Attention Aaron Rathy

http://www.alliancewake.com/video_details_extreme.php?id=5155

I watched your video. You are awesome. I absolutely suck at wakeboarding but I am good at calling people out on the internet. Guess what, when you drown, and are dead - I'll be be better than you. Put on your life vest. k, <3, thkz.

Baaa ha ha ha ha !! Amen.

what happaned to mags not showing riding w/o vests on?

short memories Joe

you can't get hurt if you never fall.

damn, nothing like sneaking a back 9 into a set

joe - safety first. that's why rathy's board is safety neon pinkish/orange.

gangsta - good point!

The theory I read was he doesn't need to wear a vest because the air in his head kept him afloat?

why do so many people on this site talk so much sh!# about people

I'm not talking sh#t - just trying to save a dudes life in a funny, yet attention-whore kinda way.

I'm with Jeremy, who gives a F if he wears a vest or not? Everyone is so worried about everyone else.

I've already been down this road and learned if there's one thing about safety threads and WakeWorld it's this: Grab your

socialized wakeboarding

Why do we care? Because I don't want to sit here in 5 years and read threads about how Rathy was the best rider and he was going to be the best rider ever, blah blah blah. Then see all the RIP threads on the anniversary of his drowning.

I would rather sit here and watch him prove it. If he not wearing a vest and goes down hard, he may not have that chance.

Plus he is a pro and kids/people look up to him. I don't want to have an arguement with my daughter to put on her vest every time she gets in the water "Rathy didn't wear one, why do I have to wear one?"

And...its a law.

Where's my popcorn?

He's a big boy, I'm sure he can make his own decisions. They may not be the right ones but they're his to make. I doubt he's going to read this thread and have a light bulb go off above his head and start wearing a vest all the time.

I think it's a fair thread. Anybody who has been around the sport long enough remembers Corey Kraut's fateful demise. Rathy is wearing a comp-vest in other parts of the video, but as friends of Adam Puckett can attest, that is no assurance of safety either.

I know a lot riders back in the day didn't wear vests, I just thought everyone got passed that novelty.

say what you want about not wearing a vest...but, stomping tricks like that without one sure does make you look like a bad azz...i'm just sayin...

wtf, socialized wakeboarding?

If someone (read: Aaron Rathy) blatantly farted in public in a situation where blatant farting wasn't appropriate - and some random dude (read: djclayton191) said "not cool, man, that stinks" ...

that's socialism?

Socialism refers to various theories of economic organization advocating state, worker or public ownership and administration of the means of production and allocation of resources, and a society characterized by equal access to resources for all individuals with an egalitarian method of compensation. Contrary to popular belief, Socialism is not a political system; it is an economic system distinct from capitalism.

per our friends at wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

i'll even rebuttal myself - I was feeling political biased today ...

Nevermind. I just pwn3d myself.

The term socialization is used by sociologists, social psychologists and educationalists to refer to the process of learning one’s culture and how to live within it. For the individual it provides the skills and habits necessary for acting and participating within their society. For the society, inducting all individual members into its moral norms, attitudes, values, motives, social roles, language and symbols is the ‘means by which social and cultural continuity are attained’ (Clausen 1968: 5).


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialization

(Message edited by clayton191 on August 27, 2009)

are you comparing not wearing a vest to farting?

Yes, both are socially unacceptable behaviors.

choice...

whatever dude, i fart all the time. in fact, that's the best part of being in a crowded bar; you can fart all night long and no one will know it's you.

I'm "pro" him making the choice, i'm just, in a nice way, asking him to consider wearing one for similar reasons outlined by short selling friend, nuckledragger...

As long as he doesn't ask my kid to not wear one, I don't care...

maybe he has a lemon in his pocket...

lime...

saved by the buoyancy of citrus...

That riding is amazing. I'm buying that board those shorts and I'm not wearing a vest, hell I'll download that song on my i-pod and Bump that sh*t too.

^^^Bahahaa.
Mitch Headberg?

yep, Headberg.

fellas money talks and you know what walks. I dont know what his sponsorship situation is for vests. But i'm willing to bet if he had a pro model vest he was peddling, you would never see him out of it. and if he does have a vest sponsor, i'd be yelling at him to get his paid a$$ in it.

"Im a material girl, living in a material world"

@ clayton191 that is some funny *#!

Well, if he is only going to wear a non-CGA vest then you might as well not wear anything right??

