The New Freestyle Direction

Shonuff

Shonuff

I've got the glow
Site Supporter
Location
Memphis
BigKahuna was discussing this topic at Smith a few weeks ago and I wanted to discuss it here.

I really like the direction freestyle has gone. I like big air, big landings, and big power like the eme1000.

I really think the days of riding around on one's hood are over as it's the natural progression of every sport like this. At the X-Games, you don't see guys riding on the handlebars of their snowmobile or bike, you don't see the old school handstands on skateboards, you just see big air, big air, big air.

It's nice to be here when it happened.
 
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
problem is, you are not going to see much of that at the Amature level.......... yes, the sport has changed............. Nedra and I talked at length in Nashville about this.............we both like the idea of having 2 stages of competition.........

1. Compulsary - you have 2 minutes to perform several standard tricks, maybe pic 8 out of 14 possible or something along those lines........

2. Freeride - Go Big, Go Stylin or whatever you can do........... But each trick would have a degree of difficulty.......... you may pull 3 backflips and 2 rolls and get beat buy the guy that cranked out 15 flawless tricks and not one of them was a flat water back flip..................


and the winner is based on the combination of both runs........
 
Brenden

Brenden

Location
Altoona Pa
thats the thing everyone who gets in this sport wants big air...but ya gotta learn the basics first!!! and hood riding and all that is fun and it takes some skill to do that...you cant go out and buy a $25000 ski and just be come something you've gotta start out somewhere learning the basics and then go buy you backflippin beast
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
The sport changes. Go to www.superjett.com and look at some of the old freestyle movies on there - the tricks were way different, more like ballet than freestyle. Things change. The only problem I have with freestyle today is that there is little variation, and that it's hard for amateurs to compete. That's why I like Harrison's two level idea above.
 
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
I for one cannot afford a 30K ski, much less a 20K ski........ I got a kid coming........ do I ever expect to go pro? Not Really.........I do it for fun...........

But to know that the best I can probably get at Nationals or a regional comp is maybe 3rd and get beat by someone who does 4 Barrell Rolls and that is it makes you wonder why you even bother............... Freestyle Judging is Subjective and opinionated at Best............ There is no judging format.........

also, unfortunetly, the way the system is.............. if you go first and maybe even second, you are basically screwed unless everybody else really sucks............... because the way it is now, you have to use his (or Her) run as a baseline, but, that is just the way it is...................
 
Y

yamaslut

Guest
just make it a completely different classes...



freestyle limited - cc limitations, hull mod limitations... no aftermarket hulls, top decks, pumps, or stokers. just re-inforcements and big bores.. lowered hoods, poles, and footholds are acceptable

freestyle unlimited/superstock - no motor limitations, no hull limitations, ride what ya got as hard as you can. Do whatever style of tricks you like...

if it was set up like this, people would feel more like they have a chance. There would be a place for smooth consistant type of riding that so many people like to see... Not just some superhuman w/ a $40,000 ski whoopin up on everyone. (not that there is anything wrong w/ that)

Guys like Harrison who respect the flow and multiple trick runs in the sport would not be left out of the game... Freestyle now has two levels anyway, might as well separate them, so others feel like there is a chance to win... In my eyes... people don't even think they could ever compete w/ malone, so they don't try.... I think they dio feel like they could ride like some freeriders and that's why you see freeride growing so much... to put it simply.... It's doable

this is just my stupid opinion and I don't compete (in flatwater), so take it w/ a grain of salt
 
romack991

romack991

homebrewed
Location
Warsaw, IN
one thing i don't like is there is not a fluid feel to the routines now. It's all about big air and there is little to no style or variation in between the big air. Its backflip, ride around and put your hands in the air while doing your next setup wake. I like seeing combination of different types of tricks.
 
jetskier79

jetskier79

I'm goin' for two
Location
San Diego, CA
I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned malones varial attempt. I thought that was the most progressive trick of the weekend.

I understand what some of you are saying about the fluidity of the runs. But I think the sport is still in a state of transition, I'm not sure what to expect.....but some form of transition and or combo will start to fill in.

I think they ought to add one of malones ramps to freestyle comps.
 
Y

yamaslut

Guest
jetskier79 said:
I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned malones varial attempt. I thought that was the most progressive trick of the weekend.

I understand what some of you are saying about the fluidity of the runs. But I think the sport is still in a state of transition, I'm not sure what to expect.....but some form of transition and or combo will start to fill in.

I think they ought to add one of malones ramps to freestyle comps.
Click to expand...

oh hell, then no one would ever have a chance... you know how many hulls he destroyed learning that???
 
jetskier79

jetskier79

I'm goin' for two
Location
San Diego, CA
Big Kahuna said:
called a ghost ride.......... Back Flip except you "Step Off" to the side and "Guide " it around...........
Click to expand...

F that....it was a varial. Check out Pastrana's Nitro Circus 3. He tries something very similar on a bike.....only you don't get to do those in a competition until you can get back on the seat.
 
A

All Stock

Keyboard Freestyler
Location
Houston
I like flow of tricks. To steal a phrase from someone that has been in the sport a long time, it has turned into the "Jump and Throw Show".

The big air is good, it just shouldn't be all that is done.

my 2 pennies.
 
Jr.

Jr.

Standing Tall
Staff member
Site Supporter
Location
Hot-Lanta
There are already too many classes. Adding more will hurt the sport further. It needs to stay Am & Pro. But there needs to be mandatory trick & a certain criteria for the judging.

We live in a go big , or go home world! But making a Super HP boat & rider do a certain trick criteria will help make a better rider , better yet!
Imagine Malone doing a Hood trick on his current boat? Then Imagine him doing a BR or BF on the hood!!!! See where I'm going with this? Every time one of these guys hit the water, they are taking it to the next level. This needs to continue.

The Boats need to follow suit. If you expect to play this game with them. You are expected to have the equipment to play. The CC limit should be the only limiting factor between Am & Pro!!! Injunity & invention is what pulls us foward. That progression should never stop!!!!!
In 95 when the IJSBA killed the mod class, they killed the aftermarket. The money left the sport & the sport died. The evolution needs to continue!!!!
Give the riders what they need to progress. The Money will return. There will be a rebirth............ It's time to let that happen!!!

ski ya, Paul
 
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