Could it be possible? Is there a chance the weekend of drunken debauchery that has come to be known as BoardStock won’t be happening in 2007? According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat Konocti Harbor Resort, the events host at Clear Lake, has decided not to sponsor the event again for this year. The reason for pulling the plug has to do with the amount of underage drinking that occurs, and the liability Konocti Resort faces with so many minors becoming intoxicated.
“This is on 120 acres and people are everywhere. It’s very difficult to be responsible for (monitoring alcohol consumption on) it,” said Konocti’s President and General Manager Greg Bennett.
Aparently the risk of losing a liquor license is too big (as it should be) to justify such blatant underage drinking. So we know BoardStock won’t be happening at one particularly lucid lake in Central California this year, now the real question becomes where will it be held?
For those that haven’t had the luxury of experiencing this party that sometimes does, and sometimes does not have anything to do with wakeboarding, here’s a brief recap:
1995: The idea of BoardStock, a massive party at the culmination of the professional events in September is born, and the first event is held at Lake Shasta in Northern California. I was fortunate enough to be there in person for the first few, and I can honestly say that few parties can rival the BoardStock experience back in the beginning.
Early 2000’s: Under pressure from the US Forrest Service, BoardStock leaves Lake Shasta for the California Delta near Sacramento. The size of the party increases, but wakeboarding is no longer the focus, and along with the diluted riding content comes a completely different crowd of attendees. Those Delta BS years were just as wild, but definitely didn’t have the same intimate feel that the wake only events at Shasta had.
2006: BoardStock makes yet another movie, this time to Clear Lake. With the smaller, more remote venue comes a move back to the roots, and wakeboarding (along with waterskiing and wakesurfing) are again the focus.It would be a shame to see this historied event die, as it’s become a tradition in our sport, and one that many people on the West Coast throughout the world have come to expect. BroStock is picking up some of that attention, and it definitely has a feel more akin to the first few BoardStock experiences with pros and enthusiasts riding and partying side-by-side. Still though, BoardStock has too many memories associated with it, and we hope the event’s organizers can find a new home, and one that will last for a while.
Have an opinion on where BoardStock should be held this year, chime in and we’ll pass your feedback on to those in the know.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Boardstock should be held at Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Indiana! Before you laugh, consider this: Bloomington is home to Indiana University which was ranked the number one party school in the country a few years back and has a large population of totally hot co-eds. Yes it’s in the Mid-West but because we don’t live around the ocean, us Mid-Westerners hold our lakes and watersports in very high regard! Summer temps average in the 80’s and no lack of sunshine. There is a big marina called The Four Winds with many hotel rooms. Check it out!
April 12th, 2007 at 8:27 am
I agree, I think it would be great to see BoardStock move somewhere else, at least just for a season or two. All of those people not on the west coast have been missing out on this event, and it would only be fair for them to get to experience it.
April 12th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
The Hipster is onto something here. Bloomington would be perfect. Lake Monroe is 10,000 acres and the midwest scene could sure use the exposure. Perhaps some sponsors could step up and help promote a date?
April 16th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
NO NO NO. f*** the midwest! Who the hell would want to party in the midwest? Keep boardstock in Cali… where it was born! It’s a california event and shouldn’t move. I say move it back to the delta, just pick a different location.. like Bethel Island or discovery bay.
April 17th, 2007 at 5:36 am
Didn’t they have a BoardStock East Cost one year? I seem to remember an event on Lake Lanier in Georgia that was supposed to capture everything about BoardStock West, but came up fairly short.
Maybe the West coast just likes to party more?
May 1st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I’m from Clear Lake where we had it the last two years- me and my crew are pretty depressed it’s not coming back- (our parents, on the other hand, feel differently-haha). We heard a rumor it was moving to a different part of the Lake- to Konocti Vista Casino? That would be awesome. I hope you let us know as soon as you find somewhere to host it! Best 4 days/5 nights of my life! Can’t wait!
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:50 am
I second JG. KEEP BOARDSTOCK IN CALI! The san joaquin delta was the best venue boardstock ever had. it is completely unique to anywhere in the united states and attracted way more people than any other location. i’ve been attending boardstock for years and stockton was hands down the best venue of the three. bring boardstock back to stockton!
May 13th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
First off,Boardstock is the west coast’s only big wake event.So movin it out of state would really change the spirt of Boardstock(big ass party!).The Clear Lake years,already took it,s toll on the event.I’ve been to Boardstock every year since the first year on the Delta,and back then it was the biggest party ever.The pros would be party’in with the locals,and the riding was off the hook!(Clear lake was a windy mess).I belive Lake Berryessa Would be a great local for 07′.It will be the last year for private resorts and last chance to party in Putha creek.(Closing the cove becuase the party’s get so big!)The event(riding)could take place at Steel Park,and the party’n at all the camps and resorts.Otherwise, the Delta,or Shasta is the best options.
July 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
dont worry jason, lake county (clearlake) has been yo-yoing the decision for awhile, but they came down to a yes a few months ago. its back on for clearlake at the end of september. let the debauchery continue.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Hey Rachel-
Thanks for the update. I guess we can start getting ready for another wild weekend at Clear lake! See you guys there!