Jonathan Tollefson

Last year I wanted a boat, the year before that I wanted a boat, the year before that I wanted a boat, and….

Now I need a boat.

For the past few years the wakeboard seasons started off great.  We wakeboarded so much that it felt like it was taking over life (which is the ultimate goal).  This usually lasts for a couple of months.

After the couple of months drop off so does our time on the water.  This is when I need a boat.  I can’t stand this.  It happens for many different reasons.  I am very grateful for the people who invite me to come out and ride, and I hate when I can’t get out because I do not have a boat.

The dwindle period usually happens when I am in my prime and ready to stomp new, old, and tricks that you have never seen before.  My muscles feel good, I could ride for hours, and all of the sudden I don’t have a boat to ride behind.  How can a person improve?

Check the summary of my wakeboard life in 2010.

March – Put in Lift

April – Wakeboarded 7 times

May – Wakeboarded 11 times

June -  Wakeboarded 12 times

July – Wakeboarded 3 times

August thru. September – I probably wakeboarded a hand full of times

Do you know how it feels when you are in your prime (June)  and then can’t participate in your sport for weeks on end?  It Sucks!!

This is the reason I need a boat.  I don’t know what is possible if I can wakeboard consistently week in and week out for a whole year.  No I do not have to board everyday, but I can’t wakeboard for two months straight and then stop.  It just doesn’t work.

Overall… I feel like it is my responsibility and I know what I am going to do about it.  It might take delivering pizzas, baby sitting may be an option, and I know I will be at the cable park a lot more this year!

If you want it bad enough, you to can Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday. All it takes is the addition of a boat in your life.  How are you going to get yours??

Here it is Ladies and Gentlemen.  A sequel to one of our only urban snowboard sessions this year.

Think Feel Pictures

I talked recently about the Urban Shred Night we had, but what I never mentioned is that David from Think Feel Pictures was there filming the whole night.

David and I met this year and I have to thank him for putting in the time to put this video together.  If you have not watched the vid in 1080 yet, you need to.  And blow that crap up, because it is one minute of a full blown HD movie.  So sweet, and I am pumped to have some more fun with filming as we continue to Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday.

The snow is gone and the lakes need to melt so we can get out on the water and wakesurf.  The only problem…  I have a slight feeling that we will not wakesurf very much in 2011.

Wakesurfing in 2011

I hate to be negative, but at this point I just don’t see it.  For the past two years the number of times wakesurfing wasn’t a pain in the neck was zero.  For whatever reason it always seems to be an issue.  It takes to long to set the boat up.  The boards take up to much room.  Wakeboarding is more fun.

To solve the problem… there are a couple things you can do to make sure you will wakesurf more in 2011.  You can buy a 2011 Centerion, Supreme, Nautique, or Mastercraft.  Buy an old inboard boat (probably my best option and what Dave would suggest) and load it with water.  Or you can just get out there and spread the word of wakesurfing to everyone you know.

For many in the Midwest, I don’t think the stoke has hit us quite yet.  The sport is making its way here, and I hope more people start to realize what wakesurfing is all about.

I will do my best to spread the word.  I will bring my fat sacs, my boards, and a rope if it is needed.  I love the sport and hate to think that it could die out.  Yeah sometimes it is a pain, but surfing an endless wave is worth every painful second.

LOOK what our friends at Wake9.com are doing to push the sport. On May 20th the Supreme West Coast Wakesurf Open is starting and is sure to be a weekend of good times.  From what I have seen them do in past years, you might want get to this event if you can.

I am positive that good things are going to happen this summer, and I hope that being on a wakesurf board more is one of them.  We will see what happens, and I will keep you posted.  If you don’t wakesurf, what other ways do you find to Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday?

A few weeks ago Kelly, Adam, Jessica, and I took a trip to Vermont to snowboard at Stratton Mountain.  The resort was great, the park was killer, and fun times were had by all.  Enjoy a few pics from our trip!

Stratton Mountain, Vermont

This is the view from our car as we pulled up to Stratton.  Tons of energy at this point.

The Crew -  Jon, Adam, Kelly, and Jessica (front to back)

A nice view from the Lift.

A view of Stratton Village.  Cool place to be!

Adam strolling through Stratton Village.  Can you guess what he is looking for?

You guessed it.  Apres!!  We stopped into Mulberry Street to finish off a great day at Stratton Mountain.

We also shot some riding footage while we rode at Stratton. I will get that out to you when the time is right.  I hope you enjoy the pics and if you have never rode the east side of the US, you should get out there.  Then you can come back and tell your friends how you don’t just Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday, you board the East too!

The Liquid Force “Free For All” is back for another year of wakeboard fun.  I believe the Free For All started last year and I am super pumped Liquid Force is bringing it back for summer 2011.  You have to check this out.

The Free For All

For the year of 2011 Liquid Force and their team will be traveling around the US to different cable parks.  If you follow them to their stops.  You will ride for free, test out 2011 gear, win some swag, and eat all kinds of free food.  Get fat!!

Last year I found out about the Free For All late and was not able to make it to an event.  I’m still not happy about it.  So this year I already have it marked in the calendar and I will be there to rock out for the day 100%.

If you are interested in going to an event. Make sure to call the participating cable park ahead of time to reserve a spot.  I know last year they filled up and there were not enough spots for everyone.

If you live in the Midwest, Liquid Force is coming to you, so make sure to check out their site for dates.  If you are going to be at the Free For All, hit me up, it would be great to meet up with you.

Liquid Force… thanks… your boards are killer, I love your boots, and thanks for giving us all a free day of Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday.