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022 AllianceGearGuide 2010 Wakeboard Test TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY by Garrett Cortese This year Alliance set out to do something the wakeboarding industry has never seen before: a full-blown board test.

1 022 AllianceGearGuide 2010 Wakeboard Test TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY by Garrett Cortese This year Alliance set out to do something the wakeboarding industry has never seen before: a full-blown board test. Not just a review that was more like a regurgitated piece of the manufacturer s catalog, but an actual test with ratings, point systems and evaluations. So we gathered a bunch of new wakeboards, a team of worthy test riders, and we shredded for two solid days to put all the boards through their paces. One test day was spent behind the trusty Malibu V-Ride boats of The Wakeboard Camp in Clermont, FL and one test day was spent on the perfect waters of McCormick s Cable Park in Sefner, FL. The testers were asked to review boards based on everything from speed and tracking on the water, to pop off the wake, to swing weight in the air, to landings. From the data provided by the five board testers, the results were averaged and put into charts for both wake performance and cable performance. We came back with a variety of results that provided us lots of insight into some of the boards hitting shops in 2010 and you can find them all in the pages that follow. Some things to keep in mind while looking over this data: Just like every board rides differently, so does every rider. Just because one test rider didn t give high marks for a particular board doesn t automatically make it a bad wakeboard. Most of the test boards were ridden finless (if fins were removable) at the cable park. This was the preference of all the testers there. This will also help explain how some boards received loose ratings at the cable, but were more locked in behind the boat. Pay attention to the ratings system. For example, a low score of 2 or 3 in the Speed category isn t a bad score, it just means that that board is slower. Some riders actually prefer slower boards. For the boat testing we used two of the Wakeboard Camp s Malibu V-Ride boats. Ballast and speed were kept the same to keep the testing conditions as similar as possible (internal ballast full, one large Fat Sac on the floor, a driver and a passenger, MPH). A big thanks goes out to all of our test riders for their hard work. It s not easy riding 14 wakeboards in one week, so imagine doing it twice in two days! Of course, we wouldn t have been able to get the testing done without the help of The Wakeboard Camp and McCormick s Cable Park. These first-class operations are always down for the cause, even if it means opening the doors during non-operation hours.

024 AllianceGearGuide Chad Lowe Age: 33 Height: 6 0 Weight: 200 lbs.

Intermediate/ Advanced Riding ability (cable): Intermediate Bio: Chad is one of the professional instructors at The Wakeboard Camp in Clermont, FL, so chances are he s not only done more back rolls

He is a well-rounded rider who understands the way wakeboards work and how different shapes can affect different riders.

