Story and photos by Low Sze Sen/Red Sports
Jerald Foo executes a successful invert 360 during a practice run. (Photo 1 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)
Raffles Marina Club, Sunday, March 13, 2011 — The sunny day interspersed with the occasional cloud cover was perfect for the finals of 4th annual West Side Jam International Triple Wake Competition held at the Raffles Marina Club. A calm surface made conditions ideal for the event which played host to wakeboarders, wakeskaters and wakesurfers from as far afield as the US, UK, Japan and Thailand.
Singapore’s local contingent comprised the youthful Jerald Foo, Max Christian and Abdul Shahir. Jerald and Max were competing in the Open Men’s Wakeboard Open category where there are no restrictions on wake tricks. Shahir took part in the Freeride Men’s Wakeboard category, where competitors are restricted to a maximum of two spins or inverts off the wake or obstacle. With only limited opportunities to train on the water and at SKI-360, the cable-ski park at East Coast, the trio were outside contenders to win their respective categories.
Max, 20, and brother to the illustrious Sasha Christian, is currently midway through his National Service. He recognizes the support of his squadron in allowing him time off to compete in local and international wakeboarding events and hopes to take his skills beyond the level of a hobby with greater ambitions for the future.
Jerald, winner of the Freeride Wakeboard category here in previous years was hoping to emerge from the shadows of Max who has been in the sport for over 10 years and is currently Singapore’s best wakeboarder. Alas neither were able to make use of the fine day to qualify for the finals, taking tumbles as they pushed hard to secure a Last Chance Qualifier slot.
Their anguished cries at not qualifying was evidence of their frustration but the international competitors were certainly not here to make up the numbers and excellent performances were set up by the Open Men’s Wakeboard finalists.
Shahir was the only one of the trio who qualified for a final as he came in tops in his heat. However, it turned out to be different scenario in the final. Competent on the obstacles which included the ‘monster Funbox’ (which looks like a capsized hull of a large 40 footer), the Ollie-Up slider and Kicker, Shahir was found lacking in the area of wake tricks.
It was later discovered that a problem relating to the length of the towrope was the cause for an apparent lack of adventure with the more challenging spins and inverts. Shahir was placed fifth out of a field of six but with cheerful maturity chalked it down to experience to build upon for future competitions.
Apart from the awesome skills of wakeboarders as they flip, invert and rotate in the air, landing with a smooth continuity of motion, the festive mood of the participants and spectators at the West Side Jam 2011 revealed a niche community that values camaraderie as much as it does entertainment.
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