WakeWorld - 2009 Polar Bear/Big Guy Demo Event

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- - 2009 Polar Bear/Big Guy Demo Event (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=747336)

What a great time. About the most fun you can have with all your close on. Great group of guys and about 20 boards or so, it was nuts how many boards we had to play with. We will def do this again, mark your calendars for 10/23. We took stills but mainly video. I had 5 HD cameras out there shooting what was going in each of the 3 boats, plus one on a waverunner getting action all day from everywhere. I will be posting everyones notes and video over the next few days, and I hate to do this to you, but I am leaving for that funeral in about 5 hours from now. So I will post some pics now, but have to take a break for a couple of days to deal with family. For those that attended, feel free to post your thoughts here. I started this thread since the other was getting nuts. Special thanks to all of the manufacturers and CMS for the boards to demo. This was VERY valuable. It was valuable for the consumers, and we will provide you with some great feedback. I will also contact you and get you any video we have for you to use. You know what was great about this demo? It wasn't limited to just one or two board makers. Normally you demo boards from one manuf. So you may say I like the A model, but the B model works better for me. But with several manuf. you could compare side by side how one board works for you over the other. I watched the guys, especially frank and roger when I was on the boat with them throw out board after board and compare side by side and get a great demo. I heard things like "Hey, this props EZ-1 is working good as a twin", and then "but this lakewakes board is really fun more responsive than I woulda thought", and then "Wow, this TWP Big Guy Prototype is REALLY fast." So even though all 3 boars worked, the rider could pick which worked BEST for him. It was great to see. So, to hold you over til I get some video done later this week, here are some pics: The 44' party barge was a HUGE hit, and is a must for this type of thing. We are loading up. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747337.jpg" alt="01"> This was us getting ready to go. We had 2 tige's setup goofy, and frank's sanger setup regular. We would wakesurf for about an hour then come in, compare notes and move boards around. I think there was about 20 boards. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747338.jpg" alt="02"> The conditions? Almost as good as the incredible Halloween Tige RZ2 demo. About 60 deg in and out of the water, sunny with calm to 5mph winds. We were in an area where the boats could go in 3 directions without disturbing each other, and we all had walkie talkies to comm. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747339.jpg" alt="03"> <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747340.jpg" alt="04"> So we don't have many pics of surfing, mostly video, but here is one of clay on the IS Red Woody from CMS. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747341.jpg" alt="05"> After some surfing, Amy setup some snacks at the "bar". Bre smiling as usual. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747342.jpg" alt="06"> Back to surfing, here is RJ on the chili pepper. RJ really liked this board, light and fast. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747343.jpg" alt="07"> Maddie on the lakewakes grom, light fun board and a great value. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747344.jpg" alt="08"> (don't worry, lots of big guys surfing on video soon) Between runs we all discussed what we liked about various boards as you see clay and roger doing here. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747345.jpg" alt="09"> ok, so for some fun.... The barge had a slide with a lake water pump on it, and I dared dennis to hit it. Clay went first. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747346.jpg" alt="10"> Then dennis, these pics crack me up. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747347.jpg" alt="11"> SlimJim was NOT to be outdone. I thought "SlimJim" was a funny nick name for a big guy. He really was slim, he was 6'6" and 240lbs. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747348.jpg" alt="12"> RJ will not be schooled by dennis. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747349.jpg" alt="13"> Maddie suited up, just to do this. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747350.jpg" alt="14"> Clay goes head first. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747351.jpg" alt="15"> OK, I have to set this picture up. I was on the boat with frank and roger. Great guys, I enjoy their company. So frank puts on his life vest. He is nuts, no wetsuit. He surfed without one all day. So on goes the vest, and since he has lost a bit of weight, the front overlaps a bit. But the funny part is that his nipples perfectly pop out of each side. On top of that, it was COLD. Frank could of poked someone's eyes out. I was laughing so hard. It almost looked like his vest was designed to be specially REVEALING. What a crack up. So frank posed for me and I snapped this with my iphone. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/747352.jpg" alt="16"> Anyway, great time and then we headed to Chico down the hill and filled up on some great pizza and wings. I had to search slimjim on his way out the door, I thought he was going to try to walk off with my Jesse. More to come.

Man I am bummed I missed out on this. Looks like so much fun.

I have to say a BIG THANK YOU to the Wake9 crew for making this such a great event! THEY REALLY ARE THE MOST GRACIOUS HOSTS! Couldn't have asked for a better crew to surf with. It was a lot of fun.

We all had a great time and the Garcia family certainly know how to stage a first class event. Was great meeting and surfing with all the "Big Guys". Can't wait for the next Wake9 event. Glad to see the passion for the sport in full bloom at this cold water get together. Those that missed the event missed a special gathering. Hope you all can make it to the next one. Thanks again to the Wake9 crew. Robert,Amy, Ashley,Whitney, RJ,Maddie,Thomas and Jessica. Almost for got Lee the jetski driver.

My family has been making fun of me all weekend because I meet up with a bunch of guys from the internet. I posted on the first thread but I will take a second to thank the Wake9 crew who are one great family and all those that contributed. It was a great day and I can not wait until Oct 23. Thanks again.

Roger...meeting people in person, from initial contact on the internet is WAY underrated. Ask RJ what I'm talking about. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

Ragboy's oldest son.

i also have to agree with everybody about everything .... it was a ton of fun .... lots of boards to try .... i was completely whipped after all day saturday .... ive said here many times the garcias are as good as people get .... i got to know dennis .... probably talked way to much to clay LOL .... got to help get a boat going at the ramp .... found out my new friend roger has a son that knows my daughter and son from school!! .... at 49 degrees sunday morning at 10 i did not jump into the water so yes i am sane .... thanks to everyone who was there it was awesome fun .... after robert decides how he wants to post information ill wait till then .... i always want to believe i would never tell anyone what to buy ever but i can give my honest opinion on many types and makes of board that i got to ride and how they worked for me

I know who he is I was hoping to hear the story.

