LAKEPORT ? Wakeboarding, slalom skiing, skydiving and freestyle motocross are just a few of the events BoardStock XII brings to the water, sky and land at its new location this weekend.
The much anticipated and recently relocated extreme sports event happens this weekend at Konocti Vista Casino Resort, Marina & RV Park. Slated for Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 30, the event may have lost its mid-August spot, but still promises to thrill.
The event brings to the table four of the top wakeboard riders in the world, according to BoardStock marketing consultant Margaret Walker. This is the first year that BoardStock will host the last event in the World Wakeboarding Association (WWA) series. Its events so far this year were in Toronto, Tokyo and Reno last month.
BoardStock is scheduled to kick off Friday at Konocti Vista Casino with a “launch-off” party at 7 p.m. with onlookers admitted free. The gates open at 9 a.m., and guests can catch the qualifying rounds for BoardStock”s slalom and WWA competitions.
A feature at BoardStock is a wakeboarding movie called Authentic by Overflow films. It will premier at 6 p.m. Sunday. The buffet will boast special pricing during the event weekend. A match play special will run in the casino, with a $5 match-play on slots and at game tables. There are special price packages for two-passes and children under six are free when accompanied by an adult ticketholder. Promoter and president of BoardStock Promotions Inc., Rob Stimmel said he is optimistic about the event”s expected turnout this year, despite its cancellation earlier this year at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, where BoardStock was hosted for the past two years. Stimmel said he expects numbers to be down 25 percent from last year.
“We”re excited, and things are shaping up and looking good,” Stimmel said. “We”ll see what the future brings.”
According to David Arciero, marketing director at Konocti Vista Casino, between 10,000 and 12,000 are expected collectively over the event”s four days. That number is down from the 50,000 turnout cited on the event Web site www.boardstock.com.
Walker said when she checked last week the county hotels were nearly full with BoardStock participants and followers.
Of five Lake County hotels surveyed, one representative said no rooms were available Thursday through Sunday, two said they were sold out for two out of the weekend event”s four days, two said this weekend”s numbers were typical for a weekend.
Greg Bennett, general manager of Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa and of its events promotion company Konocti Presents … told the Record-Bee earlier this year that he would not host the event again because of the risk it posed to the resort liquor license. BoardStock XI estimated about 40 underage drinkers, caught by undercover California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents.
After an extensive debate at Lakeport City Council meetings over the summer, Stimmel announced the event would be hosted at Konocti Vista Casino. Event promoters promised an alcohol-free, fa.m.ily environment at the sporting event and exhibitions, with alcohol being served only inside the casino.
During the course of the event there will be no public launching, however slips are available for rental.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
