Up in the Air

Florida’s Daytona Beach Explodes with Freeriding Furvor

Text by Allyson Wesley

Photography by Ronny McHenry

What better way to kick off 2008 than loading up your ski, heading down to sunny Florida and spending a weekend with hundreds of fellow riders at the 2008 X-Metal Daytona Beach Motosurf Freeride?

Nick Foederer has turned this annual gettogether into one of the biggest events of the year. "I hope this [event] will be as big as the World Finals one day," Nick says, an asipriation which isn’t too unrealistic given that the beach was littered with competitors and spectators for over a half of a mile. Riders wanting to claim a prime parking spot who weren’t residing at host hotel Makai, had to wake up at the break of dawn. Those lucky enough to get a beachfront room had no need for an alarm clock, the raucous sounds of two-stroke powerplants warming up to hit the waves would stir any enthusiast from the deepest slumber.

The Daytona Freeride allows the unique opportunity for the average Joe to hang out and share waves with some of the top freeriders and freestylers in the world.

French rider and 2007 IFWA Freeride World Champion, Pierre Maixent, came to see what the Daytona Freeride was all about, and showed his skills on any craft he could get his hands on. Pismo Surf Slam Champion Taylor Curtis drew everyone’s attention every time he hit the water on his brand new Riva/Wamiltons 2008 Superjet. IFWA runner up Ross Champion was on hand, and even Mike Serlin who was currently nursing an injury was among a large group to make the cross country trek from California.

Title sponsor X-Metal had all members of team X-Scream ready to ride including owner Pat Bogart with riders Michael Ratti, John Havell, Pete Scheidt, along with the return of pro freestyler Josh Lustic. Pro Freestyle National Champ, Wamiltons’ Jason Stoyer, offered his skills on the microphone when he wasn't throwing backflips, underflips, or barrel rolls off what seemed like any wave he wanted. Several legends of the sport attended this year as well. Scott Watkins, representing Yamaha, hit the surf for the first time in seven years. The time off didn't show. Former Freestyle champ Lloyd Burlew and 80's and 90's Busch World Cup Promoter
Chris Lauber were also spotted mingling with riders on the beach.

Go Fast and Red Bull energy drinks kept everybody buzzing and a complimentary lunch was provided by Kathy and Paul Lehr of Lehr Performance Watercraft along with the folks at SBT. SBT brought and cooked hundreds of burgers and hot dogs while having Playboy Playmate Tiffany Selby sign posters and posing for pictures for everyone. Kathy Lehr's company, A Delightful Bitefull Catering, supplied a massive buffet of sides and desserts. Her famous mac and cheese proved to be the favorite once again.

On Sunday, the 2nd Annual Cherry Buster contest went down with Mike Robertson and Chris Langlais completing their first back flip and taking the wins. John Havell took the win in the Sickest Trick contest with his double backy face plant. One trip to the hospital, a few surgeries later, and he was already back to work! Guess, you can never say those Florida boys aren't tough!

Sponsors donated a generous amount of items to be raffled for three charities: The Volusia County Jr. Lifeguards & Explorers, AWA, and Mr. Joe Kenney. Taylor Curtis brought special Azhiaziam shirts to sell with all of the proceeds going straight to Joe himself. Friends and fans were eager to help and bought them out before the end of the day! The Junior Lifeguards had their brand new trailer on display which the freeride donations from the year before paid for. They have been able to really upgrade their programs and equipment and provide a lot more for the kids. The programs offer great life experiences, career opportunites, leadership skills, and character building not to mention that one of them may save your life in the future!

What could be better than donating to the only consumer-based organization that defends your freedom to ride? The American Watercraft Association of course is probably the easiest charity to choose from because without them, we may not have any places to ride! Some of the special items donated were an X-Metal handle pole and steering setup, Wamiltons carbon fiber Factory Pipe mod chamber, and a brand new Waterdawg's Customs 2008 Envy hull. All in all, the raffle raised seven thousand dollars with four thousand of it going to the Junior Lifeguards, one thousand to the AWA, and the other grand to Joe Kenney.

This has proved to be the biggest freeride by far to date. "Best thing about these rides is the freeride spirit that everyone has. It's really amazing!" Nick said. “It's pretty incredible how just a group of friends getting together to ride has really shaped into an almost full-blown event with a good cause. More and more people show up every year, more and more sponsors get involved, and more and more charities get the help that they need. More freerides have started popping up around the country and we've all just sort of become one big family. Thanks go to all who came and supported the ride by donating their time, products, and money to make this ride happen."