2 024 AllianceGearGuide Chad Lowe Age: 33 Height: 6 0 Weight: 200 lbs. Preferred way to get towed: Boat Boat speed: Whatever makes the wake good Rope length: Boat normally ridden: Malibu Liquid Force Witness and Liquid Force Ultras Riding ability (boat): Intermediate/ Advanced Riding ability (cable): Intermediate Bio: Chad is one of the professional instructors at The Wakeboard Camp in Clermont, FL, so chances are he s not only done more back rolls than he can count, but he s taught more to students than he can count, too. Chad is a big guy and usually prefers a 3-stage board that provides lots of pop. He is a well-rounded rider who understands the way wakeboards work and how different shapes can affect different riders. Should you find yourself spending a week at the Wakeboard Camp in the future you re guaranteed to become a better rider with Chad s tutelage. 1. Byerly Conspiracy 2. Ronix One 3. (tie) Liquid Force Watson & Company Vandall 1. Liquid Force FLX 2. CWB Vibe 3. Slingshot Recoil Nick Whitt Age: 25 Height: 5 10 Weight: 155 lbs. Preferred way to get towed: Anything Boat speed: 24.5 Rope length: 83 Boat normally ridden: Nautique 230 & X-Star the rating system: Our rating system was set up on a scale of 1-10, but pay attention because in some cases a score of 1 does not necessarily mean bad. Ronix Riding ability (boat): Advanced Riding ability (cable): Advanced Bio: Nick is a longtime employee of the famous Performance Ski and Surf shop in Orlando who truly loves to ride a wakeboard. Equally proficient on both the boat and the cable, Nick is what some might call a springy rider (like Adam Errington). On the cable he s just as comfortable railing into giant air tricks as he is sliding up, over and across any obstacle. He can ride a variety of board shapes and styles, but seems to prefer ones with a continuous, yet still aggressive rocker line. Chances are if you re shopping at Performance and run into Nick, he definitely knows what he s talking about when it comes to wakeboards. 1. Ronix Bill 2. (tie) Company Recruit & Slingshot Response 3. Hyperlite Murray 1. Company Vandall 2. Ronix Bill 3. Slingshot Recoil Agent Orange Age: Data not available Height: About 5 11 Weight: About 170 lbs. Preferred way to get towed: Boat Boat speed: 24 Rope length: 85 Boat normally ridden: Data not available Not available Riding ability (boat): Pro Boat: On the water: Speed (1=Pig, 10=Rocket) Turning (1=Won t turn, 10=Slaysher) Edging (1=Slippery, 10=Locked in) Tracking (1=Loose, 10=Locked in) Ollie (1=Stuck to water, 10=Pogostick) Landing (1=Brick, 10=Feather) Off the wake: Pop (1=Stuck to water, 10=Superpop) Release (1=Slides off, 10=Releases late) Riding ability (cable): Pro Bio: Agent Orange is an anonymous professional wakeboarder, we have kept his identity hidden. Agent Orange is one of the most respected riders in the industry who has a long history in the sport. As for riding style, Agent Orange prefers a wakeboard that pops with ease and isn t too slow on landings, especially for going into the flats. On rails he likes to get jiggy with it any way he can. 1. Slingshot Recoil 2. Company Recruit 3. Hyperlite B-Side 1. Company Recruit 2. Slingshot Response 3. Company Vandall In the air: Swing weight (1=Heavy, 10=Feather weight) TESTERS: Tevin Gilbert Age: 21 Height: 5 10 Weight: 170 lbs. Preferred way to get towed: Cable Liquid Force Watson Hybrid and Liquid Force Vantage boots Riding ability (cable): Advanced Bio: Tevin is an employee at McCormick s Cable Park, so it goes without saying he spends quite a bit of time riding the place. Being cable: a cable expert, Tevin was used as a cableonly board tester for this board test. To put it simply Tevin knows how to ride the cable and how boards perform both on the water and on rails in the park. From back-lipping over whatever he wants, to nose-pressing the snot out of a board, Tevin has the ability to do it all. 1. Liquid Force Watson 2. Hyperlite Murray 3. Company Recruit Derek Cook Age: 26 Height: 5 8 Weight: 160 lbs. Preferred way to get towed: Boat, but anything, really Boat speed: 25 MPH Rope length: 85 Boat normally ridden: Anything Gator Boards Militant and Gator bindings Riding ability (boat): Pro Bio: Most of you probably already know of Derek as the Nor-Cal native who loves to wrap things up and add a unique style to his riding. Being a pro team rider for Gator Boards and being in Orlando for a few months, we knew Derek would be the perfect boat expert to give his opinion on the boards in the test. Whether it s his signature laid-out tail grab tantrum to blind, wrapped indy 3, or huge tweaked stalefish grab into the flats, Derek knows how to charge on a wakeboard. Derek prefers a board with a rocker that leans more toward the 3-stage side of things and he doesn t like anything that s too locked in. 1. Hyperlite B-Side 2. Slingshot Recoil 3. Byerly Conspiracy On the water: Speed (1=Pig, 10=Rocket) Turning (1=Won t turn, 10=Slaysher) Edging (1=Slippery, 10=Locked in) Tracking (1=Loose, 10=Locked in) Ollie (1=Stuck to water, 10=Pogostick) Landing (1=Brick, 10=Feather) On obstacles: Sliding speed (1=Sticky, 10=Dragster) Maneuverability (1=Catchy, 10=Free) Pressability (1=Rock solid, 10=Full court press) Super solid off the wake. I could ride this board every day behind the boat and not have a problem with it. Chad Lowe Byerly ConSPiracy 54 Speed: 5 Pop: 8 Speed: 4.5 Turning: 6 Tracking: 9 Sliding speed: 5 Maneuverability: 3 Pressability: 2 This board has lots of pop off the wake. Derek Cook Pops big and carves really well, but a little too locked in for my taste -- it can be a bit unforgiving. Agent Orange cwb vibe 142 Speed: 5 Edging: 5.5 Ollie: 5.5 Pop: 5 Release: 4 Swing weight: 5.5 Turning: 4.5 Edging: 4 Ollie: 5 Sliding speed: 5 Maneuverability: 7 Pressability: 6.5 Nice and quick. Loose, easy to spin and presses pretty well. Tevin Gilbert Surprisingly good behind the boat, but definitely a different ride from both traditional boards and other flexboards. Agent Orange cwb faction Ollie: 5.5 Pop: 5 Release: 5 Swing weight: 4 Turning: 5.5 Sliding speed: 5.5 Maneuverability: 6 Pressability: 4 I wasn t expecting to have so much fun with this board. It s not too crazy in any aspect, but functional in all. Tevin Gilbert

