Nor Cal Convergence

What happens when you gather 50-80 wakeskaters at one spot to chill for a weekend, you get northern California’s primer wake skate event. This is hands down one of the most laid back and memorable times I have ever had at a wakeboarding or Wakeskating event. I had a chance to sit down with AustinWatts owner of The Liquid Playgrounds and the man behind making this rad event a realty and this is what he had to say. “My first time witnessing this Nor Cal magic was in the fall of 2006 and I can really say that the energy and passion of that group changed my life. Myself and the Liquid Playgrounds team took it over in 2009 and started adding small additions such as free demo boards tobeat on; movie premieres at night under the stars, and more dialed rail options for all abilities. We usually have one in the spring to kick of the season and then one in the fall when it gets colder and the crowds die down. We have choose Camp Far West lake just out of Wheatland, CA for its shallow shoreline for rails, large camping area to house our sometime rowdy groups, and nice central location for all our Nor Cal friends. It was always my goal to makesure the event kept the small “family” feel and never turn into a contest scene as it grew each year. I always found this event to be one of the most special events in wakeskating. What other event do you have riders flying in from all around the country with names such as Grant Roberts, Cassandra Scott, Jen Gillanfar, Krista Bre  and with no prize money or “contest” to be had/won? Where can you find a beginner taking their first ever winch pull next to a pro throwing a hardflip off an incline? The diversity of everyone’s riding is a pleasure to watch as well and matches the diversity of your choice of a pull whether it be from the shoreline of winches, a sacked out boat, or a ski set. The conversations around the campfires, lifelong friendships, insane progression, and team atmosphere…these events seriously keep me breathing and amped to plan the next one. If you have not had the opportunity to see one of these events unfold I urge you to stop by for the day or stay for the weekend.” For info on this event please get hold of Austin@theliquidplayground.com or stop by his web site at www.theliquidplayground.com for screaming deals on boards.

Words by Rusty Skinner