May 2000

Lake Gaston, North Carolina

I had traveled to the east coast to attend a few weddings for some college buddies of mine. While visiting my brother in Durham, North Carolina I decided to head north about 90 minutes to the small town of Littleton, NC and do some riding with Mike Weddington. What started out as an opportunity for me to take a full days worth of lessons from a professional turned into an entire weekend of new friends, mayhem and lots of stories! The Pro Tour had a stop in Greenville, NC about 45 minutes or so from where I was staying in Littleton, so Mike and I planned to head over there on Friday for qualifying and warm ups.

Mike with a huge HS 180

Isn't Jake such a great looking dog?

Spending time riding with Mike was great, but he was nice enough to open up his home, had me watch videos and stay for dinner. His wife made awesome lasagna and I got to spend extra time with Bandit and Jake. Mike's house was right on the water and even though his new wakesetter was on the way I got to ride behind another 'Bu with a huge wake. Mike had the thing loaded with six 550 sacks and just barely enough room for him, Adam and his girl friend along with our boards. The wake was easily knee high and solid as a rock, talk about pop, but I hadn't even mastered the w2w yet.

 

Jake never could muster the guts to jump in the boat

 

In between sets we had lunch at the Lake Gaston marina, chatted with Cobe and Bisch, watched them gas out a jet boat and explain what the "Fantastic Voyage" was all about. It was a great opportunity I didn't expect, even though I had planned on attending the Greenville Tour Stop that weekend. His on water attitude made me feel right at home and I didn't feel nervous or anxious about riding behind a new boat or anything the way I had imagined I would.

 

 

Friends

 

 

Mike with a huge raley

Mike is a great instructor, very patient and it was more like riding with buddies than taking lessons. I had only been riding about six months or so when I visited, so the results I saw were almost immediate. If I was on the east coast or in North Carolina I'd take advantage of his skills and teaching style getting as much out of it as I could. He is active with the local wakeboarding scene, amateur competitions and tour series and recommended Glass and Powder if I was ever in Virginia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trips