Well as some of you might know by reading the other post: <a href="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/1/210009.html?1107890629" target="_blank">http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/1/210009.html?1107890629</a> <BR>Darin shapiro is not riding for Obrien anymore and I have sent him a email for some more info why and this is his reply. <BR>"Hey there Chris, <BR>Yeah, i am no longer riding for obrien because their company has lost a lot <BR>of money so they had to cut the budget in a major way. my board sales were <BR>stronger than ever. the demented was there best selling board this year for <BR>obrien so, i felt i was doing a great job. As far as Ridethespot.net goes, <BR>we are running a full schedule and the camp is rocking! Well see what <BR>happens with the board sponsor thing but what really holds Ride the spot <BR>together is Malibu, Titan, Straightline and Body glove! <BR> Thanks for the concern! All the best!!! DARIN SHAPIRO

That's pretty cool, that he got back to you. All the best to him.

yeah really awesome that he cares and takes time to reply to his fans!

do you think o'brien can spell RESPECT?

Wow, thats really cool that he gave you a response, he sounds like a nice guy. <BR> <BR>

I got the chance to play a round of golf with him at the Wakesports/Wakeworld golf tourney. He showed like 3 holes late and he was kind of embarassed cuz he was late and he'd never golfed before, but he had us crackin' up the whole time. Funny guy, not a very good golfer but really funny. By the end of the day he was actually making solid contact and we used some of his shots.

why the hell did they drop their best rider. Obviously dallas friday is one to keep for them, but i would've thought the 2nd most important for them was shapiro.

Can't wait to see who picks him up, shouldn't be long.

Nice! Again, I wish darin the best of luck in finding a board sponsor...

Shapiro is their 'big name' rider, but Sanders and Watkins are their best comp riders. They are the guys winning the comps. And Dallas of course. <BR> <BR>

Very classy reply from Mr. Shapiro. Best of luck with his future board sponsor. <BR> <BR>I now see O'Brien placing a lot of emphasis on the Aussies (Watkins &amp; Sanders). Those guys are also great riders, stand up guys, and deserve the honor and respect of being among (the team's) top riders.

J-Rod, beat me by that much (LOL).

i still like obrien

I wonder what O'briens presence is like in the rest of the country, or world for that matter. I wonder if they emphasize the Aussies because they have more support there. So far I am kinda dissappointed in their lack of interest in the west coast market share. I don't even know of any shops in the bay area that cary O'brien. Heck, they didn't even bother to show up at the Pleasanton boat show. <BR> <BR>It's sad to see Darin go. He is one of the godfathers of the sport, much in the same way that Byerly is. Hopefully he'll find a better place elsewhere. <BR>

it would be crazy to see him go back to hyperlite, highly unlikely tho-

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>i still like obrien<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> <BR> <BR>don't you ride for them?

yeah. so that's a givin.

Actually all of the companies have made MAJOR cuts this year. there is no real room for these guys to go anywhere now. Don't be surprised if you see a HUGE decling on the pro tour this year since there will be a lot less sponsor money given to the riders.

no O'brien at the LA boat show either.

yo buffalow! how's it goin'? long time no talk! let's hook up this summer. <BR> <BR>as for your comment, i totally agree. in fact, it's been declining the last couple years. i mean, look at the women's tour. last year, they had, what, 2 tourneys?

Evan, <BR>The Marine Max booth in Pleasanton had O'Brien's line, although it was kind of overshadowed by a lot of tubes and other toys.

That's crappy news. With more people wakeboarding every year, the market potential has to be increasing, doesn't it? <BR> <BR>Marine Max did have some O'Brien boards. No Demented boards though. <BR> <BR>Sorry I missed you Doc. I was working the CBW booth.

About Jason B's comment (and J-rod's) - why would board manufacturers be cutting sponsorship dollars when the sport seems to be growing in popularity (end users of equipment and boats) each year? <BR> <BR>Aren't the manufacturers making more money than ever?

they could be selling more, but it doesn't mean they're making more money. <BR> <BR>also, the tour itself could be losing money/sponsors.

i dont like obrian anyway, they could have cut the money from somewere else besides Darin. Maybe there is more to it.

Maybe they did. I'm sure there's more to it than any of us know.

J-Rod, <BR>Thanks, man. I stopped and talked to Trevor for just a moment, but I was wanting to get home to see the Super Bowl. Looking forward to riding at some point! <BR>-Peace

you were probably standing 5 feet from me.

