August 01, 2006

Ronix Wakeboards Building Web Site, Wakeboarding Team

Still on the lean side, Ronix Wakeboards is finally beginning to emerge from rumor-only status, and is looking like the real deal now that a somewhat decent Web site has been revealed. Parks Bonifay, Chad Sharpe, Emily Copeland-Durham and Danny Harf are said to form the heart and soul of Ronix Wakeboards. But they still need legs, arms, a brain and, ok, no more metaphors... they need more team riders. They also need to relase a few wakeboards, since all I have seen is a prototype flat black board that reminds me of the 136 Blindside I cloaked in Mercruiser Phantom Black outdrive paint, and took to a contest while trying to get sponsored. For the record, I walked away from the event still a free agent.

Easily excitable wakeboarding discussion forum participants reporting a "MASS EXODUS FROM HYPERLITE EVERYONE LAID TO WASTE OMG!!1!!!11!!!!1! LOL ROFL :X ", may have overreported the staffing changes at Hyperlite, both at the corporate level and with regard to their contract athletes. The dust has settled and as of now the Ronix team is publicly limited to just 4 riders; just the ones I already mentioned. No sign of Byerly, his board shaper Scott Bouchard, Murray or any other Hyperlite mainstays. So, deep breath everyone.

The Ronix Wakeboards Web site contains this announcement:
You ever wondered how to get sponsored? See the riders in magazines, hear about them flying all over the world living the dream. Now is your chance. Ronix Wakeboards presents the Amassault (wakeboard contestants only) The search is on for up to 4 riders that have their own vision for wakeboarding. Can't do a 900, never been on a podium of a major contest or you don't live in Orlando not a problem. Instead we are looking for some cool young heshers that are going to pick up where so many pioneers have left off. Ronix isn't looking to sponsor riders with the biggest trick list, instead the most diverse trick list. Depending on how many people show up you might get an opportunity to ride several times. The atmosphere will be casual. We will be barbequing, hanging out and when riders feel like riding we will be in the boat to check you out (including our pro team). Riders will be responsible for accompanying themselves to the location. If under 18 a guardian must be present. So strap on your gnarly boots and come meet us. This could be your chance to be a part of the foundation of our crew. We will supply the boat, gas, and double up. All you need is your setup and style.

Carlsbad Lagoon
Westside's hottest scene.
October 7-8 From 9:00am until the sun is down both days.
4215 Harrison Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008

» More here

So - it looks like they are looking for team riders with different styles and ability levels - but are still geographically limiting their search area, and are not currenly recruiting riders in Boston, MA (:( - ed.). Ronix's rise should be pretty interesting to watch. We don't get to see a new board company take shape very often, so I am watching this closely.

Posted by erik