There is no denying that UK Wakestock 2010 was one of the best ever. With blazing sunshine nearly all weekend, competitors in town from all over the world, and generally a great buzz and happy vibe, the weekend went down a storm. Despite a couple of my favourite people not making it this year (you know who you are!) the crew that were there had a blast, and it was great to have everyone together, enjoying our biggest and definatly most fun event of the season.
Wales is pretty when the sun's out!
My long weekend began on Wednesday, when I headed up to North Wales in a convoy from JB Ski, Thorpe. Setting up my base in a much bigger, and better positioned riders camp site than last year, there was a great positive vibe from all the arriving riders. After a night out in one of the bars in Abersoch and my first of five rough nights in a tent, the practise kicked off on Thursday morning. I wish I could say that coming to Wales a day early to make this practise had paid off, however in true Abersoch style the wind was up and the water was looking just a little choppy. By this I mean it was white capping and it was nearly impossible to ride. After a bit of encouragement however, I gave it a go and took to the water. Not really much to report on my practise ride to be honest; it was choppy at hell but it was nice to ease my hangover with the shock of the cold water 
The Americans loved the ponchos, but not the rain...
As more people arrived on site throughout Thursday, the campsite started to fill up and the morale was high. Despite the heavens opening and us all getting soaked, everyone was pumped as another night in the local town, Abersoch, drew closer. On Thursday night the other Hyperlite & Mystic team riders and I were lucky enough to be taken out for a slap up dinner by our wonderful sponsor Nik Green @ Watersports World. The dinner was great, yet luckily I was designated driver and managed to sneak out of drinking the copious amounts of shots that were being forced upon everyone!
Hyperlite & Mystic team dinner... and drinks!
Stoked after a great ride!
After a good nights sleep Friday brought about ladies qualifying, and my time to do some work. The water wasn’t half as bad as it had been at practise a day earlier, and I’m proud to say I managed to pull it out of the bag and have a sweet ride. It was great to see international shredders Amber Wing and Nicola Butler doing so well; they are doing great things for women’s wakeboarding and it was awesome to watch them both ride in one of our UK events!
bad picture of a great pool gap...
With a big smile on my face and a place in the final on Saturday, I headed back to the festival site and got ready for the Women’s pool gap jam. I had missed this event in 2009, so was a little dubious about hitting the pool, yet after a shakey start managed to get a couple of nice hits. Amber and Nicola were really stepping it up though, so I knew I needed to pull it out of the bag if I was going to walk away with any of the cash up for grabs. Despite great intentions, my masterplan backfired and I took a couple of great hits to my backside after trying some more technical stuff! Even with a couple of bruises though, as well as random festival goers saying ‘your the girl who went over the pool gap on her ass!’ all weekend, I definitely had a great time on the pool-gap with the other girls. It was great to get to do something different, and to see everyone ride so well!
Friday brought on the First night of music on the festival site, and I had a blast. More importantly, however, was the ladies final which took place on Saturday morning. Feeling a little broken from the night before, I didn’t have the ride of my life and took a couple of unfortunate falls. The international girls both rode sick, pulling out tricks which had never before been seen in UK competition, and it was also good to see UK contest regulars Robbie Rendo and Charlotte Bryant holding it down too! All things said and done, it was Amber Wing who took the title; she rode sick and it was definitely well deserved!
fluero face-paint is a festival essential
With all my riding for the weekend out of the way, it was time to really PARTY!! A bunch of my American buddies were town for the contest, so we had some making up for lost time to do! My buddies and I managed to blag a backstage pass into Scratch Perverts and Chase & Status, so were partying from behind the stage and absolutely loving it… this combinded with a couple shots of jagermeister , fluero face paints and no mud in sight turned into one of the best Wakestock nights ever! Words can’t really describe how much fun we all had that night, but thanks for everyone for making it so much fun!
Backstage @ Scratch Perverts
worst conditions ever!!
Sunday was the last day of the contest for the Pro Men, and unlucky for them, the wind was back. I can honestly say the conditions were the worst I had ever seen in my life, and I couldn’t believe they would have to ride in it. In true British fashion however, the show had to go on and the guys got too it. It was clear at first that the guys were taking it easy, however once things got a bit heated the guys threw caution to the wind (literally!) and really started to step it up. It was mind blowing to see the way these guys could ride even in such bad conditions, with Phillip Soven absolutely killing it and taking first place. I still can’t believe how well everyone rode in that wind; it was RAD!
After another great night of festival frolicking, it was time to pack up and head home on Monday morning. Feeling a little worse for wear and definitely with enough partying under my belt to last a while, I headed back to London eager for a good nights sleep in a proper bed. Once again Wakestock did not disappoint, and I’m already excited for last year :)
Thanks to everyone who came along, partied with me, cheered for me, and generally made it so awesome.
