'BOARD SERIES SET TO TAKE OFF By Paul Jurbala On Sunday July 2 the first event in the OWSA's new Wakeboard/Kneeboard Series - the Muskoka Store Open - will hit the water in Gravenhurst. This opens an entirely new competition and clinic series to Ontario water skiers, and should be an instant success with the untapped pool of wakeboarders and kneeboarders who've been cluttering up watersport store cash registers with board purchases over the past five years. Following the success of our initial wakeboard/kneeboard event, the Schreiner's Open at Huntsville in August '94, we've organized a wakeboard/kneeboard series with six stops for 1995. Each of the first five events follows the same format: a morning clinic, where you can learn tips and practice your tricks; an afternoon fun tournament, where you can put your skills into practice, and an evening BBQ/social. The emphasis is on fun and time on the water, not on rules and procedure, and the level of most events is expected to be beginner-intermediate. Registration and OWSA membership happens at the dock - there are no prerequisites or qualifications for entry, except signature of a parent/guardian for boarders under 18 years. We're keeping the registration fees "a la carte", meaning you can sign up for the clinic, tournament and BBQ individually or in any combination. We expect the combo fee for all three to run about $70, for non-OWSA members; existing OWSA members will pay about $12 less. After the clinic, tournament competitors will fill out a trick sheet listing their proposed run, and will be scored by the judges based on their sheet. A second round (time permitting) is the "Big Air" run - competitors are scored on style. Lots of age and skill divisions are available to make sure every competitor has a chance at his/her ability level. Unlike the typical water ski event, the wakeboard/kneeboard series is sponsored by local water ski retailers, who'll be putting up prizes and promoting the event in their community. We're also working on overall prizes (boards, etc) for the series as a whole. And, the whole series wraps up at the first-ever Ontario Championships scheduled for August 20 at Safari Lake in Millgrove, home of '93 World Champion Jeremy Kovak. We're expecting the 1995 OWSA Wakeboard/Kneeboard Series to be the hottest thing on the water this year. Come on out and join us! WAKE/KNEEBOARD SERIES EVENTS The stops in the 1995 OWSA Wakeboard/Kneeboard series are: July 2 Muskoka Store Open Gravenhurst July 16 McClintock's Open Cambridge July 30 water skis etc. Open Cleveland's House August 5 Ski Pro Shop Open Welland August 12 Schreiner's Open Huntsville August 20 Surf Paradise Ontario Championship Safari Lake WAKEBOARD MOVES & TRICKS For wakeboarders getting ready to come out and join us this summer, here are descriptions of a few of the most popular tricks. Note: "Front Side" - the boarder is riding parallel to the boat with toes pointed toward the wake; "Back Side" - toes are pointed away from the wake. Off the Wake: The rider proceeds from outside the wake and completes a slalom turn on the face of the wake. (50 pts) Wake Jump: Like it sounds. (75 pts) Lip Slide: This is basically a side slide, with the board perpendicular to the boat path. (100 pts) Surface 180: In the 180, go from the forward position to reverse (fakie) position or vice versa. (100 pts) Surface 360: Start like a surface 180, but go all the way around with no delay. (200 pts) Body Slide: While cutting away from the wake, lie down sliding the upper body across the water and return to standing position. (450 pts) Air 180: From the forward position, jump and turn 180 degrees in the air, landing "fakie". (450 pts) Method to Fakie: Like the Air 180, but performed on a wake jump. (500 pts) Back Scratcher: On a wake jump, the boarder bends his knees and brings the board up to touch the backs of his legs. (450 pts) Nose Grab: During a wake jump, let go of the handle with one hand and grab the board's nose. (500 pts) Tail Grab: Like a nose grab except you grab the boards tail. (550 pts) Air Raley: A back side jump in a "layout" position, with the board higher than the rider's head. (1000 pts) Mobius: If you can do one of these, don't bother with our series. Go straight to the Pro Tour!