The List 2012: Part II
Aaron Rathy – Double half cab roll. sequence: Garrison
– Double Flips
They’re all the rage among the pro scene and at cable parks around the globe. “Grab and Go” is the motto for 2012 as riders step up their game and lock down the double flips. The cable seems to be the most common place for these due to the consistency of kickers, so if you’re pulling them on the boat we’re giving you an extra 10 points. They look amazing, but we are scared they may get played out like that song about calling me maybe…
“If you build it they will come…” Shredtown headed towards their park of dreams. pic: Soderlind
– Shredtown
After scoring their own System 2 and the closeout section of Slingshot’s Lipsmack, the Shredtown crew have proven themselves as true pro level athletes in 2012. It’s no longer just ditches and dirt, they have built and slayed some of the most unique rails we’ve seen in the sport. With their own private cablepark at their disposal, there’s no telling what’s next from this grungy threesome.
– 1998 rope lengths
You’d think with the wakes getting bigger than ever before more people would let the line out and go for some serious hang time after railing into the wake, but lately it seems to be going in the opposite direction. Guys are riding shorter and slower so they can dip their vaginas in the rooster tail on their way into the “flats.” This isn’t trick skiing, kids, let the line out and take it like a man.
Josh Twelker demonstrating that often times less is more. pic: Cortese
– Less Than 5
The Less than 5 contest was one of many signature Alliance events in 2012. It was the first of its kind and drew a crew of enthusiastic competitors from across the nation. Watching riders as they took their time to grab and emphasize style was inspiring. Of course Randall took the win as he dominated tricks like the toeside 270 to method all the way out into the flats, but Bob Soven surprised us all as he gave Randall a run for the money and finishing 2nd.
There are so many new rail designs in Lipsmack you can barely afford to blink. Mike Ennen. pic: Cortese
– Lipsmack
Lipsmack is a breath of fresh air in the world of wakeboarding videos. It’s fast, fun, raw, and leaves you wanting more. The amount of unique rail designs in the video is overwhelming, not to mention the amount of male nudity. It also may be the first wakeboard video to actually release on schedule, which is a delight all in itself.
– Having an opinion
Since when is having an opinion such a bad thing? As long as you’re not just talking pure garbage looking for a reaction, having an opinion is a good thing. If it weren’t for opinions where would progression come from? If it weren’t for opinions everything would be cool, right? Just remember, not too long ago, wake pants and gloves were cool. Don’t like an opinion, come up with a response, just be polite and keep it broful.
– Australia’s Next Generation
There are some new Aussies on the scene turning heads these days and for a variety of reasons. Like ChrisO has been doing for the past four or five years, Brenton Priestley has become one of the more stylish and more well-rounded riders in the sport. Much like Harley Clifford before him, Tony Iacconi is raking in the wins in the Jr. Pro Men’s division of contests. Setting an Aussie path of his own, James Windsor is killing it in the cable scene with tricks and a style uniquely his own. Of course, you can’t forget Mitch Langfield, who shreds and keeps the party alive, much like the one-and-only Ike used to.
– Gas
Get some. You’re going to need it. And not the cheap stuff either, the Cadillac’s of the sea are on a premium only program.
Orange you glad to see Adam Errington riding? we are. pic: Garisson
– Bright ass boots
Everyone is jumping on the clown shoe bandwagon with super bright boots. Shredtown, Watson, Adam Errington and more. If those guys don’t know what’s fly in the world of aquatic footwear, we don’t know who does.
While most take their t-shirts to the cable, Shane takes them a step further: to the wake. pic: Lee
-Riding with your T-shirt on
It’s back with a vengeance in 2012. We’re guessing that it has something to do with riding cable for hours on end and trying to avoid finishing out the day with a sleeveless turtleneck tan.
You want me to jump into that sharp metal basket? Chad Sharpe taking on his usual role as test dummy. pic: Garisson
– Balls
To make it in the pro game you’re going to need them now more than ever. A good set of knees would be nice, too.
– Taps
What’s with all the taps on the rails? What are you trying to say? Are you teaching the rail a lesson or just disguising the fact that you got pulled off the rail a bit too early? How many is too many?
November 29, 2012
I always enjoy Alliance on the web and in print, but every year "the list" kinda rubs me the wrong way. I always feel that they are overstepping their bounds as journalists. Even if there was some citation like, "Bill McCaffery says, that this is cool and that is not cool" it would be better. I don't mind opinion pieces.
There are a lot of wakeboarders (maybe wakeskaters too) who look to alliance for the latest trends, style and fashion, but I would prefer they stick to documenting it and not pushing it "in the right direction." Wakeboarding is mature enough to do what it does. If everyone's lines are getting shorter maybe it says something about how the sport is changing. I would prefer they explain it vs dismiss it. A pros and cons piece from the professionals on both sides would be cool. (That said, Going to deep into the flats is a lot easier on a 85ft line at 25mph than 75 at 23).
I am truly a fan of your work and this is just an opinion on one article in a year's worth of great edits and interesting articles. Keep up the good work guys.
November 29, 2012
^ You said you don't like opinion pieces then go on to write 2 paragraphs of your opinion on their opinion.. It's not Alliances job to "Spoon feed you your own opinion" Go read TransworldBOATER if you don't like Alliance. Give them a break, they are just trying to follow Brooke and be like Yobeat.
November 29, 2012
I said I like opinion pieces and that "The List" is "spoon feeding me my own opinion."
I think you may have read my comment backwards.
November 29, 2012
…and read my third paragraph.
November 29, 2012
This is what you said..
"There are a lot of wakeboarders (maybe wakeskaters too) who look to alliance for the latest trends, style and fashion, but I would prefer they stick to documenting it and not pushing it “in the right direction.”
Are you just having a hard time making up your mind today?
November 29, 2012
I probably should have used "and" rather than "but" in that quote or just made 2 sentences, but I do not think it changes the meaning of my statement. I probably wrote something and edited it without going back to correct my conjunction. I was trying to start a conversation and did not realize that my comment would be read so intensely.
It was more a general statement about how all media must be clear when they are reporting or providing an editorial position. "The list" kinda goes back and forth. That is it. I have only read the online version so far. It may clear in the print publication.
Again, Thank you Alliance for all of the content.
November 29, 2012
Shred the gnar!
November 29, 2012
I agree with Justin H. I like Alliance and the idea of the list-but sometimes I feel like they are the Fashion Police of wakeboarding (The Wake Police?). They say do your own thing, ride with your own style, and having an opinion is good…but then they blast riders for not grabbing a certain way, their contest to freeride ratio, and they rename tricks as they see fit (a rodeo 5 instead of a Mobe 5..I think? They just confused me when they started doing that…this isn't snowboarding) Props on the content, photography, and emphasis on style…but maybe tap the brakes a little
November 29, 2012
Wakeboard trick names are lame at least spins don't have names like helicopter 360
December 4, 2012
the list is sweet!
December 5, 2012
I agree. The sport needs the list to help guide people in a more style conscious direction. However, the list can and has been wrong in the past by being too narrow minded. For instance, no grab spins can be cool and wake pants may make a comeback. I hope Shane relive his youth and starts wearing them over a full-suit. Solid colors would be nice, Bring um back! I never got a pair, but I wish I had. Shorts over a full-suit looks kinda wack and the peter pan full-suit look isn't that great either. I foresee a growing demand for board shirts, pants, and hoodies in the future.
December 5, 2012
They are right about current rope lengths of pros being too short for sure. However, most of the top pros in 1998 were riding ropes longer than 80 ft. Take the movie Mayday for example. Boat riding was on point even back in 98.