3 types of people you should have in your circle

 Let's face it, we are drawn to people like us, to remain in our so called "comfort zone." While I think that this is great and that most of these "comfort zone friends" will be some of your very best friends while other may not, is it possible that they may be holding you back from reaching certain goals in your life?? Kind of a tough question to answer, huh?

Well, take a moment to think about your closest friends, work colleagues, etc. Now, do they fall into one of these 3 categories?

1. Dreamers and the Doers

2. Believers and Thinkers

3. Those who see greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself.

I'm glad to say that some of my friend would definitely fall into one or more of these categories and I can confidently say that these people are the one's that have had the most positive impact on me and my family. I've got to admit, there's nothing better than a true friend! 

Remember: "It's very important to surround yourself with people you can learn from." ~ Reba McEntire

Keep the dream alive #WildChildStyle ~The Wildchild

Strengthening Your "Want To" as an Extreme Sports Athlete

Make Simple Tricks Look Cool

I really like this recommended ingredient for success which is referred to as strengthening your "want to." Everyone has a want-to list. If you are an extreme sports athlete your "want to's" probably include "I want to land that new trick" or "Win my first competition." Most times people's "want to's" are just lip service. They just say they want something but they don't work as hard as they can to get it. Plus, when they encounter a obstacle, they don't have the right attitude to view this setback or failure as feedback! I'm sure that we can all relate to this feeling or attitude at some point in time.

So do you think your "want to" is strong? Let's say your goal is to land a Tantrum to Blind on your wakeboard over the summer. One way to gauge the strength of your "want to" is by seeing how many times you give in to the little voice in your head. The voice that says, "I am too tired to hit the lake today. I don't want to get up early. My legs and arms are too sore to land such an advanced trick." If you let that little voice win, your "want to" is not strong enough. I know that this concept of mental toughness almost sounds too easy, but trust me it's not at first. But once your "want to" becomes part of your every day routine, you're just turned a huge mental road block that most never overcome and thus never truly reach their goals as amateur or professional action sports athletes.

So let me leave you with this.... "How strong is your "want to?" Do you really want something or just say you do?"

Face Your Fears... It's Good for You!

What almost kills you makes you stronger.Extreme sports and dangerous physical challenges boost your mental makeup, finds a new study in the Journal of Health Psychology.

Australian researchers defined extreme sports as those activities that involve “the potential destruction of the physical self”—basically, your ass is on the line. (Think BASE jumping, waterfall kayaking, and big-wave surfing.)

Travis Rice during the Art of Flight

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to jump off a building or surf Mavericks in order to experience the fulfillment outlined in the research. Whether you’re quitting your job to start a new business or simply signing up for a Tough Mudder, if the activity scares the hell out of you, fighting through that fear will provide psychological benefits similar to those observed in the study, Brymer says. Just don’t be reckless. “Do your homework, and make sure you’re physically and mentally prepared.” 

After a series of interviews with 15 experienced extreme athletes—that is, not dead—the study authors found that overcoming intense fear leads to “transformational” changes in confidence and sense of self. Put simply, overcoming physical terror increases life-fulfillment and psychological well-being, the study shows.

When you get down to it, fear stems from a lack of faith in yourself and your ability, explains study coauthor Eric Brymer, Ph.D., a psychologist at Queensland University of Technology. And so when you defeat your fears, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable—an experience that has major psychological advantages that will ripple throughout your life, he adds.

(Courtesy of Markham Heid http://news.menshealth.com/why-extreme-sports-make-you-a-better-man/2013/04/14/) 

TOP INFLUENCERS IN ACTION SPORTS - WHO DO YOU THINK IS #1

After much debate, the No. 1 spot was awarded to surfer Kelly Slater, the youngest and oldest world champion in ASP history. Though he fell just short of winning a 12th ASP World Tour title when Australian Joel Parkinson earned the coveted award in the second-to-last heat of the season at the Billabong Pipeline Masters in December, Slater still has 11 world titles to his name, which is a full seven more than the next-closest surfer, Mark Richards. Slater has the most event wins in ASP history (51), and in 2012 alone, he notched three tour stop victories. The ASP lists his career winnings at $3,425,705. Not bad for an action sports athlete.

