The Byerly Toe Jam wakeskating tour kicked off with the first stop in Orlando Florida today. Created by Scott Byerly, the goal of the Toe Jam series is to gather the best wakeskaters in sport for a showcase that focuses on the riders and having a good time. Forget about trick lists or time limits, this is all about the riding and hanging out with friends.
Hosted by The Projects, and put on by Rockstar Energy Drinks, day one of this three day event featured preliminary qualifying behind the Sea-Doo on a course filled with 10 different sliders. The top two riders in each heat moved through to the quarterfinal round to be held tomorrow. For the most part today was upset free, with the exception of Tim Kovacich and Scott Byerly failing to qualify for the next round.
43 Wakeskaters Throw Down @ the Rockstar Rail Jam
Date: 4/20/07
Author: Byerly Toe Jam Press ReleaseThe Byerly Toe Jam Wakeskating Tour started off with a bang today in Orlando, Florida for the Rockstar Energy Drink Rail Jam at The Projects. 43 Wakeskaters laid it on the line utilizing ten different apparatuses while being towed behind the Sea-Doo Wake Edition PWC.
16 Riders qualified through to the semifinals and they will compete tomorrow in the wake competition behind the Air Nautique followed by a rail jam final on Saturday. The judging was based on an overall run, not limited to rail slides, and the riders were popping flip tricks, 360 shove-its and spins off the Sea-Doo’s lip.
Notable moves included Nick Taylor’s varial flip, Steven Cambell’s kickflip and frontside flip, Brandon Thomas’ nearly flawless riding and Phillip Basino’s ability to finish his run after having his shoulder popped back into its socket.
In addition to Rockstar, Sea Doo and Air Nautique, Scott Byerly would also like to thank Gator Boards, O’Neill, Arnette, Reef and Performance Ski & Surf.
Semifinals (top two riders advance):
Heat #1
1. Basino, Phillip (USA) - 71.67
2. Hanson, David (USA) - 58.33
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3. Hair, Austin (USA) - 50
4. Yarbrough, Ouri (USA) - 28.33
5. Tor, Stef (CDN) - 20
6. Careech, Jesse (USA) - 15Heat #2
1. Hansen, Reed (USA) - 85
2. Grubb, Brian (USA) - 70
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3. Hyams, Kyle (USA) - 63.33
4. Bowlby, Keaton (USA) - 45
5. Lemons, Ryan (USA) - 30
6. Lawrence, Adam (USA) - 26.67Heat #3
1. Daniels, George (USA) - 76.67
2. Kaiser, Ben (USA) - 70
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3. Balzer, James (CDN) - 63.33
4. Pastura, Andy (USA) - 58.33
5. Jaquess, Renee (USA) - 36.67
6. Kakinuma, Nobuo (JPN) - 15Heat #4
1. Hampson, Danny (USA) - 73.33
2. Danielo, Drew (USA) - 60
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3. Gardner, Ross (USA) - 51.67
4. Rathy, Aaron (CDN) - 41.67
5. Skulnik, Jeffrey (USA) - 23.33Heat #5
1. Taylor, Nick (USA) - 81.67
2. Becqueriaux, Luis (SPA) - 43.33
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3. Tompkins, Clint (USA) - 33.33
4. Hooker, Matt (USA) - 30
5. McGuckin, Drew (USA) - 16.67Heat #6
1. Thomas, Brandon (USA) - 85
2. Reed, Aaron (USA) - 71.67
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3. Shinn, Stuart (USA) - 63.33
4. Little, Bret (USA) - 53.33
5. Horan, Ben (USA) - 45Heat #7
1. Ruark, John (USA) - 73.33
2. Gregory, Chase (USA) - 65
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3. Enns, Mark - 53.33
4. Doyle, Ryan (CDN) - 38.33
5. Kovacich, Tim (USA) - 23.33Heat #8
1. Cambell, Steven (USA) - 73.33
2. Manzari, Matthew (USA) - 65
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3. Paulson, Gabe (USA) - 31.67
4. Watson, Reed (USA) - 23.33
5. Byerly, Scott (USA) - 10
Stay tuned for the next two rounds of competition to see who comes out on top.