Darin &amp; Moose we could take over the whole industry,And would'nt that piss all his old board sponcors

Mr.Chris Waters, you da man,you could of changed the future of Wakeboarding. Darin did call, we talked for about 5 or6 min. he like what see saw on my site ,and ask me to send him a board. <BR>E Me your address &amp; I'll get some Moose swag to ya <BR>

Hey Moose, did you eat alot of paint chips as a kid?

I still eat paint chip,Because I'am a Genius...So I can be at your level

I want to see what a genius website looks like and I can't access it. It comes back website not found?

that's <a href="http://WWW.NoBullJustMoose.com" target="_blank">WWW.NoBullJustMoose.com</a> <BR>it doesn't take a genius to type that up.

apparently, you're not so bright yourself...you eff'ed up the link to your own website in your own profile.

yo joe it works for me... I don't know what your story is but ,I bet you not going to get much sleep if Darin &amp; Moose hook up.

Learn to use your type before you get your hopes up.

trust me when i say darin would have to be out of his mind to ride for moose boards. either way, i could care less.

Moose, your board might work, but those bindings don't look to be able to offer me the support/comfort combination. I don't care about no cramps, I want to land every angel including the ones on my head, side, face, and not be overly concerned that my ankle/foot/knee won't be injured by a boot.

Moose, your DNS is not resolving your URL without the "www." (nobulljustmoose.com is not resolving to <a href="http://www.nobulljustmoose.com" target="_blank">www.nobulljustmoose.com</a>)

it says <a href="http://WWW.NoBullJustMoose.com" target="_blank">WWW.NoBullJustMoose.com</a>

Not in your profile.

Da Brofile has been updated

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>Da Brofile has been updated<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> <BR> <BR>hahaha! that was your best post EVER!!!

you're kidding right?

sheer genius!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>

DUH Moose. <BR> <BR>Is that a joke or something??? Or are you really trying to push that thing as a wakeboard?? I think I rode those bindings back in 1997. They were horrible then and I bet things haven't changed. <BR> <BR>About the only thing you got going on is that Honey on your website!!!! <BR>If she is your chick then Props to you. <BR>If that whole wakeboard thing isn't a joke ( it has to be), I will give you some props for making the effort. <BR> <BR>Surf's Up!!!! <BR> <BR>

talk about shock and awe!!! geez, throw me a pair bell-bottoms, im ready to ride.

Brofile.. <BR>You have redeemed yourself Moose. You are more than welcome in these parts with comments like that..

I know from working in sporting goods that obrien had severe competition (ie hyperlite, liquid force, double up, blindside, CWB). Their product didnt improve at the rate the other company's products did. The season for most recreational people in the bay is only three months..if that. And when people came to buy wakeboards they were looking for quality, price, and name recognition. The other companys like hyperlite, liquid force, and double up were always more desired because they were quality products that continually changed to revolutionize wakeboarding to what it has become today with shapes, molds, and innovative board designs. I feel that obrien just waited to see what everyone else did then copied. They were a good company when Herb Obrien owned it. After that they went down hill in my opinion. No offense to anyone.

that's why Brad Gerlack just had me put a pair on his toe-in board,I guess you need no support on a 25 foot wave

How in the hell do you guys still get bent out of shape over this moose stuff? Smile and brush it off, dudes... <BR> <BR>Moose, alliance used an e-mail quote of yours in their latest mag...<IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Not so ,what did thay use this time?Poor joe losing sleep over this one.The only thing I hope is that this does is shake's up the industry to kick some Love Darin's way . <BR>And if Darin Rides Team Moose,just look out

poor moose is delusional.

poor moose is delusional.

Poor Darin <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0>

Here you go, moose. From the latest alliance "overheard" section: <BR> <BR>"You ever seen a horse race and the horse is in last place by 25 lengths and everybody thinks that horse is out of the race but down the stretch the horse is hauling ass and wins by 5 lengths? THAT'S MOOSE. The race ain't over."--e-mail from moose regarding his boards being for sale on amazon.com

Moose, when are you going to start making wakesurf boards??

obrien makes all their money off of tubes and combo skis. they don't care a whole lot about wakeboardnig.

hey J.D. I've been shaping 5'8" rocket fish's for nearly 30 years... So that what you kids are calling wakesurf boards Now.

All you O'Brien haters just keep your blinders on and your head in the sand or maybe up your --- and those of us that know better will keep enjoying what O'Brien has to offer!! <BR> <BR>jjakober