Date: 2/15/03
Author: Bob Knapp, See What I See Productions

Related Items:
Scrubs of the South Video Preview (Windows Media, 18mb)

When I moved from Chicago to Nashville at the age of 16, the only benefit was that I would be able to waterski. Tennessee's lakes and rivers had smoother water and stayed warmer throughout the season. When the Skurfer was invented I rode one not knowing at the time that my life would change once I bought my Surf Alley Slam Channel board a few years later. I really don't remember what year that was, but I know I rode the Skurfer back in the 80's.

Video editing started becoming part of my life while taping my friends on the water wakeboarding. I studied video production in college and worked for a local television station, production company and as a freelancer. While freelancing, I started a company for my own personal projects and named it See What I See Productions.

I came up with the idea for Scrubs of the South probably five years ago. At the time, the wakeboard scene didn't seem as tight and I didn't know if the wakeboarding industry would accept a video about a lot of regional riders. Plus, I was too busy having fun myself on the water to actually do any work.

I always liked the wakeboard videos that came out over the years, but thought if I ever made one it would be a lot different. In early 2002, I realized that if I didn't make this video soon, the opportunity would pass me by. So in May 2002, I made a few phone calls to a few of my friends who have been wakeboarding as long as I have and we started to set up some riders for this video. It all started from there. Through the riders I filmed, I met more riders who knew people in different locations and I started to travel around the South filming wakeboarders. I also posted some discussions on WakeWorld about what I was doing and found some more riders that way.

The promotional video was an idea I came up with when I met Andrew Adkison in Tupelo, Mississippi through a good friend of mine, Nathan Strange. I needed something to show everyone the way I see wakeboarding.

What will be different about Scrubs of the South?

I always try to make videos that have feeling. You have to pick the mood you want your viewers to have while watching your video before you even start editing. I always saw wakeboarding as a release. There is no better place in the world than behind a boat. I always tried to find things that would pump me up before I go ride. That is what Scrubs of the South is being created for. This DVD is for the rider who has only slept a few hours after going out the night before and then gets up to catch the morning butter at 6am. They put the DVD in for a little help and it will put them through the roof. It's all about going big. If this DVD inspires you to do so, then it worked.

This video will be edited differently. As you can see from the promotional video of Andrew, I'm making the DVD with more of a MTV music video feel. There will be a lot more effects and a lot faster pace. Each video will be representing an area I visited. All the riders from that area will be riding to one song. A few videos will feature all the riders I filmed as well. It should be around 60 minutes in length and will be available on DVD only. I can't really explain it any better. You'll just have to see it for yourself.

Locations include a lot of Tennessee riders in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga. The Board Bonanza contest held every year here in Nashville will also be a segment. Elvis Presley Lake in Tupelo Mississippi. A heated lake in North Carolina called Hyco Lake and, of course, Orlando.

CWB and I are getting together this spring to film more of their riders. The list consists of Zane Schwenk, Trevor Hansen, Andrew Adkison, Joey Arcisz, Joel Cahill, Sonja Scheffler, Chris Law, Matt Lockwood, Jeff House, Scott Hopkins and Justin Sellers.

Some of the great regional riders consist of: Nathan Strange (MS), Leif Lacey (MS), Brent Walker (TN), Chad Hannah (TN), Craig Archer (TN), Todd Tiller (TN), Adam McCall (TN), Jason Painter (TN), Adam Fields (NC), Todd Anthony (NC), Austin Langston (NC) and Benedict Sass (NC) with a lot more riders showing their moves! As it says in the promotional video, I do have over 100 riders. This video is about the south. If you're a beginner or a pro, I wanted to give the rider a chance to show the world what they're all about.

I'm really going for something different here. If you want to study tricks and learn new moves, this may not be the DVD for you. If you want something to motivate you to go ride, this DVD will have you charging like you never have before. I plan on visiting other areas of the country for future videos, but my first video is called Scrubs of the South and it will be out at the end of May. Check it out!

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