Unfinished Business | …20 Years Later with Brian Grubb

UNFINISHED BUSINESS ...20 YEARS LATER WITH BRIAN GRUBB

Brian Grubb has arguably done more for wakeskating this past 20 years than anyone. Red Bull has done several videos with him that have helped expose wakeskating worldwide. One of the most iconic memories we have is the first cover of Alliance Wake Magazine. As Alliance is celebrating 20 years they dropped something really cool. Shane and the Pointless guys decided to recreate the old cover, but the big public reveal is he didn’t actually make that rail hit back then, but now he intends to. This is legendary on so many levels.

“With little hesitation, Brian Grubb took aim at this rail on his wakeskate and on the first attempt nearly went full-pull, sending the rest of Pointless into a frenzy. Although it wasn’t a complete “make,” the attempt alone would define not only Pointless, but Grubb’s future path. At that very same moment Grubb was stamping his mark on wakeskating, we at Alliance Wakeboard Magazine were putting together our inaugural issue – most importantly, selecting our first cover. The cover of any magazine is the most coveted, and celebrated, form of recognition in any board sport. We understood that our first cover had to be a statement. Not only as an image, but as a direction, and ultimately, a VOICE. Grubb’s attempt at THIS rail, on a wakeskate, was a defining moment not only for him, but perfectly timed for the statement and history Alliance hoped to make. For us, choosing the image was undeniable and when the cover hit there was no question: Alliance, Grubb, and Pointless were moving the sport forward in a new way. This was not only our first cover, but Grubb’s as well. Pointless would soon debut Incomplete, and Grubb would earn Alliance’s first coveted Rider of the Year award. That’s a lot of history for one move, and a magazine cover that wasn’t a make.” Read More >

2016 WWA Nautique Wakeboard National Championships

You Win Some, You Lose Some

We had the pleasure of being on-site with our Ambush Board Co. family this past weekend for the Nautique Wakeboard Championships, and it was everything we knew it would be.  Our team riders Mike Dowdy and Massi Piffaretti both were on fire for Friday’s quarterfinals with a 90.33 and 90.00, respectively, so we knew Saturday was going to be lit.  The day of the finals was super rad – families, chicks, dogs, just about everyone was on the beach enjoying the hot summer day with equally hot action on the water.  One of the most legendary spots to watch the event is from the row of boats floating just outside the contest run, but you really need to wear your drinking helmet if you’re going to do that, because that crew likes to party.  Heading into semifinals we saw all our boys make it through plus some heavy runs by friends JD Webb and Noah Flegel, who are no strangers to the massive Nautique G23 wake.  Once it got to the finals the shoreline went ballistic for Massi as he was slaying his run – blind pete, heavy 9, the zero – but his last trick, the double flip, didn’t quite pan out for him this day.  Most the guys did some pretty solid riding, but the last rider off the dock was Mike Dowdy, and his focus and determination was at an all-time high.  Mike had a super solid run and on his second pass.  Unfortunately, he came up short on a mobe 5, or…should we say long.  See…once you are on your second pass there are 3/4 markings, and if you fall past those markings, you don’t get picked up.   The toughest part was that it appeared he fell right on the line, which would have allowed him (like other riders the day before) a shot at getting back up and finishing out two more tricks.  With a heavy hand down from the judges, Mike was deemed past the line and not allowed to complete his run.  Mike kept his composure (better then most people, I’m sure) and that meant there would be a new winner.  Australian Tony Iaconni took the top spot that day and earned his first win, and was followed by fellow Australian, Nic Rapa.  Good ole American boy and Nautique team rider, Noah Flegel, finished in third.

It’s really something special to be able to watch these athletes ride in person, especially because of how advanced the tricks are getting and how young many of the riders are.  Seriously, the Jr. Mens division looks like the Pro Tour of 2006.  The girls kicked ass, too.  Our homegirl, Nicola Butler, got a new husky puppy and harnessed all that puppy power and pulled of a podium spot, finishing 3rd, while the legend Amber Wing and her son William stood at the top of the podium as she claimed her 6th National Championship.  Babies and puppies – the women’s division is on a whole new level you could say.

Check out the recap video of Tony’s Nautique National Championship pass:

 

We look forward to the next Nautique Wake Series event!  Here are a few images from the Nationals:

Wakeskating the Banaue Rice Terraces | Red Bull Winch Sessions

Professional wakeskaters Brian Grubb (USA) and Dominik Preisner (GER) travelled to the Philippines to have an epic winch session at one of the most beautiful spots in the world. The famous rice terraces of Banaue are considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World and were surely the perfect playground for an unique wakeskate session!

Respect for the environment was a priority from the beginning of this project! The team has assured that the plants and wildlife have neither been damaged nor disturbed at any time during the project. All agreements have been made together with the locals and under respect of their traditions and culture. 

Photo by Bardos/Langner

Check out Ben Horan and Brian Grubb wakeskating in a Northern USA Cranberry Bog for Red Bull Winch Sessions.

Red Bull Winch Sessions – Back to the Cranberry Bog

Red Bull Media House is known for putting out videos at a dizzying rate while still maintaining breath-taking production quality. For episode nine of Winch Sessions, Brian Grubb and BuyWake advocate Ben Horan get their chance to winch one of natures most visually appealing arenas, the cranberry bog. Press play and enjoy one of the most aesthetically pleasing eight minutes of wakeskating you’ve ever seen.

Remote Wakeskates at BuyWake.com

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