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Impressive....that's the one word that I think of every year
to describe the WICed Fest and this year was no exception.
It seems that every year gets better, bigger, and phatter!
Friday started off all overcast and ugly. I worked until
about noon and headed down to Candlewood for the weekend.
I helped the crew set everything up and by the time we had
finished, the sun had ripped through and the day was ready
for riding. Before we get to that though, I really have to
hand it to Rob Anderson, his crew at AXIS Boardsports, Talbot
from the Marina and all the people who help us every year.
We really have figured this thing out and setting up for this
year's event went smoother than it every has. There were no
hitches. So, we get out and get some riding in. Conditions
were decent and everyone in the crew had a great run. I was
lucky enough to ride with listees Steve Haynes, Brent Franklin,
and their respective others. All rode well and started getting
stoked on that nights activities.
After picking up my girlfriend (she had to work all day in
NYC and took the train all the way back to Danbury), I headed
over to Down the Hatch with my crew and my brother and his
friends. This place was off the hook. I ran into people I
hadn't seen in a year or two and a good time was had by all.
For those of you who don't know, Down the Hatch is a bar right
on the water that most people can drive their boat up to.
Pete's WICed Ale had drink specials going all night and we
just rocked the house.
Eventually, everyone dwindled out around closing time and
rambled into a bed somewhere. Me and my crew were amongst
the couple of people to brave the early morning wake up call
(and cold air) that got some great riding on some glass. Brent,
Ant, Steve and I all had great sets and really enjoyed riding.
It's become a tradition every year that the guys get up early
and ride while the "women folk" sleep late and cruise over
to meet us mid-day. We had a great time that morning for doing
some photo-shoot work (Brent always seems to go bigger when
there's a camera on him) and even did some gnarly wakeskating.
Then it was back to the Marina....ah, the Marina....home
base for the WICed Fest. This year, we had so much to do there!
Lucky Soul Tatoo had a booth set up displaying work and they
were super cool. I'll be heading down there soon as it's too
cold to ride (don't need to cut into riding time while I take
care of new ink). Bruce Chrisner from Liquid Force worked
the place like a superstar, hooking everyone up with LF demos
and all in all just being a great ambassador to the sport.
LF, you guys are lucky to have a guy like this hawking your
goods. AXIS had a tent set up and provided all the Festers
with the little things they forgot...shades, sunscreen, hats,
towels, etc. On top of that, they are all just a chill group
and rocked to hang with. NYC artist Chris Colorusso provided
the Festers with a Chill Out Room where you could get out
of the shade...definitely a "chill" place. Then there was
my personal favorite. Brookfield Community Chiropractic had
an area set up where they were doing adjustments. This lady
became my (and just about everybody else's) best friend for
the weekend. For no charge, she'd crack every bone in your
back, next, and shoulders and make you feel like a million
bucks. I'm sure she got more than one new customer.
To top it all off, we had some of the most kickass bands
play! Silencer, BigTopLow, Flood, Windfall, Super Kid, Rainshine,
and GuerrillaFinga all rocked the party! I don't think I've
ever seen such a great group of bands (and people - the members
of the bands that I did get to talk to were incredibly cool
and super stoked to be there!). As always, we were psyched
to have such a great arraingement of bands and are so gratious
to the bands for playing!
Amongst all this chaos, people found time to ride....alot!
That was probably the best thing I noticed about this year's
WICed Fest. A lot of people came up to me and said that they
thought the best thing about the weekend was that the vibe
was the best it's ever been and that there seemed to be more
emphasis put back on the riding! That is probably the thing
I am most proud of this year! I think we had lost a little
bit of that and had become too concerned with getting things
for people to do. The emphasis of this event was and always
will be the riding! I'm glad people are starting to really
feel that way.
Saturday night was completely insane. We had a luau on the
docks with Brent, his fiancee Christy, and my girlfriend Marissa
working the tiki hut/bar. These guys worked their tales off
to make sure that everyone had a good time and I'm so thankful
to them. I'd also like to thank Malibu for helping us out
and sponsoring the party. Without you guys and your support,
it wouldn't have been as great as it was!
Sunday has always been a chill out day and this year was
no exception. Everyone was worn down and chill. Most of the
sponsors were able to come back and set up shop for the day.
We had demos going all day and people just hanging around
chilling with their new riding buds. The afternoon was highlighted
by a water trampoline contest that pro rider CJ Kelley MC'd
and the Flying Hawaiian (sorry, didn't catch your full name)
won! He walked away with a brand new LF Evo while all the
contestants walked away with either a shirt or hat.
There's so many people I have to thank and I'm sure I'm going
to miss someone, but here goes: Rob Anderson and his crew
at AXIS Boardsports, Talbot and the Marina, the crew from
Lucky Soul Tatoo, all the incredible bands, the "Miracle"
Lady from Brookfield Community Chiropractic, the guys from
Red Bull, Bruce from LF, the rep from Hyperlite, Chris and
his Chill Out Room, Pat and Wakeboarder.com, Steve and Off
Axis Gear, Liquid Force, Malibu Boats, Inland Watersports,
Hyperlite Wakeboards, Volcom, Electric Sunglasses, Earthwake
Web Designs, and anybody else who lended a hand this weekend.
You guys are all what makes WICed Fest the defining event
in the Northeast! If I forgot your name, I'm sorry...I'm still
recovering from all the sun and fun this weekend!
Thanks again to everyone involved...you make WICed Fest kick
ass! Look for more pictures and a more in-depth recap soon
on the website!
Peace and Butter,
Dan
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