A wakeboarding dream come true ???
That's about the best way I can explain it! The rain held out for us... we had glassy water ALL DAY LONG... the wakes were GIANT behind the X-Star... and over 62 riders in 5 divisions got to enjoy it all on Saturday July 28th out at the YMCA's Christensen Family Camp Lake (a.k.a. Lake Double Knuckle). It was a day of fun in the sun as a huge crowd turned out to take part in the festivities. Prizes and giveaways took place all day long for everyone to enjoy!!!

The novice and intermediate riders started the event off with 37 riders in those two divisions alone! The thing I thought was the coolest was that out of 20 beginner riders, 14 of them were under the age of 11! The youth rider that stood out the most to all of us was 10 year old Jonathan Abendroth. The kid has got it- take my word for it. The last kid I said that about was Kyle Alberts when he was 10- and look what he has done. Look for Jonathan to be atop the outlaw podium REAL soon. Great turnout from the female competitors- 8 of them in all!!! Lexi Kimball ended up taking top honors on the day despite one of the hardest crashes of the day. The advanced division saw a bunch of great riders that we saw step from INtermediate the year before. Shocking everyone with how much he has progressed was Luke Thompson as he stepped up to advanced all the way from Beginner last year and finding himself on top of the podium at the end of the day. Last on the day, the Outlaw riders took the water. Hyperlite Pro Rider Chris O'Shea decided he would step in to help push the local riders. Unfortunately, he didn't ride the way he had wanted falling on his first two tricks (heel 7's). However, he did manage to do a great display of his barefooting skills with WN.COM team member Casey Hevlin as an exhibition between divisions. It is so great to see how ALL of the outlaw riders have really stepped up their game. AJ Powell has added a TON of new tech tricks to his arsenal this year- however once again, it was local favorite Kyle Alberts taking top honors on the day. Kyle was coming fresh off a 2nd place finish at the Portland Pro Tour Stop (Jr. Men's) and finished 8th on the tour for the season. Look for big things from him next year as he will be stepping up to Pro Men.

Again, I just want to say thank you to all who came out for The Picnic. It was exactly as we had hoped it would be. Everyone enjoyed alot of fun beach games, good music, movie trivia, wakeboard trivia, prizes and giveaways, and much more! We all appreciate your support of wakeboarding here in the midwest. We are already looking forward to and planning for next year!!!

HUGE THANKS GO OUT TO THE WHOLE WAKEBOARDNEBRASKA TEAM WHO MADE THE PICNIC A HUGE SUCCESS... Nikki Romero, Greg Haith, Casey Hevlin, Matt Schwarz, Zach Renner, Tyson Romero, Kyle Alberts, Tom Pithan, Zac Paus, Chris O'Shea, Scotty Barone, Larry Hevlin, Sarah Pithan & Stacey Harms. You guys are so awesome- I am so blessed to have friends like all of you!!!

We also couldn't have done it without the help of: Sylvia Kimball, Jon Farar, Jake Failla, Skye Hadley, Eric Bathen, Cher Gfeller, Matt McDevitt, the RE-ACT team, Case/IH Implements, Audio Video Specialists of Fremont, & Teri Vukonich and Subway!!!

Our biggest thanks goes out to Jerry Rinne and The Fremont Family YMCA for hosting this event on their property. Without their generosity, this event could have NEVER happened!!!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

click below images for a larger pic

DIVISION CHAMPIONS (click thumbnails for larger images) Beginner Division 1. Sean Durkin 2. Patrick Powell 3. Bradley Leise (not pictured) Women's Division 1. Lexi Kimball 2. Emily Ellison 3. Carrie Ellison
Intermediate Division 1. Frank Mielak 2. Bowe Oliver 3. Josh Thiessen	Advanced Division 1. Luke Thompson 2. Casey Hevlin 3. Robert Powell
Youth (ages 11 & under) Jonathan Abendroth & Trevor Nelson 12 riders not pictured	Outlaw Division 1. Kyle Alberts 2. AJ Powell 3. Kyle Thompson