On top of that, Slater is involved with international efforts to conserve ocean ecosystems, and he's donated time and money to help poverty-stricken communities around the world. Slater's list of competitive accolades is innumerable, but perhaps most poignant, at one month shy of his 41st birthday, he shows zero signs of slowing down. He continues to dominate at the highest level of surfing and proves year in and year out that age really is just a couple of digits

Slater may not be world champ this year, and even amid rumors that he's retiring, his influence over surfing and the broader action sports industry is undeniable. Visit a beach, a surf shop or a high school in Southern California, Florida or Brazil, and you'll see hints of Slater's reach. Long after he's done competing -- if that ever happens -- Slater will still be the one people are talking about, the one setting the benchmark for others to follow.

You may not agree with everyone on this list. And certainly, there are names we are missing. But hopefully, we can all agree on this: Action sports would not be the same without the presence of these 50 talented and inspiring people. (Huge shout out to ESPN X Games for creating this list) To check out the full list of action sports athletes visit: http://xgames.espn.go.com/article/8793102/50-most-influential-people-action-sports 

The New 2013 Lineup for Ronix Wakeboards

Check Out Some Sick Deals on 2012 Gear and the Freshness of 2013!

For those of you that may not be too familiar with the Ronix Wakeboard Family, here's a quick history... 

Ronix wakeboards was founded in 2005 with some of the biggest pioneers and riders in the world of wakeboarding. Ronix wakeboards has a Research & Devleopment (aka Shred Crew) with over 100 years of experience in the watersports manufacturing industry and is responsible for much of the cutting edge technology that we see in the sport of wakeboarding, wakesurfing and wakeskating worldwide and most importantly in the Ronix product line. 

Ronix Wakeboards

Ronix wakeboards was founded in 2005 with some of the biggest pioneers and riders in the world of wakeboarding. Ronix wakeboards has a Research & Devleopment (aka Shred Crew) with over 100 years of experience in the watersports manufacturing industry and is responsible for much of the cutting edge technology that we see in the sport of wakeboarding, wakesurfing and wakeskating worldwide and most importantly in the Ronix product line.

Click Here to Check Out the entire Ronix Wakeboard Product Line

Ronix Pro Riders Include: 

• DANNY HARF
• PARKS BONIFAY
• CHAD SHARPE
• ADAM ERRINGTON
• DEAN SMITH
• REED HANSEN
• HAYLEY SMITH
• ERIK RUCK
• MARC ROSSITER
• DIETER HUMPSCH

Shaun Murray - WakeMD

Shaun Breaks it Down for You... Take Your Riding to the Next Level

With on screen graphics and freeze frames you will not miss a point or step. Next to being with Shaun at his camp there is no faster way to immediately improve your wakeboarding skills and deepen your trick list. This App is part of Shaun's Detention 2012 Series. Click Here to Download

How to Make Simple Wakeboarding Tricks Look Cool

If I had to guess, I’d say I probably work on methods more than I work on any of my hardest tech tricks. It’s not because methods are difficult to master but because it’s a trick that offers unlimited possibilities. Every time I do a method, I can tweak it a different way or poke it a little more. Every single time, I get to make it my own, and, for me, that’s the best part of wakeboarding. I see a lot of young riders who focus on learning the hardest technical tricks but could care less about grabbing their boards. Hey, I get it; we all want to win contests. If you ask me, though, you aren’t doing yourself or the sport any favors by skipping the steps that lead to better style and more diverse riding. I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive for that Moby Dick 5. Keep working on those tech tricks, but take some time every session to see how far you can tweak a method or poke out a stalefish. Your riding will look infinitely better for it. In this wakeboard how to, learn three of my favorite simple-yet-stylish tricks that you can take from basic to badass. Check out the tricks

Words: JD Webb Photos: Ryan Taylor (http://www.wakeboardingmag.com/)

Wakeboarding - 5 Ways to Fix Your Foundation

I was checking out wakeboardingmag.com and saw some really good advice on fixing a lot of common problems that a lot of new wakeboarders face and bad habits that seasoned wakeboarders have.

Keep the handle position consistent

Where you hold the handle is key to having both power and control. Letting the handle rise is a common mistake that will pull your upper body ahead of your lower body. Think of it this way: If you were to tie the rope to your body rather than hold the handle, you would tie it to your hips for the most relaxed ride. Keeping the handle low and close to your hips is the best way to keep the pull coming from the center of your body.