I had a buddy get knocked out cold this summer wearing a CGA and it barely kept him visible above the water's surface. I fully believe if he would have been in a non-CGA vest he wouldn't be here today.

J ... who?

Eubanks, got your back. thats what i heard when i was knocked out face down in the drink. CGA IS the ONLY way im still here.

Not all comp vests are created equal but i'm pretty sure most of them wouldnt hold me up.

You can get such nice vests today I think it looks more stylish to wear one anyway.

Luke Thompson on his first s-bend attempt.

I don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal about someone else not wearing a vest. If you want them to wear one on your boat, thats cool. Thats the way it is on my boat, but I don't go demanding that everyone else do likewise. I feel bad for all the people that have had bad experiences with unjacketed riders, but that is not a license to call other people out. Parents should chill a little too about this. If you want your kid in a jacket then its your job to make them wear one. If your kid sees the vid and then doesn't want to wear a vest, you have to work a little harder to convince them that they need one. Guess parenting is not as easy as everyone says.

Clayton, I'm with you buddy. As for Rathy, I've met the man and have nothing but good things to say. Nothing but respect for our boat etc. I wish he could grasp that he has the power to help save some lives. The ability to influence the masses is not a responsibility to be taken lightly.

It's unfortunate that the mags have taken a step back from their position of "no vest, no pic". They were pretty adamant when first implemented. Kordell Kraut was the best known, but certainly not the only rider to die.

Be smart wear a vest of some type!

my frustration here is not with the rider but with the mags for publishing it.

Is its the riders choice yes they can do what ever they want to feel cool or free or feel they dont need one.....Yes

Can the mags say since we would be promoting un responsible and sometimes illegal behavior choose to not run shots or vids with them not wearing one.... Yes


As Ben said its a material world, if they lost the opportunity to get published for no vest shots do you think many riders would start wearing them more?....yep

The mags are at fault imo they are choosing to look the other way. They have a higher standard to promote whats right thn riders becuase they are selling these mags to the general public.

Just to play devil's advocate to Nick's post, and first off I agree, however look at it from the mag's point of view.

1) Magazines are facing a big problem with having up to date information due to the internet. Because of this they have two options to stay afloat. Make their website better, and/or make the magazine articles more about interesting articles, not news or updates. This also increases the need for advertisements in both the mag and online.

2) Riders now have their own websites, facebook, twitter, youtube, etc, where they will post video and pictures. This has become the new avenue to promoting oneself as far as new tricks, what they did today, etc. Sponsors are loving this, as long as they are seeing some benefit from it as well, and it's controlled.

I think the mags tried, but in order to stay in business they are having to go back against their policy. If you ran the mag would you rather have a sweet new video that people flock to your website to see, or have that rider post it on one of the other avenues and everyone goes to that site?

If you want things to change, it needs to start with the sponsors, not the mags. Sponsors were the first to start running shirts on their riders rather than a vest once the no vest policy came out.

Sorry to ramble, but I can see why the magazines are running vestless images and video, they have little choice if the want to remain a part of the medium and communication within the industry. Just as some are hinting at, it's not till the sponsors start seeing the negative effects in revenue due to allowing any of this that things will change.

I kind of relate this to the Reef girls. Who would have thought that some moms and select people could get the Reef girls removed from the ads? I never thought it would happen, but it did and now look how happy we all are now that they're back! So a rider that used to not get published because of no vest, has found a way to get around it, the INTERNET. Post up a link to it on here, and your sponsors are happy.

I agree, wearing one is the riders and/or boat owners decision, but publishing pics or vids is the mags decision. I've heard nothing but absolutely GREAT things from anybody and everybody who has met ANY pro rider. How nice everyone is, how easy they are to just walk up to talk to, not like if you and your kid tried to walk up and talk to Derek jeter or something. Our sport has been knowN to have the nicest and most approachable pros, which also makes them such a good influence to the youngins. If you are in the spotlight of any kind your life changes and you are going to be someone that many kids idolize. Be a good role model and put on at least a comp vest so the kids see you wearing a vest of some kind. But that's just my opinion.

a- dub i know what your saying and being a businessman myself i know first hand. But virtue and doing the right thing will keep you in business longer than caving in. Also its much tougher. Thats why it has to be a movement just not one person or company, sponsor etc with virtue.

