liquidforce.com blog

Event Website: http://www.cablewakeboard.com/about/-points-championship-oct-8-10-tsr

With less than ten days remaining until the final event, TSR is ready to host the largest cable event in U.S. history. No stranger to large cable events TSR has already hosted Cablestock and the WWA World Wake Park Series this year. This event will be quite different and the first of it’s kind in the U.S. Firday night TSR will be hosting a welcoming banquet for over 170 riders and their families. During the banquet each park will premeire a video that showcases their team and facility. We couldn’t think of a better way to make the riders feel welcome to what every Texan feels is the best state in the country.

Eight different cable parks and over 400 different riders took part in the 2010 CableWakeboard.com Points Chase. Numbers that have far exceeded the expectations of Blake Hess, the organizer of the nationwide series. For eight years, TSR has hosted regional week night series to help progress the riding in the area. This event has cultivated riders like Tom Fooshee, who worked his way up the divisions on his way to becoming arguably the world’s best cable wakeboarder. The goal of the points series was to help each park improve the level of riding and continue to progress the sport by asking each park to host their own five-week series. The cable parks embraced the idea and the series was born. Local events saw as many as 61 riders attend a weeknight wakeboard event. Riders and local media were more involved than ever because of the nationwide points chase involving parks across the country made each local event part of something bigger.

After 5 weeks of tournaments at eight different parks, overall champions were crowned at each park determined by the rider’s four best weeks. Riders were allowed to compete at any of the participating parks and their scores would count towards their final point total. To qualify for the CableWakeboard.com Points Championship riders must have finished in the top five overall at their home park. The top three riders will count towards the team scoring while fourth and fifth place will be alternates but also compete individually. The team aspect is creating as much or more excitement than the individual aspect as all the parks would like to win the inaugural team points championship and take home the cup and bragging rights.

Both the San Antonio Airport and the Austin Airports are 35 minutes away and both are fairly easy to find your way to TSR. Hotels are readily available in New Braunfels due to the heavy concentration of tourist destinations. In October the rates are fairly cheap because of the end of summer and unfortunately Schlitterbahn has closed for the season. TSR works with the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott which has breakfast and high speed internet. Their phone number is 1-830-626-3133 and ask for the “Texas Ski Ranch” rate or book online using promo code: TKW. For local information please check out the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce website.

TSR and CableWakeboard.com would like to thank the sponsors that have helped make this event happen: Liquid Force, MasterCraft, VonZipper, Pro-Tec, Alliance, Nike 6.0, Monster, Freestyle & Sector 9.

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY OCT 7th
Noon-Dark Cable Open to the Public (Not included in 3day pass)
5pm-7pm Registration for tournament
8pm-12am Night Session on Cable (Not Included in 3day pass)

FRIDAY OCT 8th
10am-11:30am Cable Open to the Public (included in Competitors 3 day pass)
10am-10:30am Final Registration
10:30-11:15am Riders Meeting
11:30am-12:00pm Qualifying: Wakeski Exhibition – Best of 2 Laps / NO WILDCARD 1 heat for seeding (all 3 advance)
12:00pm-2:00pm Qualifying: Advanced Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps / NO WILDCARD 4 heats of 6 top 3 advance (12 total)
2:00pm-3:30pm Qualifying: Pro Wakeskate – Best of 2 Laps / NO WILDCARD 3 heats of 6 top 2 advance (6 total)
3:30pm-5:30pm Qualifying: Pro Wakeboard -Best of 2 Laps / NO WILDCARD 4 heats of 6 top 3 advance (12 total)
5:30pm-6:00pm LCQ: Pro Wakeskate – 1 Lap NO WILDCARD 2 heats of 6 top 2 riders advances (4 total)
6:00pm-6:30pm LCQ: Pro Wakeboard – 1 Lap NO WILDCARD 3 heats of 3 top rider advances (3 total)
6:30pm-7:00pm LCQ: Advanced Wakeboard 1 Lap NO WILDCARD 3 heats of 4 top rider advances (3 total)
8pm-10pm Banquet for Riders and Guests (Pre Bought Tickets Only)
9pm-10pm Team Videos Shown During Dinner
10pm-12am Night Ride for Competitors Only (included in Competitors 3 day pass)
10pm-12am Texas Hold’em Tournament, FREE to enter, everyone is invited

