A true loss for the wakeskating industry!

Jim.Branton · Guest

mikeskatesonwater, FA!LL

mikeskatesonwater · Guest

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10757 City: Jefferton

erikmonty, I don't remember. I'm not even sure if you're just being sarcastic or poking fun at something else. Whatever. Just recognize that exposure is what grows an artform like wakeskating, and growth is what has allowed it to continue to separate from wakeboarding (you know, that water boardsport with bindings that 99% of you all hate).

The x-games are very cool to hate right now, and of course it brings visions of corporate greed into many minds. But they manage to bring in impressive names in every event, and the riders actually have a lot of power (did you hear about the x-games trying to drop the vert event and what happened)?

Concluding (because this is obviously an english essay), growth is what allows a company to produce a 405.00 wakeskate and actually sell it. Not enough growth is what requires companies to find other means to fund these projects (i.e. wakeskates), whether it be through tube sales (yes, that money trickles down and has benefitted both wakeboarding and wakeskating) or wakeboard sales (if you don't understand now, you will in the future). It took 10 years to get a board that was even close in price to the original FWT wakeskate (the first commercial wakeskate that nobody ever bought) and have someone actually pony up and pay for it. I could go on and on, but I won't and I'll end it with one last thing. Growth is what has brought nike money into wakeskating--shoes I know a lot of you people wear--and it's money that's allowing some of our favorite and most progressive riders to "live the dream." It comes down to being responsible, and I dont think that pool gap was irresponsible by any means. There are local events that are way trashier. Oakley does their shizzle fully legit. If anything, it was a bit big.

Ejazzle, no offense, but this isn't the brady bunch.

EJazzle · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

electricsnow, ??
i was bringing light to the conversation

nate_ · Backside 180 Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 1226 City: toronto

OMIGORSH! this thread is almost as hot as late shuvs right now.

kornhouse · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject:

people who beach about getting called names have low self-esteem simply because they think that what others say about them is true and they beleive it if not objective.

erikmonty · Backside 180 Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 845 City: jupiter

electricsnow, well im sure he won due to an awesome mustache, i wasnt being sarcastic nor trying to start anything, i honestly had no idea wakeskating was in the xgames, but its pretty obvious the xgames only showcases sports that rake in the cash flow...i cant tell if your being sarcastic about aaron reed and byerly, both i think should have been there and aaron shreds so of course he won...im confused

EJazzle, well you've showered it in darkness! lol jk

but that show gives me the creeps

tahoe · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

mikeskatesonwater, u really should go cry or something. we dont care and im not taking erichs side or nicks side or your side (yet they are way cooler than you) i just dont care what you have to say and i can speak for most people. just go wakeskate

dbag Laughing

wakemitch · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

mikeskatesonwater, you know you instigated the whole thing so shut up. you're being pathetic

douche bag

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10757 City: Jefferton

erikmonty, I was definitely being sarcastic about reed and byerly. I just remember at the time, people were whining about who was on that list and things like that. I can imagine a few riders i would have liked to have seen on that list, but I'm also not disappointed with who showed up. But I did consider the moustash comment odd and it made me wonder where that came from.

nate_, your post made laugh. Laughing

before I read it, I was thinking about how dramatic this thread has become, so your commentary really hit the spot.

nate_ · Backside 180 Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 1226 City: toronto

electricsnow, glad i can help. Laughing

erikmonty · Backside 180 Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 845 City: jupiter

electricsnow, oh yeah i could see that happening (kids whineing) the mustache thing was a joke...allbeit a sick stache

Jim.Branton · Guest

nate_,

DD · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject:

As Erichs co-owner in Integrity I'd like a chance to respond-
Intgrity is a company with morals and ethics that will not waver in any situation. The entire Integrity family is 100% committed to being the best that we can be, and to bring the best product to the industry that we know how. Every part of our business, from the technology, construction, team, and riding comes from a no-compromise viewpoint. When questioned it is very likely that you may raise a few hackles- there is a lot of heart and soul dumped into Integrity every moment of every day. We appreciate those that support our efforts and will do our best to understand those who don't, but keep the facts straight- if you don't, we will. This is our livelyhood, and what we believe in. We will stand up for it!
DD

gporter · Posted: Sep 25, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

DD, <3333333333333333

B_T · Faceplant Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 6 City: Perth

Its comments like the ones that Timmy_Treadwell and mikeskatesonwater say that make this site interesting,
I meen, look we've created a 5 page forum in 2 days.
In regards to the forum,
Its a good thing Erich Schmaltz isn't like Herb O'Brien and Bob Archer,
Its so good that wakeskaters can actually have full on conversations with the owners of the companies behind wakeskating.

