choose a wakeboard over a water ski these days.
After watching the little rippers make a few passes I cruised over to Bell 2 to watch the “Amateurs” qualify for the main the next day. I was amazed at how clean and crisp their turns were and how fast they flew across the boats wake hoping to catch the next buoy at “35 off”. The amateurs were twice my age and making it look easy. It was really fun to watch and I couldn’t wait to get back to Bell the next day to see what the pro’s had to offer.
Both Saturday and Sunday the shoreline was filled with people ready to watch the pros battle it out. Man, they did not disappoint! Seemed everyone arrived early for the best spot on the shore line, which turned out to be between buoys 3 and 4. Of course I was a little late to the party so I didn’t get a prime spot, but that turned out to be ok. There really wasn’t a bad spot to catch a view of the action.The commentators made it really entertaining as well, chasing down skiers for interviews between rounds and cracking jokes along the way. Watching these guys rip off pass after pass at 38 to 41 off trying to keep pace with World Record holder and eventual winner Nate Smith was great to see. Nate made it look like a walk in the park. It’s too bad their isn’t more money in the sport to fund a full pro tour or at least get the pros out to the west coast more than once or twice a year. I’d definitely attend more of these events in the future…