I was thinking the same thing about the reef girls. But then i thought did anyone ever risk death looking at some chick on a lake or river in her bikini.

the mags are no different than the rider. they are making the decision to publish the shots. i have worn a vest everytime since corey kraut passed away many years ago. for a while the mags agreed to not use pics of riders with no vests..... then reality kicked in.

if the riders dont wanna wear a vest they wont. the mags need the revenue more than ever right now.

and the public loves seeing new tricks. check out all the new moves coming out.... most cant or havent been done a vest. too restrictive.

i would much rather have some of these great riders around than a 1080 or 1260. hopefully no one dies.

Well its offically January on Wakeworld and that sucks.

I have an idea lets throw mud at each other!

Bottom line is like this, if its not illegal to do, then its personal Choice. If I have two beers and I am under the legal limit, then its personal choice if I drive even tho I might feel the effects of the booze. If I jump off a cliff into the water with no life vest that's personal choice. In Minnesota it's not a Law that a rider needs to have a vest on, so that therefore makes it personal choice.

I have had the privledge of going to photo shoots for products, websites, or whatever very often during the shoot the photog says (not ryan taylor), Hey take your helmet off when I am jibbing...it's personal choice if I do or dont, but I know I have a much better chance of getting the shot in a mag or whatever without it.....so I take it off, FULLY aware that this next jib could be my last ever. Same with Vests, sponsor says, hey how about you rock our Tee-shirt, they help pay my bills and I want to continue them paying me so, again personal choice, bills paid, or life vest....i choose tee-shirt knowinf full well that I might drown.

I think that everyone on wakeworld deserves a Badge of some type, Mine will be the trick Police! Clayton can be the Life Jacket Police. Umali can be the Chief of Police! HAHAHAHAHA!

exactly andy, you cave in to the pressure as far as the business side of your riding goes. If the mags took riders with helemts on then it wouldnt make you not want to wear one. If they want you to rock a shirt put it over your vest. If the mags required vest to be published then wouldnt make you wear one so you can get your shot in the mag?

If you want to free ride without thinking about getting it published go ahead who cares if you dont.

Chief of police..........PRICELESS!
Well played Andy....Well played

So I guess I missed the point where people can't discuss an issue anymore without those who are standing by getting all pissy about it.

I think we have fully proven the, "any publicity is good publicity." theory. Alliance, WIT, and Rathy cant be hate'n this thread right now.

PAY PER CLICK YO!!

(economic stimulus via BS Threads, love it)

These threads are like car wrecks...as much as you want to look away you can't help but take a quick glance, haha.

"...saved by the bouyancy of citrus!" -Mitch Hedberg (RIP!)

The safety issue is like rice in Asia, cooked, and served many times, but yeah you just can't help but to look.

In isolation, I do not think many people really care what others do regarding their own safety as ultimately it is you and those that care about you that pays the price if anything tragic happens and drownings are fairly infrequent, but they do happen. When riding without reasonable safety precautions are made public and exerts some subtle and not so subtle impressions on impressionable riders, then think there might be some benefit to these discussions.

Rathy you are killing it! That what I thought this whole thread was about anyway.

Whats the song? I wanna bump to this on the boat! haha

"The safety issue is like rice in Asia, cooked, and served many times, but yeah you just can't help but to look."


Can I get a translation on this, I am lost, looka at what the rice????

I think the quote goes something like, "with great power comes great responsibility". I just think the people that have the power to make a positive difference should embrace it.

Look at Murray, he knows how many people look up to him and I guarantee you would never catch him not wearing a CGA vest. He knows who is watching, everyone (it's because he rips).

Maybe this will help?

"The safety issueS ARE POSTED ON WW like rice in Asia, cooked, and served many times; but yeah you just can't help but to look AT THESE POSTS"

thanks!

this is such a sick video! what is the song?

Earlier this month, I saw murray land a crow 5 incredibly scretchy, and tumble turn out of it to still pull it.... In a lifejacket.

Earlier this month, I saw murray land a crow 5 incredibly scretchy, and tumble turn out of it to still pull it.... In a lifejacket.

Earlier this month, I saw murray land a crow 5 incredibly scretchy, and tumble turn out of it to still pull it.... In a lifejacket.

what is the trick maybe 65% of the way through when the artist starts a line with "Mama I aint gornw up too much...."

it's a heelside approach, no vest.

thanks.

Moby Dick

I might be infringing on copy rights but what the hell SLAPAHO (Save Lives And Put A Helium On)www.heliumwake.com Some of you know what the real meaning of SLAPAHO is

Nevermind I found it.... for anyone who wants to know, it Tomorrow by Big Sean

Rathy - you're a HUGE INSPIRATION, ya, the vest is your choice - would love to see YOU AND ALL THE PROS in a vest everytime.

