New Prez In Town

One of the major players in Wake Sports on the Island is the Sproat Lake Water Sports Association (also known as Sproat Lake Ski Club).  Every year they put on a number of events, from clinics to competitions.  And every year a vote is made for a new club president.  This year we have the pleasure of hearing from the new prez, Kris McNichol. I’ve personally had the privilege of knowing Kris for a few years now and enjoy spending time on the lake with him.  His knowledge, leadership and energetic qualities will be great assets to the club’s future.

Mr. McNichol, tell everyone a little about yourself?

Kris – Well I own a few companies, CPI Pumps and Irrigation, Climax Roofing and Halien Dive Shop all located in Parksville. I have three daughters ages 16,14 and 10. We are a very busy family with wakeboarding, fastball, volleyball and snowboarding.

How long you been a member of the club?

Kris – I’m going on my third year at
Sproat Lake Water Association

Why did you join?

Kris – We have a pretty active family which loves all sports and I knew a couple people who where involved at the lake and thought it would be a great fit for my family and I. It’s been 3 years now and I have loved every minute of it. When you have approximately 40 families all part of a club that have a greater goal in teaching and passing on what they have learned in water sports to new and younger people, you can’t get better than that.

Were you nominated to become prez or did you volunteer?

Kris – I was nominated and gratefully accepted. I think when you’re a part of a club it’s always a good thing to get involved and leave your mark, as they say. I will try and do the best job as I can and hope that I’m half as good as the past Presidents that I have followed.

Is there anything new and exciting you would like to see happen at the club for 2012?

Kris – Well, we are hosting the Provincials again this year Aug 17-19. I hope the weather turns out great and it’s a huge success. Also we are in the process of maybe adding to are jumps/kickers etc… With any luck everyone will be able to ride something new this year!!

How are you going to handle being prez of the club and head of security in the event of a competition?

Kris – (lol) Well, I hope I do a better job of being the president than I did at being head of security last year. You know on the serious side, we host a tournament every year and we have a lot of fun, but there always seems to be a handful of people that want to wreck it. I don’t get it because there used to be sand castles in Parksville and it was excellent until a handful of people wrecked it, so there is no sand castles. I grew up over on the mainland and there used to be Peachfest until a handful of people wrecked it, and it got cancelled. You go to Game 7 of a hockey game and what happens there?? The people who are getting robbed of fun are the young people.  I’ve been to Peachfest, I’ve been to the sand castles I’ve been to those places before a handful of people wrecked it,and it was a lot of fun. So the only thing I can say is have fun but don’t wreck a good thing……I’ll leave it that.

With all the boat issues with the club boat over last year do you see a new boat in the future?

Kris – Well, honestly, I know there were a few issues with the boat but nothing was very major. I hope the boat lasts a few years more so we can concentrate on other issues before we buy a new boat, but man does the new X-Stars look good!!! MasterCraft you can thank me later for the free plug. Haha

 

Island Rider: Garth Douglas

Garth Douglas

1.      Where did you start riding and how long ago?

McIvor Lake in Campbell River. We started out with an old Bayliner bow
rider.  I used to beg my dad to borrow more water jugs from his offices
water cooler to try and get a bigger wake.  I think we maxed out at 12
jugs before his co-workers brought up this issue of missing water at one
of his staff meetings.  Although, I started riding about 10 years ago, I
had a break for a few years when I moved to Victoria before I was able to
get established on the Shawnigan Lake scene.

2.      Why do you wakeboard?

For me it’s that feeling I get of just being on the water. Sailing through
the airs pretty sick too. I like that feeling of accomplishment when I
finally land a new trick. A big part of wakeboarding that I like is that
you can go out with anyone and everyone. There is a sense of the present.
Everyone on the boat can go out and have a set regardless of skill level.
It’s not like snowboarding where different riders’ comfort levels are
going to determine groups dynamics (ie who is going down green runs and
who is ducking ropes).

3.      Where are you from and where do you reside today?

Originally born in Durban, South Africa.  My family came to Canada shortly
after and I grew up in Campbell River.  I have spent the last 6 years
going to school in Victoria.  Presently, I am in transition and do not
know what the future entails.  I am moving back up island to finish my
teaching practicum and then I don’t know.  I could easily see myself
residing at a mountain for the winter….

4.      What sort of career are you chasing, whether it be wakeboarding or
something else?

That’s a funny story.  In theory I will be a qualified teacher by the
beginning of December.  Whether that’s what I want to do or if there is
even work available is another question.

