After having to cancel o-week camp due to the flooding of the Hawkesbury and unsafe conditions, it’s fair to say most of us were absolutely gutted. Alas, all was not lost! On Saturday morning Chris Mann, Maddie Migdoll and I headed out to the cable park in Penrith and were greeted with blue skies and sunshine. A solid morning of riding from all saw Maddie up and riding on the wakeboard and Chris and I working towards 360’s off kickers.

After a nervous Saturday night watching the weather reports and even packing my rain jacket, just in case, we launched the boat at middle harbour on Sunday morning. Sydney harbour did not disappoint, giving us more sunshine, a perfect welcome to all our new members.

Keen to get back out behind the boat after a 3 month stint snowboarding in Canada, I had the first set. I was buzzing and pretty keen to try about a thousand new tricks I’d been practicing at cable…. About a minute into my ride I attempted a surface 360 and then promptly face-planted to the amusement of the entire boat. Mid-set we picked up Greg and Chris from the spit. The rest of my set was pretty fun, a few nice wake to wake jumps, indy and tail grabs, my first 180 behind the boat and ending with a big 360 attempt and subsequent crash.

Next up Chris Mann, got the board on and threw spectacular a front flip attempt first jump! A+ for effort Chris. We are expecting big things from this kid, and he’s only 17!!! Watch this space. I’d also like to nominate Chris for the stack of the day (not being able to nominate myself). During his second set, Chris caught an edge while attempting a surface spin and was tossed like a rag doll into a full 360 degree flip into the water, I’m guessing it didn’t tickle. Fair play for riding hard Chris, I like your style.

Alex stepped up next. For the new members who don’t know Alex our club President, let’s just say he’s ridden before. I don’t think anyone on the boat blinked for Alex’s entire set. The energy that goes into this guy’s riding is sure to get any weekend started and get everyone fired up for their own rides. In his set Alex treated us to 180 grabs, 360’s, back rolls and a selection of other inverts that just make you go wow! Not going to lie, I’m looking forward to seeing some of the footage captured on Greg’s chest mounted go-pro camera worn by Alex during his set.

It was so good to see so many new members out riding with us this weekend. We were all particularly impressed with Barry, who had no trouble popping out of the water on his first ride behind the boat! Good stuff Barry. Chris Wykes was also returning to wakeboarding for the first time in a couple of years and impressed us with some cool jumps. Isabelle, who tells us she had been doing wakeboard specific gym sessions in preparation for the weekend, showed us all her newly acquired muscles and her skills behind the boat, getting up well and riding both outside and across the wake.

For lunch we stopped in at the Spit bridge marina. While some of the less prepared resorted to takeaways, “Mr Picnic” (Barry), produced a seemingly endless backpack full of food to share. From hot chips, chips, donuts, biscuits – he had it all. After lunch we were joined by the lovely Sam from UNSW wakeboard club who showed us what she was made of, throwing some awesome wake to wake jumps and a few good stacks too. In addition to giving us a chance to recuperate from our morning sets, Sam also set the new world record for the most number of hand bags (throwing the handle upon landing) in a single set. Maybe it’s a UNSW thing?

And what an epic afternoon! The tunes were cranking courtesy of DJ Alex, the sun was shining and everyone was pumped for their second sets – probably none more so than Greg, our American visitor. Everyone certainly enjoyed Greg’s set which was performed to the sounds of Avicci’s ‘Levels’ played in reverse, Greg kicked things off with a few tidy 180’s, and was just loving life in general. Then things got silly and very funny as Greg pulled out an enthusiastic, but ill-fated attempted front flip. Fair play Greg! We are all looking forward to your video compilation and pics.

The afternoon was capped off with a short wakeskate set on the way back to the boat ramp climaxing in a massive Raley from Alex that, inspired by the song of the day “loca people” left the same question on everyone’s mind… WTF?!

Many thanks go to both, Alex for re-organising such a successful ride day on short notice despite being diseased, and to Giles for driving the boat. Also thanks go to you, the ride day attendee’s, for your enthusiasm out on the water and willingness to help out with washing the boat so we could all get home for Sunday dinner and a hard earned beverage sharpish. Many hands make light work, and Usyd Wake and fantastic days like yesterday are only possible if we all involve ourselves in the club and offer a hand where we can. Well done everyone!

Hope you are all as sore, sunburnt and as exhausted as I am, but excited to get back out on the water again ASAP! Looking forward to see you all soon! If you missed this ride day, keep an eye out for updates on the website and your emails for details of upcoming ride days soon.

Yours in Wakeboarding and related shenanigans,
Tim Wakeling, “that guy.”

