Jonathan Tollefson

Every year boats shows pop up in cities around the USA, and the popping has started.  Do you think it is worth your time to go to the show.  Do you ever buy anything while you are at the show?  Do you even like going to the shows?  What is the purpose of a boat show?

Boat Shows

For the last four to five years I have been going to at least one boat show a year.  In my opinion, I think it is worth it for everyone to step foot inside one of these shows.  At boat shows you get to sit in some of the nicest boats on the planet, you can find some killer deals, and you might even get to meet a few pros along the way.

If you need gear for the upcoming season, a boat show is the place to be.  Shops from around the area represent their companies at the shows and they also try to get rid of a bunch of their last years gear.  This is a perfect time to pick yourself up the board of your dreams and other gear without killing your wallet.

If you want to meet Pros in the industry, get to a boat show.  At almost every show I have gone to, there have been a few different pro wakeboarders roaming the show.  This is a great time to get to know them and ask them some questions.  I haven’t met one yet that wasn’t a great person, and they usually have been there long enough that there isn’t a ton of other people waiting to talk with them.  Ask them about their pro model boards, ask them how to stomp the trick you have always wanted to try, or just get your picture with them and post it to facebook for all of your friends to see.

If you want to find your next boat, you have to go to the boat show.  Almost every boat that is on sale in your area is going to be represented somewhere at the show.  It is a great time to wheel and deal, and it an even better time to compare boats and see what you like and don’t like about certain boats.

Other than the boats, the pros, and the deals; I have found that boat shows are a great place to go and people watch, waste a few hours, or see what is going to go down in the industry next year.  Boats shows also have cool activities going on throughout the day to keep you occupied.  Last year I was part of a chicken wing eating contest that I did not win, but I did get a free 20 piece chicken dinner out of the deal.  I washed that down with a good tasting brew and moved on with my day.

I have seen Step Up Productions throw down a great wakeboard show, yachts that are bigger than my dream house, and I have seen live bass fishing shows take place right in front of me.  You can also pick up some free sw.  So is it worth it?  I believe if you love to get out on the water and want to Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday like I do, that you need to get yourself out to a boat show near you.  It’s worth every minute!

Every time I wakeboard I try to learn something new, and I think you should do the same.  It doesn’t matter if the trick is a flip, a grab, a surface trick, an ollie over an obstacle, or going bigger than you have ever gone before.  Every trick you try is going to make you a better rider.

Toeside Backside 180

On my second to last set behind a boat in 2010, I landed my first and only toeside backside 180.  I am so pumped that I tried and landed this trick, and I promise you there will be more toeside backside 180′s as soon as the ice breaks in 2011.  Out of every trick that I have landed, the TS BS 180 was the most awkward trick that I have ever tried.  Since it was my first time landing it, I am not even going to try and explain how to do this trick, but I did put together a quick video so you can see the proof.  Enjoy!

So are you pumped to go out and try a Toeside Backside 180?

I hope so.  If anything,  the next time you ride make sure to try at least one new maneuver.  Don’t kill yourself though.  It’s NOT worth it!  However, every new little trick you learn is going to increase board recognition on the water, and make you a better rider.  Besides trying something new every time you hit the water, the only other thing that you can do for me is have fun with your friends and be safe.  It’s what wakeboarding is about.  I don’t want to sound like dad, but getting hurt is BS and you should prevent it if you can.  Oh yeah, one last thing that you can do, go out and Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday!

Now that 2010 is coming to an end, I figured it was time to look back through some of our wakeboard pictures.  The top ten I picked made me laugh,  brought back a great memory, and it had to be a good pic.  Enjoy my top ten, don’t forget your past, and make sure to take pictures.  You won’t regret it.

What were your favorite times on the water in 2010?  What are you going to remember from the last year of shredding?  Do you have plans for 2011, other than Boarding the Midwest All Day, Everyday?  Let me know!!

A couple months ago, I was a lucky winner of a wakeboard video called Not Just Clockwise.  Because I was the winner of this video, I would like to pass it on and pay it forward for someone to enjoy.  Leave a comment after reading my review and I will pick one person to send the video to! (Make sure to leave your email)

My Review: Not Just Clockwise

Not Just Clockwise was produced by a guy named Robert Absher who produces wakeboard videos over at Absher Films.  There is never a way to tell how long it takes someone to put together a full production movie, but I can tell you that Robert put a ton of time into this video.

The only reason I want to send it on to someone different… is because this is Robert’s first video that he has ever produced, and I believe more people need to see this film.

For a first production film, Robert KILLED it.  He taped pros such as Bob Soven, Dallas Friday, Kevin Henshaw, and about 20 other great riders.  In this film you will see Cable riding, straight up steller wakeboarding behind a boat, rail parks, and shots from any angle that you can think of.

From wakeskate supermans to chicks going inverted to pros throwing down massive spins and airs, the caliber of riding in Not Just Clockwise is top notch.  You guys have to watch this video to see Daniel OBrien hit a kicker on a wakeskate, grab the board indy, and throw his feet behind him superman style.  Best trick in the film.  There are many others that I can think of, but nothing sticks out in my mind like that trick.

