Orlando, FL -- The Projects rail park was on fire today as 16 wakeskaters competed in head-to-head battles to determine who would be the rail park champion at The Rockstar Energy Drink Rail Jam, kicking off the first stop of the 2007 Byerly Toe Jam Wakeskate Tour.
Excitement was in the air as the Sea-Doo Wake Edition PWC towed the finalists around ten different apparatus where they would be judged on rail moves as well as moves on the water. Glassy conditions led to a high-level of riding that now comes to be expected at a Toe Jam event.
17-year old Nick Taylor from Anna Maria Island, Florida was a standout rider over all three days, qualifying into the head-to-head final in both wake and rail park events. Brandon Thomas also showed his experience as last year's champion, riding near flawless and pulling a frontside boardslide to backside big spin off the box, in addition to landing a kickflip, which made him five-for-five on kickflips over the three days of competition. Former rail park champion Brian Grubb stood strong, pulling backside lipslide shove-its and boardslide big spins, amidst a helicopter buzzing directly overhead.
Today was Reed Hansen's day to shine, as he beat Nick Taylor in the head-to-head final, landing a 360 shove-it, backside big spin, kickflip and varial flip, in addition to several boarslide slide shove-it combinations. Earlier in the day, Hansen also landed a 360 flip from inside-out (of the Sea-Doo wake) and rode incredibly smooth all day long.
Now in its fourth year, The Byerly Toe Jam has proven to be the premiere wakeskating contest of all-time and the Rockstar Rail Jam was no exception. Three stops remain on the tour, the next being the Rockstar Cable Jam at the TSR in New Braunfels, Texas June 7-9, followed by the Rockstar/Hipppodrome Wake Jam July 12-14 in Toledo, WA.
September 20-22 will be the final invite-only event, The O'Neill Byerly Toe Jam again at The Projects in Orlando, Florida. Qualifying for the final Toe Jam are returning champions Brian Grubb, Aaron Reed, Brandon Thomas and Clint Tompkins. Qualifying today were Nick Taylor, George Daniels and Reed Hansen.
Scott Byerly would like to thank Rockstar Energy Drink, Sea-Doo, Gator Boards, Air Nautiques, O'Neill, Reef, Arnette and Performance Ski & Surf. Special thanks also goes out to Pat Panakos and The Projects for hosting the best wakeskating contests ever.
