Redbull honored the life and wakeboarding career of two-time X Games Gold Medalist Parks Bonifay last weekend at “Redbull Toasted,” a celebrity, friends and family fete hosted by ESPN Sports Commentator Sal Masekela, with roasting relief dished-out by comedians Dan Levy and Tammy Pescatelli.
Held at the Hard Rock Live Orlando where Bonifay’s biopic premiered earlier, the tribute drew luminaries from across the action sports universe, including X Games Skateboarding Champion and MTV showman Ryan Scheckler, freestyle MX legend Ronnie Renner, and wakeboarding icons Shaun Murray, Zane Schwenk and Adam Errington.
Hecklers and adorers—famous, not-so-famous and infamous—were treated to hours of highlights and lowlights in the Bonifay treasure trove of memories, from his beginnings as the youngest-ever water skier in history to his unprecedented wakeboarding win as a 14-year-old competitor at X Games III and dominance in the sport through the modern era. Travis Pastrana joined the crowd of 2,000-some-odd attendees via video chat, with backhanded well-wishes for his Nytro Circus comrade. “I think everyone was bent over in laughter with tears running down his or her face multiple times during the night,” says Aaron Grace, SPY Wakeboarding Segment Manger.
The event is going to be aired on Fuel TV. Stand by for air dates.
Wakeboarding living legend Parks Bonifay will be honored during Surf Expo in Orlando, Fla. with a night of tribute and entertainment at Red Bull Toasted, Sept. 9. ESPN sports commentator Sal Masakela is hosting the celebration as Parks gets roasted by celebrity friends and athletes. Awards, funny never-before-seen clips, and presentations from iconic friends and family members will highlight the festivities as Parks stews in the hot seat.
SPY Team Rider Danny Harf discusses his feature-length passion project, DEFY. Check out the interview to hear about Harf’s hopes for the movie, where his riding is headed and why making videos is his favorite part about riding for a living.
Collingwood, ON was host to The 2011 Wakestock Wakeboarding World Series last weekend. The Billabong Pro Wakeskate Finals presented by Monster Energy came down to a battle between two past Wakestock champions. Defending Wakestock Billabong Pro Wakeskate Champion and Spy Rider Grant Roberts battled wakeskate legend Brian Grubb. With the pressure on, Roberts delivered his final extremely consistent run, but it was not quite enough to out point Grubb. Roberts ended up finishing strong with 2nd place.
The podium, with Roberts on the far right. Photo: Richard Roth/Wakestock.
Grant mid air. Photo: RIchard Roth/Wakestock
. Surely a record breaking attendance, at least in the beer garden!
Cottage Toys was on hand slinging sunglasses in the hot sun.
Note: Worst tattoo ever. Spidy on one shoulder, Venom on the other, UFC hat... Sick Brah.
Welcome back to tomorrow, yesterday, and the space in between. The Flynn is solid flavor for your face with a shiny black frame, green spectra lens and custom metal details. Limited quantities available.
The SPY+Liquid Force 2011 Limited Edition BROstock Flynn is now available at select retailers.
SPY dodged gators and pythons to get to Clermont, Fla. and resident SPY wake guru Parks Bonifay recently. Check out this quick recap of what went down…
The 5th stop of the 2011 Liquid Force Free For All Tour at Wake Nation Cincinnati featured SPY riders Travis Doran and Melissa Marquardt, free food from Chipotle, and giveaways from SPY, Skull Candy, GoPro, Sanuk, and TransWorld Wakeboarding.
SPY’s Travis Doran getting some air.
Melissa Marquardt was on hand to show spectators how it’s done.
It wouldn’t be a Free For All without hot sauce shots for SPY shades.
Next up, BROstock 2011, June 24-25 in Bull Shoals, AR!! For more info click HERE.
More than 350 riders came to the new Wake Nation cable park in Houston, Texas this past Sunday for the third stop of Liquid Force’s 2011 Free For All Cable Tour. SPY’s Tom Fooshee was on hand to ride in some demos and show people how it’s done.
It wouldn’t be a Free For All event without some insane contests. One SPY fan ran around the entire lake in 107 degree weather to win a pair of SPY shades to keep him cool.
Check out the video for a full recap of the event!
. Surely a record breaking attendance, at least in the beer garden!
