This year Windermere’s DEFIANTwake will be hosting the second organised wake event since the ban was imposed and with it the second consecutive Ride For Peace event on the Lake. Its all about getting as many boats and riders on the lake at one time over the weekend and having as much fun as possible! As most of you know, World Peace Day is on the 21 September every year and our Ride For Peace event will be on the weekend of the 18 & 19 September. Tell all your mates, join the group, find a ride and get over here!!
There’s no real format, more of a weekend-long jam session. There is a Facebook group dedicated to this, so if you’re keen check it out and join it.
We realise that being a boat-based crew on a lake it is significantly harder to hook up a ride than a cable-based event, but if you’re keen to be a part of it then hit up the Facebook group and we’ll try and organise you a ride over the weekend. And if you are a regular Windermere rider and you fancy joining in then feel free to get out there – this is as good a weekend as any and as good a cause as any!
Obviously, we would advise that all participants acknowledge the Lake Bylaws and the 10 nautical mph limit, we hold no responsibility for those of you who would wish to do otherwise…
Remember, we’re not asking you to break the law, we just ask that you have fun. It wouldn’t bother us if you all wakesurfed – it would just be nice to see a great turnout.
The forecast looks awesome so hopefully catch up with many of you out there,
We only ride this spot from time to time and I’m sure you can appreciate why.
It’s only 4 feet deep and tastes worse than your average swamp. Up until a few years back the Swans ruled the entire lake, this all seemed to mysteriously change when the Polish immigrants settled on the banks. And no matter what colour your bindings are they always come out green.
You can forget perfect pass and the digital ballast systems; we are running a 1979 Stars & Stripes!
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Photo Credit: Kenny
However we have had some killer session on this sweaty pond and our intentions are to try and get some obstacles on here in the near future, so watch this space…
Autumn seems to creep up on us much faster each year. Luckily for us Wednesday nights have been spent riding the X1 up at Whitworth in between System 2.0 nights, taking full advantage of that precious evening sunlight.
It’s proved beneficial having a firm riding pattern, knowing roughly where and when you’re next session will happen. Beat the System and Alliance Rail Nights at Blackpool have resulted a social boom for our local wake community and we’ve seen so many improvements, styles and hammers go down there over the past few months, both wake and skate!
We’ve helped drag originals such as Chris and Buzz out the Northern Monkey closet, and after years of no bindings due to knee injuries it’s been truly inspiring to watch them ride. So if this summer has taken a depressing, physical toll on you’re body don’t get hung up, just adapt.
For many, wakeboarding doesn’t seem as attractive when the sun isn’t shining. Thick neoprene suits, scarves and snowboard jackets seem to scare many off, and as a result you’re only left with a handful of folk that are equally as amped to shred. You might need to hook up with someone new or jump on a boat that you didn’t know existed. These may be the most fun and progressive times you’re wakeboard’s ever seen.
Yesterday we took advantage of our deserted lake to perfect our Ollie technique.
Yet again Mike Bibby conjured up a treat, using some off cuts of timber and an abandoned traffic barrier. We erected Mike’s handiwork in the lake and made it as challenging as we dared.
It was cracking fun to try a range of grabs, 180s and 360s over the bar knowing that you were reasonably safe if you came up short.
After months of not riding due to a dodgy knee, Sam Iddon also stepped up to the challenge. He cleared it with ease then ended up chucking some ridiculous shifty bonk spins off the post, whilst lapping up the high speed turns to hit the obstacle over and over again.
It was great to see some snowboard style on the water and I don’t think I witnessed one wake jump all day. As a result the exercise certainly boosted confidence and improved our existing Ollie abilities.
Its been said before, two tower cables are the ideal place for beginners even if you have never wakeboarded before. Kiteboarders and existing cable riders have said it’s an awesome tool for getting you’re head round the air tricks such as mobes and S-bends.
But what about if you want to hit RAILS? If you’ve approached wakeboarding from skating or snowboarding background, spending most of your time hanging off a concrete ledge or flying down a skinny hand rail, the wakepark is for you.
We think its the most effective way to hit obstacles.. Ok Jet skis would be sweet and maybe not quite as expensive, but lets be honest you aint gonna find a fruity selection of sliders and kickers in your nearby canal. And why waste a perfectly good wake behind a boat if your mission is to solely session rails. Plus you’ve got the social aspect of the system 2.0 just like the boat everyone can chill in the sun, music on, good times.
Our aim back in June was to create a chilled out atmosphere at an affordable price. This, in my opinion is the most enjoyable time to ride. And also where you tend to go completly mad and try something new.
With the help and support of all the staff at Blackpool Wakepark we made it happen. Thursday Nights you can ride 3 sets of 7 minutes for just £20. (book to avoid disappointment)
Now Alliance Wake have stepped in and run rail nights on Tuesdays. They have sent local wake guru’s Tim & Chris Woodhead who provide expert coaching from beginner to pro level.
