Ty Morlang everyone. KCW was blessed enough to have this guy being homeless at our cable for a few weeks. He was the live in grounds keeper/cable operator/handy man. For just being a local bro, Ty can sure wear a lot of hats, and he does all of it with a smile.

This guy loves to wakeskate. He kills it every lap. And if he does not get a trick, he literally runs back to the dock until he lands it. Talk about determination. This guy is going to make it as a pro; I know it. He has what it takes. Motivation, determination, and passion run through this kids blood. Ty does it all with a smile. 

I had the opportunity to photograph this guy, which was awesome. He throws down some sick laps. Even better though, I had the opportunity to hang with this dude. We had a few brat and lime nights.  We did a little zen gardening. Paddle boarding at midnight, and working on new rails together. I am inspired by his lifestyle. He truly lives the motto "get what you want out of life." He is doing everything that he can in order to do what he loves. Wakeskate. 

Maybe Ty, just maybe one day I will get off the dock on a wakeskate. I reckon I will also start making sure I get what I want out of life, because it is way too short not to work hard to achieve your dreams!

Ride Hard

Here it is! It is finally done. We built the 'up' and then hooked on the 'down'. Completing the roof top. Thanks to all the cable bros working hard, and special thanks to Ty and Collin, who helped us put this thing together and get it floating! 

Like I said with the mini craft. It is not hard to get the guys stoked up to hit a feature so I can get some video. Lake life is pretty mellow, but when something new gets floated it is the talk of the cable for a few weeks. All you hear is "What have you thrown on it?", "Dude, check out this trick!", and the classic "I just hit my head so hard." 

New features bring us together because we all want to shred it together…. who am I kidding. The guys just want to see who can throw down the best trick and get bragging rights. 

So who is it? Whats your best on the roof top??

The mini craft we put in the water the first week of July. I love making these edits because riders get stoked to show off their tricks in front of the camera. I just walk along the dock and get people excited to hit a certain feature and then my job is easy once people start showing their stuff! 

This is the perfect little kicker for everyone. The kids in this video are day camp riders who have never hit a ramp before. They all got excited though and started hitting it for me, when I said I needed to make a video. And, the old dudes always loving showing off for me!

Ride Hard

    Shredding is shredding, right? No doubt. The satisfaction of flying through the water or landing a new trick carries over from boat to cable. So what's the hold up? I've noticed many up and coming boarders sensing some intimidation with the added element of the cable. I have come up with a few reasons to boost your confidence in the cable so that you can finally give it a go.  

1. No need to break the bank. Did you ever think you could board without bumming a ride off of a friend or buying a boat altogether? Here lays the value of cable water sports. Drastically lower costs with equivalent, if not greater, amounts of shredding. It doesn't get much better than that. High gas prices are no longer keeping you between
   you and your inner water sports passion. Lake traffic is for the birds, and set-up/clean-up is virtually nonexistent.
   Finally, you have the opportunity to focus on what it's all about, all while avoiding the typical costs. 
   
2. Can you say LIMITLESS? It's time to capitalize on time on the water. I'm talking straight reps (ya know, repetition). The amount of sets you can take in one day at the cable far exceeds the number of sets per person, per day, behind a boat. Limitless riding! Your time is precious. Don't spend it backing the boat in, picking up riders, dodging boat induced tsunami waves, ect. OH YES, I almost forgot to mention the limitless number of tricks available for your execution.
   Every trick that can be done behind a boat can also be done behind a cable, and even more! The various features, ramps, and sliders will take your game to the next level, adding an entirely new aspect to your favorite action sport. Ride cable, live life to the limit.
   
3. The Beginners Advantage. This is not a deep water start, 20 feet behind the boat, all in your lonesome. This is a group effort, on the dock, with instructors. It is a much more personalized start with quality interaction. The extra support is comforting and highly effective. Have no fear, the cable is here.

     In conclusion:
     Calling all hesitant riders! Don't wait another day! Broaden your wakeboarding horizons and give it a go. All great journeys begin with one small step. Head on out, the cable is awaiting you. Live to ride and ride to live.

The first in my series of videos for the cable. 

