Just as the autumn knocks at the door there was an open competition last Saturday. With 5 ladies on the start I was last off the dock so I knew exactly what I had to do to win. However this was no exceptional competition and I fell and fell on the tricks I usually don't mess up during trainings. There was only one run so they made it '3 falls allowed', and this was a lifesaver, because only after the second fall I realized I have to get it done NOW!
As I stood up I had just enough time to do the two tricks I fell on and I did. Even though it was a small event, I'm still stoked about the win!
Still haven't posted about Poland. I placed 6th, but I was really disappointed with my runs, because I was never able to do a stand up pass and fell on what normally should be easy tricks. Never mind that, it was a fun trip and seeing so many good riders at one place gave me the motivation to keep working hard.
Anyway, since I'm back home been training a lot of spins. Finally getting somewhere with TS 3's wake to wake and those BS 1s should be there as soon as I stop letting go off the handle.
Here's a video of the most flat session I've had this year, I had my dad driving and my mom watching and a friend filming. With the sun out it just felt good and I got everything down. Would have wanted to get the other 3s on film, but I ran out of power!
Thanks to everyone who has helped me to get this far! It's been a progressive season and I'm looking forward to 2013 already, having new goals to reach and tricks to land!
Thank you Ronix Wakeboards Latvia and www.gymnastics.lv for supporting me and allowing to get better at what I love to do!
Here's an awesome video we did with TravelOutThere.
Riders: Lauma Ildena and Vita Valheima.
Camera: Ivars Veiksa.
Boat: Ivars Ildens.
Riding at Udensklubs.
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 toour 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.
Fridays are the most scary days of the week in Florida. Last time it was a real snake by my foot, this time Andy, Dylan and Mitch decided to play alligators. Enjoy watching!