5.      Where do you normally wakeboard?

McIvor Lake- Campbell River
Shawnigan Lake- Just outside of Victoria

6.      Who do you wakeboard?

Honestly, whosever’s down to ride.  Down at Shawnigan generally Tyler,
Matty and Stu. Up in Campbell my family and the crew from the water ski
and wakeboard club.

7.      What other sports can you be found doing?

Surfing, snowboarding, bare footing, climbing.

8.      How did this year turn out for you?

Unfortunately, the teaching program took up a lot of my time with summer
classes. It also really sucked that Tyler broke his leg early on in the
season.  I always get pumped riding with him cause he pushes me outta my
comfort zone.  In terms of events, this year I only got a few in due to
school commitments. My best comp was third at Provincials at the Cove.

9.      What in store for Garth Douglas next year?

More spins for sure. I definitely want to keep pushing raley variations.
I think its time to find some balls and start incorporating flips and
spins (ie mobious tricks).  Not going to lie some inspiration might be
required from one of those wakeboarding camps. I would love to do a trip
down to Florida or the Philippines this winter.  Lastly, as I will have
more time now I hope to give back to the sport through coaching the next
generation.

10.     Anyone you need to give a shout out too? (sponsors, friends, family? )

Shout out to sponsors for sure.  Thanks Rip Curl, Hello My Name is
Boardshop, Northernites (Guayaki Yerba Mate distributor). Also thanks to
my Dad, for pulling me out of the water hundreds of times.

-VIWAKE

Sproat Lake Competition 2011

Sproat Lake hosts yet another wakeboard competition.

     July 28th I had the pleasure of heading up once again to my favorite place to shred,  the Sproat Lake Watersports Association. I had been hired to put on a clinic to coach the up and coming wakeboarders of the club.  Just like the previous year I was welcomed like family which ment a lot considering I was bringing up my new family to join in the fun.  This was my son Ryder’s first camping trip, first boat ride and first time experiencing wakeboarding.  For my fiance it was a chance for her to see the friends and family that I have met during my career in wakeboarding.

The turnout was great for the kids, 19 of them to be exact. Ages ranging from 7 to 17 and all sorts of levels, boys and girls.  It truly is great to see such a large group of young kids taking a liking and trying to push themselves in wakeboarding.  Everyone put 100% into learning new tricks. We had kids learning to get up for the first time, learning to jump and learning some more technical surface tricks.  And for the few really brave kids, they learned how to hit their first slider. The club had built a fun box which was perfect for all to hit. Not to forget the few club members that came out to drive the boat, without them it would have been a long day.

After a couple of days of learning it was competition time.  I unfortunately wasn’t able to make it but I was proud to see my fellow security detail members stepping it up again this year! Headed by Kris Mcnichol these neon yellow t-shirt wearing men covered the grounds making sure everything ran smoothly and that the partying was done right. Hearing it through the grape-vine I heard it was quiet the party on the saturday night needing a little more enforcement then usual. Good job boys!

As for the comp, a good turnout as usual.  Sponsors picked it up this year with Hello My Name Is Boardshop, Bill & Ted’s and Jay’s Lace It Up donating a ton of prizes. Wakeology added something new to the mix, donating a brand new wakeboard and more.  Also new to the mix was BC Wake Boat Rentals. Rocking their 2011 Tige RZ2 their presents was welcomed by all.  Surfing, wakeboarding and more was towed behind this beautiful machine.   Another few guests of the comp that made my day was the attendance of Tyler Ham, Joey Ewing, Chris Ewing, Broody Combs and myself.  All old pro’s from back in the day, we were offered the chance to head out and film for the cameras. Armed with an arsenal of riders a Master Craft from Kris Mcnichol and a couple other boats we sped off down the lake looking for flat water. Once found it was one of the best moments of the year for me. Being able to watch these guys again all shred together was definitely a highlight to the competition weekend.  Still full of talent and battling rough water these guys showed that they still had it. The energy off the boat was amazing and I’m sure felt by the 6 boats tied up watching the fun.  Look for video and pictures on tv in the near future.

Sproat Lake 2011 Pro Division

The competition wrapped up on the Sunday with a surprising finish.  As there wasn’t enough pro riders there, they had bumped up the advanced division to pro. Jimmy Frandsen took first place with Tyler Hamm second and Brody Coombs third.  Tyler Hamm after years of being away from the sport was still able to show off some of the sick tricks he’s known for and style.  Tyler’s been busy working the fishing boats and recovering from several knee injuries.  Brody after a knee injury last year was able to ride with his usual intensity. All in all it was a great show.  Can’t wait to see the up and coming riders of the future comps.

-VIWAKE