HomeMy WebLinkAboutFlowRider-Competition-Results-Aug2012
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: David Katz, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aquatic Center Caps Off Summer with FlowRider
Surf Competition
Edina, Minn., Aug. 28, 2012 – Amateur surf enthusiasts of all ages and from all walks of life came together
at the Edina Aquatic Center Sunday, Aug. 19, to show off and share skills learned over the summer at an
exhibition and competition on the Center’s new FlowRider surf simulator, “The Lost Wave.”
Competitors were split into Junior and Adult brackets, each of which competed in Bodyboarding and
Flowboarding categories. Robert Puls of Richfield came away with the top prize in both Adult categories.
Seven other contenders placed during the first-ever competition at the Aquatic Center.
“The winners -- and, I think, the majority of the competitors who showed well -- are regulars at the Aquatic
Center. I have seen them frequent the FlowRider since the attraction first opened earlier this season,” said
FlowRider Instructor Chris Impagliazzo. “It shows what practice can do.”
Bodyboarding is a more traditional variant, in which surfers start flat on their boards and try to ride out
waves for as long as possible.
In competitive flowboarding, participants are given three opportunities to fit in as many tricks and maneuvers
as they can during 30-second runs on the FlowRider. Two knowledgeable judges scored the best two of those
three attempts for each contestant for the final standings.
Flowboarding is the best way to judge the skills of amateur surfers with about a summer’s worth of
experience, Impagliazzo said. “I like it because the object is not just to stay on the board for as long as you
can, which a lot of people have pretty much mastered by this point.”
In addition to the “main event,” a DJ was on hand to create a mood and keep spectators entertained between
surf runs. A rep from Minnesota-based G-Team Snowboarding was also on site to promote the popular
winter boarding alternative.
The summer 2012 Edina Aquatic Center season is now at an end. Be sure to “Like” the facility on Facebook
at www.Facebook.com/EdinaAquaticCenter for news on the 2013 season.
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