The influence you have is huge & the life you save might be your own - or someone else's.

AWESOME RIPPING RATHY! GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!
Peace!

Nose grabbed back 9 off the wake. WTF..... Someone tell this kid to slow down and give others a chance to catch up.

The Truth, do you ever contribute...?

Rathy is an adult and can make his own decision of whether or not to wear a vest.

Regardless, no matter which way you look at it, not wearing a vest is a very, very poor choice. The "too restricted" argument is extremely ignorant at best. That's like a Nascar driver claiming the seat belt hinders his driving capability. People die from not wearing a vest. Period. And it doesn't matter if you're attempting your first wake to wake or a grabbed, wrapped, backside 9 - If you slam and get knocked out, you're going to drown.

I don't care what anyone says, Rathy is a role model, just like all of the other pros. When you're in the spotlight with tons of kids looking up to you, you're a role model whether you like it or not. These pros have a huge impact on the mentality of kids. They see him not wearing a vest and they want to do it. That's how kids are. That's how I was. I started wakeboarding in the mid nineties when I was 12. NOBODY wore a vest. It definitely had an impact on my impressionable mind and there were plenty of times I wanted to ride without a vest. It looked so cool. My Dad, the best role model I could EVER have, explicitly told me I was to wear a vest at all times, no matter who I was riding with, no matter what Byerly and Gator were doing in Wake The Beast.

If I were a pro, I'd want to be the one that inspired kids to be safe, to be smart, and to make the right decisions. Wear a vest; you'll never regret doing it.

(Message edited by scbrips on August 27, 2009)

I totally agree. after a hard day at work, I also dont have the time and energy to do the parenting it takes to make sure my kids make good decisions. thats what tv and magazines are for. if role models and cartoons cant teach my children how to make a good decision who will? i back you guys 100%

^^^^^^^^
Baaaaaa ha aha haha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

You are relying on Tv and Magazines to provide solid role models for your kids?

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!

"check out all the new moves coming out.... most cant or havent been done a vest. too restrictive."

Phil Soven's Moby Dick 7, he wore a vest, Rusty's 1080 in Reno, he was wearing a vest. Rathy's BS 10, pretty sure he was wearing a vest. Steel Lafferty's w2w 10, done while wearing a vest. If you make 40 attempts and take 40 wrecks over 3 days to land a new trick a vest makes sense...

(Message edited by jtnz on August 27, 2009)

pleeeeaaaassse tell me Daryl is being overly sarcastic. if so, roflmao. if not, Lord have mercy on this planet.

ha ha daryl wins

btw I still dont understand the rice comment

"The safety issue is like rice in Asia, cooked, and served many times, but yeah you just can't help but to look."

do u mean the rice looks really tasty? Its reheated? Unhealthy? I need to understand!

Well has anyone seen rathys vest? its seen some better days. But even in its better days it still wasn't coast guard approved. Not sure how much most of the vests these days will actually float you if you get knocked out. So, either way, not a smart decision. However, ten-80 does a pretty good job at making floaty vests, haha.

Daryl the sarcasm is dripping off your post, thank you.

does anyone not pick up a rider after he/she falls, it is not like they go straight to the bottom.

Is powerturning legal for non-vest wearing riders?

(Message edited by johnsvt on August 28, 2009)

Actually Ewing thats exactly what happens. You get knocked out you sink like a stone. then you start breathing water, then your following the light in the tunnel. it really is amazing how fast it happens.

I was pretty much dead by the time the boat got back to me. I had a CGA on. Landed face down, knocked out. Breathed water until the boat figured out i was in trouble. By the time they got to me i was pretty much gone. They would have never found me in time if i was just under the surface. In the muddy water we ride in (most ride in) once you're below the surface the chances of finding them before their dead is remote.

Even last night I knocked the wind out of myself something fierce, we've all done it. You cant move or breath for like a minute, its miserable and i couldn't imagine having to tread water when i have no air in my lungs.

(Message edited by kamighazi on August 28, 2009)

Not that I promote NOT wearing a vest but in a lot of pro video (especially filming) I would venture to guess there is another boat, on the side/somewhere close by that if a fall looked really •••••• t they would be there in a matter of seconds

I think we are making a mountain out of a molehill...Rathy was just thrownin his stock bag of tricks.

Nick - It would be too late already. If you are knocked out without a vest I would bet you don't stay close to the surface for any time at all. I think that was what happened to Corey. He fell and never surfaced again.