SATURDAY OCT 9th
9:00am-10:30am Qualifying: Beginner Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps / NO WILDCARD 4 heats of 6 top 3 advance (12 total)
10:30am-12:30pm Qualifying: Intermediate Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps / NO WILDCARD 5 heats of 6 top 3 advance (15 total)
12:30pm-2:00pm Semi Finals: Advanced Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 3 heats of 5 top 2 advance (6 total)
2:00pm-3:30pm Semi Finals: Pro Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 3 heats of 5 top 2 advance (6 total)
3:30-7:30pm Cable Open to the Public (included in Competitors 3 day pass)
8pm-12am Cable Night Ride Open to the Public (included in Competitors 3 day pass)

SUNDAY OCT 10Th
9:00am-9:15am LCQ: Beginner Wakeboard (One Lap Only no wildcard) 2 heats of 6 top rider advances (2 total)
9:15am-9:45am LCQ: Intermediate Wakeboard (One Lap Only no wildcard) 3 heats of 5 top rider advances (3 total)
9:45am-10:30am Semi Finals: Pro Wakeskate – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 2 heats of 5 top 2 advance (4 total)
10:30-11:30am Semi Finals: Beginner Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 3 heats of 5 top 2 advance (6 total)
11:30-12:45pm Semi Finals: Intermediate Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 3 heats of 5 top 2 advance (6 total)
FINALS WILL RUN STRAIGHT THROUGH BEGINNING AT 12:45 (Times are subject to change)
12:45-1:00pm Final: Wakeski exhibition – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 3 riders
1:00pm-1:30pm Final: Pro Wakeskate – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 4 riders
1:30pm-2:00pm Final: Beginner Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 6 riders
2:00pm-2:30pm Final: Intermediate Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 6 riders
2:30pm-3:00pm Final: Advanced Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 6 riders
3:00pm-3:30pm Final:Pro Wakeboard – Best of 2 Laps plus Wildcard 6 riders
3:30pm Awards
4:00pm-5pm Cable Open to the Public (included in Competitors 3 day pass)
5pm-6pm KNEEBOARD COMP ANYONE CAN ENTER $10 to Enter! You know you want too! All $ goes to Podium!

* times subject to change, All riders are recomended to be on site at least 90min before their heat

King of the Cable, Tom Fooshee

Supergrom, Taylor McCullough

Top Chef’s

Men’s Podium

The WWA Monster Energy Triple Crown series concluded September 18th at Wake Nation in Cincinnati, OH. While it seemed Tom Fooshee would sweep everything after dominating the previous stops at Texas Ski Ranch and Kansas City Watersports, the final event had a surprise in store. It was Lior Sofer, all the way from Israel, who would be the first rider to dethrone Fooshee of the summer, and take home top honors.

It was Lior’s smooth and powerful air tricks, including a Raley 5, crow 5, front mobe and a backside 7 off the kicker that helped him move past Tom in the head-to-head semi final. Lior met another titan, Keith Lidberg, in the final heat, but after Keith wasn’t able to put together a perfect run, Lior earned the first victory of his wakeboard career and the US Cable National Championship title.

“Amazing,” Lior said, having trouble putting his emotions into words. “It’s an amazing feeling winning my first place in 5 years [of competing]. I’ve never been in this position don’t know what to say. Thanks to my sponsors, my friends, 1080, Monster, Alliance and everyone who put on this event.”

It was a perfect fall day in Ohio, and the cable at Wake Nation was turning away all day. Prior to the Pro Wakeboard champion being crowned, National Champions were named in Girls and Boys, Junior Men, Masters, Open Men, Pro Women, Amateur and Professional wakeskating, as well as obstacles only.

In the Open men’s division, there was a sweep, with Chad Forrest topping every event in the series. And while air tricks took down Fooshee in the finals, in the obstacles only he was as untouchable as ever. Other highlights included 12-year-old Taylor McCullough topping with women’s pro division with a wrapped KGB off the kicker. The Remote Wakeskate team showed up just in time to dominate the pro wakeskating round – Austin Pastura and Yan Lecomte taking 1st and 2nd respectively. Rounding out the podium was Collin Haas, the only wakeskater to make it to all three stops of the tour.

