Riders Get Ready For Wakeskating’s Biggest Event

Orlando, FL — Wakeskating’s best riders are looking forward to the sports’ most elite event, The Byerly Toe Jam, ready to go down at The Projects Park in Bithlo, Florida April 20-22, 2006.

Presented by O’Neill and created by Scott Byerly, the Toe Jam was created to showcase the most comprehensive riding in three categories, Boat (wake), PWC (rails), and Winch (Best Trick). Today’s top pro wakeskaters view this contest as the most prominent and influential event and it also provides a venue for the unnoticed to become recognized, with a challenge on Thursday for three wild-card spots in each category.

With the sport experiencing a huge growth pattern, these challengers will not be taken lightly, especially after last year when Clint Tompkins grinded his way from the bottom of the challenge rounds to the top of the podium in the PWC category. This earned him a spot on the invite list for 2006, along with Kyle Walton, who also proved his skills and qualified for the big event last year as well.

Throughout the first two seasons, the standout rider has definitely been Brian Grubb, who has now claimed a first place in all three categories. He likes the concept of Toe Jam happening early in the season and is already spending time with Scott at The Projects building the best rails possible. “This is definitely my favorite contest of the whole year,” Grubb said. “It’s cool having it in the Orlando area and I look forward to seeing what everybody has been doing with their riding throughout the winter.”

    Improvements for this year include a huge pool for the winch contest, with two down rails and a staircase with a handrail. There will also be two winches running to allow for less time between pulls. “This is going to be the best year yet,” Byerly said. “Everyone’s ready to step it up and show what Wakeskating is all about. This is THE event that all the boys look forward to all year.”

For more info on The Projects, go to http://www.theprojectspark.com

Sponsors: O’Neill, Reef, Arnette, Hyperlite, Southeast Correct Craft, Air Nautiques

Invited Riders: Scott Byerly, Brian Grubb, Aaron Reed, Danny Hampson, Brandon Thomas, George Daniels, Philip Basino, Drew McGuckin, Thomas Horrell, Ryan Doyle, Tim Kovacich, Clint Tompkins, Kyle Walton

THURSDAY, APRIL 20
    9:00 am – 12:00 am         Invited PWC Practice
    1:00 pm – 4:00 pm        Invited Boat Practice
    9:00 am – 12:00 pm       Boat Open Qualifying – 12 Spots Open                        3
                    Heats of 4 – Top 2 transfer to Semis
                    Semis are man on man heats
                    3 Heats of 2 – Top rider transfers to finals
      1:00 pm – 4:00 pm        PWC Open Qualifying – 12 Spots Open
                    3 Heats of 4 – Top 2 transfer to Semis
                    Semis are man on man heats
                    3 Heats of 2 – Top rider transfers to finals

FRIDAY, APRIL 21
    9:00 am – 3:00 pm        Boat Finals: Invited 13+3 qualifiers
    9:00 am – 11:00 am    4 heats of 4 – top 1 transfers to Quarters
    11:00 am – 12:30 pm    LCQ – 4 heats of 3 – Top rider makes Quarters
    12:30 pm – 2:00 pm        Quarter Finals – 4 Heats of 2 (man on man)
    2:00 pm – 2:30 pm        Semi Finals – 2 Heats of 2 (man on man)
    2:30 pm – 3:00 pm        Finals – 1 Heat of 2 (man on man)
    4:00 pm – 7:00 pm        Best Trick Winch Contest
                    16 spots – 3 pulls consecutively – 15 minutes per rider

SATURDAY, APRIL 22
    9:00 am – 3:00 pm        PWC Finals – Invited 13+3 qualifiers
    9:00 am – 11:00 am    4 heats of 4 – top rider goes to Quarters
    11:00 am – 12:30 pm    LCQ: 4 heats of 3 — Top rider makes Quarters
    12:30 pm – 2:00 pm    Quarter Finals – 4 Heats of 2 (man on man)
    2:00 pm – 2:30 pm        Semi Finals – 2 Heats of 2 (man on man)
    2:30 pm – 3:00 pm        Finals – 1 Heat of 2 (man on man)
    4:00 pm – 4:20 pm        Awards Ceremony