Company Vandall 140 liquid force flx 138 Turning: 6.5 Swing weight: 6.5 Turning: 6.5 Sliding speed: 7.5 Maneuverability: 7.5 Pressability: 4.5 This board rides better the faster you re going.

Chad Lowe Company recruit 143.5.5.5.5 Release: 5.5 Swing weight: 8.5 Edging: 4 Tracking: 4 Maneuverability: 8 Pressability: 8 So flexy anybody can poke or press it out.

Good for wake-to-wake or going into the flats. Derek Cook Nice, clean pop behind the boat and edges like a mad man. Performed better on boat than on cable.

3 Company Vandall 140 liquid force flx 138 Turning: 6.5 Swing weight: 6.5 Turning: 6.5 Sliding speed: 7.5 Maneuverability: 7.5 Pressability: 4.5 This board rides better the faster you re going. I guess that s why it s Randall s board. Nick Whitt Without fins it rode very smooth on the rails. Agent Orange This board was the best board for charging into the flats. Chad Lowe Company recruit Release: 5.5 Swing weight: 8.5 Edging: 4 Tracking: 4 Maneuverability: 8 Pressability: 8 So flexy anybody can poke or press it out. Tevin Gilbert Fast on the water and on the rails. Chad Lowe 026 AllianceGearGuide hyperlite b-side Pop: 6 Swing weight: 6 Edging: 9 Tracking: Maneuverability: 5 Pressability: 2 This board shreds behind the boat. Good for wake-to-wake or going into the flats. Derek Cook Nice, clean pop behind the boat and edges like a mad man. Performed better on boat than on cable. Nick Whitt Tons of fun to shred the rails with. Agent Orange Speed: 4 Turning: 3 Edging: 3 Tracking: 3 Ollie: 3.5 Pop: 3.5 Release: 4 Edging: 5.5 Sliding speed: 7 Maneuverability: 7 Pressability: 8 Easy to spin and press out on rails, but with fins in they can slow it down too much. Tevin Gilbert Slid well, one of my favorite boards for the rails. Chad Lowe ronix bill 142 Speed: 5 Ollie: 5 Pop: 6 Release: 7 Swing weight: 4.5 Sliding speed: 5.5 Maneuverability: 6 Pressability: 6 Loved the board for its take off and lift for both kicker hits and line tricks. Decent pressability on rails. Tevin Gilbert If you like a board that releases early off the wake, this is for you. Agent Orange The stance all the way out was a little too wide for me, but this board performed well at the park. Nick Whitt jstar vanity 136 Speed: 5.5 Turning: 3.5 Edging: 5.5 Ollie: 4 Pop: 6.5 Swing weight: 6 Ollie: 5 Sliding speed: 5.5 Maneuverability: 4 Pressability: 3 Careful when edging really hard! Agent Orange