The best part of the Triple Crown series however, is it’s more than just a competition. In between heats, fans and riders alike were able to ride for nearly three hours over the course of the day. There was also entertainment in the form of a DJ and several bands, including The Lions Rampet, who rocked the main stage for nearly two hours.

The final award of the day crowned the overall champion, and with two firsts and a second, Tom Fooshee walked away top dog. “I’ve been in the cable wakeboarding scene for awhile now and this series is exactly what we’ve been waiting for,” he said. “Thanks Alliance, Monster, 1080, Liquid Force, Wake Nation and everyone for putting on a great event!”

For more photos and video, be sure to visit Alliancewake.com

PRESS RELEASE – Encinitas, CA – September 23, 2010

Liquid Force, the premier manufacturer of the wakeboarding products and apparel, has signed a deal with Drew Brophy to license artwork once again for their Trip wakeboard series.

Brophy and Liquid Force have collaborated on wakeboard graphics for almost fifteen years. They first joined forces in 1997, when Liquid Force rolled out the inaugural, revolutionary multi-fin wakeboard. They added Brophy’s bright, trippy graphics for a full effect and the first Trip wakeboard was born.

Liquid Force Founder, Jimmy Redmon, explained his decision to work with Brophy on the first Trip graphics, “Drew was creating art that no one else was. His style was so unique.”

Brophy liked that “Liquid Force wasn’t scared to use my wild artwork. They allowed me the freedom to create something bold!”

The original abstract painting created by Brophy for the 2011 graphics is 8’ long by 6’ tall. What makes the 2011 Trip series design so unique is that the artwork was designed to span over five boards and was utilized to embellish both the base and the top of the boards.

The 2011 Liquid Force Trip series is being released to retailers this fall. For more information, please head on over to www.liquidforce.com

To read an in-depth look at the growing crossover between wake and skate/surf/snow retail, pick up a copy of the September issue of TransWorld Business.

According to ActionWatch, core retailers saw a 24% increase in wake hardgood sales for the first half of 2010 compared to 2009, helping keep year-over-year comparisons in the black for all hardgoods sold at the entire ActionWatch panel. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that wakeboard hardgoods are only sold in 17% of the panel’s 250-plus core retailers (compared to 94% for skate and 55% for surf), yet wake amkes up 11% of total hardgood sales for all stores.

One of the brands accounting for a huge chunk of this growth is Encinitas, California-based Liquid Force. We recently caught up with VP of Sales & Marketing Don Wallace to talk about this crossover and what it means for their business and retailers.

What percentage of your accounts are surf/skate/snow crossover accounts?

It varies by region, but a good guestimate would be 40 to 50%. As far as volume it might be a little less. We do a lot of volume with marine-based accounts. Internationally it’s probably 50 to 60%.

As a brand, more than some of the others, we’ve always had the surf vibe, so the percentage of crossover shops that we’re in might be a little higher than the norm. We’ve always partnered with brands like Spy, Monster, DVS, Skullcandy, all these brands that are associated with all the action sports. It gets more visibility of the sport and lets people know that it’s not just this marina deal.

Liquid Force VP of Sales & Marketing Don Wallace

Do you find that those crossover accounts usually segment it out as a category or how does the product mix work?

The guys that do it right have their wake section with a wake specialist selling the product, but a lot of time it crosses over. A lot of the Florida shops that are surf and wake, the kids that are working in the shops do both. It’s not like they have a wake expert and a surf expert but they have segmented sections.

One thing that has happened, this is something that we used to always say to the apparel brands and it seemed like most of them didn’t listen so we started doing our own apparel, was that a lot of the accounts that aren’t the crossover type accounts were starving for surf apparel. [They] have really embraced our stuff because the Quiksilver rep or whoever doesn’t go into their store so they don’t have the opportunity to sell cool boardshorts. They’re selling a lot of boardshorts and it’s good for us, but I look at some of these other brands and I think that they’re blowing it by not getting into some wake accounts. I know for the surf reps, it’s hard to think about spreading out to some of the inland accounts but there’s volume to be had there.

Right now, people are trying to figure out any avenue.

Yeah. We’re actually doing collaboration with DVS for a wakeskate shoe. They’ve done a wakeskate shoe with some of our athletes for the last few years, but most of our accounts never carried it. There’s a big chunk that didn’t carry it because they don’t carry DVS or a DVS rep didn’t approach them. This year our reps our selling the shoe for them. Sixty percent of our accounts they don’t have access to, and if we can sell another couple thousand pairs of shoes by going with us it will be helpful.