Oh, sorry. I had been watching al the videos that ragboy had been putting up of RJ. Pictures too. All on the internet. This was over a year ago. Finally got the chance to meet the Garcias at a RARE SoCal comp last October. Introduced myself to RJ when I first saw him. I Said to RJ; I 'm sure you don't know me, but I've been watching videos and looking at pictures of you on the internet for quite a while now. Really creeped RJ out. I've been trying to de-creepify myself for the last year. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

They told me that story on Friday. He still has issues...you have a long way to go Dave <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

I had an awesome time this weekend. Garcia family is simply amazing. They really do put on a first class event and are great to hang out with. It was great to meet everyone. Roger...My family didn't make fun of me this time because they got it all out of their system when I met Dennis in person...this dude I met on the internet.

Clay, thats part of the reason why I really wanted to go up there, to continue my decontamination process. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

Funny I heard about the "internet dating" thing from my family as well. I had always warned my girls about the dangers of meeting "friends" on the internet. The first summer I had the boat my oldest was in Europe for law school and I had no one to go out on the boat with, so I went on the find a third thread and found a crew. Someone had a wakesurf board and the rest is history.

yea i dont think a 53 yr old fat guy has alot to be afraid of or lose when meeting people off the internet he doesnt know .... especially when it comes to watersports .... oops i mean boating

Frank, that's easy for you to say. I had a guy subscribe to my youtube account to get notification on future videos after my "old fat guy 360 video" so I looked his site up and it was all pictures and video of old fat guys. Wakesurfing wasn't even a part of it.

LOL funny because ive been called " big buck " more times then i care to remember

*kicks self for not being able to go* I actually got up in the early a.m. to go,but had a bitchin migraine,tried to drive out for coffee,turned around and went back to bed. Looks like you guys had a blast.

Meeting people on the internet = way of the future.

DTW we have to work on your writing style. Telling RJ like you did could get you arrested.

I tell it like it IS.

Need to do this in the spring as well,so I can get a board BEFORE the official season.

Sorry guys, rough week with the funeral, but back and catching up. I setup a method for the "boyz" to view all the raw video and make notes. They are taking this seriously. I am hoping to have their notes done by Saturday, and we will have a full write up hopefully on Sunday night. That is the plan, anyway. LOTS of video.

Come on post some more pictures! I am dying here! It's snowing outside so I don't think I will get to surf anytime soon<IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

I am not sure you want to see any more pictures of fat guys.

OK, I have a few more pics to hold you over. The Barge, you can see the slide on the back. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748187.jpg" alt="85"> SlimJim (240lbs) riding the TWP 5.3 Bullet, or the "Goofy" board. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748182.jpg" alt="87"> <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748183.jpg" alt="89"> SlimJim on the IS Red Woody supplied by CALIFORNIA MARINE SPORTS in fairfield. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748184.jpg" alt="92"> Clay from PROPS wakesurfers on the same IS Red Woody. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748185.jpg" alt="93"> Now don't be alarmed, but sometimes in an event like this there is a certain amount of danger. Stuff happens and you have to be prepared for it. This is the only picture I can show you, the others are just too gruesome. This is just before the medivac chopper landed on top of the barge and got SlimJim to the urgent care he needed. Avert your eyes if you are sensitive to gore: <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748186.jpg" alt="95">

In the picture above, you can see dennis was seriously affected, he finally opened his eyes when the chopper departed. In the first picture with Jim on Goofy, you can see whitney filming from the back of the Waverunner. She is in her pajamas to say warm, quite a site.

Interesting to see Dennis all bundled up and scared like that.

And how was the rest of the day once Dennis was airlifted to safety? <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

I wasn't airlifted out. It was a salvage operation.

Looks really good so far! Amazed at the home base barge, boats and whole setup! Holy cameras! Wake9 does really interesting stuff.

@ wakemikey - Wake9 Crew Rocks!

Hey guys, sorry for the delay. I got all of the notes from the "Boys" on Sunday, but I have been dealing with a client emergency since Saturday and have been putting in 18 hour days. I am off all day today (Thanksgiving) and tomorrow. We were going to ride ATVs on friday, but rain is coming, so I will be home today and tomorrow getting lots of wake9 stuff done. Thanks for your patience. Gotta keep my day job happy so I can afford to subsidize all of the fun I have with you guys through wake9!

Ragboy you have been noticeably absent since your last post after thanksgiving. I hope everything is Ok with you and the wake9 crew. Looking forward to the results of the board demo's at the polar bear event.

More pics, more pics!

Sorry for dropping off of the face of the earth guys. We had the death in the family and then immediately after we had to deal with a major crisis with one of our biggest clients in our "day job". I was head down for 20 hours day until the day before yesterday. But we are doing good, and still fully committed, just needed to take a break for a bit. So Whitney helped me post a write up, I am still pressed on time, so I am not going to do what I usually do and post in its entirety here, since I would have to rebuild all links and images and everything else. <a href="http://wake9.com/blogs/blog/2009/12/18/polar-bear-wakesurf-event-summary/" target="_blank">http://wake9.com/blogs/blog/2009/12/18/polar-bear-wakesurf-event-summary/</a> I will be posting a podcast and more video this weekend. It was a great time, and we WILL be doing it again!

Glad to hear you are just really busy and that the wake9 crew is all happy and healthy....

Thanks for the concern, its nice to be missed!