The world’s best wakeskaters competed for the first time at Nautique Headquarters in Orlando, Florida for the Rockstar Wake Jam, Saturday, June 8, 2009.
The towboat of choice was the Byerly Icon Edition 210 Nautique, which shaped the perfect wake and delivered solid pulls all day with the help of Zero-Off GPS speed control. The highest level of today’s wake riding was on display, with the judges looking for big wake moves over flats and lip tricks.
Notable hammers were Reed Hansen’s 360 shove, Ross Gardner’s toeside late front big, Brian Grubb’s wrapped toeside nose grab backside 180, Dieter Humpsch’s indy poked backside 180’s and Brandon Thomas’ big spin mute.
The final showdown came down to a head-to-head battle between Brian Grubb and Reed Hansen, arguably the two best wake riders in the sport. Hansen landed three different 360’s plus a late shove and then came super close on a 540 attempt.
Grubb pulled through in the clutch with a nose grab 360, late shove (toeside and heelside) and his signature wrapped toeside nose grab backside 180, combined with other stylish airs to beat Hansen by a very narrow margin.
Being the sport’s most dominant wake rider isn’t as easy as Grubb makes it seem. “There were some really tough heats today, so I’m really glad to have made it out on top,” Grubb says. “I’d like to thank Chris Kallas and Brandon Thomas. I’ve been riding with them a lot and we’ve all been pushing each other real hard. I’d also like to thank my sponsors, my family and Amber for coming to all the events. And of course Sean Dishman and Scott Byerly for putting on the best events in wakeskating.”
The fourth and final stop on the Toe Jam Tour will be the Rockstar Cable Jam at the Orlando Watersports Complex on July 3-4. For more info, including registration and results, go to byerlytoejam.com.