I’ve heard you’re doing really well on the apparel front. Who are your big competitors in wake accounts?

Billabong has always been in there. Of all the brands, they’ve probably done the best job of getting into every type of account that we sell to. [Also] O’Neill, just because they’re so strong with vests and neoprene. It’s not like we’re doing $20 million of apparel but our apparel has grown 30-50% every year in the last couple years.

Where are you seeing most of your sales on the apparel front?

It’s across the board. I think in reality, what’s been interesting about it is that a lot of the crossover accounts have been, it’s weird, they’re the ones that are use to selling apparel but they’ve been the hardest to get into because they look at it like “who’s going to buy Liquid Force when I’ve got Hurley, Billabong, Volcom?” Initially it was the guys that weren’t doing apparel.

More traditional marine/boat type dealers?

Yeah, that’s who we initially had the most success with, but this last season we did some testers with a lot of the crossovers and they’re saying they’ve seen results. Our orders for next year in those accounts have grown.

What’s your take on the health of the wake market right now?

It’s way stronger than it was last year. We’re still down significantly from 2007 and the first part of 2008, but it seems healthy. I look at our past-due report and this time last year we had so many accounts that owed us money and now it’s pretty clean.

I’ve heard that just as in all the other boardsports, there was a huge glut of wake product and that’s starting to get cleared out and new product’s selling?

Yeah, for sure. Our close-out list last year was $1 million worth of product and now it’s like $100,000. We lost out on some opportunities because we didn’t’ have as much product as we needed at times but right now it’s killer.

The market overall seems to have steadied and is going in the right direction again. If there is any struggle in our industry it’s that the boat guys aren’t selling boats-people don’t have cash for new boats.

Hisotrically, the [boat] accounts that were really good didn’t buy anything from us this year. They’re just trying to survive off last year’s inventory. That part of the market is still sketchy but the people that own boats want to buy new boards so they’re buying them from the crossover shops.

The other thing, cable parks have really helped. Internationally, 45% of our business is international, out numbers are stronger than they were in 2007. In Australia and a lot of Europe, it’s cable park heavy. The U.S. is behind, but we’re slowly getting more and more.
A look at Liquid Force’s September 2010 Surf Expo Booth

A look at Liquid Force’s September 2010 Surf Expo Booth

Where are those popping up around here?

There are probably about 20 that are in the works, but right now the biggest ones are in Orlando, there are three or four in Florida, then there’s Wake Nation in Cincinatti. There’s Texas Ski Ranch between Austin and San Antonio. There’s one in Kansas City. It’s more Midwest and East but there are talks of one in Reno, one down here [in Southern California], there are a couple in Colorado . By 2012 there’s going to be one in Boulder and one in Denver and Salt Lake City.

The one in Cincinatti, we had some dealers there that we sold a little stuff to, it was OK business, but then that park opened. The first year business grew a little, and this year that market went from a smaller deal to being one of our bigger territories.

We have a boat at the Carlsbad Lagoon that I can use any day I want, but you get done with work, to cruise up and drop it in, get some friends to go with, it’s just a process. Whereas a cable park, I could drive to it, ride for an hour and be done. I think a lot of people are more frequent users of the product with the park.

Our sport is kind of viewed as somewhat of an elitist sport because all the advertising focuses on kids riding in these $80,000 boats. In reality, it’s somewhat like that, but most of us started on really crappy, cheap boats back in the day and had a blast. I think we’re trying to let people know that you can have $10,000 boat and still have a blast, or if you have a cable park in your area you can spend $500 on a season pass and ride all summer. I hope that trend continues. We’re going to get a lot of people who have never even tried it behind a boat starting on the cable park. That’s what we need. If we just depend on boats, we’ll be a cool little niche sport, but we’ll never grow.

To read the full story, check out: http://business.transworld.net/47463/features/how-liquid-force-is-riding-the-wakesurfskate-crossover-wave/

Big Bear Lake is not the first wakeboarding destination that comes to mind if you live in Southern California. If you would mention it to anyone around here, the first thing they would think of would be Snow Summit or Bear Mountain. Well, this summer things have changed in the small mountain town better known for its slopes.

