Top stories of 2003

Dave has posted a humorous article about the year in wakeboarding: http://www.wakeworld.com/articles/2003/2003review.asp

But what are the real top stories of this year? Here is my list (not necessarily in order):

1. Liquid Force bankruptcy and resurgence
2. Cassette/LF split, creation of Linear Distribution
3. The Mastercraft X-Star - overhyped, expensive, but a very good boat
4. Shaun Murray winning Worlds and announcing he won't be competing next year
5. Shaun Murray Wakeboarding Unleashed - Wakeboarding hits the big time in a video game
6. Wakeskating on the Pro Tour - wakeskating finally gets some respect, prize money and exposure
7. The X Games - Wakeboarding has been included in the X Games for several years, but the crowd this year may have been the largest ever to see a wakeboard event with at least 8,000 watching the finals
8. Danny Harf and Shane Bonifay coming back from knee surgery. Danny's wins at the big comps near the end of the season showed he isn't suffering any effects from the surgery
9. Sfumato - the wakeskating video from Cassette, showing just how far this sport has come
10. Wakesurfing - everyone's doing it. Just look at the number of boards available now
11. The rise in popularity of wakeboarding. I know my lake sure is a lot more crowded with wakeboarders these days
12. Ricky Gonzales - Riding for Gator and having a signature board has Ricky excited about wakeboarding again, and it shows in his riding

What did I miss?

Lowest altitude raley on record, Sean Canaday and other Buena Vista stories (i.e. Chickenlover!)

My list isn't as focused as Bill's-- in fact mine is a bit esoteric-- but I've noticed a couple of developments over the past three years (just my opinion):

13. the women have been pushed aside from some of the pro-events and that seems as permanent as it is unfortunate;

14. boat designs are getting much, much better with more mfgs producing a top of the line product, which should help some on price;

15. the battle for the soul of wakeboarding continues with two of the main forces being those who see it as a more aggressive (reckless at times) endeavor like skateboarding and some of us parents who buy most of the boats who want to make it more safety focused- just check out some of the threads on using helmets;

16. Softer landing board/binding packages in order to protect knees and hips are receiving more design dollars (Parks, TDF, Absolute)and increasing market share;

17. Style riding is receiving more respect or at least not losing ground as quickly to the technical mobe riders (Harris or Bonifay, I can't decide);

18. The gap between the male riders and the female riders is widening on the technical front; women riders win hands down IMHO on style;

19. The videos are becoming a bit redundant with the exception of Blacklist which seems to have gone out of its way to be contrarian but is not getting that great of reviews for doing so;

20. The popularity of the sport may become it's undoing as more boats share limited water space-- San Diego is a place where it just might get tougher finding good water-- in the winter, forget the summer-- with the current lake schedule.

I'd say Shaun's "retirement" temporary or whatever
is the biggest event.

Steven, with regards to your list and #13, 17,
& 18 - I don't think much has changed. It may
just be a matter of perception IMO. Otherwise,
you have made some great points. To elaborate
on #19 though, quality amatuer videos are on the rise.

steven said what i was going to add - the women seem to be getting less and less exposure. david d, if you don't believe so, how do you explain the protour stop reduction for the women from five to two - including this upcoming year's?

Another thing I noticed is how big wakeboarding is getting around the world. Just looks at the number of people that post here from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, England, etc.

The top women are throwing much more technical runs than ever. But it doesn't seem that there is a huge number of women wanting to compete, or maybe that can afford to compete. I also noticed that very few of the new videos feature women riders.

You got me there Chris, but I don't recall the women riders ever recieving much attention in contests or videos.
I'm not really in tune with the pro scene though so I guess my statement was a little short sighted.

21. Gravity games canceled.
22. Fox's 54321 canceled.

54321 got cancelled?


Sweet!

The women have been getting less and less coverage but to me they generally haven't really been progressing. Both in style and skill.

Gravity Games cancelled?

I think the women have almost reached their max potential... I mean there is only so much women can do with athletic ability in comparison to men.

Jonathon, what about women's gymnastics?

Blabel, I'm talking about wakeboarding.

Well look into the sport I just mentioned and you will see that they have not reached their potential.

Unless they're being pulled in an olympic swimming pool with a board on their feet I don't think it matters. Do you think Emily Copeland can do a whirly 7? I don't.

lol jonathan - how many men can?? what kind of measure is that?

exactly.

I think some women are physically capable of doing everything the men can.

This isn't a highly physically demanding sport. The arguably best rider in the sport is borderline overweight.

Chris, the point is that the men can, has a girl even landed a 5 yet? Not that I'm aware of. You honestly think that if you had pro women and men riding together a woman would even be on the podium? If you realy believe that then you're a fool.

