Date: 8/2/02
Author: Dallas Friday

Related Items:
Read more entries in Dallas Friday's Diary
When Every Day is Friday: The Dallas Friday Interview

Dallas Friday (Pic: Richmond Gibbs)

It was preliminaries today for the wakeboarders here at the Gravity Games in Cleveland Ohio.

The conditions were pretty good on the water today and the sun was scorching! The crowd was incredible. There were people everywhere. I got first today in my heat so I was happy with my run. It is time to step it up a notch tomorrow as Semis and finals take place.

Three girls from each of the two heats made it in. Tomorrow after semis it will be narrowed from six to three. I am nervous as ever and hope to just stand up my run.

Last night a group of us went to watch bike dirt finals. It was a lot of fun. Then I went back to the hotel and got to meet Travis Pastrana. I have always admired his riding.

After we are done with our event for the day a group of us usually go and watch the other events taking place. It is fun to be a spectator and watch the other athletes. I can kind of sense what they are feeling before, during, and after their run because I have experienced all the same emotions being in the Gravity Games competition.

Today was cool in that Biker Sherlock and I got to hang out like we do each year. He is a funny guy and so nice. I met a guy that was a skateboard dealer and he made me a deal that if he gave me a skateboard I would give him my wakeboard when I am done competing tomorrow.

I have been out the whole afternoon with Melissa Marquardt riding the mini ramp with my new skateboard. We are going out again tonight and ride for a while. I would love to start skateboarding and riding a dirt bike when I get home.

This is such a fun tournament. Hanging out with the other athletes, they are all so nice and we all get along great. I am having the time of my life here in Cleveland.

~Dallas

 Return To Dallas Friday's Diary main page