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August 29, 2004
The Route 3 Wave is a great test of wave surfing
skill because it is shallow, mostly green at this level and only
has so many moves available. All of the blunt moves go, as well
as the Helix and Donkey Flip if the water level is just right. However,
the moves are mostly blunt moves, or spins. Catching air on the
wave requires a really good, really snappy blunt, and a good boat.
This is my advantage. Right now Bryan Kirk has the best Helix here
on this wave (actually the only one so far), but no air. Josh Matsel
is getting some good air, but very inconsistent. Jay Kincaid and
Dustin Urban have the clean blunt here, but rarely get air. Andrew
Holcombe has all of the moves and an occasional air move. Todd Baker
has the best front air blunt I have seen yet, and very consistent
(he is in the junior class).
This isn't like doing air blunts on Lachine,
which is impossible to keep your boat on the water. This is your
local wave, about the same flow as we will find in Australia for
the World Championships in January. It is awesome watching people
make moves happen where they usually don't. This whole competition
is about who can stay focused and nail all of their blunt moves
without hitting rock, and without flushing, then getting at least
one additional big move to stay ahead of the pack. From what I have
seen in practice, there are about 15 in the men's class who can
all of the blunt moves, but I am guessing that only about 10 will
actually get all of them in one ride. The other factor is the set
up time. It is amazing how many 2 minute rides I have seen. I just
did some timed rides this morning and found that the time flew way
faster than I expected and I need to run the moves together better
and not wait for the "perfect setup" but instead make
them happen one move after the other. There are 12 blunt moves (roundhouse,
blunt, air blunt--- left and right---- front and back) The roundhouse
is a low scoring move that is not worth the time to do, so that
leaves about 10 moves at 4.5 seconds each, which is quick. So, I
am doing 9 moves at 5 seconds each, leaving 7 seconds for each air
move (need a good setup), and 4 seconds for the flat ones.
I will be an interesting event. I have attached
my "routine maker" that I use to see my ride in writing
and the score that it will get if I nail it. usually I start with
the big moves first, but in this event- team trials, I am starting
with the little moves first to point points on the board and get
to the top 20 placing score before going for anything hard. In prelims
we will cut to 20 men. 15 have 9 blunt moves- that means I can do
the little moves first and flush after 6 and still make the cut,
and if I get to the air moves and nail them- I will be sitting at
1 or 2, depending upon if the other competitors, like Jay, or Bryan
can get air, or Josh Matsell can hold a whole ride together.
Look for Stephen Wright in top 10 today anyway
and going strong into tomorrow.
Got to go- Dane goes in about 30 minutes!!!!
He is going to do a super clean spin, blunt left, air blunt left,
both back roundhouses, and try a backstab left.
EJ
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