Hey guys!! So I haven’t wakeboarded much since the last time that I sent you an update but we’ve had quite a lot of fun, so I thought I’d rub it in!! We went to Wal-mart on Thursday so that Stew could buy a bike. While Stew was deliberating between cost and quality I found a rip-stik (a sort of snake board thing) obviously I had to pick it up and ride it around the shop!! When someone eventually told us off for doing it, Stew emerges from another aisle on his choice of bike doing wheelies down the length of the store as he shouts “It‘s ok, I‘m buying it!!” Then we went for a bike ride around the lake on Friday morning, which is a lot bigger than I thought it was!! We were pretty tired afterwards. It wasn’t as eventful as buying the bike although Sam did get stung by a hornet while riding with no hands and nearly ate pavement!!
On Saturday we went to a double up contest in a town not far away called Winter Haven. All the big names were there, Rusty, Danny Harf, Soven (both), Rathy, JD Webb and Daniel Watkins, all big hitters!! We watched the qualifying and saw Rusty sticking a 1080!! It was awesome. We went back the next day to see the semi’s and finals and it was going off!!! In the semi’s Rusty stuck another 1080, clean as a whistle, Bob Soven landed his new trick which he called the Trifecta (???) it’s a double front roll with a 180 on the end, check it out on www.chadsharpe.blogspot.com. Watkins was doing double backrolls and Rathy was landing switch heel 900’s really clean and consistent, Adam Fields did a slim chance 540 and attempted a slim chance 720. The finals was less successful for the guys but there were still heel and toe 900s and backside 720s flying everywhere. It was cool to be standing watching a bit of wakeboarding history in the making.
After the contest we headed to Clermont to see Hayley Smith on her birthday which coincided with the 125th anniversary of Clermont so there was a huge fireworks display at the lakeside, it was a good show. We stayed at Amber Wing’s house that night and we rode with Amber, Hayley and Ben Greenwood the next morning, it felt really strange to have those guys drive the boat for me!!
Thanks for reading guys,
PJ

The Second Blog Entry

Paul Johnson Batwing - Pic Adrian Potts

Hey guys!! So it has been a few days, just settling in getting my body clock set and getting back on the water. Its been really good fun with the guys over from England, they’re a good laugh. Most of them are off home now which is giving me the time to write this!!

Paul Johnson Powerslide - Pic Adrian Potts

We went to Wet and Wild (the waterpark) the other day which was hilarious. We had Stew’s waterproof video camera on the slides and Ben Hagen managed to split his head open jumping out of an inflatable ring!! A trip to first aid and he was patched up and ready to roll again.

Paul Johnson Indy Tantrum - Pic Adrian Potts

Back to the wakeboarding……..MY MUSCLES REALLY HURT!!! Its been a while so I’m just getting up to speed still. I’ve hit a few good tricks though, just adding grabs to things and going big. Here’s some more photos that I got,

PJ

The First Blog Entry

So here I am at the start of my wonderful and exciting journey sitting at Orlando International waiting for a ride to the house, and I have been waiting for quite some time. Stew’s not answering his phone, Sam’s isn’t ringing at all. I’m trying to put off phoning mum because she’ll just get herself worked up into a state, but at last I have no option. “Hi mum, there’s a bit of a problem…….” Two and a half hours later, Stew calls, “PJ!! Where are you??”, the situation was resolved and I picked up by Sam a little while later, first stop, Dominoes Pizza!! When I got to the house I met the guys who are here wakeboarding for the week, we watched some wakeboard dvds to get amped for the morning.

Paul Johnson Whirlybird - Pic Adrian Potts

I was awoken this morning to, “PJ we got you an Americano and some porridge from star bucks”, it was awesome!! That woke me up quite nicely then Sam and I, while the four guys rode, went to get gas for the boat. It’s a pretty hot day maybe that’s because I’m not used to it. Not a cloud in the sky, grab the sun screen and glasses and I’m set. The lake is sick, glass flat and the only other boat was Brian Grubb’s Malibu!! The wake behind the X-Star is awesome, really big but not lippy. Only had one set today, just easing myself in gently, but it was a good set. I landed all the tricks I had been doing before I left which I didn’t expect!! Maybe I’ll start learning stuff tomorrow!! Stew took all the guys in a stretching session after riding which was awesome, I felt as though I’d had a massage.

Paul Johnson Hoochie Glide - Pic Adrian Potts

That’s all for today folks, I’ll update you soon!!

PJ

Simplywakeboard Questionnaire

Paul when do you land in Orlando whats your first port of call?

Dude I landed yesterday (13th October) and my first port of call was Dominoes Pizza!! The house is only 10 minutes from the airport, just came straight here. It’s on lake Jessamine, it’s got 2 volley ball courts and an X-Star at the bottom of the garden. It’s so sick!! There are a few guys from England here already and they’re all sound, we just sat up and watched a few wakeboard movies to get in the mood.