The plan… load up the horse & trap aka Bibby’s transit and three axle ifor-willy and jeff off up North to show off his 40ft piece of handywork. After a quick fashion parade feat. “mixture of da furz” putting us half an hour behind schedule, we were on the road. A short 7hr long haul and a couple of sketchy moments up some minor inclines (New clutch) we arrived at lomond, ready to snooze. No time… up at seven, get that bee-atch afloat.
Fast forward, Bibbys covered every eventuality and enough tools at hand to rebuild the Cutty Sark. The words “like a glove” come to mind and the slider was ready for the fifteen man lift from the beach – Brew time! But how can something sooooo long with so much jib potential and so much sacraficial ply be TOO boyant? Mick Bibby = pure science. More Sand Bags Please…
She’s in, anchored down and Bucks first hits are solid but its looking lonely out there. The Rail Jam punters are anticipating big things from us. Bowler’s ‘Pressy’ is on route but masses of liquid potetial requires filling. Lomond’s ollie-on flat bar came to the rescue and a bit of digging about we sourced the various parts and pieces of their incline rail. Buck got snappy on the dewalt and did his IKEA thang while I had an adventure through the mind of sheer genius that is Bibbles. He is a carpentry killah! No CAD, No fen-diagrams, no fuss. Just Chizels for fingers.
Where others may see a sub standard sewer pipe offcut, Bibby sees a C-rail in the making. Need I elaborate any further. By ten’o'clock the rail park is complete, just with enough light left to fire up the monkey wrench and see Bibbs prove what the fuss was about before pizza delivery.
Seeing him put all the effort in, from Weeks ago when our mini leviathan got under way to the scrapheap challenge style speed build this afternoon, its all been worth it. The blood sweat and beers payed off tonight and my anticipation for the Weekend is Booming!!
The rail Jam is this Saturday, Practice Heats will commence on friday afternoon so get up here early.
Pro Coaching and Party followed by Boat comp on Sunday, Pitch you’re tent and get involved.
Observing the likes of Rathy, Soven, Nicola and Amber bust it out last week in the finals at Wakestock in what can only be described as the ‘downstream rapids of death’ shocked me and made me realise how fussy we can be when it comes to boat riding.
As a Wakeboarder or Wakeskater, a weekend of partying whilst watching some of the best riders in the world generates an unstoppable urge to get out on the water and shred.
On the Tuesday evening after Wakestock we arrived at the local lake with the intension to ride, and despite the dirty swans, green algae and bad forecast we bloody well rode.
Far from the cleanest, deepest or calmest of waters.
Spending a session hitting the sketchy ski jump or getting your head round some handle passes may break you free from that heelside wake to wake rut.
Far from the best water, but far from my worst set.
What we witnessed at Pwllheli marina last Sunday clearly illustrated that rough weather, shallow water and choppy conditions are no excuse to not ride. And in fact the ability to produce in chop on competition day, whilst under pressure inspires me more than any YouTube clip of 1080’s, 1260’s and so on.
I’m not saying make an effort to ride when it’s rough, but if the boat’s already been launched or you’ve planned to go riding with your pals, then you should probably give it a go.
You’ll be delighted to know The LWC has teamed up with Blackpool WakePark to bring you a dedicated freestyle evening session at a long awaited affordable price.
Every Thursday evening between 6 and 9 (approx) you will be able rotate between friends and or other riders on the System 2.0. Each rider will be allocated three 7minute slots for just twenty quid. However there are limited places so booking in advance is advised to avoid any disappointment.
Our intentions are to adjust the sliders each session to make them more accessible, and or in some cases, more challenging. Also each week we intend to launch a new random floating jib obstacle that will be perfect to help dial those big spins or ollie back ones.
The system 2.0 is not only an effective way for hitting rails either, the pros have stated that it is the ideal learning tool for raleys and other air tricks that complement both boat and full cable riding.
This revolutionary piece of kit omits the need for any unnecessary swimming or walking. If your about to fall off, chances are the driver has already noticed and you’ll literally be up in a matter of seconds; therefore time on the water is super intense, and almost incomparable to any other means of riding.
If you have any suggestions or questions please do not hesitate to contact us at thelwc@live.com
This offer is aimed at existing wakeskaters and wakeboarders who already own there own kit. To Beat the System please call Garry Thompson on: 01253 836543
Spectators welcome.
See you there this Thursday
Love The Lancashire Wakeboard Club
For Directions:
Ream Hills Farm
Mythop Road
Blackpool
PR43NB
In 1999 Jeremy Gilley – the founder of Peace One Day – successfully completed his mission to create the first ever global cease fire day in the history of mankind. Even though the official day has been sanctioned by the UN many people have not heard about this day or don’t know how they can take part.
