Thursday, January 24, 2013

Riding, barbecue, friends, memories etc... from Thai Wake Park

I'm already back in cold Russia, but mind still in Thailand.))
I met so lot of new and old friends. Only waiting when I will get back. SOON I hope!
Me and gap with indy grab
My days in Thailand could be boring for some "normal" people, but some people understand that make it simple and make what do you like.
Here are some photos from those "boring days", when just riding, hanging around near of the park and having some barbecue dinners in luxury villa of one Finnish Vice President, riding and again repeating these all.
Mika Tuupola preparing meat @ luxury villa.
Again as always girls were beautiful, now @ terrace of luxury villa
Food was amazing good with nuance of Russian, Finn, and Thai kitchen and habits!
This Finnish/Thai happy and hospitable family served us unbelievable great dinner and evening. They are new wakeboarders, say hello from me, if you see them in TWP.
I can't remember was this same evening, but after all TWP was in flames. Don't worry for TWP, it was only because all riders were so fire during the riding day... or farmers just were doing something for their fields.
I saw some riders really in fire! Here are a few pictures.
Lior Sofer and CrowMob with grab.
Korean rider Ji Hoon and CrowMob 5 with grab!
Tom Axelsson showing nice press and lean.
Anna Moskal and nice boardslide 270 out!
Alex Savoie and nice press and lean too!!
Yan Tibo and ... no words "SICK"))

There were many others also in fire... me as well and I wanted to ride more that shoot photos!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Jackson

Do you know trick, what is called "Jackson" and why it's named this way?

Check photos: Young Korean rider Sang Hyun Yoon showed it many times all over the A-frame in Thai Wake Park!
Really "slippery" and difficult special trick!



Saturday, January 19, 2013

Interview of San Im


Do you know San Im?
Have you seen how he rides? You can easily meet him in Thai Wake Park.
San Im in Philippines IWWF Worlds
First I want to make clear to everybody; San is first name and Im is surname.
So many people are mixing these.))

Originally San is from South Korea.
I have met San in Thai Wake Park many times, but also in IWWF Worlds in Philippines.
San is 15 years old, but riding like men and acting everywhere like real adult gentleman. It’s great to meet this kind young man, who has child-cared so well. Parents have done good work and should be proud.

I got small interview from San, when we met last time in TWP January 2013. Here it is:

Where and when did you start to ride by wakeboard?
I started 5 years ago in South Korea riding by boat. Now the last 2½ years in cable mostly in TWP.

What do your parents are thinking about your wakeboarding?
They support and are happy when I can do what I like.
San thinking nose press on the starting dock...
You are still studying?
Yes 2nd year in high school in Bangkok.

What would be your favorite job?
Prowakeboarder

Who was your idol in wakeboarding in the beginning?
Lior Sofer
...then making the nose press!!
San has lived in South Korea and Thailand, would you like to travel more for wakeboarding and especially to where?
Sure I would like to travel and especially to Australia. Favorite place for riding is Republic in Philippines.

Have you ever ridden in cold water with wet-suit?
Yes in South Korea, it was February a few years ago and by boat.

With whom you like to ride the most?
 Aaron Gunn from Australia



What is your favorite trick?
S-Mob 5 with nose-grab
S-Mob 5  in IWWF Worlds
What is your opinion, which are your hardest tricks at the moment, what you have landed?
From kicker: TS FR 1260
Air-trick: Inside (switch) railey back side 315
Sliders: Transfers 450 degrees

What kinds of tricks you are working with at the moment?
Different Mob 7’s and I want to develop on sliders.

Do you have some tricks what you were working, training and repeating long and many times before success?
Yes just railey was for me difficult and long process. At the moment it is Moby Dick 5.))
(Can you believe that to make railey was difficult and long process to San?? So everybody who are still working with railey, don't give up it will work someday and lot of other tricks too)

When you are training new trick and you have some bad crashes, do you try immediately again?
If it’s bad crash I leave it for a moment and try it only later.

Do you have any other methods, how do you train new tricks etc…?
I’m training sometimes in trampoline and swimming. (San Im has not trainer.)

Do you like contest and what is your opinion about Olympic Games?
I like to compete and Olympic Games are good thing; the future of wakeboarding. I want it to Olympics.

Why did you decided to participate open men (pro) category in IWWF Worlds in Philippines? By the way San Im was 3rd!!
I’m not thinking winning in contests, I just want to ride with the bests and learn from them.

What direction cable wakeboarding is going, what is your opinion with flat, kickers and obstacles?
There will stay air-tricks, kickers and sliders in good combination.

What about boars etc… what kind of developing you think there will be?
Nowadays there are flex boards and hard boards; I believe those will go more together.
I mean flex boards will be harder and stiffer.
Also about fins if you have good canals on the base you don’t need them, but if base of the board is totally flat you probably need them.

What about fashion in wakeboarding do you see some trends or what will be with shorts, vests etc…?
Everything must be just something what supports your riding. There are different kinds of bodies etc… and everybody needs different kinds of vests, helmets and shorts. You should decide yourself what supports your riding and feels good.

Sponsors of San Im are still open and we wanted to skip that question!

There are maybe many girls who would like to know, what kind of girls you like?
So do you like Asian or European girls?
I think maybe European….))

Is it necessary that your future girlfriend should wakeboard also?
I think she should, because I’m training a lot and I wouldn't have time to be with her, if she wouldn't wakeboard.

Thank you San for interview!


Did you see that sponsor question is still open; I believe in future there will be big fight, which team and brands will get him?
Interesting to follow up what will happen, but for sure San will be one of the big names in cable-wakeboarding.


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Wedding of Oil and Aum

Awesome, like in the movies wedding!!!
Everything were organized so well! Wedding place was front of the new house of Aum and Oil, just beside of lake where we all are normally riding.
Just fresh installed lawn was challenge for ladies who were wearing long heels,))) but other way it was nice soft base for all actions during the celebration.
Bride and Groom were amazing stylish and gorgeous, Bride-maids were so beautiful.
Food was really good and there were different kinds of drinks enough for everybody.
Band was playing good music and feeling was relaxed.
So what could be still better? Nothing! It was perfect!
Pictures are telling more than words so here are some pictures what I got during wedding:





































These are only photos we didn't drink it real!))))












Then David Grant "Bobby" took my camera and made cool shots. Nice angle of view (more from bottom)))




I finish this photo report to:
"These images, these moods!"
"Näihin kuviin, näihin tunnelmiin!"

Thank you Aum and Oil, Thank you TWP, Thank you all friends!