Ryan & Tony Birch Wakeboard and Big Air Kickers Comp

Saturday 13^th September 2008 brought the 1^st annual Ryan and Tony Birch Wakeboard and Big Air Kicker comp To Chasewater Sports Centre in The Midlands. With a promise of good weather it was hard to see that it could change on Friday when the whole afternoon and evening was a total wash out.

Saturday morning and the conditions could not have been better the rain had stopped and the sky was clear blue, the lake was like a Mirror and this set the seen for a great days boarding.

10:30 the 2008 Super Air Nautique 210 was loaded and with ‘Zero Off’ making its UK debut on the Wakeboard seen this was set to be the most accurately wakeboard event Ever!

The first division on the water was Junior Ladies, even with mixed skill levels from surface tricks to inverts this category was tight at the top with Charlotte Bryant with 47.56 points ending up first followed by Becky Wood with a 29.00 and Nicola Holmes a close 3^rd with 23.00. Cath Moore said”it was good to see so many girls taking part in the sport and all putting it great individual performances”.

The boys division had got some of the UKs big guns showcasing their talents but giving the up coming rider pointers on improving there sets and landing there first invert, first place went to non other than Jorge Gill followed by Freddie Cater and Max Weinstein in 3^rd

Junior Men was blessed with the newly crowned European Champion Sam Weinstein so this division was going to be ultimately tough to get a podium position, after pulling out all the stops using all the obstacles to gain the highest points needed Sam proved to be a worthy European Champion by winning the Junior Men Division but followed by 2 local riders Craig Morris and James Mott who put a outstanding run together to make it to the podium.

While the action on water was taking place at midday saw some local bands showcasing their talent starting which also kept the crowds entertained along with many trade stalls including Ten 80, Ultra Sport, and 3 fin Surf and a life size version of football table supplied by Corona and bucking bronco and a bouncy castle for the younger spectators.

At 5pm prize giving for the junior comp as all riders that finished first in their division had a wild card entry into the evening Big Air Competition so Charlotte Bryant, Jorge Gill and Sam Weinstein all got through a there wild card entry’s also Craig Morris and James Mott were put through to represent the local area

At 6pm we had a fly by from the members of Sittles Airfield where Tony was a members and where both Ryan and Tony had taken off from on that fait full morning, it was a very emotional time for all friend and especially family while this was taking place, but very fitting for Tony as his favourite song Mr bojangles was played in the back ground.

It was then back to the action on the water for the Evening event of The Big Air Kicker Comp with 17 riders from all over the UK come to battle it out to become the Big Air Champion 2008 and take home the prize fund of £800, but as always with kicker events anything can happen. Richey Fisher took the early lead sticking a nice clean heal 3 but there was still many of the big guns to come out firing on all cylinders, Ed Williams (Open Men National Champion 2007) showing he has still got the skill nailing a heal five and taking the lead our 2 local riders Craig Morris landed a nice tantrum but eat it big time on a Raley, James went all out on both his attempts and came close to landing is raley but didn’t manage to ride it away. Cath Moore 1 of the 4 female entrances, managed to stick a slick raley to finish her run. Freddie Carter (11 years old) landed a text book Skizer to put the pressure on the remaining riders, Jonny Carne stomped and oriental and Jonty Green the only rider out of 17 entrance to land both his hits 1^st a heal 5 and a huge Batwing, the final rider out on the water and a secret entry was Ryan’s Brother Craig who has only hit a kicker a couple of time before the event crashed on a 180 and 2^nd attempt didn’t quite manage a temper tantrum but a good effort anyway.

The results of the Big Air Comp were 3^rd Jonty Green 2^nd Jonny Carne and 1^st Freddie Carter, walking away with the £800 prize money and the title of Big Air Champion 2008. Jonny Walked away with £400 and Jonty Green £200 Cath Moore also walked away with £200 for being the best of the Ladies.

Then it was just left for everyone to party the night away with Reemer, Skirt Box and Shoot Panda. Overall an excellent day had by everyone, helped by the weather massively, and by people who made time to help organise the whole event and also to those people and companies such as Relentless,

Corona, Ultra Sport, and Wakeboard UK who sponsored this year’s event. We have already set the ball rolling for next year’s event and hope we can count on there support. If you were unable to make the event to either ride of just spectate we hope to see you in 2009!!!

A Full Run down of the final standings can be found at http://www.wakeboard.co.uk/firework/articles/show/103

Ryan & Tony Birch Wakeboard and Big Air Kickers Comp

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Ryan & Tony Birch Wakeboard and Big Air Kickers Comp

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