Adam Errington On Handle Position

— “Handle control is still something I stress on. In fact, I think about it every time I ride.”
— “Sometimes it’s awkward finding the perfect handle placement, but if you work at it, though, it will become second nature.”
— “It’s key to keep the handle low and close to your hip. It’s how you generate power, balance and muscle memory.”

To view all 5 tips Click Here

(Tips courtesy of http://www.wakeboardingmag.com/)

Liquid Force Wakeboards

Grab all your Liquid Force Gear! Spread the Stoke! Click Here

About Liquid Force Wakeboards:

Liquid Force has worked super hard at building season upon season to bring you new lineups. The results of the relentless efforts of their stoked and committed team is simply THE BEST PRODUCT LINE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT!!

Liquid Force is proud and inspired by their aggressive team of pro and amateur riders who come up with amazing ideas on how to make the sport more fun. They challenged Liquid Force to make their dreams a reality. From Shane's idea of a closed toe boot that gives unbelievable control to Shawn's idea for bindings that you can put on like your favorite pair of skate shoes, to Phil's idea for a board that pops like a MUTHA but lands as soft as your favorite down pillow - Liquid Force put their more than 100 years of combined wake experience together- and pulled it off!

Get out on the water and ride some LF Gear! Whether you are a young girl just getting started or an experience rider looking to land your first 720, Liquid Force has made something for you that you will love. One your ride Liquid Force, we know you will share the same relentless passion for the sport they created.(Courtesy of http://www.the-house.com/)

Go Pro HD - Ride the Wake

There is no way that I couldn't post this footy with the new Go Pro HD! So Sick!

Wakeboard Essentials - Beginner's Tips

For those of you who love to be outdoors and more importantly on the water, then wakeboarding is a sport you should look into. All that is needed to wakeboard is a wakeboard, rope and boat. The boat will tow you across the water and you use the wake that the boat provides to launch yourself into the air and make down to the water. This looks easy but for first timers it can get tricky but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to stop. As riders progress there are all sorts of tricks and flips you can do.

If you don't have access to a boat there are quite a few wakeboard parks that are becoming very popular. Basically, the wakeboard park allows you to hook up to a cable and it pulls you around and simulates the boat and you can practice and do tricks and do the whole thing. They are becoming increasingly popular as wakeboarding is getting super popular but not everyone has access to a boat.

Some essentials for wakeboarding are the obvious, a wakeboard, rope and boat. If you are a beginning wakeboarder try going with a longer rounded board so that you can better learn to be stable and get the hang of this great water sport. The rounded edges allow boards to gain speed and get in the air, they also make for more stable landings. As one becomes more experienced you will also need to take into consideration bindings or boots as some call them as they help in the wakeboard experience.

As for the wakeboard ropes they vary in elasticity and length. The length of a rope is normally between 60 and 70 feet. They also come with adjustments that allow for the rope to be shortened as one progresses so that they can be closer to the boat.

If one is lucky enough to own a wake boat you can add a wakeboard tower. It allows you to mount the rope on the tower which gives riders a better pull which in turn creates more air to allow one to try some sick tricks

Wakeboard accessories add spice and flavor to the sport. You need a handle and helmet which allows you to pick some outrageous colors to fit one's personality. If you do own a boat wakeboard speakers are also nice. They attach to the wakeboard tower and you can play your favorite jams or for beginners it can be used to relay tips and ideas.

Hurry up summer and get here, I can't wait to get back out on my wakeboard. Author: Kevin

Mental Toughness in Sports - Up Your Game with Mental Imagery

How Mental Imagery Works

When an athlete imagines himself performing to perfection, he is physiologically creating neutral brain patterns that are similar to small tracks engraved in the brain cells. This enables the athlete to perform certain stratgies, moves, tricks, etc. by mentally practicing those tasks first in his mind. Mental imagery is intended to train the athlete's mind, thus showing the body exactly how to react or perform when during practice or competition

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Practical Application of Mental Imagery

It’s true that we move closer to what we focus on. If an athlete imagines missing a shot, or how good the other team is, or even fears injury, it harms his game concentration and affects the outcome. It’s absolutely essential that athletes visualize success and victory.  Steven Balzac, a psychology professor and former nationally ranked fencer says, “If we imagine success, we prepare ourselves for success because that’s what’s in our heads.” Remember that we if don't beleive in ourself and our abilities, no on else will for us.

