wakeboarding

Billabong

Nautique boats

BILLABONG + NAUTIQUE = BILLABONG SUPER AIR NAUTIQUE 200

Surfing brand Billabong has teamed up Nautique Boats to produce the Billabond wrap boat for team riders Danny Harf and Shawn Watson.
Unlike other wraps Billabong has gone for simplicity in the outside wrap colors.  The interior is white with black and Billabong embroidery quite standard on todays boats.  We also give a thumps up to still maintaining the Nautique logo on the side of the boat.

The Billabong Super Air Nautique 220 is being given away through Enter-to-Win promotions.

Shawn Watson showcases this boat at the Worlds in the video below.

You need flash to view this video.

After Nautiques’ recent Byerly Icon edition becoming available to purchase (which we are stoked about), I wouldn’t be surprised if the Billabong Nautique became a future Nautique option.   If that’s their plan, I’m not so sure that this wrap is as good as other wraps such as from; Mastercraft, Oakley, Nike 6.0, or even Nautique’s own Byerly’s Icon Edition.

Wakeboarding Revolution by Danny Harf.

Danny Harf

9th September 2008 marks a milestone date for Wake boarders around the world, with Danny Harf landing the first 1260 (for those not so good at maths that 3.5 times around).   After numerous attempts and just before the Wake Awards, Danny launches off a massive double up, and lands the 1260.  Nautique and Danny share the progression of the trick – watch this clip! it is truly an inspiration.

For those without flash here’s the link to youtube.com

This youtube video has been revised by Nautiques since Malibu boats was quick to point out that Danny landed this trick behind Chad Sharpe’s Malibu Wakesetter VLX (oops).  Supposidly proven as Chad’s VLX is a white Illusion X tower on a white boat.  The real question is does Danny actually believe the Wakesetter wake is better? or where they just out on Chad’s boat.  Either way, Malibu can tend to over glorify themselves – just like their owners.  See the Malibu article here.

Up next is the 1440, which seems almost impossible… almost.

CWB Board Co. have extended the line of the Hinge tech system for 2009 on their wake board bindings.  The Hinge system has been popular since the introduction in 2006 on the Zeus and Torq models, both receiving positive reviews from riders.

CWB Board Co

In previous years the Hinge system was only available on their top-of-the-line boots, as the hinge system forces the riders into an aggressive stance, sometimes causing pinching on the achillies heal and many claiming to be an uncomfortable boot.  Ultimately, the Hinge system was designed to create a firm hold around the foot, provide easy entry and be responsive – which it does.    For those not aware, the Hinge tech is much the same as a Flow snowboard binding, allowing the rider to insert their foot from the rear of the binding, this is particularly beneficial for people with larger feet (size 10+) who find it a squeeze to get into conventional front entry (shoe) bindings.

The 2009 CWB wakeboarding bindings’ line-up now includes the hinge tech system on 11 of the 13 CWB bindings available, from the beginner level binding all the way to the Zeus.  CWB sees these bindings as the future of wake bindings providing ease of entry for every skill level, beginner bindings are less ridged due to less lace support.

As you can imagine, once you make something mechanical there are always problems, and the Hinge is no different.  Past problems with the Hinge bindings have been due to using a coil system; the Hinge is renown for rusting in saltwater, the coil breaking after a few sessions and the shoe lace knot coming undone.  It should be noted that CWB does send out replacement coils.   The Hinge bindings are also heavier then conventional bindings, which is marginal weight if you’re 6 feet tall all above.

Basically, if you’re strong, tall, and have large feet these boots are a must buy -you’ll love the ease of entry.  For everyone else, the question to ask before buying these bindings is; does the ease and brilliance of these bindings outweigh mechanical error and weight?  Many would argue yes.

For more information on CWB 2009 wake boarding boots check them out at CWB Board Co

Axis Wake A22 design images have been released.

The design is as expected, quality cut hull with sub-floor ballast tanks, an open floor plan design and we’ve been told an interior designed for rugged simplicity.

Axis Wake A22 Side

Axis Wake A22

Axis Wake A22

Malibu Boats

From the head company of Malibu Boats comes Axis Wake Research! A new wake boarding boat targeted at the price-sensitive market who still want quality but at a lower price.

With the economy going into dire straights, dream boats like Malibu’s and Mastercrafts with their extravagant pricing are swallowing every dollar- including your spare change.

So what does a multi-million dollar company like Malibu do? It conducts market research of buyer behaviors and realizes that buyers actually want to pay less for boats but expect more…crazy I know.
In Malibu’s mind this means they need to create another segment of the wakeboarding market; a discount boating market while still maintaining quality products.

So behold the birth of Axis Wake Research, Malibu’s new boat division dedicated to creating high quality low priced wakeboarding boats – primarily designed to capture wake boat buyers that want a Malibu, dream of owning a Malibu, but can’t afford the price tag.

Axis Wake

Hang-on a second I hear you say, hasn’t Malibu already tried to create a discounted Malibu brand from all its successful models… wasn’t this called the Ride Series? Well, yes and no. Axis Wake Research will not be built from the Malibu factory, it won’t even capitalize on the Malibu brand name, and it’ll be a more budget conscious boat than the Ride series.

Malibu Boats’ recent press release claims “by carefully sourcing components and materials, employing in-house fabrication, lean manufacturing, unique production processes and strategic sales and marketing practices, Axis offers low cost to the customer without compromising quality.” Like I said it’s a press release.

Ultimately, Malibu Boats is creating a new low-priced high quality wakeboarding boat company A.K.A Axis Wake Research and this has to be good news! This brand diversification is nothing new, it’s been used for years in car manufacturing, such as Lexus and Toyota or BMW and Mini.

The question you now have to ask yourself is; are you a premium wakeboarder or a budget wakeboarder? Personally, I’d rather drive a BMW.

Axis Wake are due to be released to dealerships in January 2009.