Are you going to be wakeboarding much the first week?

Yeah we are all heading to Tampa Cable today for a shred, I’m looking forward to it because apparently there are some good obstacles and it’s a left foot forward cable.

How long are you out there for?

I’m stayng for a solid 6 months

Where are you staying for your duration?

In the house on lake J, with Sam Carne and Stew Mackie

What boat will you be riding behind out there?

We got a sick X-Star which is weighted perfectly

Who will you be riding with?

Well Stew and Sam will be here for the duration but there are lots of others that are coming to stay and ride.

McCormicks cable looks awesome do you think you will check it out?

Yeah we’re all going today looks sick gonna shred some left foot forward cable

What setup are you riding at the minute?

I’m riding the Hyperlite Marek 136 with Hyperlite Atlas bindings

Any tricks you hope to get dialed in the first month?

Yeah for sure I’m going to be trying 720s but after that it’s whatever springs to mind

David Coates, 23, I live in Moneyreagh but spend most of my time on lough erne

David Coates Whirly 540

How did you get into wakeboarding?

I got into wakeboarding when I was 14 and was changing boats. I had always skied and Jonney Crawford suggested I tried one of his wakeboards and as they say the rest is history

What is the wakeboard scene like in your hometown?

There’s nowhere to ride near where I live except for meteor so I spend my time down in fermanagh riding with loads of different people

What is your current wakeboard setup?

My current ride is a Ronix one 142. My right binding is a Ronix one and my eft is a Hyperlite Murray. Trying o get the best out of both bindings. lol

How many months out of the year do you ride?

I try to ride all year round, whether its on the cables in England or riding on the lakes in Ireland but I generally try to get abroad and do some coaching in warmer climates

DC Air Raley Worlds Singapore

What’s the water temp like?

The temp in Ireland is usually quite low around 15C but we make do, it makes going away that much nicer.

Who are some of your favorite wakeboarders?

I think the wakeboarders who inspire me would be the likes of Chad Sharpe, Danny Harf and of course the stylings of Randall Harris.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

I would like to still be riding and competing but probably coaching if old age hasn’t stck me behind a desk by then.

Nose Grab Crow Mobe

What kind of boat do you have or ride behind usually?

Usually ride behind an amazing campion 535!!! Best boat ever, but when I get the opportunity I ride with Davey O on his 210 or Nico Sweeney also rocking the 210. If not then I’d ride with Garvan Duffy or the Murrys on their X1’s while doing some coaching.

Have you ever been wakeboarding outside of Ireland?

I do a lot of traveling through wakeboarding, I’ve been to Qatar for the worlds, Portugal and SA for EAME and most recently to Korea for the Worlds again. I’ve also coached in South Africa for 6 months at www.boardaign.co.za and will be heading to xtreme gene in spain to coach for a few months early in 2010.

Ollie Over South African Rock

Do you do competitions?

I really enjoy competitions, international and domestic, from nationals to wakestock its just good fun being around a group of god friends doing what we love.

What is it about wakeboarding that you enjoy most?

The best things about it are just getting out on the water with a few mates, throwing down a great line, and then just finishing your set by stomping a new trick that you’ve been trying and throwing the handle away just cuz your so stoked.

What do you do during the winter when you are not wakeboarding?

If I’m not wakeboarding I’m generally keeping active playing some hockey and doing some partying. Catching up with a lil video project here and there possibly.

How long have you been riding?

Way to long, probably since 99 I think. The first year Peter Stewart won nationals with a whirly.

DC Frontside Lipslide

What advice would you give to those just starting out?

Don’t worry about anything, just have some fun and try something different every run, if you need any help with learning any new tricks or want any lessons send us an email at skiandwakecoach@googlemail.com

What are your favorite tricks to do?

My favourite tricks are probably a nose grab crow mobe, a whirly 5, backside 5 or simply a blind 180 into the flats.

What are your goals for this year?

I’m determined this year to spin a little more and learn at least one 7 if not two. I’d also like to podium at wakestock and the EAME championships and also to defend my national title.

Is there anyone that you would like to thank?

I would like to thank wakeMK for helping me out with riding in the uk, alliance magazine for inviting me to their events and all the riders who have helped me and ridden with me this year, cheers guys.

Daniel Jack Kavanagh im 17 and from Dublin

Dan Toeside 540

How did you get into wakeboarding?

My dad had a cruiser and everyone was doing knee boarding and i decided to do something different so we got a wakeboard and then everyone else tried and thought it was really good fun.

What is the wakeboard scene like in your hometown?

In Terryglass, its like a home for wakeboarding everyone waterskiis and wakeboards and everyone knows eachother. More people are getting into it now its becoming more wakeboard wakeboard.

