All you have to do is go onto our facebook page, and leave a comment naming your favourite rider from the DEFY film. It’s as easy as that, and there’s a heap to choose from. You don’t even need to have seen the movie, just google DEFY The Danny Harf Project and your off and running.

We look forward to seeing who everybody’s favourite is, so get to it.

If you haven’t had the chance to get to one of the stops already, you don’t have to worry, there are still plenty more to come in the next few months. Just have a look at the dates of the tour and see which one suits you, then go and put it on the calendar, set a reminder on your phone, computer, whatever electronic device that can remind you that “Malibu Just Ride Tour is tomorrow!” Even put it in a couple of times so that you don’t accidentally make other plans.

Well, here are the details, and below are the dates of operation. Enjoy!

NSW MALIBU & AXIS GRE MARINE ROAD TOUR 

- Friday 24th February Just Ride & Drive arvo sessions and customer catch up, Grafton, NSW
- Sat 25th & Sunday 26th February Grafton Clarence River B &B
- Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th February Inverell, Copeton Dam – Gwydir River between Inverell and Bingara in NSW
- Wed 29th February Gunnedah, Lake Keepit 12pm onwards
- Thursday 1st March Singleton, Lake St Clair 12pm onwards
- Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd March Raymond Terrace / Newcastle, Williams River & Hunter River, Main Boat Ramp near Fitzgerald Bridge . Owners drinks at the Pub on the Water after 7pm.

VIC MALIBU REGAL MARINE ROAD TOUR 

- Friday 9th March Echuca, Brett Sands Watersports 11am onwards Setup and Customer Rides in the afternoon
- Sat 10th March Echuca, Brett Sands Watersports 11am onwards Demo and coaching
- Sun 11th March Lake Eppalock 11am onwards Demo and coaching
- Monday 12th March 11.45am onwards Lake Hamilton Ski Club Demo and coaching
- Tuesday 13th Travel Setup for Horsham
- Wednesday 14th March Demo & coaching 11.45 am-5pm + evening BBQ 6.30 pm Horsham – Green Lake Demo and coaching
- Thursday 15th March Mildura Travel Mildura/ Setup
- Friday 16th March Mildura Ski Club 11am onwards Surf Crew / Fox Photo Shoot
- Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March Mildura Ski Club Demo and coaching from 11 am

SOUTH AUSTRALIA – ELITE SKI BOATS, Adelaide 

- Wednesday 21st March Mannum, River Front – 10am to 4pm

- Thursday 22nd March Adelaide Dealership 2012 Model Launch Party

- Friday 23rd March Just Ride Tour coaching day, Murray Bridge , White Sands

- Sat 24th March Elite Demo and customer day, Murray Bridge , White Sands

VICTORIA – REGAL MARINE

- Friday 13th April, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th Paynesville boat show and Regal Marine demo & Just Ride coaching weekend

QUEENSLAND – NORTHSIDE WATERSPORTS 

- Sat 25th and Sun 26th February at the Clarence River B & B, bookings required.

There was a real sense of camaraderie between the ladies as they laughed, chatted and cheered each other on the dock. From learning to get up behind the cable to riding switch and hitting kickers and rails for the first time the ladies were enthusiastic participants. The cable wakeboarding bug getting those who have been around wakeboarding for a long time, with Harley Clifford’s mum, Sharon joining in and getting tips from her youngest son Ethan, as well as Courtney.

Local shredder Kelsey Smith was steezing it up with toe side Indy grabs off the out lake kicker and a front side 540 over the flat box. Hitting the kicker for the first or second time ever were Sophie on her toe side and Caroline on her heel side. They came very close to riding away and were stoked with their attempts to even have a crack at an obstacle. Logan’s newly addicted regular Melissa “Burger” Smith said, “I’m hooked. I’ve started coming up every weekend to have a go. I can make a full lap now on the cable. When I first started it took me a whole session to just get off the dock.”

Chatting to the ladies about technique as they waited for their turn, Courtney Angus said, “Wowza! There are so many chick’s getting into it. It’s so cool to see so many ladies getting enthusiastic about wakeboarding.” To assist in coaching the ladies on the water Courtney and the Cable Ski Logan staff utilised the Headzone Helmets, with inbuilt radio to talk riders through the different elements of tricks they were trying to learn. Keili Muller learnt to ride switch with coaching provided this way and also took out the prize for the best new trick learnt on the day. Nadine Guenther received the prize for the most improved and Kim D’Ath showed the biggest effort at the clinic. Monica Millward received a well-deserved prize after her best stack of the clinic. Finally making it past the first corner on her last attempt, she then rounded the second, getting to the third only to go straight to front edge and scorpion. She shook it off and is keen to come back to the next session to make it all the way around the lake.

Organiser of the Wake Chick’s Summer Series, Krissy Wilkings said, “We are overwhelmed with the response. We had so many ladies wanting to book in, that we are holding another clinic next weekend. Jetpilot have been amazing in their support of the clinics to promote women in cable wakeboarding.” The clinics, sponsored by Cable Ski Logan, Jetpilot and Liquid Force, have attracted a whole new group to the sport, who otherwise might not have given it a go. The sense of support and friendship the ladies receive through the helpfulness and cheer of local riders Kristen Smith on the dock, plus awesome advice from coach Courtney Angus, it’s no wonder the ladies are keen to come back for more.

