Making waves on Lake Sinclair
The outrageously skilled riders jamming to the beat make up the GCSU wakeboard team. The ten team members, six male and four female, could blow any spectator’s mind with their daring tricks and wide variety of new skills. With an atmosphere filled with constant encouragement for each boarder hitting the wake, it is no wonder the team succeeds in progressing with every practice.
Captain of the Wakeboard Team, junior J. Raymond Vinson finds inspiration through what every team member would agree upon: a genuine love for the sport. Only 21 years of age, Vinson has dedicated nearly half of his life to a passion immersed in the open waters of Lake Sinclair. With ten-plus years of wakeboarding under his belt, he is more than qualified to fulfill his position as team captain. Vinson is the first to downplay his skills.
“I’d like to say it’s all my talent, but its not, it’s just a gift God has given me,” Vinson said.
The witnesses lounging on the Mastercraft boat would beg to differ.
Though the wakeboard team has been known in previous years to be a water ski team, they have experienced a great deal of success, specifically referring to their qualification for the 2006 Nationals in Sacramento, Calif., making a name for the university at No. 8 in the nation. This season, the team traveled to Orlando, Fla. where each rider placed in their respected division. The wakeboard competitions are, in Raymond’s words, “a lot more fun, more laid back and better for beginners; you can enter the wakeboard competitions at different skill levels so nobody just gets blown out of the water.”
Sophomore team member Taylor Goodman expressed her nerves as she prepared for the team’s last competition in West Palm Beach, Fla. As a female participating in a male-dominated sport such as wakeboarding, Goodman refuses to allow the intimidation affect her performance, making crystal clear her drive to improve as she aggressively tackled each trick, leaping from wake to wake.
With the university’s campus only minutes from Lake Sinclair, being involved in water-related athletics tends to be a common ground for the students, especially for a “fish” (experienced swimmer) such as Goodman.
Because a majority of GCSU students seek out a relaxing day on the lake through wakeboarding, tubing, and skiing casually, many are oblivious to the reality of a legitimate, school-sponsored wakeboard team.
Sophomore student and “outdoorsman”, Trey Griffy, unlike most, is somewhat familiar with the wakeboard team. When it comes to joining the club, he questioned his abilities compared to the experienced riders.
“I’d love to if I was good enough, but I doubt that’ll ever happen,” Griffy said.
Good news for Griffy and all other aspiring wake boarders: the team is always willing to embrace new members. For those interested, contact Captain J. Raymond and jet on over to a team practice.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 24 2008. Filed under Sports.
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