Date: 4/1/03
Author: Jason Buffalow

Year 2003 is here and is in full effect on the westside. I have been thinking about so many things this year regarding the industry and the sport. It's got me wondering...Where is this sport going? Who will be the next superstar on the west coast? What's up with all of the manufacturers these days? Why do wakeboarders obsess over everything regarding the sport?

Everybody asks me the same question this time of year: Where is wakeboarding going? Although Florida generally makes decisions as to what happens in the sport, the west coast kind of does it's own thing. I think you will see lots of young faces, but the main names will be there as usual. I think wakeskating is here to stay even if it is minimal on this coast. It seems that people on this coast have so much fun wakeboarding that they don't spend very much time wakeskating. I think the Florida pros will continue to do sliders and stunt tricks out of boredom, but out here we will continue to focus on style over stunt. I think that sliders are cool, but just not that practical for a lot of places out here.

I think equipment will radically change this year. I have heard lots about a bunch of new products that WILL change this sport for the better. I think west coast riders will finally get the props they deserve. I think new wakeboard videos will continue to amaze and bore me at the same time.

West coast riders continue to push the sport in their own way and get very little recognition for it. Randy Harris gets a little play once in a while and deserves it because of his riding abilities. Ricky Gonzales only seems to get mentioned if he moves teams or is spotted with some super hottie. Short of that, there is very little play for west coasters. I believe the next superstars are here and ready to change that. The likes of Mike Schwenne, Chris Dykmans, Chris Williams and Cody Hall are no joke. They take everything bigger than the average bear and have ridiculous style. This will be their year. I am personally focused on making sure that they get the props that are way overdue. Watch out because the storm is coming and it is in the form of young style masters.

With Liquid Force and O'Brien figuring out their fate, the rest of the manufactures are trying to capitalize. Hyperlite continues to push the limits with their products. They somehow manage to improve their products every year. Watch out next season! Origin and Joyride have teamed up to improve the quality of their boards as well as combine the resources. This is a good thing for both companies and hopefully for the public.

As far as boats, Mastercraft continues to threaten to bring out the pickle fork. I understand it is done and going out to the public. I do not believe anything until I ride it and then I may be convinced. Malibu continues to make small changes that make the VLX better every year. Nautique is finally making their boats slightly larger and the ballasts slightly bigger. Any one of the new wakeboard-specific boats will change how you ride. I understand there are some big changes for the 2004 season in boat design that will also make big changes on how we think of the sport.

Why is it that us wakeboarders obsess about everything in our sport? With the Wake List, discussion boards and websites, you can see examples of our infinite levels of obsession. How in the hell can we have weeklong discussions on whose boat is better or what board is better? It is all in good fun, but skateboarders and snowboarders don't seem to have the same obsessions. I know that my obsession lies in my passion about wakeboarding. I am truly passionate about the sport and so I am willing to have a discussion as to the effectiveness of a 6-fin board over a traditional 2-fin. I am willing to tell you why my Malibu is better than other boats out there because there is no question in MY mind that it is.

I believe that wakeboarders are a different breed. We all have a few things in common, but it seems that everybody is passionate and committed to this sport. I do not see that in other sports. How many times have you stayed on the water too long knowing there would be hell to pay from your wife, girlfriend, kid, boss, etc.? How many times have you tried to "force" a set in before doing something only to make yourself late for that other thing? How many times have you been "sick" and gone riding? You, my friend, are obsessed about wakeboarding.

I am an wake-a-holic and I don't care who knows...JB

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