It’s important to remember that athletes use imagery in different ways. Their imagery may not involve just visual images, but sounds, smells or touch. It really depends on the person. Another important aspect of mental imagery is for the athlete to watch and study his sports heroes and imagine that he is making those same shots with precision. Does this mean the athlete will always perform at top level? No…we’re human and we all have bad days on occasion. But visualization and mental imagery increases the chance of increased and sustained success.

Results of Mental Imagery

Of course physical practice is always the best way for an athlete to improve his skill level and race to the top of his game. However, mental imagery is better than no practice at all and, incorporated with physical practice, is the best way to see optimal results. Continuous studies are always being conducted to determine just how much mental imagery plays into the increased success of athletes. And, for the rest of us, imagining ourselves more successful is never a waste of time if we are also spending equal or more time physically developing our skill set. The time spent in mental imagery is beneficial not only to the athlete but to the business person, the student, the entrepreneur, and anyone else who desires to develop and increase their level of play. The more mental imagery is studied; more effective techniques can be developed and adapted by athletes…and the rest of us.

 

"So basically it's up to you mentally whether or not you are going to up your game. If you want to land that 1080 on your snowboard, think it out and visualize every aspect from the approach, the takeoff, movements while in the air and a perfect landing. It doesn't matter whether you compete in action sports or mainstream sports, mental imagery will increase your chances of success." ~Kyle Bingham~
 
(Portions of article courtesy of Michelle Hill http://www.winningproof.com/)

Learn to Wakesurf - Part 2

Wakesurf Tips Part 1

The Takeoff

So where do I begin if you have never tried wakesurfing? Well, if you have ever participated in other board sports, chances are you are going to be able to pick up this sport fairly quickly. As with any board sport, it is going to take some practice before you start rippin' it up in the water. In any case, here are a few tips that might help.

1. First you need to know whether your stance is goofy or regular. Goofy is right foot forward and regular is left foot forward. This is very important because determining your stance is going to determine which side of the boat you are going to be riding on. Riding toe side (aka your toes are facing toward the wake) is the easiest way to start learning. Later on down the road you can switch to riding heelside (aka your heels are facing toward the wake). So if you are goofy footed then you want to start towards the right side of the boat. If you are regular footed, then you are going to want to start towards the left side of the boat. Now that you have your stance figured out and you know which side of the boat you are going to be riding on, you are ready for the next step.

2. The next thing that we are going to look at is the takeoff. I recommend starting about 5 to 10 feet away from the platform. You want the rope to be tight by the time you in this position. If you still have a lot of slack in the rope in this position, you are going to find yourself too far back from where you need to be on the wake. The takeoff itself is very similar to that of wakeboarding. Position your feet in a comfortable position on the board. You want your heels to be resting near the edge of the board and your toes pointed up. When the boat begins to pull you up, you want to put pressure on the board with your heels to bring the board to your feet. As the board flips to the bottoms of your feet, point the nose of your board towards the boat. Staying on your back edge will only cause you to wipe out. Now that you are facing forward on the board being pulled by the rope, edge out into the flats (away from the wake) to get your feet in a comfortable position. Once you are comfortable, begin edging in towards the wake by putting pressure on the board with your toes. As I mentioned earlier, most people have any easier time learning when riding toeside. Once you get the takeoff down, now the fun begins. It's time to find the "SWEET SPOT".

Wakesurf Tips Part 2

Finding the Sweet Spot

The first thing that you have to get used to is the power of the wake. During your first couple of runs you might feel that the board is a little bit unsteady. That feeling will start to go away after you work on your balance and weight distribution on the board.

1. While continuing to hold onto the rope, start to get a better feel for the wake by doing some little carves up and down on the wake. You will notice that as you edge up onto the wake that it will start to push you towards the platform and then as you shift your weight to avoid hitting the platform, you will then notice that you end up on top of the wake or even behind it. Finding the balance in between these points is key. Use the rope to help to pull you into the position where you feel the push from the wake. Ultimately, you want to be able to ride without using the rope but the rope is very helpful when you are first learning to ride on the wake. Once you have a good feel for the power of the wake and the responsiveness of your board, you are probably ready to start working on finding the "Sweet Spot."