We took to the chilly waters of Lake Hume, just as winter was setting in, to check out the latest and greatest Wakesetter VLX yet. Once again this classy machine has raised the bar a little higher, adding some tech innovations to an already impressive package.

The VLX has been pumping out competition quality wakes across the country since time began, or so it seems. And every year the big Malibu gets a bit better in an effort to stay at the front of the pack. Last year the main feature added to the Wakesetter VLX was the G3 gas spring assisted tower, which combined durability, function and design, and is now available in white as well as the original black flavour.

For 2011, a couple of notable changes for the new model VLX is the introduction of coded keyless ignition and Malibu Touch Command (MTC) as standard features. The keyless ignition is a handy addition. Let’s face it, most of us leave the keys in the ignition or the glove-box, and – believe it or not – some crafty criminals have sussed this out. And if we don’t leave the keys with the boat, we run the risk of driving all the way to our favourite lake on the weekend, only to discover the keys are in the other car. But now, just forget about keys altogether. Type in your code, touch the “Start Engine” icon, and off you go.

The MTC system allows touch switching control over safety and performance features, independent of Malibu’s rider presets. Up to 660kg of sub-floor hard-tank quad ballast can be adjusted with a simple touch of the MTC, as can interior and exterior lighting and boat system features. It also gives control of the Power Wedge, allowing it to be deployed, stowed or adjusted anywhere between 180kg-545kg of displacement. The MTC looks great, with detailed graphical boat menus for all the function, and is instinctive and easy to use.

The 2011 Wakesetter VLX is also available with the optional MaliView system, incorporating a 16.5cm screen, which can be used to display critical boat information (cruise control, rider presets, depth, Power Wedge position, stereo controls and ballast levels) as well as video – both saved or live. MaliView and the awesome Rockford Fosgate sound system have even been upgraded for 2011 to include USB video playback and increased iPod/iPhone control.

All up the VLX comes together as a brilliant package that combines these impressive tech features with the performance and quality that Malibu have always stood for.

The big VLX is still an absolute pleasure to drive, with outstanding handling, light direct steering and a cockpit that is pure joy. Passengers get the royal treatment as well, with an array of super-comfy seating and acres of storage. Then of course, there is the wake. The VLX is the boat of choice for serious wakeboarders, schools, and comps throughout Australia and the US. The wake has both the size and shape to allow top riders to perform at pro level. Victorian riders Sam Singleton and Thorry Heaney joined us during the boat test, and had nothing but good things to say about the VLX and its sweet wake.

Thorry had learnt the ins-and-outs of the boat during his time with the Malibu Tour over the summer, and was keen for more.
“One of the features on the VLX that I appreciate, and that I feel makes me a better rider, would be the ballast system. A press of a button and the ballast is ready. It’s real quick and easy, and more importantly has a huge impact on the wake,” Thorry says.

“I love the wake itself because it has the best transition out of any boat, ever. You can carry a lot of speed into the wake and still get heaps of upwards pop, which allows me to take my favorite tricks out to the flats easily.”

“The combination of the ballast system and the adjustable Power Wedge makes it perfect for any riding ability as well. The wake can be made bigger, smaller, or altered to have more lip or be mellowed out.”

“It’s also a very smooth boat to drive, even when you have massive amounts of weight. There’s no problem when cranking out a few double-ups, and the boat tracks beautifully throughout turns.”

Specs
Length: 6.55m (21’ 6”)
Width: 2.53m
Weight: 1587kg
Tow Weight: 2200kg
Fuel Capacity: 174 litres
Passengers: 14
RRP: $84,278

Docking your boat is an important part of wakeboarding. From heading out to heading in, to pick up the people that are always late, or for those bathroom stops that are just a slight inconvenience. It’s an easy skill to master and when done right, you will look like quite the accomplished captain and will probably impress the onlooker.

Firstly, make sure you have good vision around you. As I am not the tallest person, I personally like to put the booster seat up. If you have people in the front of you sitting in the bow, make sure you can see over them. And if it’s distracting, make sure you turn your stereo off or at least down. There’s nothing worse than someone at the boat ramp with bad music cranking. Besides; you don’t want to draw attention to yourself, especially if you’re not going to dock the boat successfully.

Most wakeboarding boats will swing to the starboard (right) when in reverse; this is due to the prop rotation. So you will want to come in at a 45 degree angle to the dock making sure the dock is on the starboard side of the boat. You will want to come in quite slow, keeping a slow pace. Make sure you go in-and-out of gear ensuring you don’t build up unwanted speed.

When you’re bow is about a meter away from dock, you will want to put the boat into reverse, while also turning the steering wheel to the right. So long as you don’t carry too much speed heading into the dock, you shouldn’t have to gas the boat in reverse.