You're arguing a completely different point than me. We are all aware of what you are saying.

I said, 'almost'

Check out the WW home page, where you can vote on the biggest story of 2003. Apparently Dave stole my idea and added some of his own...

Correct...

Bill, I know a good copyright infringment lawyer.

I don’t rant to get off on a rant here but…
just so I understand, women should be able to do all the same tricks as men for women’s wake boarding to be interesting? Then shouldn’t they also try out for the NBA, NFL, NHL, SupreCross, NASCAR and so on? Sure women have tried competing in racing with some success, but other than Shirley Muldowney...none have beaten the men with any regularity. This is an age old argument and to be honest has one correct answer, women have every right to compete…whether you find it interesting or not. If they truly are not developing the sport and moving forward then people will stop watching and the sport will die. Check out trick skiing if you want to see what happens when people are not interested anymore. The reason you see less of the girls at tour stops is driven by the financial needs of World Sports and Marketing, to sum it up the list of companies that see professional wake boarding as a viable marketing tool has shrunk to the point of making the tour smaller and smaller, remember when the tour was 8 stops? This isn’t about just the girls.

The reality is the top five girls can do more tricks than most of us here on this board. Girls have landed 5’s…Last year Emily, Maeghan, Melissa, Tara, Dallas and Leslie all landed them in competition. They are progressing, maybe not as fast as the guys, but if you think about it the guys are all doing the same sh*t. By the end of last year in men’s you better be able to land a double invert… Don’t want to watch the girls then don’t. Wake Board and Alliance magazines look more like the Advocate than a fair portrayal of our sport…I personally know more guys who like to watch girls and girl friends do well on the water than to watch the local pro do the same old run once again.
That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Women have not reached their peak, it all depends on the drive of the individual person (unless injuries get in the way). And there are a few girls that I definitely enjoy watching, but more often than not, I'd rather watch a favorite male wakeboarder (or more likely, a wakeskater) than any female.

All I know is that the ladies should take their talents and image a tad bit more seriously. I'm sure you all saw that picture of meghan mcneil in the buyers guide. I don't know what she was thinking. If it were me, I'd want my riding to do the talking, not my seemingly bare bottom doing it for me. There's a time and a place for modeling (whether it be clothed or otherwise) and if you want crediblity (look at this thread, it's hard enought to get it the way it is) keep your clothes on and go ride. There is this perfect quote from heather lee from an old alliance that I found and I'd like to share it. "Push your own limits, take chances and don't look over your shoulder at what everyone else is doing: THEN you'll get respect. And one more thing: a nice body will get you attention from sponsors and the magazines, but let your riding speak for you, not your ****. Please..."

I couldn't agree more on the Megan McNeil comment...but her riding doesn’t say much, this is the same girl that fell trying a dock start at the Malibu open last year. At least now we know what it takes for a girl to get published in that magazine (and riding skills or common sense isn’t it!). Strange that World Publications would print that kind of photo of a 16 year old girl. Always nice to have a “buyers guide” look like an ad for “Girls Gone Wild”.

did anyone notice that article about SMUT and Porn page 45 of the last Wakeboarding magazine--Zane whoever defends the fact of thongs and bikinis ( which I thought made some sence)and then in the same issue has a girl with her naked rear hanging out holding a rope---is that normal for the women anyone else rides with??? Not for our crew!!

I know this is off topic but I just saw some serious lack of good judgment in that.

Zedz, I agree with you completely. Her age bothered me as well. Look back at the WBM photo annual cover from 1998 and you'll see a young topless tara hamilton. I don't know how the hell these young girls get sucked into this, and I don't know what kind of photog. takes pictures like that of underaged girls. I'd better stop or my head will explode.....

Just to clarify, Tara was wearing a top. If you look closely, you can see a small piece of the strap. Also, I believe Megan turned 18 last October.

All good examples of why I no longer support the magazine.

Zedz, I was talking more specifically about mobe 5's earlier, not 540's.

Do you guys think it's possible Megan McNeil is wearing a thong and it's strategically behind her handle in the photo?

In any event, Megan has probably realized that she's reached her full potential in wakeboarding as a woman and now has to resort to half-naked photographs to elevate her status/popularity.

Jonathan, Emily is landing TS 7's. But I doubt she can land a Mobe 5. Can you? Dallas, which has competed in the mens category has placed and eliminated pro men contenders and made it to the Sunday finals. Hey and if Maeghan has it to flaunt, the more power to her. Why is it you have so much negative energy when it comes to women riding? Personally, I can't think of anything sexier than a woman that rips! Stop being a hater!

Just to clarify Jonathan, I understand your position in regards to women in this sport. It is apparent that the skill level has been increasing every year and the women are pushing it every day. I firmly believe that the next generation of women will only push them further. Will they ever compete on the same level as men? Who knows, but who cares?

As for me doing a mobe 5 even if I can, what's the difference. And Dallas eliminating a few male contenders, so what. You're comparing the best athetes in the sport to average riders and borderline pros in your statements.


"Why is it you have so much negative energy when it comes to women riding?"


I never said that and I don't really appreciate you branding me as a hater just because I don't agree with everything everyone says. I enjoy watching women ride and I enjoy even more riding with them. All I stated is they are not on the same level as the men and in my opinion they won't be.

And the last time I checked, Megan McNeil was not riding her board in that ad. She is half naked and the photo is apparently justified because she is holding her wakeboard. It's a shame to see what magazines will do with impressionable kids.

megan mcneil is hot.

...and, No, I don't have anything relevant to add to the discussion.

Relevant enough, you made me google for a pic of Megan McNeil. She's pretty okay!

B-

Speaking of top stories, anyone else heard that Joyride is now out of business? They aren't answering their phones, their website is down, and their sales reps can't even get in touch with them.

I realize that rumors abound in the wake industry, but this one seems to have merit.

I think the reason a woman can do 7's is because There's not another woman out there pushing the limits bigger and harder than any other woman.

I agree wakeboarding is not a sport that a man has a mechanical advantage that a woman can't over come, like weight lifting,

Ill give you a example. In Profesional Downhill M
Moutain bike racing, a woman "Ann Caroline" Kicks some serious ass, She can finish mid pack in the mens field, before she came around, womans downhill mountain bike racing had a huge gap between men and woman, they still do, but she brought the gap closer than any one else ever has. A sort of a raise the bar thing. A Michale Jordan /Ricky Carmichale, Im men's wake boarding there's more than a dozen guys that Just Rip it up, How many woman can you say that about compaird to guy's.

I could care less what you appreciate or don't appreciate. Your responses to this thread speak for themselves.

"Average Riders and Borderline Pro's?"

Do you have any clue what it takes to make the cut and ride on Sundays on the Pro Tour? Some of our top athletes don't make the cut. I understand your feelings about sex and advertisement but if you're going to make dumb comments like :

"Megan has probably realized that she's reached her full potential in wakeboarding as a woman and now has to resort to half-naked photographs to elevate her status/popularity."

You're bound to get ripped on. Maeghan is a great gal. And if you're going to rip on someone, learn to spell their name right...

Yes Dave, you're right. Megan is 18. And yes Thane, she's hot...

And Steven, he did spell her name right. Megan Mcneil. There's no 'a' or 'h' there. Perhaps you're getting mixed up with ms. major.

the discussion this topic has turned into is pretty entertaining. you can certainly see who the hippo-critcal liberals are in the wakeboard community. I guess only certain people are entitled to their own opinions without any badgering. Thane is correct as well.

Side Note: I was the photographer who took the Megan McNeil shot in the Gear Guide.

"Do you guys think it's possible Megan McNeil is wearing a thong and it's strategically behind her handle in the photo? "

Well, that's how it went down. She wasn't naked by any means. Also, that's not the only photo that was submitted for publication by me...there was quite a variety of photos sent in...some fully clothed, and others wearing swimwear...but I must admit it wasn't an accident that the handle covered the thong strap, causing there to be the impression of nudity.

As for her not riding in the photo...in how many of the Rider Setups shots are the riders actually riding? None.

"It's a shame to see what magazines will do with impressionable kids."

Don't put the blame on the magazines. They're not directly responsible. Before I did the photo shoot with several athletes for the Gear Guide, I talked to them about what the shots would be, how they would appear and such. I also did photos of four male athletes wearing only boardshorts. With Megan, I discussed the idea with her before we began, at which point she contacted her parents for their opinion, as well as asked friends. There was no "coercing" by any party for her to do that...and she's not an "impressionable kid", she's a young woman who, as a professional athlete, makes career decisions every day on her own. And, just to let the secret out of the bag, she works at a certain Hooters restaurant, as a server, part time. So, clearly she's not conservative and wasn't put in a position by me in which she might be uncomfortable.

