What a year…
There was a kind of nervous anticipation before the first stop on the 2009 Loch Stock tour; 2008’s one day event was explosive, as if all the wee embers of Wakeboarding had been gathered up from around the Scottish lochs and a gallon of petrol thrown over the top. Riders of all abilities came from all over to be a part of it from first time competitors eager to start riding comps, to more seasoned riders clearly stoked to finally be competing onhome waters. There was clearly massive interest in taking the Scottish scene forward.
- Pic: Bowler
That’s all well and good, but three weekend tour stops, at three of Scotland’s sickest riding locations (and let’s not forget a pre-season coaching day!)… things changed from a one day competition to a season long proving-ground. This was the chance for the organisers, and most importantly the Scottish scene to show sponsors, press and ultimately the rest of the world that we can earn our place on the map.
No-one could have predicted what happened in the 5 months over which the tour ran. Now the Scots are a determined bunch, (you kinda have to be to ride here), so there was no question of ever loyal supporters from North of the border. But no-one anticipated the response that the tour received from the rest of the UK; as word spread about the tour, more and more faces started appearing until there were more UK wide accents than an Easyjet flight to Magaluf.
The first competion stop of the tour coincided with undoubtedly the worst weekend of weather May had to offer! But despite the wind and waves, (my brother told me he got lost while looking for the double-up as he couldn’t tell between the boat wake and the waves!), and the heavens being open for most of the Saturday coaching day, there was still a constant stream of riders queued on the dock and a respectable crowd huddled under the tents on the beach.
- Pic: Akass
It’s pretty hard to argue with the fact that Loch Lomond went off- despite battles with the weather, authorities and of course the midges, the number of people that travelled from both sides of the border to be at the event was amazing and was a sign of things to come.
- Pic: Bowler
Stop 2 took us to the Loch View Motel on the picturesque Auchenreoch Loch. The raise in the standard of riding in just a month was awesome, along with Phitt Clothing onshore shop; however there are some very special moments for which Loch View will be remembered. I doubt the image of James Hooper, Jack Hammersly and recently healed James MacKay jibbing a floating dock will fade from memory anytime soon, especially for those stood on the dock having a pint. That same night a bar full of people found a special bond to Michael Jackson’s Greatest hits (God rest).
After a month off to recover from Wakestock, the final stop of the Loch Stock tour landed at Townhill Loch in Dunfermline.
- Pic: Bowler
The final weekend weekend on the tour well and truly went off with a bang, including an epic after-party with sets from the Sum Sum dj’s, and a few other Relentless fuelled ipod jockeys!
It’s a simple fact though, that Loch Stock would not have happened without the sponsors. The boys from Mastercraft Boats proved that they do far more than just sell pimping boats; providing a fully fuelled 2009 X2 for the entire tour was the least of their efforts and it’s fair to say that without them the tour would have gone nowhere. Literally. Relentless kept the energy levels maxed throughout the tour, as well as providing the legendary Matt Crowhurst for our coaching pleasure.Phitt Clothing stayed committed to the cause providing the one and only Dan Jordan as well as a stack of prizes, as did Liquid Force, Xtreme Gene, and the PREMIER Scottish riding location, Loch Lomond Wakeboard. The Sum-Sum music/Bonnington Lane Studios dream team kept the music pumping all weekend long, as well as providing beats well into the night.
The Scottish wakeboard scene took off in 2009, and 2010 has even more in store- watch this space!
- Pic: Bowler
