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Despite the overcast and cold weather that hit Joburg on Saturday 15 September the 2012 Monster Energy Rail Rodeo rocked Stoke City WakePark (previously Base3) in Midrand. Brief discussions went on in the morning as to whether riders and spectators would attend the Rail Rodeo and if the event would even take place but as the morning drew on, the clouds lifted, the drizzle stopped, the riders hit the water and people started to arrive to get in on the action.
Monster Energy had a sick set up providing shade, well in this case cover from the morning drizzle, sound and a DJ Booth which created the perfect atmosphere for the day.
Both the Wakeboarders and Wakeskaters opted for wetsuits as they hit the cold water for the qualifying runs. Being the Rail Rodeo, riders were judged on their style and tricks over the kicker and 3 rails. Riders were throwing huge airs and tricks over the kicker that was situated right in front of the spectators and the judges. After a insane day of riding which saw the only 900 thrown in the competition by Justin Mitri and a Backside 360 over the Rooftop Knuckle by Damien laird, it was Matti Buys and Ryan Durham that took the wins in the Wakeskating and Wakeboarding divisions respectively.
Matti Buys landed some impressive tricks like a Switch Frontside 360, Switch Backside 360, Switch Fronside 270 off the Incline and a Switch Bigspin Mute to take the overall over Kaylib Louw in second and Darren Turner in third. Ryan Durham pulled out a Backside 720, Method Crow Mobe and a Frontside 720 in his runs to edge out Cameron Graham in second and Jason Colborne. The weather did play effect in the ladies Wakeboarding division as there was only one entry by Deidre Van Niekerk who braved the cold, rode with the guys and won the ladies division.
Before the party got started prize giving got under way with the podium places winning prizes from Skull candy, LW Mag (VonZipper Sunnies and Caps), Monster Energy and a full years membership to Stoke City WakePark that went to the two winners.
The rest of the afternoon and night was spent partying and celebrating the epic day that was Rail Rodeo. It was awesome bumping into the likes of Jed Beatbox who laid down a few beats for us, the Facing the Gallows members, Shane from Pestroy, BMX riders Greg Illingworth, Colin and Stuart Loudon and Tyrone Kelly, MX riders Richard Van Der Westhuizen and Jesse Wright and FMX rider Alastair Sayer and that’s just to name a few of the people we remember bumping into.
All in all the Monster Energy Rail Rodeo was a success and we can’t wait for the next one, it just better happen on a hot and sunny day – Stoke City won’t know what hit it.
Results:
Mens Wakboarding:
1st – Ryan Durham
2nd – Cameron Graham
3rd – Jason Colborne
Mens Wakeskating:
1st – Matti Buys
2nd – Kaylib Louw
3rd – Darren Turner
Ladies Wakeboarding:
1st – Deidre Van Niekerk
