One day in August

Here's an awesome video we did with TravelOutThere.
Riders: Lauma Ildena and Vita Valheima.
Camera: Ivars Veiksa.
Boat: Ivars Ildens.
Riding at Udensklubs.

Summer review

Hello, hello :)

I've had a great summer wakeboarding, teaching others to ride, working as a waitress and simply having fun. The heat hasn't been an often visitor and I switched to long suit in middle of August already! (Last year by this time it was still boiling in a shorty!) Since end of Aug I'm riding in my new Billabong Synergy 5/3 2013 Winter wetsuit which keeps me warm for an hour easily so I can continue longer trainings as the Autumn sets in.

This year I opened the season extremely late, around June 12, so I'm willing to have that bit of extra riding before the long (I mean loooooooooong) winter comes. Also to extend the wakeboard season a bit me and my friend & student Anna-Maria will be going to have a week of riding at Xtreme-Gene, Spain this October. It's been 4 years since I was last there and I'm anxious to meet everyone and see the new site!

I've spent a lot of time in the Olympic Gymnastics Centre to prepare for the season and now restarting the trainings to stay in shape for Spain in October and ski instructor courses later in November, a big shout out to www.gymnastics.lv for supporting me the third year in a row now!

This season I'm riding with the 2012 RONIX Faith Hope Love board and boots, it's a brilliant ride I get to use thanks to our local dealer Uģis from Aquasports.

As we counted in the Udensklubs ride register book until August 25th I've been on the water for a total of 13.5 hours, including a set on mono-ski, hydrofoil and wakeskate one each. I've added a few hours as I'm writing this post, but it's still surprising how little it's actually been this year.

Here's an edit my dad made from a set earlier in August.

I've been focusing on learning those backside spins a lot, I've always known how to initiate the spin, but I was never able to land one until this year in a training I just felt the urge that I HAVE TO try them again. Been working on them every set from that day on and finally getting the understanding of where exactly I am in the air. 

Another great week was when I went to have some sets on the System 2.0 with Jonty Green coaching and that being my first week on the System I learnt the air Railey! So excited! I really want to bring it to the boat, but my brain's still saying not to do it. Oh well, later then.

New boat trick of the season is a Switch TS FS 360.

However I'm still very inconsistent with my spins as I work very little on them. It's getting better now, but it's still a long way to go.

I've been trying to get the TS BR back, but I rush it so badly on the small wake there's no chance I could ever ride it away like that. I've tried a couple of other switch inverts, they're missing some pop on the toeside jumps and holding on to the handle on heelside, haha! I'll keep working.

Another news you might not know yet I've started my University studies as a Nutritionist. Should keep me interested! 

My biggest goal now is to save up enough money to be able to go wakeboarding to Florida the next summer. I know already that my salary won't make it within this time (unless I find a much better paid job), but I really hope there are great people around able to help and if it's meant to be then things will sort out.

Starting from Monday they say the weather is getting warmer and the wind is calming down. Can't wait to set up a photo shoot with Eduards Glotovs (www.eduardsglotovs.lv) it's been way too long since we last did one! I'll keep you updated.

Live your passion,

~LI