What is your current wakeboard setup?

I just started using the new hyperlite clash 142 with liquid force shanes

Dan-Hop-Start

How many months out of the year do you ride?

Since march last year, every single month of the year!

What’s the water temp like?

during winter i think about 2-6 celcius and i cant remember summer but its bearable.

Who are some of your favorite wakeboarders?

Randy Harris, Nick Davies, Rusty malinoski and everyone that has fun with the sport.

Dan Half Cab Roll

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

Id like to be living at a protected lake where i could go out and wakeboard everyday with friends

What kind of boat do you have or ride behind usually?

Malibu VLX which is really nice but we also get out behind a 210 and the X1 we are pretty lucky.

Have you ever been wakeboarding outside of Ireland?

Ye we went to Spain to the cable there and UK a few times its good to get a change of scene

Do you do competitions?

Yeah I go to all the contests because everyone from Terryglass gets together and travels to the contests together as a team its really fun

Dan Halfcab

What is it about wakeboarding that you enjoy most?

Wakeboarding makes me smile and its always fun having a laugh or trying a trick with something new, i always say its like walking on water its so fun

What do you do during the winter when you are not wakeboarding?

We didnt stop wakeboarding through winter this year and we wont stop again haha but during the winter just gone we went snowboarding at the dry slopes in kilternan every tuesday and thursday, also trampoline every day.

How long have you been riding?

This year is my 3rd now

Dan Scarecrow

What advice would you give to those just starting out?

Have fun!

What are your favorite tricks to do?

Every single trick i can do! Half cab rolls are nice to just pop and let it unwind!And those bel airs Davie taught me on the corners lol

What are your goals for this year?

Be more consistent and have as much fun as possible, meet new people and keep learning new stuff.

Is there anyone that you would like to thank?

My dad for buying my first wakeboard and keeping us on the water as much as we can, my mom for feeding me and taking care of everything, my sister for taking an interest in wakeboarding just like me, everyone who takes me out on their boat, Malibu Boats Ireland for sponsoring me, Pete Stewart for teaching me everything i know on a wakeboard, Davie Ocaoimh for sticking it through winter with me.

View the photo gallery of Dan’s interview

Steve bunny-hop backside 180 in the butter

Terryglass is only an hour and a half away from Dublin making it super attractive to wakeboard enthusiasts living in the Dublin area. It is a small village that consists of the most important things in life. Two fantastic pubs, a shop, many single females and a lough with miles of endless butter water. When I say butter water I really mean it. What’s equally fantastic about this place is the need never to turn the boat, you can just keep going straight for miles making the sets really awesome.

Okay but enough about the water. The pubs are also equally as good. The Derg Inn serves up great food and has a pool table and newly acquired LCD TV. Yes that’s correct even a pub that looks like it should be in “Father Ted” still has the latest technology and makes sure you don’t miss a rugby or football game to boot. The Derg Inn has some great entertainment, brings in live bands and singers and you are sure of a good night if you head there. The other pub Paddys serves up probably the nicest burger I have ever tasted. It is a very nice pub for a few drinks and offers some cool little sitting areas if you just want to hang out after a set. Both Pubs offer cheap pints and a great nights crack.

The Derg Inn

Terryglass also has a shop, you can buy everything from Mars bars to toothpaste. So you will not be stuck if you think your too far out in the wilderness.

Lets get back on the wakeboard path. The lake is wide enough and long enough for you to find flat water all day long. There is a secret place called the “CUT” but I am not sure whether I should be releasing this information. There are no speed restrictions on the lake the only thing you have to watch out for is some fishermen and maybe a few dodgy rent a cruiser drivers but apart from that it really is such an awesome place to board.

Pete switch 540

I stay with the Wheelan’s or the Kavanagh’s everytime im down. Keep an eye out for a black mastercraft X1 with the beachboys blaring out of the speaker’s. That will be Tommy Wheelan, he is known for his barbecues. Also keep an eye out for a red Malibu wakesetter that will be the Kavanaghs. Just remember to tell everyone you meet that Ulster are better than Munster at rugby and everything will be fine (DONT ACTUALLY).

Well that about wraps Terryglass up. It is such a great place to go so please include it in your travel plans for 2009. If you need accomodation go to google and type in “Terryglass b and b’s” that will get you sorted.

Thanks for your time

Author: Pete Stewart
Date: 13/05/09

Rockstar-Logo

Rockstar has been around in America for a long long time but has only recently came into the UK and Ireland. It has huge status in America and if you watched the recent Hatton Pacquiao fight you would have seen Rockstar energy drink across the middle of the ring.

Rockstar comes in many flavours

Rockstar energy drink - collection

If you would like more info on Rockstar and what it’s all about then please visit the Irish Rockstar website. www.rockstar.ie