Polar Bear Chase Boat Highlights

[ragboy]

We have over 10000 images and 225GB of video that we are working through, but I got through all of the chase photos which are some of my favorite every year, and give you the best overall picture of the event, I think.

Everyone seemed to have a great time and the wakesurfing community never ceases to amaze me. People just get along and have a great time even though they are crammed in a tight space for many hours at a time.

There were 5 boats sponsored by each manufacturer and weighted by each:

• 2012 Tige Z3 with Convex VXT prototype
• 2013 Centurion Enzo 244
• 2013 SkiSupreme V226
• 2013 Sanger 237
• 2013 Pavati AX-V24 Prototype

There were 50+ boards and we had special racks on top of the barge to hold them all and then distribute to all of the riders. We separated the event into 5 separate 2 hour sessions, 5 groups of people with 4-5 members, giving each rider about 20 minutes per session. 3 sessions on Saturday and then 2 on Sunday. 5 meals were provided for everyone and everyone surfed their brains out. There was LOTS of wobbly legs on Sunday.

Before I get to the pictures, I want to thank all of the boat and board manufacturers and all of those that helped make the event work.

I will be posting a highlight video and maybe a few more pictures in various places but for the entire archive of photos and videos you will need to visit in the near future:

http://wake9.com/polar-bear

Here is a great picture where you can see the barge with a few boats tied up to it, and check out the boards on the roof. Also, look at that water, it was like that all weekend. Amazing conditions.


IMG_5220 by wake9, on Flickr

Great shot of the Centurion 244, great wake and you can get a good look at just how big that cockpit is, I think everyone mentioned the size of that cockpit.


IMG_5044 by wake9, on Flickr

Joe Penner was checking out that transom seat, and I think liked it too much. This was Group 2. The Pavait struggled to dial in the first day, but improved a ton on the next day. I have to give Pavati credit for jumping into this group and their willingness to learn and watch and listen. This boat is gonna surf, because they are committed to making sure it does, and getting the feedback from the right people.


IMG_5060 by wake9, on Flickr

The Sanger was slammed, and the wake showed it. It was big with lots of push and great on both sides.


IMG_5106 by wake9, on Flickr

The Pavati looked really great on the water.


IMG_5172 by wake9, on Flickr

Everyone wanted to get a look at the Z3 with the new Convex VXT device. You can see it under the deck here, and how the water is coming off of it.


IMG_5254 by wake9, on Flickr

A good look at the goofy wake on the Z3.


IMG_5283 by wake9, on Flickr

The Supreme 226 didn't fail to show off its great wake, on both sides, at a great value.


IMG_5369 by wake9, on Flickr

Anthony VanDerlinde taking a nose dive behind the Centurion.


IMG_5386 by wake9, on Flickr

This is what Mitch saw as he distributed boards to the groups in the boats as we switched sessions.


IMGP9189 by wake9, on Flickr

A good look at that huge cockpit in the 244 and classic styling in that boat. It was PURRDY.


IMGP9202 by wake9, on Flickr

So where the 244 has the big cockpit, check out the bow in this 22 foot supreme.


IMGP9210 by wake9, on Flickr

Who needs a bimini top? The weather was SO nice.


IMG_5488 by wake9, on Flickr

Mike Viland rockin the Supreme 226 wake.


IMG_5497 by wake9, on Flickr

Another great Centurion shot with Group 3.


IMG_5514 by wake9, on Flickr

[ragboy]

Corson Piper was showing his skills behind EVERY boat, couldn't stop showing off.


IMG_5522 by wake9, on Flickr

The Z3 with Sarah Hemming. Her feet were like TINY.


IMG_5578 by wake9, on Flickr

I think this is Dave Rusch, a real cool picture in the afternoon behind the Sanger.


IMG_5583 by wake9, on Flickr

Another couple of Dave on the Sanger.


IMG_5597 by wake9, on Flickr


IMG_5602 by wake9, on Flickr

Check out the Goofy wake on the 244. I will have more pics and video, but at this stock setup, the wake was the same as far as I could see on the regular and goofy side.


IMG_5626 by wake9, on Flickr

Anthony was enjoying that super clean, long wake the Z3 with the Convex VXT was providing.


IMG_5646 by wake9, on Flickr

Mike Viland behind the Z3.


IMG_5679 by wake9, on Flickr

Chris Martinez behind the Supreme goofy.


IMG_5722 by wake9, on Flickr

On Sunday, the Pavati started to get into its groove.


IMG_5729 by wake9, on Flickr

Another great shot of the Centurion Goofy wake.