On the 21st of September 2007 the first annual Ride For Peace was held to coincide with World Peace Day. Every year since this cable parks, ski centres and individuals from all around the world acknowledge world peace day by Riding for Peace.
Australian Pro wakeboarder Kath Moore had a huge involvement with getting the event up and running and has been actively spreading the word and helping others to get involved ever since. Thanks to Kath, Eban and many other pros Ride for Peace is now a fairly big event on the UK wake calendar.
The Ride for Peace message is about having fun riding, skating, surfing, whatever. It’s a time for you to look beyond all the politics, violence and religion that surrounds us, there is no need to donate, no obligation to do anything other than what you love.
Everyone is capable of riding for peace as the event is not held at one set location; Just show your support by riding on the day or get yourself to a cable park where the riding is usually free, wear the t-shirt, take some pictures, spread the word.
(Surfdome have Ride for Peace clothing for sale)
Last year Windermere’s very own DEFIANTwake crew organised and held a Ride for Peace weekend on Lake Windermere, the first Wakeboard event since the introduction of the ban in 2005. It was a huge success with over 20 ski/wake boats involved! The DEFIANTwake crew have some big plans for twenty ten with rumours of sliders, chase boats, double ups and winches. If you want to get involved, register your boat, follow RIDE FOR PEACE LAKE WINDERMERE on Facebook and more importantly get all your friends involved.
This is your invite to Ride for Peace 2010, our aim is to inform as many people as we can that World Peace Day exists and to acknowledge the 21st September as that day by doing what we love.
After a dust off and a new spark plug our winch is up and running in the best of health and will be out in free-spooling action in the next couple of weeks. We also have designs for a newer, smaller and lighter winch that fits into a shopping trolley or baby’s pram; thus providing the perfect getaway for those urban adventures.
So if you discover or know of any local drops, gaps or cool locations that you think would be worth winching then please let them be known. You could earn yourself a Free LWC t-shirt!
Here are a couple of photos to wet your wake and skate appetite…
We plan to host regular sessions over the summer in our private lake AKA Bond Pond. If you would like to get involved please do not hesitate to contact us and we will let you know where and when it will be going off.
This is one of five sections for the new LWC 10m long, floating slider.
As temperatures gradually begin to rise, and the days get longer, apathy diminishes. Riders return to the waters, fresh bursting with enthusiasm. They watch their favourite wake vid and check the weather forecast on a daily basis.
However for some that was irrelevant, motivation and determination were never put aside.
Windermere locals Mark Humphries and Tom Lomax decided enough was enough.
At 2100hrs, Monday evening their patience was abandoned on the jetty of a nearby marina. Their custom winch built by a local Wakeskater, Adam Charlesworth and Mr Lomax roared into action and pulled them across the bay in virtually total darkness.
Tom Lomax - 9pm Winching Lake Windermere
Tom informs us: “Windermere is buzzing and the local wakeboard scene is building at an alarming rate.”
We look forward to catching up with Tom in the next few weeks, that’s if he ever allows himself a day off work.
Last Friday we set the somewhat ludicrous competition to any rider listening, Our challenge was to ride anywhere in the UK without a wetsuit… winners would receive FREE LWC goodies.
With most weather forecasts across the country predicting a “feels like” temperature of 0ºc I didn’t expect anyone would take us on.
However one extremely keen yet insane group travelled up to Loch Lomond at the weekend, probably the most Northerly Lake in the UK which has finally returned to its liquid state.
With their ball sacks fully retracted they heckled from their boards with a scrap of paper proving the date. (I don’t think I’d of believed them otherwise.)
WINNERS: Leigh Mathieson & Jason White from Rochdale, Lancashire
They both did deepwater starts and a 2 mile pull in nothing more than shorts and a life vest, with the water temperature just above freezing! We awarded the two riders with LWC hoodies to keep them warm, and boat driver and photographer with LWC tees for their very brave/stupid efforts convincing the others it was a good idea.
Leigh Mathieson: “would have done it anyway just for a laugh, but hoodies sealed it. It was the best riding all day, with no restriction of wetsuit, and top hangover cure, same again next weekend, thanks Lancashire Wakeboard Club!”
If you fancy heading up to Scotland yourself for some coaching or just a fantastic weekend on the water be sure to check out Loch Lomond Wakeboard, where they run two Malibu Wakesetters and stunning lakeside accommodation with hot tubs!
With the launch of their new 2010 location and to celebrate the start of this season, they are hosting a SUPER SECRET EASTER EVENT. Its all going off between 2nd – 5th April and £75 gets you 3 Boat sets and 1 nights accommodation. Now that’s value.
Apparently Saturday night is where the party’s at.
Posted by The LWC 
Far from the cleanest, deepest or calmest of waters. 
Far from the best water, but far from my worst set.