2. Pull yourself back in close to the wake where you begin to feel that push forward. Keep in mind that you are only about 5 feet or so away from the platform of your boat. Now is probably a good time to emphasize that wakesurfing should NEVER be done with an outboard motor, only inboard boats specifically designed for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. As you place the board in that spot where you notice that the rope gets some slack in it and you begin to feel that push forward from the wake, you have found the sweet spot. As I said earlier, this is where you want to practice riding while continuing to hold onto the rope. Once you are able to ride for a little while without any help from the rope, throw the rope into the boat and let your endless wave riding experience begin. This is where practice makes perfect. Balance and weight distribution are everything when learning to ride in the sweet spot. If you are constantly blasting towards the platform, put more weight onto your back foot. On the contrary, if you are finding yourself getting pulled to far back on the wake, put more weight onto your front foot. It is a game of balance and is just going to take some time to get it right.

Wakesurf Tips Part 3

Learnin to Shred Like the Pros

Well, my little grommet you have progressed quite well. My only remaining bit of advice that I have for you is Go Shred!!!! I can't tell you enough how great it is to have my own endless wave right here in AZ. Every single person that I have ever taken out on our Malibu becomes instantly addicted to this sport. Give it a try and I'm sure that you too will know exactly why this sport is here to stay! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Here's a quick video to take a look at as well:

Learn to Wakesurf - Part 1

Finding the Right Board

Well, when you are first starting out don't worry too much about the board. Howtowakesurf.com does a great job of describing the different types of boards. There are 2 basic styles of wakesurfboards, skim board style and conventional style.

Skimboard style wakesurfboards are thinner and smaller than surfboard styles.

Advantages: Easier for a beginner to get up on. Easier to spin (180s, 360s etc.). Easier to do shuvits. Easier to stow on the boat. More likely to fit into a wakeboard rack. Less tendency to roll and nose dive.

Disadvantages: More difficult to learn to freeride. Boat typically has to go back to get a fallen rider.

Conventional style wakesurfboards are thicker than skimboard styles and have greater buoyancy.

Advantages: Easier to freeride. Will freeride in a smaller wave than a skimboard style. Easier to recover from far back on the wave. More adept at classic surf moves that require bigger turns and cutbacks. Fallen rider can paddle quickly back to the boat (assuming the driver stopped soon after the rider fell).

Disadvantages: More difficult for a beginner to get up on. More difficult to spin. May not be able to do shuvits. Requires special racks to stow on the tower. More difficult to stow in your car without surfboard racks. Some have a significant tendency to roll and nose dive (not all). Shred Stixx boards (for example) do not have this roll and nose dive tendency.

A beginner may have difficulty getting started and standing up upon a conventional style surfboard. The same person may just pop up on the skim board style. They may not freeride as quickly, but they can still have lots of fun lineriding.

There are a lot of great wakesurfboard manufacturers out there. As I said earlier, don't worry too much about the brand of board that you are riding. The most important thing to do at this point is determine what style of riding you are going to focus on and then try out both the skim and conventional style boards. Once you have got your riding style down and have gotten comfortable with a certain style of board, then take a look at which brand caters most to your style.

So What Exactly Is Wakesurfing?

Before I get started on what wakesurfing is, I want reassure all of my readers that anyone can do it! Following these tips and putting in the practice will get you up and riding in no time!

The concept behind Wakesurfing is pretty simple. If you have ever ridden in a boat you have probably seen the wave that it creates behind the boat. The weight from the boat sitting in the water produces two separate waves more commonly known in the water sports world as wakes. It is that very wake that you use to wakesurf.

Using a smaller rope than what is typically used for wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, etc, you pull yourself in front of the wake, typically about 5 to 10 feet from the back of the boat depending on the size of the wake. A larger wake will allow you to surf further behind the boat. There is a special spot on the wake known as the "Sweet Spot." The sweet spot is where the wake or wave has the most power and is the smoothest place to ride. The Sweet Spot allows you to let go of the rope and surf as though you were surfing out in the ocean. It is the coolest feeling when you hit the Sweet Spot for the first time and begin riding the Endless Wave.

Check out the full Wakesurfing Tutorial Here

Check out Wakesurf Central for all your gear.