Where Absher Films could improve – Lighting, on some of the clips it was hard to see the rider.  I know that this is never an easy thing to improve on because you really only have one light source.  The sun.  Seeing that it is hard to rely on Mother Nature, I am not going to take anything away from the film.

Another area where Robert could improve is in the text and editing of the video.  A lot of the song titles were hard to read.  This will just take some more editing and playing around with.  I would also like to see some variation in the video clips.  A lot of the clips were straight clips of the riders.  I would like to see Robert get creative and mess with the clips a little bit.  Layer them up and add some dimension to the riding through editing.  I know this only adds more time to the overall edit, but I bet you will be super happy with the final product.

Summery of my Review: All in all, I am pumped that Robert was willing to give out a copy of his video.  The video is loaded with crazy riding, and a bunch of people having the time of their lives.  If you haven’t hooked up with Robert on Facebook yet, make sure to become friends with him so you can see his latest edits and everything else he is doing.  For a first time video, I say it is worth it to go out and get yourself a copy and support Robert’s cause.  He is doing great things for the industry, and I have a good feeling that he is not going to go away.  Nice work man, and thanks again for sending me your vid!

Be sure to leave a comment so I can send you a copy of Absher Films Newest video, Not Just Clockwise.

Buying a wakeboard is a challenge.  How do you know which board fits you?  Did you test the board before you spent 300 bones?  Out of all of the choices, where do you even start?

I never knew, and I have never rode a board before I bought it. I see this as an opportunity for improvement!

I don’t want to take away from a great shop and the knowledge of their employees because this is all I have gone with in the past to buy a board.  Thank you.  The board knowledge you contain is great!

On the flip side, I think a makeover is needed for the way we sell boards. Do you buy a pair of shoes before trying them on?  Boards are different than shoes, however the price is three times as much.  Why do we have to buy boards without testing a few styles?

Wakeboard Demos

In my 13 years of wakeboarding I have yet to know of, be at, or seen any type of wakeboard demo.  There is a slight chance I miss all of the events, but I find that hard to believe.  I have been to free wakeboard nights that shops put on, but I have never been to a shop that lets you come out and test the boards they sell.  I have been to a few wakeboard nights that will have a couple of beginner boards to ride.  These boards are boards I never want to ride or buy, but I know why they are there.  They are cheap and the shop doesn’t have to take a huge hit if they let people use the boards.  I’ll give you props though, because you give the person that doesn’t board a chance to test out the sport.  This is a good thing.

But what about the die-hard who buys a new board every year?

To make it fair, I know that the cost of a Wakeboard specific demo can be a huge to the shop.  You really can’t sell a board that has been rode by other people for the retail price.  I don’t think it has to be all on the shops.  I think it has to start with the manufactures.

This is where my idea comes in. My idea is for the wakeboard manufactures.  I want to hook up with a couple of you and travel around to groups of people who love to board and want to test out their next purchase before they buy it.  The demos will not be a competition between board companies, and we will not need every board you produce.  All we need is a few boards that will cover the wide range of boards you actually design.

This idea will give a single boat of people a chance to test out multiple boards in a single session.  This will allow you to gain a wealth of knowledge because the demo boards will be the only thing that is spoke about on the boat.

This is what it will look like… One Rep, One boat, 4-6 riders, 4-6 demo boards, 4 hours of riding, and endless nights of friends sitting around talking about the next board they are going to buy.  I pray that it is your board!

Is this going to drive people to the shops to buy a board that fits them?  I believe so.  Who benefits from the situation?  The buyer, the shops, the manufacture (board and boat), the rep., and the industry as a whole.  With a one on one, person to person, hands on test of boards, I think the industry would grow to new levels.

I know it is important to get the pros feedback on a board; however I think it is even more important to get feedback from the bigger part of the population.  Every other rider.  If people were able to test boards before they bought them, you would gain faithful customers, and you would have a happy customer from the time they break out their wallet and spend their hard earned money.

Where are the demos?

My last thought on this subject… I don’t know exactly how this business model is going to work, but as a passionate wakeboarder I would love to test out a few boards before I spend another 300 bucks on a wakeboard.  Yeah I can ride my friends’ boards who have gone through the same troubles to see if I like their board, but I want the system changed.  I know it is possible.  I know manufactures and shops can connect with costumers in a revolutionary way, and I will step up to the plate to make it happen.

Other than the price of a few boards, what are you really going to loose?  Nothing.  You will gain respect, personal connection, and word of mouth that travels in ways that you will never see or be able to track.  Give it a try, maybe you have.  If that is the case please leave a comment and let me know why it doesn’t work.  Maybe I am way off course, maybe not.  I have provided only one solution to one problem.  I believe there are more solutions, and I also know that something can be done to make people happy as hell as soon as they walk out of the building with a board under their arm that they are 100% confident in.

What better way is there to help people Board the Midwest All Day, Everyday than with undeniable confidence?