"and I don't know what kind of photog. takes pictures like that of underaged girls. "

While the photo was just still an idea before creation, I was afraid of the backlash that might result. However, Megan is not underage...she is 18. And she's not nude. In addition, take a look at the demographic of WBM, or Alliance, and see what other magazines those readers purchase. Also, it's no surprise to anyone that the purpose of the Gear Guide is to push the new products. If you take a second look at a photo, you're getting more exposure to the products being shown. It's marketing, simply. How is this different than the Black Flys advertisement a few issues ago, with two young topless women underwater, one holding her breasts and the other behind her? Or the No Fear ad featuring the nude girl, with the slogan "We Don't Care"? Is it different, simply because this is an athlete?

Also, this is not the first "risqué" photo published in the wakeboard industry of a female rider by any means. Just look on Supra's website for a photo of Emily: http://www.supraboats.com/desktop/images/emily3/emily_640_1.jpg
Emily's probably the most conservative female rider out there, and that photo has been on Supra's website for awhile with no complaints voiced. There was a photo published of Sara Cline riding in a thong, many years ago.

If anyone was offended by the photo I shot for WBM, I personally apologize here. You can also contact me if you have any other concerns.

Mike Isler

(Message edited by isler on December 31, 2003)

Wh00p!

"Maeghan is a great gal."

You obviously know her very well. I spelled her name correctly actually, and Steven, if you're going to resort to name calling I just won't discuss things with you. I would hope your post gets edited, there's no need for that.

Mike, I'm not surprised about the handle coverage and I'm not at all shocked that they would select that particular photo from the bunch. I would be curious actually to see some of the alternate shots submitted, but I'm not sure if you are willing to release these publicly as you may want them for the future.

I had actually heard about this photo shoot before it was published and am also aware of Ms. McNeil's job and that she is not really on the conservative side, and in fact was quite proud of her photo in the mag. I don't blame her, as she is a great looking young lady. I don't blame you for anything Mike, I enjoy seeing your photos published in the magazines I purchase and actually check specifically for stuff you've done when I'm going through them. It's just unfortunate that in the overall scheme of things they use young adults and teenagers in such ways to promote products. Thanks for the information re: consulting parents and friends, that is good to hear. And while Megan is 18 years old, I still feel that kids that age are very impressionable by older adults. They may be legally "adults" when they are 18, but they still have many years of experience ahead of them. In any event, no the magazines aren't directly responsible, but they are the ones that publish the photos in the end.



(Message edited by ontrider on December 31, 2003)

Dangit, guess I got passed up in 2003, I guess there's always 2004 to make records.

Wow Jonathan, what exactly are you the Sr. VP of Finance for? Seems like you're pretty in the know about the wake scene!

Come on Isler, let's see the real photo's! I know you have them.

As for you Jonathan, unlike your first post, the tone and articulate nature of your replies actually contribute an opinion worth reading. Just saying someone is a sell out because they lack the skill in their chosen profession was irresponsible and immature. I see your point, but was only stooping to your level by calling you and @$$.

wondering back... what do you guys think could be done to help grow the wake scene? What can/should the girls be doing to get the respect they deserve? Do you think girls are limiting themselves due maybe to the image that women's wakeboarding has.. being somewhat "weaker" than than the guys? I am willing to bet $$ (even tho I have none) the girls are physically capable of all the guys have accomplished. Personally I think fear plays a big factor, us girls tend to chicken out and not try stuff, not to mention look at what the guys are do'n. Maybe the guys are jus more competitive, more testosternone driven with less fear. I'm not trying to dis either gender here jus trying to figure out how that split happened/happens in not only wakeboarding but a lot of different sports. Is wakeboarding, the market, declining? Or jus the pro tour interest/scene? Or jus womens wakeboarding? I thought wakeboarding "was the fastest growing watersport"... what the he11 is happening? All opinions are welcome...

I think the statement that is most on point is the following:

"There is this perfect quote from heather lee from an old alliance that I found and I'd like to share it. "Push your own limits, take chances and don't look over your shoulder at what everyone else is doing: THEN you'll get respect. And one more thing: a nice body will get you attention from sponsors and the magazines, but let your riding speak for you, not your ****. Please..."

I do not understand Emily Copeland. One minute she's leading a bible study, and the next minute she's pushing her chest out for the camera to sell boats or sticking her chest with a ripped bikini top up close for a video.

Is there an element of exploitation of these young women? Yes, inasmuch as I believe, like many before them, they will grow up and regret what they did or regret the person they were at the time.

Mike, with all due respect, I think you knew beforehand that if you could get Megan to do that shot that you would have a photograph to sell. Your post is a rationalization for the following: you wanted to use Megan's sexuality to make a buck. Man, don't go that way. It's cheap. Your photos are too good. Go for art and controversy, not just controversy.

