Freestyle world finals live feed

[mthomps]

Announcing aside I have to agree that it's not very interesting watching guys ride like they are on a trampoline constantly.

10 backflips with flat spins in between them. I mean, up until a few years ago when I got in to jet skis I never imagined it possible to ride like that and the first time I saw it I had to go check myself in the bathroom.

But now that I've watched it a ton and have seen plenty of old school runs on youtube I'd rather watch old school flatwater runs where every second seemed to be used instead of trawling around for a few minutes before jumping on the trampoline.

 

[Big Kahuna]

This was the first year of the flip and roll show that was actually interesting, not because of all the rolls and flips, but from the point of when their run started, many was kicking out 15-20 tricks without taking a breather.......... To be able to do that is showing some talent........

I would rather see the old school stuff also....

 

[subhard]

No offense but I can't stand old school tricks. Maybe I'm the only one, but I love where the sport is going. It has way more adrenalin and is way more impressive. Bigger, higher, and more technical. Especially with guys like lee doing so many variations. Another guy did a can can backflip. (Not trying to say old school tricks are easy, they're not)

The same thing happened a couple years ago in freestyle motorcross. Guys started flipping and there were plenty of people saying that the xgames were just flip offs. Then guys started doing variations and pretty soon people complaining started to drop off. Sorry but flips are cooler. Especially to the average Joe. Which is one of the things we need to keep this alive.

Maybe next year they can have a js550 freestyle class? Id still watch it.

 

[g-ski]

The other "new" thing is simply the insane amount of height that today's technology makes possible. What is starting to get old is that, except for the superflip, Eric Malone did all these "new school" tricks in 2006. That's 7 years of polishing and honing the same routine. I'm amazed, but at the same time ready for the next progression.

 

[swapmeet]

^^^ Pretty much what BK said...

I think this was mentioned last year, but it would be cool to see a mixture of old and new. But as long as the judges score the aerials more favorably, thats what they competitors will do right?

The things I kept hearing the announcers mention was number of tricks and 'amplitude.'
To that point, if you can do 4 'scarecrow' barrel rolls in 6 seconds, how many old school tricks could you do in that same 6 seconds, and will they score as high?

 

[Mark44]

Announcing aside I have to agree that it's not very interesting watching guys ride like they are on a trampoline constantly.

10 backflips with flat spins in between them. I mean, up until a few years ago when I got in to jet skis I never imagined it possible to ride like that and the first time I saw it I had to go check myself in the bathroom.

But now that I've watched it a ton and have seen plenty of old school runs on youtube I'd rather watch old school flatwater runs where every second seemed to be used instead of trawling around for a few minutes before jumping on the trampoline.

Agreed!

 

[cattledog]

stoyer is a good announcer , he knows jet sking and did a good job at Daytona a few years back

 

[Big Kahuna]

No offense but I can't stand old school tricks. Maybe I'm the only one, but I love where the sport is going. It has way more adrenalin and is way more impressive. Bigger, higher, and more technical. Especially with guys like lee doing so many variations. Another guy did a can can backflip. (Not trying to say old school tricks are easy, they're not)

The same thing happened a couple years ago in freestyle motorcross. Guys started flipping and there were plenty of people saying that the xgames were just flip offs. Then guys started doing variations and pretty soon people complaining started to drop off. Sorry but flips are cooler. Especially to the average Joe. Which is one of the things we need to keep this alive.

Maybe next year they can have a js550 freestyle class? Id still watch it.

One way to look at it. With old school tricks, just about anybody can go out there on what ever ski they have and attempt the same tricks. I know I use to do that.......... I cannot go get on my Superjet and go do backflips, scarecrows, helicopters, etc etc. Yes, The sport has progressed to an extreme level. Joe Smuck cannot go out and do these same tricks......... To even attempt to do these tricks is going to cost you at least 15k to start to get close. That is not going to get new blood into the sport.

 

[mthomps]

Yes, BK the quickness of the combos is very impressive.

But it seems that's what it's come to now. How many times can you go upside down without resetting yourself?

I'm sitting here thinking about this and quite honestly I think the problem is that the equipment is so purpose built...Let me elaborate.

In the beginning these things were meant for riding around and racing them. Same thing with the bmx bike. Then the guys who did that loved it so much they started messing around and practiced and started pulling off tricks. And as all human history shows us the natural thing to do is redesign for the purpose desired by us.

Now we are to the point where we have boats in these contests that will flip themselves if you have the balls to pull the trigger.

So it is what it is I guess.

