Freestyle National Tour 2009 UK
> 02/09/2009
-> click
here to pdf.files
The Sport Of Jetski Freestyle
Just what is jetski freestyle? I guess it was born out of man’s
natural desire to show off, free
as in “free of rules.”
A freestyle competition comprises of two minutes for each rider to put
together a routine
comprising of their best tricks and moves, all fluidly strung together
in an effort to impress
the 5 judges. So how does it happen? The rider is the only person of
the water and then
raises his or her hand to indicate the start of their routine and for
the clock to be started.
There will normally be five assorted judges doing the scoring, the freestyler
being scored for
getting in as many different unrepeated tricks as possible within the
time, and successfully
completing all of them. Spectacular big air tricks will not necessarily
score any higher than a
technically as difficult surface trick that may be more difficult to
see, but as long as all the
tricks "flow" together well, all the different types of tricks
can carry roughly equal marks. This
applies to surface tricks, underwater ones, and of course the favourite
big air ones.
The Tour has achieved its goal in producing top-flight
riders from all around the UK. The riders
that have taken the step from the FNT to the British Championships,
and even beyond, have all
ranked highly.
The Freestyle National Tour (FNT) tour was originally set up to introduce
riders to the world of
freestyle, to show that the world of competitive riding is not a daunting
place to be. The FNT
prides itself on being a friendly place, an enjoyable weekend away with
like-minded people. A
place for riders and family new or old to share hints and tips along
the way, a place that
pushes the boundaries of any rider more than they would ever be pushed
riding with their
mates. It has acted as a stepping stone, a proving ground for riders
to go onto bigger things,
European and World Championships. Indeed, the FNT helped school the
likes of UK world
champions Lee Stone and Ant Burgess.
The tour has 6 rounds at different lakes around the country. We have
2 classes, Amateur or
beginner, and Pro class or Open helping us to attract riders of all
abilities from all corners of
the UK.
So How Does It All Work?
We start first thing Saturday morning with Registration and a
basic scrutineering safety check of each rider’s ski. The water
is then open for free practice and general use.
Saturday lunchtime sees Amateur Freestyle. This is generally
aimed at beginners with a friendly rivalry and is the mainstay
of FNT riders. A 2 minute routine with everyone watching is
quite daunting for new riders, but is soon enjoyed and will
become quite addictive. Competition improves the breed and
it is amazing at how people progress over the season.
Saturday afternoon sees the introduction of the first of our new competitions
this year and is
the Stock Superjet Slalom. This is a light hearted competition, open
to all riders to use our
stock ski and will be 2 laps of a short slalom buoyed course. But we
are fun loving freestylers,
so there will be a few different challenges along the way such as a
limbo bar (safely made of
polystyrene!) or taking one buoy while riding backwards...Have you ever
seen the FNT Superjet
egg and spoon race?
Saturday evening then is a social event, offering a central focal point
for newcomers to meet up and feel part of the community. This year we
are offering a hot evening meal to all at each round which will add
to the sense of community and is essential in welcoming new riders and
their families.
Afterwards, there may be a few toys brought out, we have seen in the
past, mini-motos, Power kites
and even pogo-sticks!
Most riders tend to camp on site creating a real community, with many
riders sharing tools etc..
Sunday dawns with breakfast and then free practice. The first competition
is sit-down slalom followed by stand-up slalom, again around a larger
buoyed course. Then we have another new competition which is Superjet
Stock Freestyle. This is open to all riders to enter, using the FNT
stock ski and do a traditional 2 minute routine.
Finally we have Pro Freestyle or our open class where the top freestylers
in the UK can compete
to take top honours.
New for 2009 is a beginner clinic run by a Ant Burgess periodically
throughout the weekend.
This will attract new and younger freestylers to the weekend, those
who don’t feel ready for competition, but want to enjoy a
freestyle weekend alongside the top riders.
Additionally this year, after each riders routine in Am and Pro, riders
will perform their “trick of the day”. This will be videoed
and uploaded onto Utube.
Links will then be posted on internet forums all over
the world asking people to vote for whom they feel was the best. This
will help enhance the rider’s and the FNT’s profile worldwide
The emphasis of the weekend is thus strongly geared around Freestyle,
Fun and Value for Money. The FNT has a strong brand image and a loyal
core of riders constantly attracting newcomers.
For more details please contact :
Graham or Pippa-Jane Reid.
www.freestylenationaltour.co.uk
graham@freestylenationaltour.co.uk
07831 526069
07789 465880