IMG_5740 by wake9, on Flickr

Goofy Supreme.


IMG_5748 by wake9, on Flickr

One more of the Pavati.


IMG_5795 by wake9, on Flickr

[Booms]

Ragboy,

Looks like a great time! My friend Tim was out there and I am to say the least a little jealous I could not make it. Tim said the Supreme had the best wave with push for days behind it.

Can I register for next year's Polar Bear event now?

Looking forward to more pictures and reviews of the boats.

[skippabcool]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys had a great time.

[skippabcool]

One thing that would be neat to see would be some unbiased reviews from the riders of the waves from the different boats. My novice eye sees some differences in the pics but it obviously can't tell how they surfed.

[majestic]

Wow I was way back on the Z3

[WakerideN]

In my next life I want to come back with my body in ragboys life... lol.. living the dream I tell you! awesome pics! and even more cool those MFG showed to the event! Well done!

[ragboy]

Thanks, the full reviews will be up soon. There are several riders that were at the event that are on this forum and they are welcome to discuss also, they rode every boat.

[turbonine]

I wish I would have attempted to sign up earlier. REelly wish i could have been there.

[Timmy!]

Nice pictures! Looks like you guys had a great event and there's definitely some nice waves in there!

How much weight did you guys have to run in the Pavati? Any things with that boat to "take back to the drawing board" so to speak?

[ragboy]

Pavati struggled on Saturday, but then added more weight on Sunday and it was much better.

Sat= 1100 bag in rear locker, stock 850 side hard tank
Sun= 1100 bag in rear locker, stock 850 side hard tank, 300+400(700 total) bags in side compartment, 600 bag in bow.

[majestic]

The Pavati was a super cool boat but we ended up riding it when it was struggling. Chuck from Pavati was super cool.

The Supreme had what I would say the most consistent wave with tons of push.

The Sanger was a surprise as it was super adjustable with triple trim tabs an had great push. I personally didn't care for how low the freeboard was and I didn't like the interior. Great wave though.

The Centurion was surprisingly good on the goofy side. I loved how big the interior was but hated the dash and gauges. The wave had decent push but had a double lip coming off the rubrail that I couldn't get used to. The boat needed more weight but was better than I expected.

On to the Z3, most know I am a loyal Tige owner and have plenty of time with this particular boat both riding behind and driving at the West Coast Open last year. I struggled on the wave. I though it Had more push when I rode it in the spring. It also had a rooster tail that was challenging for me. I know it has the potential and it is still my favorite interior and the boat I would buy if I was in the market. I think the BGB needs some tweaking on the goofy side as that was always the better side. From what I saw and heard regular riders were in love and some said the best they have ever ridden behind. I look forward to riding it again soon.

Any questions about the boats ask away.

[ragboy]

That's a good assessment, on the goofy side, we have to list over a bit more to knock down that mohawk and so the wake loses a bit of push. On the regular side, we had people fawning over it.

I think you all know where I stand on the need of it being great on both sides, I think this is a relatively easy fix and you will hear more on this in the near future. We have already been in close communication with Tige engineering and R&D on this. I can't wait to see the next revision.

[Timmy!]

Nice review majestic! I appreciate your honesty! It would have been really easy for you to just say it was the greatest thing ever but you gave some constructive feedback instead.

[topaz surfer]

I can also follow up majestics input. The pavati is just a cool boat. I think my group was the first to surf it goofy side and he was having trouble at first but we were able to make it a little better by the end of our session. I think the biggest problem was the mounts for the swim deck creating spay that messed up the wave. But that boat displaces some water! So I think it will make a great wave once he plays with it some more and he was really listening to all the input he got which is great.

The centurion is also a nice roomy boat and it drove and handled really well. The wave was very nice for a stock ballast set up and I had no problem surfing it, but if I were to own one for surfing I would for sure be adding more weight to make it bigger and longer.

The sanger had a really good wave and I had a blast riding the mendo long board behind it. The only thing I would say is yes it was slammed and the freeboard is really low and some people might not like being that close to the water.

The supreme has a nice layout inside and a very nice wave that is very consistent with good push. This boat is very fun to surf. Anyone looking for a new boat that is shorter on cash would love this boat.

The z3 well is still on the top of the list and i love this wave. The wave was a bit shorter and less push than before but again its the first prototype of the device and I know robert and aj will not give up until it meets there approval so I know it will be getting better. It was a great weekend and many thanks to everyone involed. I think this event alone is a great thing for the sport of wakesurfing and anyone who wants to learn more about the boats and boards that make it all work.