If Schmaltz wants to express his opinion, then he can.
where would wakeskating be today without Integrity?
[/quote]

Timmy Treadwell · Faceplant Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

First off, I would like to thank all of you who responded in professional, yet whitty, clever and tactful ways to what I had posted.

Next, I would like to address what I said and where I was going with it. I will also attempt to address all of what was directed towards what I said. (sorry if it turns into an essay, but apparently everyone here seems to care or be interested in what I say. With the amount of response positive or negative.) Which also might be the way that I go about saying things and could be directly correlated to my industry knowledge/experience. But for those of you who say I'm "noone you should care to listen to," don't bother wasting your time past this.

#1. I was not necessarily "calling" Schmaltz out or saying that he is not a major contributor to where wakeskating is at today. Because, we all know dam well that he holds a very "integral" part in the success and progresson of the sport. Nor was I ever questioning the amount of hard work and heart and soul he pours into his company.

#2. I was rather just stating that the way he and people representing his company went about it was very unprofessional and tactless. (is that even a word? Tactless?)

#3. I was also expressing my feelings towards where the wakeskating industry is going. Which was made very clear by the "harcore skaters"(people on this site i'm assuming). If so many people can take what I said and blow it out of proportion and be so opposed to growth and "the corporate society." It just makes me sad. I would want nothing other than for the sport of wakeskating to get so big that I could travel anywhere in world and see people wakeskating. Much like skateboarding is today. I could travel to 3rd world countries and see kids enjoying the sport. Whether it be via winches, cable parks, boats or "real horse" power. Smile

Without large media and avenues alike. I see it being a tough battle. I used the "xgames" for an example. For many of you that may or may not know. The xgames are more than just an event held in LA that highlight the action sports of skateboarding and FMX and are also broadcast all over the world. In addition to that I would want nothing more than for "professional" wakeskaters to be able to enjoy what they love to do without having to worry if their mommy and daddy have enough money in the bank to send them on trips to wherever or buy whatever boat/winch they want next and for their sponsors(insert integrity here) to be making so much dam money they can take care of them how all professional athletes should be.

#4. I also am glad that there are forums like this where "Professional" athletes and business owners can post and have conversations with everyone in the public and commend Erich for it. However, I would have just thought there would have been a bit more tact and professionalism in your responses to "punk" kids or disgruntled customers. Also for you of all people Schmaltz to make the statement "I think they might be more into tubing." shows me that I was right on point for saying that I shouldn't even mention you in the same breath as those pioneers. I would think that even you would see the groundwork they laid for so many of the small time watersports companies and by making a quite humorous (or not) snide remark. I feel just proves that I was right on point with what I first said.

#5. I want to thank DD for actually making a post that is beyond professional and makes have at least 1 ounce of respect for integrity as a company. Your post is how I would expect anyone who own's a business or someone who is personified in the "publics" eye would respond. Versus getting heated over someone taking a cheap shot at your company and responding by calling them a dbag.

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Whether it be the funny, whitty responses. Or all the insight that so many people poured and turned this topic into.

Love, The Grizz aka TT

P.s. for those who care, i guess: I represent: 1 wakeskater, 2 wakeboarders, 2 skateboarders, 3 snowboarders, 1 freestyle snowmobiler and 2 skiers. But i'm really a noone that has anything to do with the industry of action sports. Nor knows any of the history behind watersports or action sports for that matter.

"It's better to be thought a fool. Than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!"

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10757 City: Jefferton

Timmy Treadwell, thanks for the insight. If you don't mind me asking, how have you come to recognize the contributions of herb o'brien and bob archer if you don't know the history behind the sports? Those two characters are a "past and present" type of example (though herb is still very relevant). Depending on who you talk to, you're going to get varied answers when it comes to their involvement and "groundwork."

Groundwork also implies past dealings/contributions, and you also mention the term "pioneers"...

dbanana · Frontside 180 Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 384

tad · 360 flip Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5031