Again you will want to gently go in-and-out of reverse, so your stern doesn’t suddenly swing into the dock. So don’t rush. Once you are placed next to the dock, have your crew hold the dock. Turn your boat off and get on with it!

If a wind or tide drag is present, make sure you position the boat so it’s down wind/ tide from the dock.  Working against it is always better than going with it. You have the power at your finger tips to power against it. This will also keep the boat from bashing against the dock, and keep your crew safe.

If you are lucky enough to use the waterway when no one is around, practice this over and over again, to build your confidence for those busy days.

Remember; no one likes a dock hog, so once you pull up to the dock, be quick and efficient so everyone can do what they need to do. Especially if someone is busting for the toilet!

Enjoy, and happy boating.

Click here to view the embedded video.

WEEKEND WITH JOSH!

Josh Sanders and his Supra 22V, a brand new O’Brien Format board and Seeker boots, Masterline vest, rope and handle, plus a spread in Wake Magazine dedicated to you and your crew.
(Ok, so you have to give Josh and his boat back afterwards, but the rest you can keep!) This is your chance to win!

Simply “Like” both Wake Magazine and Supra Boats Australia Facebook pages:
facebook.com/supraboatsaus & facebook.com/wakemag1

If you already “Like” these pages, you are already entered.
If you “Like” one, just “Like” the other one and you’re in business!
The winner will be announced at the Perth Nationals. So get to it!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Being the official tow boat for the WWA World Championships, there’s no prize for guessing that Supra’s all-new Launch 22V Worlds Edition comes with all the bells and whistles you could think of. Oh, and did we mention the wake?

To start with, the thing stands out in a crowd. It’s distinctive special edition graphics indicate the approval from the world’s most prestigious wakeboarding events – the continuing sponsorship
of the WWA Wakeboarding Championships.

Now if you weren’t already aware, Supra are now factory-built here in Australia. We dropped in to the Nowra based factory, and were treated to an exclusive factory tour by proud owners Josh and Justin Sanders. If you haven’t visited a boat factory of this calibre before, it’ll blow your mind. The attention to detail and quality control we witnessed, was phenomenal. Every screw, every bracket, even every stitch – is made to order and ticked off
a checklist for each boat made, ensuring a perfect finished result.

Supra consider an enormous amount of rider input when designing their boats. Which makes sense, considering no one knows a wakeboarder’s needs more than the riders themselves.

Many of the features on last year’s model remain – why fix it if it ain’t broke? 

A standout feature of the Supra is the incredibly versatile seating systems. Supra’s adjustable seating arrangements can maximise viewing positions, ensuring no one gets a crook neck after watching their mates ride. Supra’s convertible A Double-Up and Triple-Up seating provides rear-facing set ups that gives up to six spectators a perfect view of the rider. Whether it’s for the family with safety in mind for kids, or for a rowdy bunch of mates, there is plenty of safe seating for everyone.

Another favorite of ours is the drop-down bimini. With a turn of a lever, the whole canopy folds down to a vertical position, allowing you to utilise the extra board storage areas and board racks are easily swung around for easy board retrieval. There are no complaints from the cockpit area either. The full-swivelling, hight-adjustable captain’s chair with booster seat is comfortable and very central to all gauges, including the ‘Supra Vision’. The Supra VISION, or Video Information System with Integrated Onboard Network, is the brains of Supra’s “Rider Friendly” Boat Control. The Supra VISION is a fully integrated boat control network designed to improve the overall boating experience. With some amazing new features the Vision System integrates ballast monitoring and control, automatic SmartPlate control wake shaping device for every level of rider, true Zero Off GPS cruise for the perfect tow, full GPS chart plotting, iPod interfacing  to compliment the amazing stereo withit’s automatic speed based stereo volume control, full engine diagnostics pages and much, much more. Supra has spent three years of development and testing the system and it shows.  It makes driving so easy, even a first time novice could drive for the world championships.

Engine-wise, you can choose the Indmar ETX CAT 5.7L V-8 340HP engine with catalytic converter – the cleanest burning engine on the water. Plus, it’s one of the few Four Star rated engines in the industry.  Standard pump in tank fuel delivery system enhances reliability, while a new OJ prop maximizes hole shot and speed holding characteristics.

The wake’s are obviously worth a mention. Although having the stamp of approval from so many, there’s not too much to say.
The clean, full-bodied, tournament quality wakes, have soft transitions and a sweet ramp shape that make them a favorite with the pros and the weekend warriors.

Choosing the Worlds Edition will give you a list of extras too long to mention. Although the upgraded stereo and speakers is a highlight.

The best thing about buying a Supra (apart from the high standard of performance created from the ideas and feedback from some of the world’s best), is that it’s Australian made. And with full Australian back-up and service, you know you’ll never be left in the lurch.

Specs
Length: 6.76m (22’6” w/o platform)
Width: 2.49m (no towing restrictions)
Fuel Capacity: 148 litres
Seating: 15 persons
Weight on Trailer: 2293 kg (on trailer)
Engine as Tested: Indmar 3.40HP 5.7L V-8 MPI Engine
Priced from: $92,462
Website: www.supraboats.com.au