All it takes is a lil water diversion technology…
I ain’t gonna lie. When I saw this photo thrown up on Mark Mathews’ IG account I arched my eyebrows and threw my eyes back into my cranium. Barely ten feet away from the hull of a boat, on a lake, and… a barrel of sorts?
How, when, where?
A spurt of industry and I was in the arms of Mr Collin Harrington, a pro wakeboarder, skater and very keen surfer.
BeachGrit: When and where did you snatch this photo?
I shot this in Orlando, FL. Gopro had just sent me the new Hero 4 session camera and this was the first test with it. Needless to say, it worked!
BeachGrit: How the hell y’make something like this happen? Do you need a special hull, a particularly big boat?
All the wakeboard boat companies have been making hulls now that are actually making some really fun wake surf wakes. Some are better than others but there are a few boats around now that will do this. Its pretty wild really. It’s all touch button to make the wave however you want.
I just grew up on board sports. They both have their perks but there is still nothing like getting spat out of a solid tube on a surfboard.
(Editor’s note: It’s called water diversion technology. Click here to investigate!)
BeachGrit: Describe the sensation of swinging inside a tube behind a boat?
I have to be honest and say the camera angle does play a bit of a mind game. You can’t quite get in it but it’s close. You can lay down and get a quick boogie tube but thats about it. The way boat companies are going though, hopefully we will be able to get fresh water tubes in the next few years.
BeachGrit: And you surf as well as wake? What thrills you about each diff sport?
Ya , I grew up living summers in Ocean City, Maryland and Winters in the Florida Keys my whole life. I would surf and skate all summer and then in the Keys there are no waves so I would skate and wakeboard. I just grew up on board sports. They both have their perks but there is still nothing like getting spat out of a solid tube on a surfboard.
BeachGrit: Anything else about you, I should know?
I’m 5’8”, blondish hair, enjoy short walks on the beach… ha. I’m video producer as well. I’m actually in Oahu right now for the winter shooting for O’Neill. That’s been fun so far. Been getting some good waves out here. And my family has a surf and dive charter boat we in the Virgin Islands. They weren’t able to bring the boat down there this season but we will be back next winter. Its one of my favorite places in the world. (See the charter biz here.)
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Horseshit Reilly. Utter horseshit. You should’ve called this article, “how to get you’re Go-Pro selfie stick barreled behind a boat.” How dare you kick some wake surfing down on Beachgrit. BEACHGRIT for fuck’s sake, not Lakegrit. This is unforgivable.
There is already a lakegrit. Where do you think the idea came from? Wake is THE board sport.
Or is surfing.
Blood fued!
…you’re right, and it’s true! I accept and plead guilty to all charges!
ha! derek what is your vision for beachgrit? are you just dancing in front of the ‘surf stitch-up’ bulldozer directing it through the uncharted wilderness? every so often stopping for a fine meal in the civilisation they pave behind you? is there a beachgrit mission statement? please write one. it would be hilarious.
please
Our Manifesto
We believe surfing exists as a personal thrill and may increase one’s overall happiness.
We believe that chicks dig the taste of saltwatered lips.
We believe our gaiety is the envy of the (surf) world!
We believe robust tans are symbols of virility.
We believe there’s a crossover between romantic poetry and surfing.
We believe that surfing will never “go out of style.”
We believe in the innate and perpetual intrigue of surfing to the non-surfing masses.
We believe if we steal your attention with a click-bait headline we have an obligation to deliver.
We believe that a man can have beautiful tits.
We believe the hide of a pro surfer should be able to withstand the barbs and arrows of internet comics.
We believe that free speech is free until it hits dumb and cruel.
We believe in recycling plastic and paper and St Laurent jeans but not clips from B-ish surfers.
We believe in being polite, up to a point.
We believe that ideas are more powerful than guns.
We believe that the wool of a black sheep is just as warm.
We believe surf films will always make you look.
We believe in the ability of capitalism to solve society’s ills and pity the simplistic mind suspicious of the profit motive.
We believe surfing is the colour of the ocean and the animals beneath and loathe any attempt to squeeze surf fashion into gloomy winter palettes.
We believe surfing cannot right the world’s wrongs and any attempt to do is the worst sort of paternal imperialism.
We believe the White Pointer shark is a spectacular animal that looks best preserved in Formaldehyde and exhibited at schools.
We believe surfing can be as exciting on TV as the Super Bowl.
We believe advertising can be more than product shot/action/tag/logo.
We believe a surfer is only a spin away from marketing success
We believe, above all, that surfing is anti-depressive!
Pure diamond gold. So much earth in 24 beliefs. Some delight, some grate, some despair. Yet how can one argue with honesty? One can not. Go forth Beachgrit, hopefully capitalism can overcome pop-up ads.
“Look ma, no hands!”
Great photobomb from the bloke at the wheel of the boat.
all of my head dip practice is finally going to pay off! straight legs, bend at the waist, close your eyes, and enjoy nature’s greatest shampoo!