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Blog of Champions: Part III
Sep. 08, 2009
By Justin
Blog of ChampionsThe Value of
Competition in Freeriding Text by Ross Champion Photography by Ludo Mouveau
Freeriding - at its core - is not about the competition, but
freeride competitions are essential for the health and vitality of the sport. The
difference between racers and freeriders is that racers live for the
competition. They thrive on pushing harder than the next guy and running it in
to the next corner just a little deeper and faster than that other guy is
willing to go. Freeriders tend to be just a little more relaxed most of the
time. You see, when we go ride, we do it just for fun. That is not to say that
when the boys get together, we don't push to try and "one up" each other. But
typically, there is a very relaxed atmosphere surrounding what we do. That is,
until it comes time to compete.
The greatest contribution of the IFWA (International
Freeride Watercraft Association) over the last several years has been the
increase in the level of riding on the freeride scene around the world. I have
been involved with the IFWA since its inception 2005, and almost without
exception, the level has been raised at each and every event.
(Above: Godfather of freeriding, Randy Laine, struts a little off of
the coast of Mexico)
Back in 2005, a one-handed backflip and a no-handed roll was
just about the extent of the variation you were going to see. Craig "Fuzzy" Boyd
was doing some one-hand, one-foot combos years earlier. But for the most part,
variation on the standard barrel roll and backflip were pretty limited. All the
while, the U.S. guys (mainly Randy Laine, Joe Kenny, Jerry Brandon, and Taylor
Curtis) have been redefining what surfing on a PWC is for the last 10-plus
years. This aspect of the sport was more or less lost on the international
riders. However, since the IFWA started bringing the world's best riders
together on a consistent basis, we have been able to pull from our respective
strengths. Without question, the game has been raised across the board.
(Above: Central Cal's Taylor Curtis has been revolutionary in making
freeriding blend seamlessly with
surfing)
Freeriding is pretty analogous to most things in life. If
you want to be good at it, or just better than you are now, you have to push
outside of your personal limits. Regardless of who you are or what your
personal level is, pushing past where you are comfortable in freeride is just
plain scary. And you really need some kind of solid motivation to make that
happen. For a freerider, there is not much better motivation than having the
eyes of the international press on you as you go head to head against the very
best riders the sport has to offer.
The weeks leading up to a contest are my favorite time to be
in the water. This is the time when everyone is pushing to reach the next level
and beyond. There is a crazy mixture of fear and anticipation as you watch your
buddy try a new trick for the first time. Couple that with the intensely
gratifying feeling of accomplishment, relief, and stoke when he lands it - or
just has a huge bail; the water becomes electric with energy. It creates an
atmosphere where one almost can't help but dig down deep and redefine their own
personal limits.
The real value of the competition, as far as freeriding is
concerned, is not in determining who is the best rider - oftentimes the better
rider will lose a heat. But the real value is in the advancement and
progression of the athletes themselves and the sport as a whole. Competition
provides the impetus for us to go out and push the limits of what is possible,
and to pull the sport up to the next level.
As I write this, we are about a month away from Blowsion
Surf Slam presented by Worx (http://www.blowsionsurfslam.com/)
and already we have had some great days in the water. Two guys I am very
excited to see go head to head in the amateur division are Mark Gomez (www.markgomez.net/) and Chris Rosner (www.chrisrosner.com/). These two guys
have been pushing each other really hard the past year or so. The only reason
either of them are going to be in the amateur division is because this will be
their first contest. Make no mistake about it, both these guys are professional
level athletes, and the future of our sport. My prediction is that we will see
one of these guys win their division and make their pro debut at Blowsion Surf
Slam presented by Worx. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Websites for all involved.
Blowsion: www.Blowsion.com
Worx: www.Worx.com.au
Randy Laine: www.RandyLaine.weebly.com
Taylor Curtis: www.TaylorCurtis.us
Jerry Brandon: www.Motosurf.com
Mark: www.MarkGomez.net
Chris: www.ChrisRosner.com
Joe Kenney: (www.LetJKknow.com)
was the last site that had info on Joe and his recovery, but it does not seem
to be up any more.
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