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The snow is melting, the lakes are thawing, and the debate for shorts over wetsuits can be put to bed until next winter. Most of us are still watching the news every night waiting on the weatherman to say "winter is officially over."
I take this time to reflect on why we are willing to endure the knee pain, face plants, hurt shoulders, etc. (See the owned thread if you need any reminders) The answer is very simple. There is no other sport that offers so much. Riders have a blast, and even the tagalongs who just chill in the boat sippin brews have a great time. The feeling of getting air, landing your first spin, or invert make this sport unmatched by any other. That being said we cant forget the people who ride. There is a solid brotherhood, or sisterhood, that make all riders, family.
Example. I went to a boat show this last weekend, and while i was looking at Ronix One bindings, i looked to a corner and saw this man with a mustache decked out in all FOX gear. Instantly i thought, "Sponsored." But the mustache gave it away instantly. It was Parks Bonifay himself. Coolest guy. He signed everything we put in front of him, chatted with us, and it was like we knew him our whole lives. Standup guy. This made the trip great. Then as i continued down the line of boats, i came across another guy i recognized. Keith Lyman was sitting on the back of Mastercraft. Talked to him a bit, and didnt even realize that Shawn Watson was standing right next to him. (I know what he looks like i just didnt look to see who it was.) Both guys were standup guys. Shawn showed me pic's of his new pit puppy Tyson that he has on his phone. These guys could not have been cooler. If i would have gone to the boat show and there were no boats, but 3 chairs with these guys on them, it would have been worth the trip. Live by example. The riders on these teams are the coolest guys. Play it forward. If you see some one needing a pull, pull them. If someone gives you a pull, give them gas money. If you see someone cut you off, and take your lane, crank up the music and cruise on. If you see a tuber, ...all bets are off. They screw the water up way too much. For all other riders remeber their family.
---queue Glory Glory hallalujah music---
So first savor your riding. It is just a blast to be on the water. There is always something you can being working on, but most importantly, Just Have Fun!! Be kind to each other and follow the examples of those who started this sport, and are leading the pack. If anyone has the right to be cocky it is them, but none of them are. So neither should we. As the water temps rise, the sun is out longer and longer, our wounds are all healed, the boats are shinier than ever, we start a new year of boats, boards, bindings, brews, babes, butter, and babes. We make it our creed to ride harder than ever, sore higher then we have ever gone before, land more tricks than we have ever imagined, and party like it will all end in just a few months. All rise and take the oath that is the wakebaording family. Cheers!
(For those in socal, Florida and anywhere else that is warm, i envy you guys, so just ignore the its cold crap.)
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Hybrid Mode
