The Urban Rider King of Winch stop 1 presented by Jetpilot Clothing.

It has been a formidable tour every year now for five years and the lives and reputations of a riders street cred are pinned squarley on taking the crowning title. Every year new aspiring street kings rise from all walks of life and meet together for what is now a very well established meeting of the best shredders wakeboarding has to offer. The King of Winch tour has started again this year and with it's sister pro tour (Australian Wakeboard Pro Tour) taking a dive this summer due to the global financial crisis winching stands tall as the only true testiment of all that is street tough.

Like its competitors the King of Winch tour tackles all issues large or small head on like a charging bull with the arrogance of a spitting camel. It proves that wakeboarding is no longer a sissy sport for people who have the privilage of owning a boat but for anyone who wants to ride be it in a puddle or on a rail.

The true roots of the KOW was started in the very backyard of it's creator, Craig Mitchell's house who literally dug a few holes and filled them up with water and added some rails to session. This dirty garage band like approach to wakeboarding was exactly what wakeboarding was looking for and the riders who encompassed this new era stepped into the winching limelight like blowflies against a window trying to get through.

The likes of Antony Colling, Troy and Scott Mackey, Brenton and Dwayne Priestley, Brant Hales, Chris Oshea, Scotty Green and many others bashed their way over dirt and rail in what was the first big step in a huge direction of wakeboarding.

Now a few years on it has been nothing but pleasure to watch these riders spread their winching wings and meet once again for the first round of the KOW tour that took place in the far north Queensland town of Mackay. What was even more impressive was to see some of the founding street tough crew still in the game at the most elite level with the skinniest scuffiest jeans you have ever seen.

Nothing was spared for the X Kings festival in Mackay and the names that rolled into town were nothing short of impressive. Reigning street KOW Brenton Priestley was of course back to defend his title as was his arche nemisis and closest competitor from last year Troy Roker. Original street tough crew member Troy Mackey had made his way up north from Melbourne and even Scotty Broome took time out of his busy schedule to throw some dice in the back alley way which was refreshing to see since Scott had been out of action due to knee injury for 2 years in a row. Throw into the mix Kiwi sensation and ghetto fab shredder Brad Smeele and newcomer from Harvey Bay 'backstreet' and there were always going to be sparks flying on the court.

Despite the smaller than anticipated crowd there was no need to be uninspired because the way street rules play out it is never for the crowd and always for the credentials. During the practise sessions Brenton was beating out transfers from the kickers to the roof top rail in rapid succesion with backside 270 on and 270 off, Brad Smeele was hovering switch 270's to backlip over the transfer whilst Scotty Broome was boosting huge indy poked 180's over the entire 15m setup. Troy rocker had a mishap on the kicker and in the hot northern sun which melted the kicker he stuck to the up ramp and then slide across the whole staging area on his side causing considerable damage to his epidermous (skin) thus proving his upmost street cred.

The antics on the rail were just as hard as the parties off the rails due largely to the fact it was the first time in the Australian summer where the original gangstars got to meet up again before they spread out around the country for the following summer months.

Despite hoarse voices from the karaoke bars and sore arms from silly games which forced the wrong doer to drop and give 10 push ups at any given moments notice the KOW went off without a hitch.

This year though be prepared for something a little different on the KOW tour because you know what they say, when your onto a good thing......mix it up and change it so it doesn't get boring.

Expect to see the unexpected and keep your eyes glued to Wakelife TV for all the action, if you want to see it before anyone else then subscribe to the Wakelife DVD and keep the memories close because this year is going to be one heck of a different King of Winch ride.

For those looking for results aside from sunburn, reigning KOW champion Brenton Priestley took top spot, followed closely by Scotty Broome with Brad Smeele bringing up the rear.

Urban Rider keeping wakeboarding street tuff.

Special thanks to H2OPIA, Urban Rider Cable, and the crew from Hervey Bay.