Slingshot proudly sponsors the biggest little-wake contest to date
John Dreiling's 2nd Annual Mini Wake Invitational ...
Where did you come up with the idea for the Mini Wake Contest?
JD: Last year I bought a house on Lake Holden and the owner ended up leaving me his ski boat. I kept inviting all the homies to come over and ride with me behind it and basically the lack of wake height forced more creativity…We were having so much fun on just an average ski boat that we decided to get everyone together for a friendly competition and see what all could be done behind it.
What exactly is a mini wake?
JD: Well the name came from skateboarding, mini ramps. A mini wake is essentially just a smaller wake that you don’t have to worry about getting smoked on and you can just go out and progresses super quickly. The best thing is that mini wakes are more accessible and just a good time with the homies, just like a mini ramp.
Give us the rundown on this years towboat:
JD: This year wakeboarding was pulled behind a 2001 210 nautique. The 210 is the perfect Old school boat. It is an iconic boat in wakeboarding, and though the wake is smaller, the double up shape is perfect. It was so cool to see what all the current riders could do on this thing.
What was the most surprising trick that went down?
JD: Corey blew us all away dropping a switch toe 1080 off the double up. Starting the day the 900 was the trick everyone was talking about, so when Corey put down the 1080 first try we were all mind blown.
"The whole message behind this event is that you can have fun behind whatever boat you have access too, and the coolest thing about this event is all the pros leaving the water saying it was the most fun they have had in a long time" - Johnny D.
Is there anything that you feel isn’t possible riding a mini wake?
JD: Sure there are bigger tricks that would be more difficult, potentially not possible on a mini wake, but what is so cool about the smaller wakes is that it encourages you to get creative and try to do things differently.
What’s the message you’re looking to deliver with this event?
JD: The whole message behind this event is that you can have fun behind what ever boat you have access too, and the coolest thing about this event is all the pros leaving the water saying it was the most fun they have had in a long time. So I think it’s safe to say it was a success.
What was the optimal board size / rope length / speed for this years event?
JD: Board size is more flexible depending on the style you like to ride but most the crew was riding at 65 feet long and 20 mph.
Did the Johnny Rocket turbo boosters engage during your ride?
JD: (Laughs) for sure they did, they are always engaged! They definitely came in handy when slamming into that double up.
