Wakestock Festival - review
Wakestock festival was hit by severe weather leaving the organisers no choice but to cancel Saturday nights music however, friday night went off with a bang and the wakeboarders pulled off some incredible tricks over the weekend.
Friday I set off with Michael Wincott an MA photographer from Swansea Institute of Higher Education, to cover Wakestock Festival 2007. The road outside the festival was very narrow and high volumes of traffic and poor weather conditions meant cars were bumper to bumper. Finally we got to the entrance and were told the car parks were flooded and we had to make alternative arrangements.
Festival goers prepared for the weather
So it was just before midnight when we finally got to the arena and made our way to Brouhaha Beach where Rodney P was performing a blinding set. A huge crowd had filled the tent and were going mental every single person was leaping around like crazy, then he dropped a remix of “Smells Like Team Spirit” and if felt like the roof was going to lift off. No sooner had we got into the part spirit and Rodney P had finished and we were told that was it for the night.
Saturday morning we were rearing to go so off we went to Pwllheli Marina to witness some death defying manouvres. We weren’t disappointed, some of the best wakeboarders from around the world were pulling out all their best moves to impress the judges and win the prestigious title.
A huge crowd had gathered along the promenade to watch these guys perform some amazing tricks. The hosts for the day were Matt Crowhurst who has ten years of experience in the sport and has competed in the US, Australia and South Africa and has numerous European titles to his name along with Hamish Wright (Mouse) who has also won various titles from 1994 to date and is the Head coach at Princess Ski Club, UK (The largest water Ski club in the world).
They entertained the crowd by getting everyone to do a Mexican wave and their excellent commentary meant you didn’t have to be an expert to understand the complex moves the riders were performing.
Once the riders had all performed they reconvened at the “Relentless” tent in order sign some autographs and talk to their fans.
Ebon Escott
We asked Ebon how he felt it went today, smiling he told us that he felt it went pretty well even though the conditions were more challenging being one of the last up. He also told us about a wakeboard dvd he had just directed called “360days” it includes 60 riders shot in 20 locations across 5 countries. For more information www.360days.co.uk
Scotty Broome
We also had a quick chat with Scotty Broome he said the conditions were testing as he had never rode in the UK before and found it extremely cold. He also had never worn a wetsuit wakeboarding either, so it was a totally new experience for him. Scotty also talked to us about the dedication it takes to persue a career in wakeboarding, he told us he has had several major accidents, one incident was so bad he was unable to walk for a longtime. “But you’ve just got to have the passion and comittment to get back on and ride again” he was quick to add.
Then everyone gathered around to hear the all important news who had won.
Pro Women
1. Kath Moore 29.89
2. Robi Rendo 26.45
3. Jess Hibery 24.56
Kath Moore winner of Pro Womens
Brad Smeele winner of Pro Mens
Pro Men
1. Brad Smeele 65.56
2. Jonty Green 64.11
3. James Young 61.00
Jonty Green and James Young
So a good time was had by all that attended, and I was told the wakeboarders were going to carry on the partying in Abersoch, however, I chose to go to bed early so I could get up first thing and check the surf. unfortunatly, it was flat.
All Photographs by Michael Wincott.
For further information about wakeboarding check out the following link