Email has been sent out with those on the boat, email alex@usydwake.com or call Giles for information

Getting to the river early proved to be a problem for some (impossible for others – Dan and Matt!!), and when we couldn’t find the tow hitch for the Truck we thought the day was over before it had begun, but with news it had been found, and the fog clearing as we put the boat into the water, we could tell it was going to be an EPIC day.

Soph and Kay got quickly settled into the front of the boat which was quickly renamed Club Tropicana, and launched into conversation that would not stop for the entire day! I took the initiative and got the first set in, landing most of my hits with surprising ease for an out of practice bear; surprise that was identified by the confused look on my face. The glassy water conditions helped of course…. Roll to revert, scarecrow and backside 180 all covered, it was Clarky’s turn. Clarks riding was smooth as ever, with a massive Scarecrow and huge grabbed 180s from both sides of the wake. Having told us all about the Tantrums he was trying the week before it wasn’t long before the attempts were the focus of the whole boat, and after 4 or 5 goes and more encouragement he finally landed one which raised a massive cheer from the stands…

Crispy attacked the wake with dedication beyond her recent riding history, and ended up easily taking the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for wipeout of the day! Changing the board for her second ride later in the day completely changed her riding and she was easily clearing the wake and riding switch!

Trent hasn’t ridden with the club for ages, despite being an integral member of the committee and Boat Driving team! Borrowing my board, he managed to go enormous, and land well into the flats for his wake jumps with some solid grabs as well! Hi follow up set contained Back-roll and tantrum attempts that was incredibly close too, and the best attempt and a backside off axis 5 I have ever seen from someone who cannot do a 360….

Laura took a careful approach to riding today, possibly due to not having been on the water for a while, but with her new board and renewed vigor, wake to wake jumps were just within reach… next week some grabs will be ordered!

It was a great day on the water and we managed to get the boat out, washed and cleaned down before being told there was an enormous storm coming in.

Its what I call millionaires wakeboarding….. till next time….

The Season has started….and although most of the Boat Captains are away for the next month, we have started looking for our first Camp and ride days.

Keep your eyes open for dates on the Facebook group, and the calendar on this website! See you soon.

How about the weather over the past week! 24 degrees and sunny, which means only one thing… summer is coming! It’s not too far away now and as the days start to get longer and the temps increase into the 20′s we will be needing more boat drivers to keep up with the demand of new riders.

Alex is in the process of organising some boat driver courses which give you real experience behind the helm of a boat. It also covers all the theory you need to get behind the wheel on the water. Get involved people, not only will you have fun, but you’ll be more likely to score a spot on our day and weekend trips because we need boat drivers most of all. Contact him via alex @ usydwake.com

Also, if you haven’t already done so join our Facebook group. It’s the easiest way for us to keep in touch. SUWWC on Facebook

For all of you that missed out, keep yourself free for the weekend of the 9th/10th April. We will be houseboating along the magical Hawkesbury River.

Costs and details still to come… watch this space.

But before you can take a breath… It’s Road Trip time. Buckle up because it’s going to be awesome! Don’t wait until the bus is full or you will miss out! Lock in a spot now by contacting Mike on the email address in the poster.

But if you missed out the news isn’t that bad… we are road trippin’ real soon.

The details will be up online as soon as our O-Weekend is over. But keep the weekend of the 26th/27th March free. Our amazing road trip to Lake Conjola is on!

From never been in a boat before to professionals and everyone in between (party people most welcome) sign up right now. Our new boat is EPIC, check it out in front of Fisher library over the next few days and see what you’re missing out on.

Join up with us on campus at O-Week, or on-line on this website…… Easy as ABC;
A) Apply to SUSF (Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness) to enable you to access all the sports clubs and gyms at Sydney Uni.
B) Become a member of the Wakeboard Club, just a $20 Annual fee for students
C) Check out our website and join our Facebook group to find out when and where we’re ridin’

To celebrate and kick off the new uni year, we’re having a weekend camp for all newbies. We leave campus on Friday 4th March @ 5PM and head up to the river for a weekend of fun. You will stay in luxury riverside cabins, party all night, wake to smooth waters, breakfast lunch AND dinner, and then do it all again! If you wear yourself out wakeboarding, you can watch the on site waterski racing too. We return to campus on Sunday 6th March bout 6PM……

You get; two nights accommodation, five meals, wakeboard lessons, transport too and from the River…… and all for only $120. Yes that’s right… only $120! This is an annual event that is more fun than you can imagine and sells out every year, hence places are VERY LIMITED (20 people only) and open to MEMBERS ONLY so to make sure you get one of the few remaining spots join the club and email Alex [ alex@usydwake.com ] He will give you bank details of where to pay a deposit. Remember first in best dressed as spots are limited to Cabin bed capacity.

See you all on the water real, real soon!