Date: 5/29/01
Author: Shaun Murray

Sometimes you have to take a step in a different direction to remember why you do what you do. A week and a half ago, I spent a week on the road with Greg Dick (Southern California Hyperlite Rep) driving for more than 27 hours in his truck, venturing all over the south east. We went to Vegas, Bakersfield, Elsinore, San Diego and Canyon Lake.

To be honest, I wasn't too stoked about all of the driving ahead of me when I was getting ready for the trip. However, I am totally glad I went through it because, along the way, I met a lot of people that were pumped on wakeboarding and life in general.

I have been riding in my backyard for too long and I was getting a little down about riding, especially at contests. I didn't want to ride because I felt I had to put on a show every time I went out. So I stopped for a little while and talked to some friends about it and then had a small revelation for myself: I am totally lucky to be able to wakeboard and have people want to watch me ride.

I like to go to movies and different events because I like to be entertained. For me, to be able to entertain people and even make some people get pumped on something is a pretty cool thing. For those of you reading this and feeling negatively about what I'm saying because wakeboarding is not a show, I couldn't agree more. I ride because I like to and enjoy the feeling, but since I can have fun and entertain someone it makes it a big bonus for me. So sue me.

Wakeboarding is a social sport and that's what separates it from most board sports. Families and friends can get out there and spend time with each other while getting their ride on. Not to get sappy, but I needed to go on the road to find out what wakeboarding was really about.

So go find new people to ride with. Don't stay with the same little clique of friends. Invite new people cuz the more people you have, the more you can learn from each other.

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