BROstock thrills spectators, wakeboard pros
DEB PETERSON • Bulletin Staff Writer • July 12, 2010
BULL SHOALS — Danny Harf rode his wakeboard up the ramp created by converging boat wakes, made three full rotations in the air and landed, right-side up, to the roar of fellow wakeboarding pros and hundreds of spectators on Bull Shoals Lake Saturday.
“We’re not worthy!” shouted wakeboard riders who understood the significance of Harf’s feat.
The trick, called a 1080, or ten-eighty, is the hardest trick ever done, according to Parks Bonifay, 28, who was judging instead of riding because of recent injuries.
He should know.
Called by fellow judge Tony Smith “the greatest wakeboarder of all time,” Bonifay was the first ever to land a 1080. The year was 1998. Harf was the second, six years later. Harf’s 1080 on Saturday was only the second ever landed in a contest.
“The stars kind of have to align,” Harf said afterward.
It wasn’t just the stars that cooperated at BROstock 2010.
The clouds parted after much-needed rain in the Twin Lakes Area, calm winds left the water flat and the sun served as spotlight on Little Sister Cove. Temperatures were in the 90s.
“The conditions are as close to perfect as you’re going to get in a contest,” said judge Brian Grubb.
More than 200 spectator boats of all kinds lined the entrance to the secluded spot. People swam, floated on mattresses and noodles, batted beachballs, played music and cheered as the pros rode by within yards of them, encouraging exuberance.
“It’s a great crowd,” Smith said. “People in town have been amazing.”
“The town has made us feel more than welcome,” said rider Shawn Watson. “Everyone’s hitting their best tricks because conditions are so good. All previous BROstocks have been windy or had bad conditions.”
The efforts behind the scenes
Kevin Eastwold, son of Steve and Cindi Eastwold, three of the owners of Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, gets primary credit for making BROstock happen.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion right now,” Cindi said Saturday at the close of the event. “This is the most amazing thing that has happened to this little town. I’m so proud of my sons. Kevin went door to door getting the whole community involved. It took a village and one very determined young man.”
Kevin worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , the organization that controls the lake, and Liquid Force, creators of BROstock.
He also had a little help from his friends.
“I’m a good friend of Kevin Eastwold’s,” Harf said. “I’ve skied here with him before. The conditions are perfect. I was one of the guys working to bring BROstock here.”
The results
Harf, 25, went home with the winning $13,000 purse. Second place and $5,000 went to Adam Fields. Adam Errington took third and a $3,000 purse.
But places on the podium weren’t the only results of the big weekend.
Ty Fowler, a park ranger with the Corps of Engineers, was pleased with Saturday’s event.
“Everyone is being safe and respecting the area,” he said. “There’s no trash. There have been no accidents.”
Bull Shoals Police Chief David Hotchkiss was happy, too. He was on duty Saturday at the police department auxiliary’s Beer and BBQ party in town. At 4 p.m. Saturday, the auxiliary had only three trays left of John Clark’s barbecued pork for those unable to join the party on the lake. He smoked 16 eight-pound Boston butts for the occasion.
“There were no problems at the party last night, and the two tickets we’ve given out were written to local people for stealing signs,” Hotchkiss said. “This town needs tourism. We need this event.”
Would Hotchkiss like to see BROstock back next year?
“Oh, yes,” he said.
Spectators voted for a return of BROstock, too.
“Evan and I watch these competitions on TV,” said Rhonda Singletary of West Plains. “We always see red flashing lights along the line of boats as officials keep people back. We haven’t see red lights once here. Everyone has been respectful and they’re keeping our lake clean.”
Singletary’s 14-year-old son, Evan, had the thrill of hanging out with some of the pros after he and his dad, Dan Singletary, helped the Eastwolds set up for the event.
Every pro signed the shirt Evan was wearing the day before the event. His mother has firm instructions never to wash it.
“It was cool hanging out with the pros,” Evan said. “They gave me tips to make my 180s smoother, like rope position. And they said, ‘Don’t think about it, just do it.’ ”
Every pro asked expressed interest in returning to Bull Shoals Lake for BROstock 2011.
“My vote is yes,” Bonifay said.
“I’ve been with Liquid Force for four years and competing since I was 15,” said Danny Hampson, 22, “and this is the most fun I’ve ever had.”
dpeterson@baxterbulletin.com
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