On March 25, the Red Bull Night Sliders took place in Johannesburg: not only did the participating local and international wakeboarders find ideal conditions for the execution of their sport but they also found a new home.
Once the Johannesburg sky line had cleared over BASE 3, 18 top local and international wakeboarders as well as wakeskaters wowed the crowd by showing what wakeboarding is all about. The three international riders, Brian Grubb (USA), JD Webb (USA) and Federico Bruland (ARG) brought in a new dimension of skills and tricks to the local wakeboarding scene.Fun in the "Fun-Box"
The main tool for this event was the “Fun Box”. This structure measuring a massive 32 m in length, 2m in hight and 2.5m in width created quite a stir among the riders and spectators alike. The “Fun Box”, set just a few metres off the viewing deck, is a solid structure with rails, a wallride and a splash pool which houses nine tons of water. The riders pushed themselves to pull the most incredible stunts and tricks throughout the evening and sovereignly raised the bar in wakeboarding.
JD Webb (USA) started his set with a Gap-Grab off the slider and set the tone for the event. The athletes were pumped and after pulling off the sickest tricks they went back for more: the guys played hard and the crowd could not get enough. A fact that clearly points the way to the future of this relatively new sport.
BASE 3 as a basis for the sport
Wakeboarding has grown in popularity through the years but sliding of this nature has not found a home until now. The “Fun Box” has claimed residence at BASE 3 (Leisure Lakes) and will remain there for budding boarders to use and hone their skills.JD Webb (USA) doing a gap over the "Fun Box"
Brain Grubb (USA)
Dieter Humpsch showing us how it is done.