All the team riders come out on Sunday nights for some filming sessions. This is just a compilation I put together of the team riding around. It is pretty awesome to see all these guys hang together. They really are what keeps the cable alive. The guys who work here always putting extra hours and are always around help. And, the locals who come ride every day are always up for riding and hanging out.

There really is nothing like the cable life. Everyone gets stoked up on buttery water and a chill atmosphere. You can't go wrong with that. 

We need to realize that the things in life are fleeting. Enjoy what we are given. We are blessed. We are all blessed in different ways though. Do not compare yourself to others. Just love what you have. 

Ride Hard

It is so fun to see the dudes get excited about a new rail in the lake. This whole day all I heard was comments of "what are you going to try next" and "dude! did you see that?". This small edit I did has given me a vision for a lot more videos on the other features that are coming this July to the lake. Check back to watch my video skills improve, as well as the sweet tricks the guys are throwing. 
What are you going to throw?

Ride Hard

There is a first time for everything. 

Last Sunday, we had KC after hours with some of the employees. I decided I should start using our Go PRO since they are the coolest thing since sliced bread. Using the GO PRO seemed like a great idea, and the cable bros were stoked that I wanted to film a little. They like showing off for me.  

So I get my gear and grab the Go Pro stick. I soon realized this would be the first time I had ridden doubles on the cable, as well as have to ride with a pole in my hand. Colby said he would be the first willing victim (we checked the floatation on the Go Pro before we started). So I get out there and Colby attaches to me. Im super stoked and my Go Pro beeped at me….. 

…so I didn't check the battery, but we got a solid 10 seconds of video. A few minuets of charging and solid taunting from the guys, we got some footage. Needless to say, my bicep was tired. But, it was such a good time.

Kc after-hours is the best way to unwind after a day of work. 

Even if the guys are always giving me a hard time.

Ride Hard

Sean came into work yesterday and told me what we all hate to hear. Our friend who rides for Ronix, Brad Smeele, was airlifted to the hospital because of a wakeboarding accident. This is the news that crushes our soul. Unfortunately in the action sports world, we do have to receive this news occasionally. 

Yesterday I thought about Brad. Though I only met him once, we spent a day talking about his goals. He is a very determined individual. He was training in Orlando for his next competition. He told me about how he has rehabbed from other injuries, and how he was ready to ride hard. Right from the start I knew Brad was the kind of guy you want to take home to your mom, pro wakeboarder and awesome dude, but sweet and willing to carry on a conversation. 

Sean and I were talking yesterday about Brad, but we also talked about what happens when life doesn't go as planned. Brad's plans have been drastically changed. I know he will fight through it, because of the person he is. This got me thinking about what would happen if my plans were changed. It is easy to say we would fight. But, it I know all too well it is easy to loose heart. 

People have amazing stories of overcoming. Just like Brad will have. Im making a decision to have the best attitude I can no matter what. 

Don't sweat the little things. When change happens, go with it, and make the best of it. Most importantly, enjoy the  moment. Love what we have.

Be strong Brad. We are all pulling for you. 

Carpe Diem

Who doesn't love red, white, and blue? The parades, the cookouts, the fireworks, and family time are all the great things of the 4th. That being said, I was a little bummed when Sean told me I had to work on the 4th. But, I guess the Interns are on the low end of the stick when it comes to getting time off. 

If I had to be working on the 4th, KC Watersports is probably the best place to be. So I can not complain. We made the best of the situation and got in everything that the fourth is supposed to consist of. 

The Best part of the day though for sure was KC Afterhours. I cooked us up some wieners and potato salad. The lake is gorgeous after we close! Some fireworks and a campfire and a little shenanigans made for a perfect 4th. 

What can I say; I probably have the best internship ever.

I loved being a kid. Trying new things for the first time and not worrying about anything. 

Watching the little kids at the park is so awesome. It makes it worth it. Long hours, hot sun, and the excessive bills are all worth it, when we see a face like this. 

This is the face of accomplishment.  

We all know this face. Most of the time we are too busy to catch these precious moments. 

Lets all take the time to enjoy the moments of life.

Especially when we "make it around the big lake."

Click on this little guy to check out his excitement. 

Everybody wanted to celebrate with this little guy.
Day Camp Fun!