKLEY WAKESKATE POOL JAM & BILLABONG PRO WAKESKATE
BRIAN GRUBB
Age: 27
Hometown: Nashua, New Hampshire
Sponsors: Malibu, Billabong, Hyperlite, Von Zipper, Red Bull
Career Highlights: 4-time Wakestock Billabong Wakeskate Champ (01, 02, 03, 07), 2007 Wake Games Champ, 2006 US Pro Tour Champ, 2004 WWA World Wakeskate 2nd
Brian Grubb is one of the most dominant wakeskaters behind the boat in the sport. He won the most recent stop of the Byerly Toe Jam Wakeskate series and placed second at the first stop, so he’s at the top of his game. Brian will feel at home behind the Malibu VLX, the official towboat of Wakestock, because it’s the same boat parked at his dock. Brian is the favourite to win the Billabong Pro Wakeskate title this year.
REED HANSEN
Age: 18
Hometown: Groveland, Florida
Sponsors: Ronix, World Wakeboard Center, Fox, DVS, Supra, Roswell
Career Highlights: 2006 Wakestock Billabonf Pro Wakeskate Champ, 2007 WWA World Champ, 2007 WWA U.S. Nationals Champ
Reed is leading the charge of the next generation of super-talented wakeskaters. Reed won the Pro Wakeskate event at Wakestock two years ago and easily has the talent to walk away with the title again. He is known as one of the most consistent wakeskaters on the planet and can stomp the hardest tricks. Reed has been on the podium at the first two stops of this year’s Byerly Toe Jam, look for him to be back on the podium at Wakestock.
NICK TAYLOR
Age: 19
Hometown: Anna Maria Island, Florida
Sponsors: Oakley, Nike 6.0, Integrity, O’Neill, Freestyle
Career Highlights: 2007 Wakestock Billabong Pro Wakeskate 2nd, 2007 Byerly Toe Jam, Boat 2nd, 2008 Byerly Toe Jam Stop #1, Rail Champ, 2008 Byerly Toe Jam Stop #1, Boat 2nd
Nick Taylor is part of the next generation of wakeskaters helping to push and re-define the sport. Bringing a true skateboard style to wakeskating, Nick has a huge bag of technical tricks, which he can stomp on a consistent basis. Nick has been on fire this year winning the first two stops of the Byerly Toe Jam wakeskate series and he’s a strong bet for at least a podium spot and maybe the win.
AARON RATHY
Age: 20
Hometown: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Sponsors: Oakley, Xcel, Nautiques, Hyperlite, Polk Audio
Career Highlights: 2007 Wakestock Billabong Pro Rail 2nd, 2006 & 2005 Wakestock Oakley Pool Wakeskate Best Trick Champ, 2008 Carnival 3rd,, 2006 US Pro Tour Rookie of the Year, 2004 WWA Junior World Champion
Aaron Rathy is one of the most multi-talented riders in the world. He’s the only athlete to compete in all four one of Wakestock’s pro events. Always a threat in any Wakeskate event, particulary when rails are involved. He won the Best Wakeskate Trick contest in the 2005 and 2006 Wakestock Oakley Pool Jam!
JAMES BALZER
Age: 24
Hometown: Langley, British Columbia
Sponsors: Liquid Force, Body Glove, Nike 6.0, Von Zipper
Career Highlights: 2006 Canadian National Wakeskate Champ, 2007 Byerly Toe Jam Stop #4, Boat 3rd, 2007 Byerly Toe Jam Winch 3rd.
A former wakeboarder turned wakeskater, James is known for his big, smooth wake-to-wake tricks. James competed in all three stops of the Byerly Toe Jam last year and earned himself a coveted spot into the final event of the year. James is coming off a broken leg suffered racing his dirt bike so he’s eager to get back on the water. Just like Brian Grubb, he regularly trains behind a Malibu VLX, so he will feel right at home during Wakestock.