Pro Tour looking for new sites for 05 - any ideas?

The WB pro tour is considering some new sites for 2005 and 06 - Here are the criteria to consider if you think you might have a place. And BTW - I already submitted Creve Cour in St Louis.
Location must have:

Nearby population that will support a large turnout.
Body of water that has dependable water conditions (preferably sheltered from wind)
Ability to limit boat traffic at site (during event)
Place for ample parkway nearby (if not on site)
Access for vehicles to set up tour site.
A space relatively flat and at least (2500ft by 300ft )
Permitable from Wednesday to Monday
Electrical power nearby
Preferably easily accessible from major highway.
Good viewing area ¡V no major obstructions from tress/bushes
Potential course must be at least (1500 feet) and have ample turning radii/depth for towboats
Water quality?? (in terms of floating debris and chemicals in the water/mud)
Hotels / restaurants / points of interest relatively close
Nice to be near a major airport (within 30- minutes)

If you have some place that you think fits these points, email ProToursite@hotmail.com

Thanks for your help Lloyd Murray

Lloyd
we have an excellent place for a contest
in Tampa
I will PM you

late/jake

We had an INT tournament in DuQouin, IL. I know it sounds like the backwoods, and it is, but it's where the State Fairgrounds are - ample parking, two private ski lakes, room for trailers and not far from an expressway. The midwest would LOVE to get a piece of the Pro Tour!

What about Ft. Lauderdale where they used to have a stop? They had a stop there for years.

hey what about firebird lake outside phoenix. it has grand stands and doesnt have any other boat traffic if there are events. just an idea.

Derek

Delta

Firebird is no good. Its salt water laced with jet fuel from the hydroplane boat races. Phoenix would be a great place for a tour stop though, Town Lake held the big air challenge a few years back, but I heard that the walls created rollers.

Redwood Shores CA
or
Foster City CA

Many small arena style lagoons.
Tons of people.
Totally controlled water access.

...but salt water, dane.

Yucky and hard on the knees.

Lloyd,

How about good ol Lake St. Louis....if not, Creve Ceour Lake.

Tim

I think Town Lake or Lake Austin in Austin Texas would be a great venue. They both meet all criteria. Great location (right off of I-35 in the middle of Austin).

I know that everybody sure enjoyed watching the Pro's ride when the tour came through OKC a few years back.

Lake Meritt

Definitely Lake Austin! Tons of Texans would definitely make the drive to see the Tour if it was there... not to mention the fact that it would be in/near Austin, one of the coolest cities in the US and deamed one of the top three "cities with the most attractive people"!

the lower lake at Castaic, you could have the whole lake to yourselves and it is set up for this kind of stuff, they have boat drags and such there every once in a while, and there is already a slider there,

come over to the UK, anywhere will have you i'm sure,

i know there's a lot of people who would come watch

Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey (largest lake in NJ)

They had powerboat races 2 weekends ago. They have a State Park on the lake with plenty of parking. It would be great to have pro's come out to Jersey!

Island Lake off of highway 694 in Minnesota is a great location. Has everything you need and then some. Bring the tour to the land of a thousand lakes, where waterskiing was born and where wakeboarding lives strong.

I second that idea of the Delta!

Lake Hopatcong also has a Malibu Boat Dealership on the lake. It's so easy to get here its right off Interstate 80. You would get a lot of people to come from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and some NY.

Another area might be Lake George in Upstate NY. It's a real clean huge lake in the adirondacks and great nightlife. Liquid Force Riders are stopping there for their trip across america there this year in august. It's definetly one of the best lakes the Northeast.

Reno/Sparks again!!!!!

Sacramento does very well with the Malibu Open. It would do well with another stop.

Didn't they run the tour through Vancouver a few years back (at Albert Dyck park)? I guess if they still have the kellowna stop it might not make sense, but it seems like a fantastic site for it.

