With the lake being lowered and what’s left likely to be frozen over quite soon, it might seem strange to be discussing the sport of wakeboarding. But for three Chestermere residents, wakeboarding is something that they never stop talking about or doing.
Starting up in the late 1980’s, wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wake board over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques. The rider is usually towed behind a motorboat, typically at speeds 30-40 km/h, depending on board size, rider’s weight, type of tricks and the riders comfort level.
Married couple Nicole and Chad Hudson, along with long-time friend Robert Ulrich recently competed in the World Wake Surfing Championship Series (https://m.facebook.com/officialwwsc?_rdr). The WWSC is a series of competitions across the world which qualify riders for the final event in Las Vegas.
There are different divisions, Juniors, Masters, Amateur, Outlaw (which is like a semi-pro), and Pro. Nicole and Chad compete at the amateur level, while team mate Rob is an outlaw. To qualify for World Finals you have to get first place in a World Series qualifying event or score high enough for an invite. There are also two different styles. Skim and surf. Skim boards have smaller fins and smaller thinner boards. Skim tricks are very technical including 360’s, shuv-its, 720’s, drifters and 180’s to really advanced tricks like 3shuv’s and big spins. Surf style boards are more similar to ocean surf boards with big 4 inch fins. Surf style is more aggressive with big Ollie’s and grabs, alley oops, and air reverses.
Team mate Nicole says “Although we don’t have a formal team name, we have travelled to contests together across the US sometimes calling ourselves Chestermere surf crew. When not wake surfing in Chestermere, we surfed in Lake Havasu AZ, Lake Mead (Las Vegas), Lake Powell AZ. We are fortunate to have the support of Absolut Watersports in Strathmore (owned by Chestermere resident, Jeff Bezzeg) who supplies our hard working Centurion boats which we ride behind. We were fortunate to host in Chestermere pro riders Caroline Villeneuve with H2O School in Koocanusa, BC and Emily Agate from Fernie, BC who helped our training immensely. ”
Nicole Hudson, originally from Amery Wisconsin now resides on east Chestermere drive. This is Nicole’s first year competing surf style and it’s come quite naturally by making it on a podium at every qualifying event she attended.
2014 accomplishments:
1. Texas Wake Surfing Championship (New Brainfels, TX) 3rd Women’s Amateur Surf
2. Northwest Wake Surf Association Open (Monroe, WA) – 1st place Women’s Amateur Surf
3. 10,000 Lakes Open (Minneapolis, MN) – 2nd place Women’s Amateur Surf
4. World Wake Surfing Championship (Las Vegas, NV) – 4th women’s amateur combined surf and skim
Chad Hudson, also lives on the east side of the lake from Grande Prairie, AB
2014 accomplishments:
1. Northwest Wake Surf Association Open (Monroe, WA) – 1st place Men’s Amateur skim
2. 10,000 Lakes Open (Minneapolis, MN) – 2nd place Men’s amateur skim
3. World Wake Surfing Championship (Las Vegas, NV) – 4th mens amateur combined surf and skim
Robert Ulrich resides on east Chestermere drive
2014 accomplishments:
1. Northwest Wake Surf Association Open (Monroe, WA) – 2nd place Men’s Outlaw skim. 3rd place men’s outlaw surf.
2. World Wake Surfing Championship (Las Vegas, NV) – 7th mens amateur combined surf and skim
Just another group in Chestermere that gives another element of pride to our community. If anyone wants to contact them about wakeboarding, feel free to contact Nicole at 403-466-6618.
