ODBF Rant

Wakeboarding knows where how to bring in the dollas, see following vid for proof.



This is a great example of fun ideas that waterskiing is missing out on. Instead of embracing the youth and talent of our sport we are fighting about adding masters mens slalom into pro events. Our sport continues to look backwards while wake boarding embraces change and innovation and brings in big bucks from outside the industry.

We attack slalom not because we hate it, we are all 3 eventers and slalom quite a bit, but because it is boring as hell to watch over and over again. We continue to push slalom while allowing jump to scrape along and have all but killed trick. Pushing slalom alone will never heal our sport alone, events such as the Malibu Open and the LA Night Jam are good starting points for what we could be. The Night Jam is fast paced with fun filler exhibitions to keep the crowd interested all while not dragging on so long that people get bored and leave. The Malibu Open brought thousands in over the 2 days and it had not only Mens and Womens slalom and mens jump but also had cool side events like freestyle jumping, barefooting and a show ski exhibition.

This year the first big US event (that the CRB crew will attend) is the LA Night Jam. And again it sounds like Amy Bing and the crew at Bennetts are raising the stakes by adding a freestyle exhibition to the already action packed line up of Mens and Womens jumping under the lights, a short line slalom run off, barefooting and a trick ski flip comp.

The Michigan pro tour stop has made the disappointing move of adding Masters Mens Slalom AKA Big Dawg to the line up. This is not to say that we do not love the Big Dawg concept, but they have proven that they can run a successful tour separate from the pro tour. Adding slower speed events such as MM 55k to pro events will confuse general public and dilutes the recognition that we should be giving to the best of our sport.

We in no way are saying that to compete on the MM 55k Big Dawg tour does not take incredible talent but a pro event is not the place for them to be competing. If you want to compete with the pros then step up and ski at 58k