Lloyd-
there are several places here in NC- Charlotte has a few spots that could host an event like this- I'll talk to Maeghan about it and see what she thinks-
they had it at Oak Hollow in High Point a few years back-
take care and talk to you later-

Alex

Lloyd,
Second the idea for Charlotte, NC Lake Norman would be your Biggest turnout. You also have the Lake I board on called Mountain Island Lake almost always flat great water.
TK

firebird lake in chandler Arizona would be perfect. They used to have the waterski pro tour stop there. Loyd, Talk to Ryan Wolf. I took him out there yesterday.

(Message edited by brinks on June 04, 2004)

Lake Natomas near Folsom, CA.

http://www.csusaquaticcenter.com/html/new_facility.html
http://www.csusaquaticcenter.com/html/waterskiing.html

It's got everything you need. Check out the links.

Town Lake in Austin definitely! More of a river that runs straight through town with parks that run along each side that host festivals, concerts, etc. all year round. We even had Red Bull Flugtag (sp?)one year and that MTV x-fest or whatever it was years ago. Lots of live music and clubs/bars/resturaunts concentrated in the downtown area. I drool while staring at all of that butter every morning when I cross the river headed to work. Even on windy days conditions aren't bad. One drawback....I don't think they allow motorized boats on that section of the river. They might make an exception if they thought it would bring in enough money though. I haven't been everywhere but I can't think of a betterplace to have a stop with the numerous other attractions Austin has to offer. Lake Austin would be 2nd choice if you could block boat traffic. JMHO

Town Lake would be pretty near perfect if you could get the permits. I can't really imagine a better venue.

The fact that they don't normally allow motor boats is actually a plus. The tournament boats would be the only boats on the water.

I think I heard something about people trying to get a tournament approved in the past though and the city wasn't interested. They might be more open now.

somewhere in washington

Wisconsin Dells)!!! Bring some action to the midwest. The Tommy Bartlet Ski show has it's base set up here. They have an amphetheater on the water for their shows that seats 5000+, there are tons of hotels and attractions around. It's a great vacation spot that should be able to draw a crowd.
The weather is better than Minnesota too . I think they had a college wakeboarding event here a year or two ago.

http://www.tommybartlett.com

http://www.dells.com/

It'll be better than just a lake out in the middle of nowhere.

I always wondered why there wasn't a stop at Trophy Lakes... or am I just a retard and there is?

keep the ideas coming - Great... That's what we need.
Tim - as for Lake St Louis....Ha! Can you imagine that with all the car traffic (not to mention the entire three days of boat traffic....mmmm...I don't think so. CA would deifnately give a big thumbs down.)

Everyone else - What's also helpful is when you comment on someone elses recommendation (good or bad). the more info the better. Saves lots of time.

And what about the north east?? Is anyone out there? And don't tell me the Hudson River....

Vegas!!!! That big pool out in front of the Bellagio!!

They should move the kelowna event into vancouver outside the science world. The water there is always smooth, there will be a MUCH bigger crowd, there is a large area for spectators compared to the kelowna event as well.

The water conditions at kelowna are really pitiful and really don't allow the competitors to put on the best possible show.

RENO again, the tour is here right now and it kicks Ass, tonight was the World Premier of Scott Byerly's Retrospect video and Eric Ruck played w/ his band...it was a Huge turn out.lots of fun

I'm gonna have to vote Lake Austin or Town lake.

Lloyd,
I thought you would get a kick out of that. But seriously, somewhere close to STL in the midwest would be fantastic. I'm sure it would attract people from quite a distance.

Tim

Lloyd, I would have to second Alex.... NC has a bunch of great lakes. The Mid-Atlantic states has a huge amount of riders. Would be great to see a couple of stops on the eastcoast that were not in Fl...... (not knocking florida in the least bit)

Wisco! Wisco! Wisco!!

A Wasaga Beach local writing in. Just please keep Wakestock here! However, the water level is getting really shallow in the Nottawasaga River. Has anyone heard if it's supposed to be here long term?

Lake Natomas in Ca. would be perfect. They use it to race canoes, but its really big. I that would be a perfect spot.

