Earl Ball checkin in from CWC!

Some how every year the season of wakeboarding grows longer and longer. With the amazing success of the WWAWakePark and Boat world series in 2008, it is no surprise to see the dates earlier in the year and more widespread across the globe. The most important one however was and is, the Wake Park Worlds held again in the Philippines at CWC. This year they stepped up the facility and doubled the prize money. Not to mention adding The “Ultimate Rider” with the winner taking home 8,000 US dollars. The Ultimate rider consisted of 4 events; boat, cable, obstacles only on the cable, and the system 2.0 rail park. Mr. all around, Tom Fooshee, from our very own LF team took home the crown. Tom and I had plenty of time before the comp and during the event to discuss the format and the concept. As we talked Tom had been waiting for a format like this for a few years, a lot of riders get put into a category as (rail, boat, cable) rider and they do not deserve it. This was the opportunity to show that you can be a rounded Wakeboarder not a (fill in the blank) guy. Tom strongly proved his point by leading the pack in front of JD, Dean Smith, Keith Lidberg, Sam Collins from Australia and a few others. In all it was a great week of riding in paradise by everyone. With some amazing finals to watch, and most of the riders in midseason form.

Enough about the competition, I have been to the Philippines three times and every time it gets better. The people continually greet you with a smile and the landscape blows me away every trip including the Volcano, that looks like it is 2 miles away, but in reality a 2 hour drive, erupting the entire trip. And if the nature isn’t enough how about the wakeboard utopia, with the opportunity to be pulled by three different types of vehicles (cable, boat, System 2), the place is truly amazing. I won’t even begin to discuss the fireworks every night or the 50 cent beers. Competition or not this place is fun, even the people who get last go home happy (trust me i know). Here are a few pics from our trip, some by Tom, some by our friend from Texas Kyle. Most are the opening ceremonies which was intense and Tom on the podium again (Phil is in there too). And one of me doing work, announcing the event five full days of pure wakeboarding fun.