028 AllianceGearGuide All around a very good board in every category behind the boat.

5 Pressability: 5 Great pop and good when you go big, the landings might take a bit to get used to.

Tevin Gilbert Binding change #31 for Chad Lowe o brien valhalla 138.5 Pop: 6 Swing weight: 5.

4 028 AllianceGearGuide All around a very good board in every category behind the boat. Derek Cook Liquid Force Watson Maneuverability: 7.5 Pressability: 5 Great pop and good when you go big, the landings might take a bit to get used to. Chad Lowe Good pop for ollieing onto rails. Really fun board. Tevin Gilbert Binding change #31 for Chad Lowe o brien valhalla Pop: 6 Swing weight: 5.5 Sliding speed: 4 Maneuverability: 3.5 Pressability: 2.5 Fun board behind the boat. Chad Lowe Sean O Brien shreds on this board. It doesn t excel in one spot, but it s good all around. Derek Cook

030 AllianceGearGuide A really fun ride. Quick, responsive, great edge control for air tricks, kickers or rails. Tevin Gilbert hyperlite murray 137 Speed: 8 Turning: 8.5.

5 030 AllianceGearGuide A really fun ride. Quick, responsive, great edge control for air tricks, kickers or rails. Tevin Gilbert hyperlite murray 137 Speed: 8 Turning: Swing weight: 6 ronix one 142 Speed: 4.5 Speed: 4.5 Maneuverability: 6 Pressability: 4 Speed: 8.5 Sliding speed: 8 Maneuverability: 8 Pressability: 4.5 A bit small for me, but great pop and awesome landings. Nick Whitt Lightning edges! A raley machine! Agent Orange Carve master! Derek Cook Good board on the boat. Solid pop, nice landings, and a sweet release off the wake. Chad Lowe Kinda slow for me with the factory fins, I d use smaller ones. Agent Orange

032 AllianceGearGuide Fast, fun, and good pop. Derek Cook slingshot response 142.5 Edging: 5.5 Release: 4 Swing weight: 8 Speed: 8 Edging: 5.5 Maneuverability: 8.5 Pressability: 10 Fast and poppy.

6 032 AllianceGearGuide Fast, fun, and good pop. Derek Cook slingshot response Edging: 5.5 Release: 4 Swing weight: 8 Speed: 8 Edging: 5.5 Maneuverability: 8.5 Pressability: 10 Fast and poppy. Massive air tricks and a blast on obstacles. Tevin Gilbert Super soft and consistent with both pop and landings. Nick Whitt slingshot recoil 142 Speed: Pop: 8.5 Release: Edging: 4 Tracking: Maneuverability: 9 Pressability: 10 The type of ride I like in a traditional board, but this one has flex. Super fun in the park and behind the boat. Chad Lowe Super pop! Once I got used to it I had a blast. Agent Orange

am Team legend Team Team team Josh Smith Country - Land of the Free Nicknames - Smitica, Turtle, YOsh, Yoshi Hero, Love Honey Baby, S F Smity

am Team legend Team Team team Josh Smith Country - Land of the Free Nicknames - Smitica, Turtle, YOsh, Yoshi Hero, Love Honey Baby, S F Smity legend Team Josh Smith am Team Nick Valliere Brandon Robins Team team Country - Land of the Free Nicknames - Smitica, Turtle, YOsh, Yoshi Hero, Love Honey Baby, S F Smity Date of birth - 11.30.72 BC (Before