Danny Turner
HYPOXIC FILMS
hypoxicfilms.com

Has any body mentioned the Channel at Lake Elsinore, Ca. Or Fiesta Island in San Diego, CA.

Just trying to help.

Hey Mac, not enough water at the channel at Elsinore, (or Lake Dettmers as we like to call it) Fiesta would be a blast if they got some decent bathrooms and cleaned it up though huh?? Hey Mac, are you going out to the spring valley comp?hugs, robyn

Hey Mac, not enough water at the channel at Elsinore, (or Lake Dettmers as we like to call it) Fiesta would be a blast if they got some decent bathrooms and cleaned it up though huh?? Hey Mac, are you going out to the spring valley comp?hugs, robyn

Lloyd,

I've never understood how Seattle get's passed over. Most of the boarding manufactures are located here. Green Lake would be great for a pro stop. Tons of people, great viewing from all points on the lake, plenty of parking, and access for a large event of this kind.

I've never been able to understand how Blue Lake in Oregon was chosen. Lousy viewing, nothing else to keep people's attention when the event is idle, the water turns into an ocean in minutes due to the breakwaters on the opposite side of the lake, minimal vendor participation, and it's not really close to anything.

In comparison Green lake is minutes away from the U district, Seattle Center, Woodland Park Zoo, and Lake Union. On a nice day, Green Lake is teaming with walkers, runners, bikers, skaters, sunbathers, vollyball, tennis, and basketball. As far as riding conditions are concerned the lake disperses water well due to the gradual shore lines.

If Hyperlite, Obrien, Liquid Force, Jobe, and the others from here were to put some effort forth, you'd have a huge turn out.

Is there something I don't know about that prevents our city from a pro stop???

Keep it in Dallas/Fort Worth!

Reno/Sparks again!!

OK, I haven't read all the posts, but I think its about time the PWT came to the Northeast. There is a whole scene up here that no one seems to know about and the PWT would defenitly promote that scene a lot. I don't know of any ideal locations off the top of my head but think about it, the weather gets just as nice up here as anywhere else in the country and between NY, Boston, and Providence there is defenitly plenty of interest in the North East. Not to mention bringing the PWT near to all those major cities can help spread the word about wakeboarding. I think even if they had one in Philly that would be huge. If they can hold events in the north west, they can do it in the northeast, we have TONS of untouched glassy lakes, and plenty of warm water and weather in the summer. Believe it or not we hit 90's a lot in the summer and thats in Maine. I'm sure there have got to be at least 5 prime locations up here for the PWT to choose from. It would defenitly benefit the sport, and the northeast scene.

Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, AZ is a great spot for a tour stop. I even saw an event there about four years ago, but nothing there since then. Besides Firebird lake in Chandler sucks, if you throw a match on the lake it would catch fire. Tempe town lake is less than half a mile from ASU, and I know Axis Ski and Sports could help out with any particulars, they have sponsored a few events in that area.

Cliff
The tour did stop in Seattle back in the mid 90's for a few years. It would seem that the support would be there.

hey andy are wakeboarding boats aloud in tempe town lakes or what? i read it was only sailboats and paddle boats.

Somewhere in Chicago, introduce them to the sport, and be close enough for me to see the tour!!!

Soda Lakes Denver CO.

Had a couple pro water ski tourneys in the 80s there. Good site, parking, veiwing, concessionaire area... ...

Right off the exit of Interstate 470 on the West Side of Denver.

http://www.digitalcity.com/denver/entertainment/venue.adp?vid=210378

I second Cliff with Seattle. I never understood as well how it all gets passed up around here with everything being here. INT does a tourny at Greenlake every year so I don't see why a pro tour stop couldn't. It would be great and would have plenty of turnout.

I second the idea for Island Lake in Minnesota. I know they had a "Just Ride" stop there a couple years back and I thought it was a pretty sweet set up. Plus, I believe it nicely fits all the criteria you posted.

I tried to skim this post and see if this has already been asked and answered. So if it has and I missed it I do apologize. But is this for adding events to the schedule or just moving the locations of the existing events to a new venue?

