April 18, 2007

Randy Harris Returns to Wakeboarding; Departs Correct Craft Team

Two high-profile departures from the Correct Craft team have made news in the industry. Philip Soven, a long time Correct Craft team rider recently departed their ranks and joined Malibu. Even more shockingly, Randy Harris has just inked a deal with Malibu as well.

We've previously posted photos of a hot pink Wakesetter and named it "Most Strangely Remarkable" in the The 2005-2006 Wakeboard Report Wake Boat Beauty Awards. That boat, or one like it, could be earmarked for Harris as many know that Harris prefers his wake boats pink, slammed with ballast and outfitted with upholstery capable of withstanding errant run-ins with body piercings.

Harris was a true Correct Craft mainstay and it will be difficult for me to see him riding behind anything but a Nautique. And as Correct Craft continues to sign motocross athletes and other non-wakeboarders to their extended team, we're left wondering why the departure of key wakeboarding athletes from their team is being permitted. Soven's departure from Correct Craft was rumored to be powered by an extremely lucrative deal and at his age it is somewhat more acceptable. But Harris's departure is more distressing to us - something about this just doesn't jive - and we can't quite put our finger on it.

An industry insider informed me that Malibu has a reputation for, in their words, "handing out boats left and right". At this point, with a bevy of new and exciting models from Correct Craft, we hope they start to follow suit and poach a few big name athletes - and expand their promotional team at the same time. Signing Emily Copeland-Durham was a good start, But we'd like to names like Darin Shapiro, Ben Greenwood, Erik Jernberg, Tino Santori or Erik Ruck on the Correct Craft team, as opposed to motocross phenom James "Bubba" Stewart, or snowboarding Innovator Tommy "The Machine" Czeschin.

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August 25, 2006

Ronix Watch: WBM Cover Shot and Parks Bonifay Interview

Yesterday was a big day for The Wakeboard Report team and its collective knowledge of the company called Ronix Wakeboards. For one thing, the most recent issue of wakeboarding's printed volume of record, Wakeboarding Magazine, arrived at the Wakeboard Report offices with a cover shot must make the chiefs at Ronix very, very happy. The subject was perfectly centered shot of the bottom of a Ronix board strapped to the bottom of Adam Errington's feet. Another great issue too; and if you don't subscribe to that publication, you are almost as foolish as those that don't read this Web site! It is the best magazine our sport has, so do yourself a favor and renew, or for pete's sake subscribe already.

Additionally, we dug up this interview with a moustache-less, and headband-less, and newly minted Ronix luminary Parks Bonifay kicking it on the edge of Radar Lake. Life looks rough up there at Radar Lake. We would HATE to be invited up that way someday. Just so you know.

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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.

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