Lake Mead reunion 2013

[boatwakes]

Hey Tall, I've driven both on the water and via land from echo to temple. Drive via land dude. It's 100 miles almost on the nose from echo to temple but if you're on the freeway even better. The wind is supposed to be out of the south which means you'll get your *** handed to you on the way down once you get past the islands. Thats a really open part of the lake and I've been caught in some crap through there on the same trek in both a houseboat towing the tige and in the tige itself. Because of that incident I installed a 2500GPH emergency pump by the rudder... gnar... The wind energy in the swells reflects off the islands and bounces back towards the center part of the lake causing insane double ups for a couple miles but the worst part is the closeness of the swells when the wind gets above about 14knots. Obviously I'm super cautious because of the 99's bow but the reality is you will pound it all the way down. Be safe which ever route you choose.

[boatwakes]

BTW, I'm going to bring a microwave as well for anyone who may need it.

[talltigeguy]

Hey Tall, I've driven both on the water and via land from echo to temple. Drive via land dude. It's 100 miles almost on the nose from echo to temple but if you're on the freeway even better. The wind is supposed to be out of the south which means you'll get your *** handed to you on the way down once you get past the islands. Thats a really open part of the lake and I've been caught in some crap through there on the same trek in both a houseboat towing the tige and in the tige itself. Because of that incident I installed a 2500GPH emergency pump by the rudder... gnar... The wind energy in the swells reflects off the islands and bounces back towards the center part of the lake causing insane double ups for a couple miles but the worst part is the closeness of the swells when the wind gets above about 14knots. Obviously I'm super cautious because of the 99's bow but the reality is you will pound it all the way down. Be safe which ever route you choose.

Thanks for the advice. I think I am going to drive it in the tow vehicle, although I love commuting by boat. Early in the morning and later at night it should be calmer...so it is still tempting.

I mapped it out. It looks like 22 miles via water. If I can cruise at 30 MPH (calm water), that is an easy 45 minutes. If I go by land, it adds an extra 1 hour and 40 minutes to the trip. My buddy wants to commute by liquid...but it is not his boat. I suspect tomorrow morning would be an easy cruise...the real question is Saturday night. I really don't like driving in the dark, but seem to do it a lot lately.

[gil5784]

I would like to Thank John and his family for all their work setting up the reunion. I would like to also thank everyone who was there for all the support and information that was given to me. I honestly didn't go with intention of winning any prizes or getting any gifts. I was going for the opportunity to meet great people which my family and myself did. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of all who attended especially of Dan who gave me his prize voucher for a new Prop. So from the bottom of my heart thank you all and hope everyone had a safe trip home. Sign me up for next year for sure.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[talltigeguy]

I made it back safely. The waves were only semi-brutal across the big bay. I think it got worse shortly after we arrived to Echo marina.

[boatwakes]

Good to hear Larry! Things got sketchy Saturday afternoon for sure. We ended up pounding through this morning (sunday) and did a dawn patrol with the rest of the die hards (thanks for the monsters, John, gave me the extra motivation to power through the wind swell!). Great to meet everyone and sorry I didn't hang out during the evenings, exhaustion prevailed. Next year will hope to have a newer model with some goodies swapped in and more time on the water (although it's never enough!). Gil, I agree, thanks to John and Larry and everyone else who dedicated so much to getting this going. Thanks to Offshore and their crew and bringing the boats and riders, cool stuff. The swag was cool but it really was cool to hang and talk in person to everyone and throw things with dingle's kids... good times. Btw, on the way home, saw 6 tiges throughout the 7.5 hour drive and thought I saw the dudes with the 2100V get off in long beach ahead of us but I could just be delerious too... Good times guys, my son can't stop talking about wakeboarding now!!!

[dingleberry]

Another great reunion! Other than the freaking wind and Gil's prop ouchie, it seemed that everyone had a fun time. Another huge thanks to John for all his hard work on putting it together, Tige for their support and letting Chase and Dom attend again, Offshore Marine, Wake9, and all the sponsors! I know that my boys had a blast hanging out, talking, and messing around with everyone. And thanks for all the attendees - for being so helpful, friendly, generous, kind and patient.

May as well post up pics in this thread rather than starting another one...

Temple Bar Marina on Saturday


High wind warning with gusts up to 50 mph had been forecast for the afternoon, and the warning flags were flying


some of the boats that made it

[dingleberry]

A few pics of the gathering after lunch








Sat night activities consisted of a variety of foosball, cornhole, ladderball, pool, maybe a drink or two, and general BS'ing with everyone

[dingleberry]

Since Sat afternoon was blown out, many of those still around Sun morning hit the water early, like 6:30, in hopes of calm water. While the wind had died down a bit, it was far from smooth water. My boys and I had the pleasure of riding along on the Wake9 Z3 with Dom Lagace, Chase Hazen, ragboy, RJ, Maddie, and Thomas. A few pics of Dom:

[dingleberry]

Chase and Dom are also getting ready for the World Wakesurf Championship, which is being held at Lake Las Vegas next weekend. Best wishes to them in that contest! Chase:

[dingleberry]

And they were all kind enough to spend some time working with my two boys on getting them surfing. I thought these pics of Chase trying to give Riley a feel for it and playing around with him were great:













and a short vid of him with Aidan - tossing him at the end

[boatwakes]

Those tandem pics are awesome!!!

[Timmy!]

Cool pics Ding! That orange RZ4 is pretty sweet!

[h2osk8er00]

What a great time! Man that was a blast.. So glad I was able to get out there a couple days before and catch some of the better water becuase as everyone knew I don't wake up before 8am... and the wind got a little crazy for my liking.. Thanks John (Bad05) for all that you did! It was a pleasure to meet everyone and I think I will most certainly be back if I will be in country for the next one. Big ups on all the giveaways and a special thanks to all the sponsers... @CHPthril I won the Line Driver that you provided! Stoked about it and thank you... A big up to Eric's sons... Especially Aiden who made me encouraged me to swim 2 miles to grab his sandals. Hope we can get more people for the next event.. Pretty sure Tige has the best customers of all...

[dingleberry]

... A big up to Eric's sons... Especially Aiden who made me encouraged me to swim 2 miles to grab his sandals.

Hey, I was starting up the boat so we could recover your body if you hadn't made it back.

Also, PM me your address and last name so I can get that dock line sent back to you.