But...to be frank...its way more interesting to me watching a guy on a rec boat jet ski go fast as at a wave (cause he has to) in order to flip or roll than watch someone just start doing multiple flips off idle.

I like to see speed!

 

[badvinny]

Don't forget, hood tricks and subs rarely hurt you, the new stuff can hurt you fast until you get it mastered!

 

[ADDict]

15k won't touch these runs. Better double that budget. Like it or not, this is the future of freestyle, and there is nothing easy or boring about it. The crowds seemed to absolutely love it. Maybe it's just not as impressive from home on a monitor, but it's unreal live. Huge amount of respect for these guys.

 

[naticen]

If you guys want a nice routine, watch figure skating. just kidding, I just want less repetition, but come to think of it, I've never complained at a live event. I like the comparison to motocross, but I just don't know that they will ever get the heights to do those variations on flat water

 

[subhard]

Go home. You guys are too old. No one is complaining about the same tricks in the surf. Admit it. You love it.

 

[swapmeet]

Joe Smuck cannot go out and do these same tricks......... To even attempt to do these tricks is going to cost you at least 15k to start to get close. That is not going to get new blood into the sport.

But thats precisely what the Xscreams, Bun Freestyles, and Blowsions of the world want. Joe Schmuck to see the pro level riders and then say, "I wanna...." and eventually blow 15-30k on a boat.

When I got into this 4-5 years ago I used to watch videos of Lenzi FW flipping and lose my mind. But I would vomit when I had to spend $100 on my $800 ski. Here I am today with a 10k boat, trying to do the things I see the pros do......... trying.... Look at all demand for Flatwater boats, punctuated with compeditive price points to win business from Joe Schmuck...

I think the Pro Freestyle Comp is product placement and a way to drive business, and I think its working. (cause I fell for it :doh: .)

 

[Matt_E]

Go home. You guys are too old. No one is complaining about the same tricks in the surf. Admit it. You love it.

1. No serious surf competitor is doing flip after flip. They'd get penalized (yes, you read that right)
2. You can't be successful in a surf comp doing nothing but aerials. You have to surf and also show style and let it flow together.
3. You don't need a $35k boat to place well.

 

[QuickMick]

They have the superflip bars that spin out to lock your wrist, and I believe he uses a snort teather to lock the pole down.

yea I saw the attachments and pads on the bars. I have seen them before somewhere, didnt really know what they were exactly for. Attaching the bars to a short rope or locking device makes sence.

 

[Matt_E]

15k won't touch these runs. Better double that budget. Like it or not, this is the future of freestyle, and there is nothing easy or boring about it. The crowds seemed to absolutely love it. Maybe it's just not as impressive from home on a monitor, but it's unreal live. Huge amount of respect for these guys.

x2. Lol, 15k doesn't even buy a competitive amateur class boat. Maybe half of one.

 

[4SeasonsPower]

15k won't touch these runs. Better double that budget. Like it or not, this is the future of freestyle, and there is nothing easy or boring about it. The crowds seemed to absolutely love it. Maybe it's just not as impressive from home on a monitor, but it's unreal live. Huge amount of respect for these guys.

You nailed it! Nothing easy about it. I spent years watching videos and dreaming and then finally built a ROK-R. Needless to say I got my butt kicked. Just recently had the pleasure of tuning a customers KDX 1200 and it was the first time I saw a flatwater flip in person. It was so much cooler than watching it on my computer. They make it look easy. The sport is damn expensive, but its growing and to me that's the most important part. We have 3 KDX's in northern Utah now and a couple years ago I was lucky if I saw a 550 on the lake.

 

[mthomps]

Yeah, Addict! Don't get me wrong...that is the opposite of easy. I've seen flips and rolls in person plenty....nothing like a WF pro class run though.

Me personally I am a freerider. Whatever is out there is what I ride!

I'm a huge fan and student of surfriding myself. Mainly because I have excess to waves, wakes, and a superjet.

It's a good thing stand up jet skis have branched off in to both directions!

 

[jeckert]

I saw 3 tricks in in the top 5 PROS this year (and obviously some variations of each)...

1. Backflip
2. Helicopter
3. Barrel roll

...wait a sec I saw one flair; thank you Jeremy Parr

that brings my total to....4 tricks; scored by a "trick counter," how many times can you repeat 1 of these 3 tricks before your 2 mins. are up. Even the harder variations seemed to mean nothing, only TOTAL # of tricks WINS.

I'm losing interest...

Add in some sprung monkeys and 50/50's and let the bodies FLY...but seriously, let's see what kind of a routine they come up with!