Bess: IMHO, women do not have the upper body strength or the high levels of fear masking testosterone that men do and as a result it makes them smarter!

this is a classic thread...

the heather lee quote is right on the money...

my opinion about girl riders is as such...some of them make it look good and some of them make it look like water gymnastics...

melissa marquardt is my favorite chick rider! she goes big, likes to spin and is always looking to grab it!

leslie kent has great style...

buster lugert has some style...

back in the day andre gayton use to ride in the mens division!

more women need to add some style to the way they ride...that would be a big help for them to gain some respect!

y did 54321 get cancelled?

Saw two girls learn a back flip on a BMX bike on a girls action sports show on Fuel TV. That was pretty damn good to see.

What happened to that "wakeboard TV" production team?

My favourite rider is Maeghan Major.

Didn't wakeboard TV get cancelled?

Gravity Games cancelled?

Didn't you ask that before? Why did you edit it from your last post?

And what's this about the gravity games being cancelled?

And why does everyone keep bringing up other sports. I bet I could learn a backflip on a BMX bike in about 10 minutes. We're talkng about wakeboarding aren't we? Can girls play in the NFL too? they're just as physically capable as men apparently in all aspects, or so I hear.

Gravity Games got canceled but will be replaced by another event of some sort. At least that's the explanation they gave me for it not being on our event schedule for 2004.

54321 got canceled but the funding will go to create a new program format for fuel TV which is owned by fox.

Jonathan, wear a helmet if you plan on attempting a back flip on your BMX bike.... Just a suggestion.

Wow, again missing my point. Oh well. You must rip at BMX if you think you can land a back flip in ten minutes. That would be great to see.

You're right, I don't think I'm getting your point. Maybe you need to just spell it out for me.

Hey, Blabel: did they ever figure out why your knee was giving you trouble?

Jon just read above. I won't beat a dead horse.

Steven:
Unfortunatly no. They found nothing on my mri so they say it could be a strain or pulled ligaments. Great. So the docs (two of them) told me to lay off of what hurts and to try to keep it strong.

I haven't ridden since the end of Sept. just been wakeskating. I miss it.

Blabel: throw your 3's and backrolls a little lower! It's the big stuff that hurts, right?

Mixed blessing, I guess: at least nothing's torn.

Jonathan I didn't mean girls are equally physical in all sports, different sports require different things. Football and wakeboarding are soooooooooooooooooo ridiculously different its not even funny. Wakeboarding is VERY similar to gymnastics with the exception of the added handle, I haven't seen any of the guys do something a girl is not physically capable of. Now mentality is a totally different ball game. Your mental picture of yourself/sport or whatever can handicap or promote your abilities. If you are convinced that you can't land a 720, then I can guarentee you wont. The girls image is a very weak and "girlie" one and I think that may be the reason why the girls are so far behind. Marketing isn't helping it any... when all the girl riders are depicted laying out in the sun and not riding, I think it makes us lose credit as riders. I'm not try'n to dis any of the pro women, but I'd like to see some girls start riding balls to the wall, if ya know what I mean. We defenitly need to step it up. And I know we can.

Bess, please watch Cuagamas (sp), Wide Awake and Outkastz and then tell me that Melissa M isn't riding "balls to the wall" as you put it.

"with the exception of the added handle" - that's a big exception. Pulling yourself around with a handle can be a tough thing to do. You think girls are physically capable of doing a BS 7 or a HS 9 or even maybe a double half cab (or mobe, if you want to be picky)? I have nothing against the women - I think it's rad that their out there ripping it up everyday, but I definitely see some limitations to the sport. Whether or not the peak has been reached - I'd lean towards the negative. But I most certainly don't see the women doing everything the men have done.

Bess, I disagree with pretty much everything you said in regards to girls and wakeboarding. I've gone over my opinion already. The girls do ride hard and balls to the wall as you put it, but I don't see them doing the same tricks as the men.

Steven: Yeah going really big and landing switch unless its wake to wake. Kind sucks.

If it was torn at least I could get it fixed!

Wakeboarding is all about line and handle control. As Scott Jobe puts it, "Its a celebration of physics."

What about the wake?

Melisa, thanx for the tip, I haven't seen any girl riders in any of the vids, all I've ever seen is what is shown in contests and the mags, so maybe its not the girls that are weak maybe its jus the image? Do you know where I can pick up those vids?

You can get them at your local shop, I assume. They just magically appear at my house (fiance). He either buys them from our local shop or orders them online. Actually Outkastz was given to him and Caguamas is on loan from a friend. Anyway, in those two, Melissa hits a slider and goes through a ring of fire and hits picnic tables on a wakeskate, so that is why I made the comment about balls to the wall riding from women.