Wake-Up Call - July 20th, 2008
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Wake Up Call a success

wakeboarding into centennial

Posted By CATHY DOBSON, THE OBSERVER | Article can be found here

Chris Smith put out a wake-up call to Sarnia and thousands responded Sunday. The organizer of the city's first wakeboarding event said he was blown away by the reaction to Sarnia's first Wake Up Call, held simultaneously in Sarnia Bay and on land in Centennial Park. "This is incredible. I've exceeded what I wanted to do," he said. "So many people came down here today not knowing what wakeboarding and wakeskating are, and they left knowing all about it. "It's exactly what I wanted. I can't thank everyone enough who supported me on this." Smith said he expects the event will be back at Sarnia's waterfront next year. Despite a rainy morning, the park quickly filled up when the demonstrations started. On land, a unique winch pool created specially for the Sarnia event, was used to bring the crowd and the boarders within metres of one another.

Smaller, inflatable pools have been featured at other wakeboarding events but this one was 150 feet long and made from 400 hay bales and massive amounts of shrink wrap for boats. Smith said he intended to use inflatable pools all along but at the last minute they didn't arrive. So, with the help of Sarnia Bay Marina, the makeshift pool was built and worked like a charm, aside from a few rips, Smith said. Fourteen professional competitors wowed the crowd with their tricks on wakeboards and wakeskates. On land, they were pulled by a water ski rope attached to a winch. The pros flipped and twisted their way over a jump in the centre, drawing applause from a crowd that grew larger as the day went on.  "This is awesome," said 24- year-old Ashley Marsden of Sarnia. She wakeboards and said she was impressed that such a high-calibre competition took place in her hometown. "It's pretty cool," agreed 20- year-old Brooke Campbell from Wyoming. "I never knew about wakeboarding until I came. I'm going to try it for sure." The park was definitely filled with more young people than usual, likely because of Sarnia's Wake Up Call, said Lynn Bouchard, co-ordinator for the city's annual Hobbyfest held Sunday just north of Sarnia's Wake Up Call.

Hobbyfest is an opportunity for local clubs and collectors to showcase their interests and try to attract new members. This was its 19th year and one of the best attended. Bouchard said the rain didn't deter anyone. "We worked with the wake-board organizers and I think we have more young people in the park and more families," she said. Still farther north in the park, Ribfest was into its fourth and final day. While Thursday, Friday and Sunday crowds were good, Saturday's rain really hurt attendance, said co-ordinator Dave Johnston. The Sarnia Kinsmen Club hosts Ribfest and relies on its revenue to help support about 40 community groups, he said. Despite an estimated 13,000 going for music and some ribs over the course of the four days, Saturday's meagre crowd as rain beat down at the Kim Mitchell concert, will badly impact the bottom line.

"Instead of coming away with about $30,000 like last year, we're likely going to make closer to $15,000," Johnston said. "Sarnians came out and supported Ribfest really well but Mother Nature doesn't always co-operate." He said the club received a few complaints about the new licensed and non-licensed areas this year and intends to make changes to the layout at next year's Ribfest. Judging of the five ribbers took place at noon Sunday with Blazin' BBQ selected for best overall and best chicken. Smokin Joes took the People's Choice award yet again, as well as best ribs. And Jack the Ribber had the best sauce.

 

Event will now feature 14 riders! Check out the Rider Bio's for more info.

Schedule has been posted - Check Home Page

All Rider Bios are complete!

SWUC will be featuring a retail village.  As of right now, this village is set to include:

- BoatSMART Canada! will be providing on site boater exams to allow you to get your boating license.

- Playstation 3 will be here with 4 PS3's setup at the event that you can demo

- The Boardshop from London, Ontario will be setting up a massive tent that will feature products from all of the sponsors

- Precision Power Sports will have a display of PWC's and  their Sea-Doo lineup

- Bayview Chrysler Dodge Jeep will be on hand and will have some brand new stylin Jeep's for you to check out

- Autograph sessions to be held throughout the day in the Levelthirtn Wakeskates and Sattelyte Wakeskates tents

- Avolution multimedia will be providing the sound for the event

- K106.3 Rock Patrol and The Fox FM Fun Patrol will both be in attendance

- Come check out Sarnia Water Sports and book your lesson at Sarnia's WAKE-up Call!

- Definitive Riding Apparal will be setting up a booth and have stickers, hats, tee's, banadanas and more!



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