The introduction of point-to-point cable systems (Ski Rixen Little Bro and Sesitec System 2.0) has changed the way many go about wakeboarding, and Big Bear Lake is no exception. Desi Hauer and Thad Epting have both brought cable riding to the mountain lake almost simultaneously. Both are using Rixen Little Bro systems and both operate the cable systems under very similar names. This, however, is where the similarities end.

Desi Hauer’s Big Bear Lake Cable Wake ParkBig Bear LAKE Cable Wake Park is operated by Desi Hauer, a native Big Bear resident. Desi has been at the forefront of bringing cable riding to Big Bear. One of the first cable systems of its kind on the west coast has been in the works for many years and has encountered countless obstacles before finally getting approval by the Big Bear Lake Water District.

Desi is the owner and operator of Designated Wakesports, a wakeboard charter/instruction service in Big Bear since 2004. Since the beginning of cable riding, Desi has been attempting to bring cable riding to Big Bear Lake. The space necessary to install a full cable park system has been the biggest hurdle to overcome, but with the introduction of the Rixen Little Bro, a system with a much smaller footprint, that hurdle is a thing of the past.

Thad Epting’s Big Bear Cable Wake ParkLocated at Pleasure Point Marina, the cable park utilizes a permanently located, counter weighted Little Bro system. The counter weights keep the line tension at a maximum. At approximately 500 feet in length, the cable park allows riders of all skill levels to experience cable riding for the first time in Southern California. Liquid Force wakeboards and wakeskates are provided for riders without their own equipment for a small fee. U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests and helmets are required for all riders. At this time there are no sliders or kickers on the course, but there are future plans to add obstacles.

Spectator accessibility to Desi’s cable park may be the only downfall. Riders and spectators must take a ferry boat to the cable park. With only a dock to hold riders and spectators, it is kept to a minimum for safety reasons. At lease that means the lines are minimal when waiting for your turn.

Thad Epting’s Big Bear Cable Wake ParkBig Bear Cable Wake Park is operated by Thad Epting, a resident of Big Bear since 1992. Thad got his start as a member of the UC Santa Barbara water ski team. During the summer months the ski team would venture to Big Bear to train for ski competitions. Thad fell in love with the area and the people and never left. Thad has split his time with the water ski school in the spring and summer and training the snow skiing team in the winter.

Located at Holloways Marina and RV Park, the cable park utilizes a portable Rixen Bro in a Box portable system. On the portable system, the cable pylons are weighted down by numerous barrels of water to keep it in position. The Bro in a Box does not utilize a counter-weighted cable system, but the cables are tightened to the proper tension periodically.

Thad Epting’s Big Bear Cable Wake ParkThe cable is approximately 300 feet across with a flat box on which the more experienced riders can test their skills. Hyperlite wakeboards and wakeskates are available for riders that don’t have their own equipment. U.S. Coast Guard approved life vests and helmets are required for all riders.

The fact that the cable park is located on private land allows them to add obstacles as they see fit. There are a number of obstacles being installed in the near future, including a wall ride and kicker. Quite possibly the biggest advantage of the cable park at Holloways is the location right in the middle of the RV park. This allows for fun for the whole family while camping and makes for quite the spectator experience.

Thad Epting’s Big Bear Cable Wake ParkAlthough the short course makes it difficult to do surface tricks, there is no shortage of aerial maneuvers to be had at the ends of the cable. Future plans include possibly adding a longer cable nearby for the more advance riders. Thad went with a portable system with the hopes that he will be able to use it for a cable snow park in the winter, so it will be interesting to see if that comes to fruition.

One common misconception about wakeboarding in Big Bear is that the water is too cold. Well, I can assure you that you won’t be wearing a full suit in the middle of summer. With the warm air temps and water temps hovering around 73 degrees, customers are in for a very comfortable experience.

It’s great to see that the expansion of cable wakeboarding has begun to creep into California and we have to thank both Desi and Thad for helping to make this happen. Both of Big Bear Lake’s cable park offerings have a lot to offer the wakesports-loving public. Whichever park you choose to visit, you’re bound to come away with a great cable riding experience.

Nike 6.0 Wake Tour Germany from Nike 6.0 on Vimeo.