5 Ways To Have More Fun & Get More Done at Surf Expo with Zane Schwenk

Zane Schwenk is a legend in the water sports industry and a 20 year veteran of Surf Expo. 

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First Wake Surf Event of 2014: Synthetic Swell

Synthetic Swell is the first wake surfing event of the year and is being held in sunny SoCal.  The festival will take place on February 22nd & 23rd 2014. The first day will be fresh water at Lake Elsinore on the 22nd and the second day on the salty waters of Mission Bay in San Diego on the 23rd.  

This is not your average wake surf event and is going to be an awesome 2014 kick off shred party with fun contest like "wake surfing in the best outfit" said event coordinator Marco Thompson.  This is not a competition but more of a shred sesh/demo day/festival that you can bring your own boat to if you want to show off your wave. There will be BBQ lunch and dinner with fellow ripper and anyone is welcome from first time to pro. Here is some info you might want to know about the contest: 

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  • Bring your boat, and try out the wake behind other boats
  • If you don't have a boat, bring your boards and surf with us
  • Bring all your boards to share, and try out boards you have not ridden before
  • Bring your wetsuit if you have one, if you don't, we have several to loan, and we have some dry suits available also
  • Bring some friends that have never surfed, get them surfing, expert teaching is free
  • Bring the family, this is designed to be a 100% family friendly event
  • RV friendly locations
  • This is NOT a money making exercise, the organizers are doing this at their own expense, with no event income please bring money to help out with gas.. boats don't run on thank you's.
  • On Sunday, there will be some giveaway / goodies for every attendee, courtesy of Wakesports & our other sponsors

The schedule for this awesome event is as follows:

Saturday February 22, 2014 at Lake Elsinore 

  • Fresh water Day 1
  • 7:00 AM - Sun-Up First boats on the water 
  • 8:00 AM -10:00 AM Sesh 1
  • 10:00 AM - noon Sesh 2
  • noon - 1:00 PM Pot Luck BBQ on the beach
  • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Sesh 3
  • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Sesh 4
  • 5PM - Pot Luck BBQ on the beach

Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Mission Bay

  • Salt water Day 2
  • 7:00 AM - Sun-Up First boats on the water
  • 8:00 AM -10:00 AM Sesh 5
  • 10:00 AM - noon Sesh 6 - Wild Ride
  • noon - Pot Luck BBQ on the beach
  • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Sesh 7 - Wild Ride
  • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Sesh 8
  • 5:00 PM - Pot Luck BBQ on the beach
  • 6:00 PM - Awards & Contest Results

Get registered today as spots are limited and to find out more about the event visit www.SynSwell.com

Nectar Sunglasses - Signs surf giant Jamie O'Brien

Jamie O'Brien aka JOB 

Jamie O'Brien aka JOB 

Nectar Sunglasses is excited to announce that surfer, Jamie O’Brien, has signed on to represent Nectar. Jamie continues to push the limits of surfing and always showcases his talents on the North Shore of Hawaii and worldwide. Nectar has released Jamie's Signature Series "Mahalo" sunnies. Sean Holmes, co-founder of Nectar Sunglasses said, “Jaime represents the sweet life 110% , and that is what we’re all about. We are stoked to have him on the team and are excited to build this partnership.” Check them out at NectarSunglasses.com.

A couple awesome videos of JOB wakesurfing a yacht & flowboarding with pro surfer buddies on their trip across the US this year to experience all the different surf cultures and board sports! 

Kaley Sparling- Mrs. World far from Toddlers & Tiaras

Hidden away in the Boise, ID pro wakesurfer Kaley Sparling received an unexpected knock on her door from her neighbor three years ago. Kaley’s out-going, friendly natured spirit, and beautiful complexion had compelled her neighbor to approach her about participating in pageants. A new world to her considering she had never competed in a pageant before but she was up for the challenge and started working on her platform. For those of you, like me, that aren’t familiar with pageant lingo the contestants “platform” is the cause they support and speak about. Kaley’s platform is childhood sexual abuse prevention, as it is something she is passionate about. 

Very different from your normal pageant girl, she has an addiction to board sports that stems from her husband Jimmi, who has always been passionate about board sports. She caught the addiction herself too after starting to wakesurf with him in 2008. In 2009, after practicing a few times a week behind their Centurion Enzo for a year, she signed them up for the NWWSA wakesurf competition and made the drive up to Seattle where Jimmi took first place at the event. Always supporting each other’s dreams and goals, Kaley would start competing in pageants the following year too.

What does it take for a relatively small town girl to become Mrs. World?

Taking on pageants in Idaho to claim the state title of Mrs. Idaho was the first step to moving on to the national stage to compete for Mrs. America. The pageants are judged by the following: 50% of your score is based off the interview with judges while the other 50% comes from they way you carry yourself in your evening attire and swim wear. Kaley competed against 51 other contestants on the national level earning first runner up for Mrs. America. When it came time to head to China to compete for Mrs. World, the other contestant was unable to go and Kaley happily stepped up for America and boarded a plane to China to go claim the title of Mrs. World. After two weeks in China, Kaley returned to the US with a new accomplishment and the title of Mrs. World! 

Photo not owned by Boarders

Photo not owned by Boarders

How many pageant women do you know that snowboard, ride flowboards, SUP, compete in wakesurf events, and have on their resume: “ announcer of the 2013 World Wakesurf Championships”? Just Kaley! Also, Jimmi brought home skateboards not too long ago and is teaching Kaley and their 2 children Jack Danger and Madison to skateboard as a family. The wakesurf world is very lucky to have awesome people like the Sparling's to help grow the sport we all love & we look forward to the future with them and their kids pushing the sport too!

Kaley would like to thank her husband for always supporting her & her wakesurf sponsors for all of their help! Centurion Boats, Soulcraft Boarding, & Agenda Surf!

By: Danny Braught