We have over 10000 images and 225GB of video that we are working through, but I got through all of the chase photos which are some of my favorite every year, and give you the best overall picture of the event, I think.
Everyone seemed to have a great time and the wakesurfing community never ceases to amaze me. People just get along and have a great time even though they are crammed in a tight space for many hours at a time.
There were 5 boats sponsored by each manufacturer and weighted by each:
2012 Tige Z3 with Convex VXT prototype
2013 Centurion Enzo 244
2013 SkiSupreme V226
2013 Sanger 237
2013 Pavati AX-V24 Prototype
There were 50+ boards and we had special racks on top of the barge to hold them all and then distribute to all of the riders. We separated the event into 5 separate 2 hour sessions, 5 groups of people with 4-5 members, giving each rider about 20 minutes per session. 3 sessions on Saturday and then 2 on Sunday. 5 meals were provided for everyone and everyone surfed their brains out. There was LOTS of wobbly legs on Sunday.
Before I get to the pictures, I want to thank all of the boat and board manufacturers and all of those that helped make the event work.
I will be posting a highlight video and maybe a few more pictures in various places but for the entire archive of photos and videos you will need to visit in the near future:
Here is a great picture where you can see the barge with a few boats tied up to it, and check out the boards on the roof. Also, look at that water, it was like that all weekend. Amazing conditions.
Great shot of the Centurion 244, great wake and you can get a good look at just how big that cockpit is, I think everyone mentioned the size of that cockpit.
Joe Penner was checking out that transom seat, and I think liked it too much. This was Group 2. The Pavait struggled to dial in the first day, but improved a ton on the next day. I have to give Pavati credit for jumping into this group and their willingness to learn and watch and listen. This boat is gonna surf, because they are committed to making sure it does, and getting the feedback from the right people.
Check out the Goofy wake on the 244. I will have more pics and video, but at this stock setup, the wake was the same as far as I could see on the regular and goofy side.
i really would like to ride th z3, i have a 244 and both the waves look great, i would love to hear how similiar the waves are, likes, dislikes, etc etc. great stuff thanks
There will be a TON of pictures and video of all the boats. Plus, we will have reviews from all of the riders on all the boats.
Just so it's clear, the 2013 Centurion Enzo 244 was the ONLY boat that was 100% factory ballast. No extra bags or lead.
We only had one day notice with the Enzo, so we didnt have extra weight ready. But I think the wake was great for a stock wake.
Yup, The 244 did not get a fair shake during this event... Seems as if all of the other manufacturers showed up guns ablazing ready to throw down and centurion was in the corner with their hands in their pockets... I am a Centurion owner and was really looking forward to riding behind the new 244 but was sorely dissapointed with the boat that was supposed to represent their surf boat... Ballast related I am sure, but dissapointing none the less.
A big thanks to the CMS crew for stepping up so that we could ride behind the 244 at all!!! beautiful boat IMO.
The 244 wake was not at all what is capable of putting out. I've rode this boat in the last 2 NWWSA tourneys and it was way better!!! ( loaded down with ballast). I think all the boats were suppossed to run stock ballast, but everyone cheated and added more, except the 244.
That is not correct, all of the boats are not supposed to run stock ballast. We communicate with all of the manufacturers bringing boats ahead of time. This is a copy and paste of the email sent out to manufacturers coming to the event ahead of time, and this was sent out 2x.
About Weighting
You should setup the boats the way we would call "weekend warrior" surf setup. That is usually more than stock ballast, but not crazy. The setups you use will be requested and posted with the video and such. You should try to use most or all water since you will be switching from regular to goofy a couple of times. Each boat will have about 5 riders plus a photographer at all times, so your weight should all be hidden, since most riders want to see that a good working setup is going to be mostly water and completely hidden, that is what riders/boat prospects will expect for a boat they want to purchase. If you have any questions on this, please let me know.
On top of this, we always offer the manufacturers, especially new ones, that they can bring their boat down the day before, or schedule a time if they need help or feedback before throwing it in the mix.
Our intent from the begining of the PB has been to weight the boats how most of these types of riders would weight the boat if they bought it. More than stock, but probably not slammed.
CMS was a huge help and pulled that boat out of their stock, they were prepping it for water on Friday.
I should add that Centurion was trying to get a FX-22 or a 2013 Centurion with the new Wakeplate, but as it goes with demo boats, it doesn't always work out. It was very hard to coordinate all of these demo boats.
Oops,sorry Robert, I must have read it wrong, my bad! I wasn't quite sure thats why I said "I think"......... Thanks to CMS for even brining it out for us! Sorry if I said the others cheated, prob a bad choice of words.....
Gotta give props to all involved in setting this up! Wake9, Supreme, CMS,Tige', Pavati,Sanger,and Mr. Rob Harrington for bringing his 226 out on Sun. I know everyone worked hard on this, and it was a spectacular event!!! Also thanks to all who prepared the lunches and dinner! And all the other volunteers! Food was awesome! Can't wait to do this again!
hey, i love my boat and the wave is great, no issues or complaints, just always trying to learn more and get more info, this is my second enzo and feel the new 244 is awesome. We don't have a large presence with tige in my area, but i like the z3 a lot and would consider it as an option for the future (not near future) maybe next year i can get out to the west coast and join in the fun. keep the info and pics coming. thanks
Robert is it to early to sign the four of us for next year LOL we had a blast thanks for putting on such awesome events. cant wait for the west coast open
OK, still waiting on a bunch of you guys to fill in that review form, get at it!
I finally got all the pictures in today, but to hold you over, I thought I would share this bit of video. This was shot by the Polar Bear "houseboat crew" and I got a hold of it. This one needs to go full screen, you may not want to be drinking milk or video when you start this video.