Lloyd,

Let's go global. If Mr Bush and Mr Blair can be friends then why can't we. If the tour de france can use the UK to host a stage then so can you.. If you need any more persuading then the Harley is in the garage and the fridge is full of beer. Help yourself.

If not the the pro tour then the offer is always open for the back yard tour.....

Whatever happened to the High Point, NC pro tour stop. I went everytime and the turnout was great. Bring it back!

I second Bess' suggestion, we need something up here in the Northeast. I think the last type of pro event up here was quite a few years ago when the Gravity Games were in Providence?

lake norman would have an enourmous turn out, right beside one of the largest cities in the se

DC...with the Washington Monument in the backdrop. Or even the reflection pool.

NorthEast -
NJ
- Avalon, NJ (Salt Water, tidal, but controllable traffic, Lloyd, Ask JB about this spot, he's been here many times)
- Lake Hopatcong - Hopatcong State Park
- Dayton, NJ (It's a heavy construction training facility, but the owners son is a wakeboarder, and they hold the INT events here)
- Greenwood Lake (do a search for Billy Bender here on the board...he handles the events on Greenwood Lake as far as I know)

NY
- Lake George (Southern Tip Lk George Village, by Fort William Henry) They hold the Ice Racing Events in this location in Feb. Good open spot.

***If you can find a site at one of the finger lakes in Upstate NY you'll see me there...it's beautiful up there...and the water is crystal clear almost 100 ft down!!!

CT
- Candlewood Lake

Don't know about Mass

I 2nd Kevin's opinions!
BRING IT TO THE NORTH EAST!

Thats a good list for just three states and I know NH and Mass have a crapload of untouched lakes near campgrounds that fit that criteria perfectly. The PWT DEFENITLY needs to come to the northeast, and its defenitly possible. Northeast all the way baby!

Lake Norman would be a great location, its got everything you need.

I know that there are certain restrictions, but TEMPE TOWN LAKE in Tempe Arizona. It is a great location that could seat thousands of people all with outstanding views. Of course you could see the riders too not to mention Scottsdale bars a few miles away which could offer some of the pros a great night of activities before a night of competition.

peeeeeace
DILLS

Danny Turner and John Klein-

Lake Natomas is totally off limits to any vessel with more than a 5hp gasoline engine. Despite having the CSUS Aquatics center there it is controlled by the California State Parks. CSUS does all of the water skiing and wakeboarding on Folsom Lake.

I used to Lifeguard for Folsom Lake and did boat patrol on Lake Natomas. No exceptions were made even though I would love to ride there. It is the perfect riding location buried in a canyone and never gets choppy.

jared
"But is this for adding events to the schedule or just moving the locations of the existing events to a new venue?"

I would say that it primarily is for moving locations, but also might include an additional stop.
To everyone else: THanks for all the input - we'll put this together, pass it to World Pub. My guess is the next step will be to refine the list by elevating to the top the one's that appear to have the most potential, and then explore those 5 or 10. Once that is known, I am thinking we'll go to round two for your input on those specific sites.

Lloyd, be sure to throw in a good word for the Northeast we're long overdue and we'll defenitly make it worth it.

(Message edited by xtremebordgurl on June 13, 2004)

I'll second Trophy Lakes in Charleston SC... They had the Wakeboard World Cup and other stops like that there and they had great turnouts...

Lloyd, Cliff, the lake that they used to hold it on was lake Ballenger. The only problem with ballenger, was that parking was on the 17th green of a golf course next to it... Green lake would be good, apparently there is a grandfather clause somewhere for the lake sammamish ski club to use it once or twice a year, this is why INT League has an event there every year. the only other reason that it could not be held there, "Is where would you put the BEER garden. other than that, it would be perfect

Freaking SAN DIEGO!!!!! Does it get any better than that, def crwd will be there! Great spot at fiesta Island> ANd tons of local crew to help out. Make it Happen Captain}}}

(Message edited by purana182 on June 16, 2004)