Jonathan Tollefson

Wakesurfing is a sport that is growing like a Halloween snake.  The sport has been around for awhile and a flame has recently been lit that is taking wakesurfing to the next level.  Boats are getting bigger, ballast systems are producing monster waves, and wakesurf board manufactures are coming out of the wood work.  Even with the growth of the sport I still see many looks of confusion as I talk about wakesurfing.

For those of you who are still wondering what wakesurfing is, here is a short and simple explanation.  Wakesurfing is surfing behind a boat that is weighed properly and creates a wave big enough to surf on.  The rider usually starts with a rope and once the boat gets up to speed, about 10-14 mph, the rider can throw the rope into the boat and surf for days.  Wakesurf boards are shorter than ocean boards, aerial tricks are preformed, there are different styles of wakesurfing, and wakesurf competitions are happening all over the world.

If you are still confused, check out the video below of James Walker from Flyboy Wakesurfing putting on a show of what can really be done behind a boat.  Learning these tricks is never easy, but if you learn to wakesurf you will be one step closer to Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday!

Hell yeah folks!  Last weekend I drove 1500+ miles (round trip) to chill with friends and family, and to watch the best Wakesurfers in the world compete at the 2010 World Wakesurfing Championship in Minneapolis, MN!  With a purse of $35k worth of giveaways and cash prizes, this event was off the hook, and you should have been there.

Todd Gaughan from Towanza Wakesurfing is the man behind this three day World Wakesurf Championship, and we need to give him props for putting an event like this together.  He was also backed by sponsors such as Centurion Boats, The Walker Project, Wake Shredder, Phase Five, Grind Water, and Flyboy Wakesurf boards to name a few.  I missed out on a bunch of the action, and was only able to make the event on Saturday due to BS vacation days and a desk J-O-B.  No worries though, I made the best out of it and I am super pumped I made the trip!  

Grabbing a quick pic next to the voice of the World Wakesurf Championship, Stanley Wheelhouse.  This guy talked his face off for over 12 hrs on Saturday!  Killer job man.

I had the chance to chill with James Walker owner of Flyboy Wakesurf Boards before his winning run on Saturday.  The kid threw down, and his boards couldn’t be more legit!  Congrats to him for winning the Surf Division.  Keep on pushing us all man!

To my right is Chase Hazen eating some potatoes after his 2nd place podium run.  He rides for Shred Stixx, Slaysh Tank, and many others.  Cool kid, and he flies on a board.  To my left is Sean Cummings throwing his signature Wake Shredder hand signals.  He rides for Inland Surfer and is the rightful owner of Wake Shredder.  It was great to meet both of you, and be sure to watch for these two as they continue to revolutionize wakesurfing.

This is Brian Baker ladies and gentlemen.  Brian represents Darin Shapiro’s company, Grindwater Sports. He is one of the only riders from Minneapolis, MN to compete in the finals, and Brian stepped up third on the podium in the armature surf division.  Congrats, thanks for representing the Midwest, and I hope to see more of you in the near future.

Shown here are all of the boards that were up for grabs in the $35k purse.  The Walker Project is there, along with Phase five, Triple X, and Inland Surfer.  Is this enough to get you to the next event?  I hope so!  Who knows, a boat could be on the line next.

I also have to throw my hands up to the 9 different countries that were represented at the Championship.  I wish I was able to meet all of you.  Another time, another day.  For those of you who are wondering if there were ladies at this event?  You better believe it.  Women such as Bri Chmel and Rebecca Ort threw down and both took home first place checks!  Next time I see you I will introduce myself and look forward to talking with you!

Wakesurfing, it’s where the action is at.  Are you in?  Because this is just another way to make sure that you are boarding the Midwest all day, everyday!

For the final results, CLICK HERE!

With a sport like wakesurfing that is blowing up as we speak, there are many different people trying to capitalize on this industry.  Why wouldn’t they?  Take a sport that allows people to surf on inland waters with an endless wave, and one that doesn’t beat you up unless the board comes back and hits you in the head when you fall.  Now only a small fraction of people ever experience the board hitting them in the head, however a large fraction of  people are starting to pay attention to up and coming communities such as the slayshTank.

From the time I was first introduced to the slayshTank, they have always been about the riders and the people that surround the surf, wake, skate, and music industries.  This community is growing fast and has a big impact on these sports.  You can be a part of this group if you want to.  Go to slayshTank.com, sign in with your facebook account information, and start interacting!  The slayshTank is always updating their site with new videos, music, and industry specific news.  It might also be safe to say that they have the best riders from around the world backing them.  I don’t think I have to mention names Chase Hazen, Rebecca Ort, Dominic Lagace, and Bri Chmel.  Go there check it out, and then get yourself out on a boat!

One hot summer day out on the water wakeboarding and wakesurfing I decided I needed to apply sunscreen to my skin.  While applying a nice layer of sunscreen, one of my buddies made a BS comment about me using it. 

Here is my response: 

“The more I use sunscreen, the longer I can prevent skin cancer.  Which extends my life on a boat.”

Enough Said!  What can you do to prolong your life and time on a boat?

The wind is blowing at 20 knots, X-Stars are pulling three tubes in circles, and your skin about to fall off from being in the sun for hours.  Time to get off the water right?  Nope, it is time to break out the surfers and get some wakesurfing done.

Many people think wakesurfing is a sport you do after you get done wakeboarding, if the water is choppy, and the last thing you do before you go home.  Well I am here to say that wakesurfing deserves more time and credit than that.  It is way better to surf when the water is glass and all day long.  Surfing is more fun the more time you spend doing it, and I say forget saving all of the glassy water for wakeboarding.  Switch up the game.  It will help you in every other activity that you do.  With a different sense of balance and a different board to stand on, you can’t go wrong.  Wakesurfing will give your legs a break from wakeboarding and teach them another level of muscle memory that you will not get from other board sports.

Trying something new is also stress reliever and a way to get your mind off that trick that you have been trying to land for days.  On one last note, wakesurfing is easier on your body which will allow you to be on a board and out on the water longer into your life.  Can we say it is a life saver??  Sure!  Get out, give wakesurfing a chance, save your body, and try something different.  Wakesurf for a day!