KELSEYVILLE — BoardStock XI is set to begin at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. Final preparations were put into place this morning, ready for a four-day trip into the insane world of extreme sports.
Preliminary competition gets underway today beginning at 10 a.m. Practice sessions continue throughout the day with Konocti Presents welcoming Lifehouse and Collective Soul to Konocti Field Amphitheater to kick off the evening”s entertainment.
Four wet and wild days of extreme sport excitement is expected to draw as many as 50,000 people to Clear Lake. BoardStock founder Rob Stimmel, who began the event as a birthday party for his wife, is thrilled to be returning to Konocti Harbor for another round of championship competitions.
“The people and staff here (at Konocti Harbor) are great. Everybody is so friendly,” said Stimmel. “Even if they just met you, they act like they”ve known you forever.”
Stimmel added that county support of BoardStock has also been tremendous. “The county is eager to bring new businesses in and getting events (scheduled on Clear Lake,)” Stimmel said. “They are allowing us to run a nice event and it”s great to have the county”s support.”
According to Stimmel, Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa is an ideal venue for BoardStock events. The incorporation of extreme music has brought into reality Stimmel”s original concept of BoardStock. “Music, that was always a part of our dream,” the founder said, adding that venue limitations had restricted the extent to which music had been included in past events.
Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa and Konocti Presents & President, General Manager and Promoter Greg Bennett is equally excited to be adding BoardStock to its annual list of premier events. “Rob does a great job with the extreme sports of BoardStock and we are thrilled to heighten the music of it,” Bennett said.
And, although riders view Clear Lake as some of the toughest waters for competition, Stimmel said Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa makes up for it with its many amenities. “Clear Lake is probably one of the worst water facilities but the riders love it,” Stimmel shared. “It”s just a great atmosphere and there is so much to do here (at the resort).”
Championship wakeboard and wake surf competition getus underway beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 18, along with pro slalom skiing qualifying rounds.
Then it”s rock/rap bad boy Kid Rock in the Konocti Field Amphitheater. Opening up for Kid Rock is Lakeport/Ukiah”s own Swift Kick.
Swift Kick will continue entertaining throughout the night in the Waterfront Nightclub with Crossfire in the showroom.
Beginning on Friday, Aug. 18, access onto Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa property requires the purchase of BoardStock XI Day Pass, priced at $20 per person. Boat docking in Konocti Marina also costs $20 and is available on a first-come first-served basis. There is no boat launching access at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa during BoardStock XI.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
