It’s that time of year again where the water is warming up and the season is just kicking off, which means only one thing, AOD is back for 2012. Saturday 21st April saw the first stop of the tour at LDB Wake School at JBSki. With over 40 riders confirmed it was set to be the busiest AOD so far, though on the run up to the event the weather forecast was not looking great. Set for rain and thunder I was getting very worried about whether the event would even be able to run. Luckily when Saturday morning came round the sun was shining and it stayed with us for most of the day.

Riders from all over the country turned up in force and with Elliot Newman and Jack Battleday on the mic getting the riders fired up for their runs it was clear that everyone was keen to show the level they were starting their season at.

The riding standard this year was incredible from in all groups, I was so impressed with some of the runs which people were coming up with. The atmosphere on the dock was awesome, the support the riders were all giving each other was great from the youngest right through to Masters.

Also running along side AOD was a wakestock Qualifier, the rider with the best overall run of the day would get to compete at wakestock against the top riders from across the globe, Edd Blundell came to take the coveted spot at Wakestock and did just that, stomping some huge tricks, doubly impressive when you remember he is still only 17.

Throughout the day there were lots of people who helped out and made the day run smoothly, for starters we had the best boat crew in the business, With George Newell as Chief judge, assisted by Freddie carter, Sam Cordery and wakeboard UKs Graham Creedy.
Boat driver was Matt Aitchison and jetty marshal was Nick Carter.

Heather Owens was the biggest legend of the day, she made the day run smoothly and on time. She put so much in to the event on the day and behind the scenes in the run up to it, with Tracey Baumann assisting her massively on the day.

We managed to get some awesome prizes from the sponsors,
Without these guys the comp wouldn’t be possible.
Big shout out to:
Fox, Relentless, Liquid Force, Maven marine, Activ8rehab, JBski, LDBwakeschool.

The next stop is at Quayside on 24th of June. This is a really fun tour for riders of all levels, so if you fancy getting involved get in touch with Quayside and get your entry in for next time.

Full breakdown of results:

Groms 1st Kieran Owens
2nd Dylan Baumann
3rd Luca Kidd

Boys 1st Harry Eames
2nd Jefferson haddon
3rd Harry Byrne

Junior Women 1st Katie Batchelor
2nd Charlotte Millward
3rd Nancy-Eve Creedy

Junior Men 1st Thomas D’Cruze
2nd Elliot Newman
3rd Conner James

Open Women 1st Megan Barker
2nd Sarah Kingdom
3rd Hayley Ashley

Open Men 1st Rich Phillips
2nd Ross Phillips
3rd Craig Hartley

Masters Men 1st Nick DeBoer
2nd Zoltan Farkas
3rd Will Plummer

Overall winner (Wakestock qualifier) Edd Blundell