Interesting article regarding wake companies...

LakeIolaLuke

http://stokemeter.com/2011/03/19/water-sports-turmoil/

GnarShredd · Posted: Mar 28, 2011 8:17 am Post subject:

I saw this last week and hae mixed feelings, on one hand, this is from some anonymous person who might have some type of a grudge against these companies and this is being blown up bigger than it should be (i've noticed how some people just can't let stuff go) but on the other hand, it totally wouldn't surprise me if it was true.
This puts me on the fence about buying more Liquid Force product moving forward. I've stuck with them for my last 3 boards but it's kinda tough to justify that loyalty now for me. On the flip side of that though, small companies with quality gear is hard to find because of the monopoly holding them down. (although I'm going to take more of a look at slingshot and Ronix now).

I've always known that basically the entire industry is owned by one company, but didn't realize how hard they may be trying to keep others out of it, bummer.

I imagine this style of business has something to do with the formation of Ronix a while back?

pet575 · Posted: Mar 28, 2011 9:57 am Post subject:

That is pretty interesting. Seems like it might have the makings of an antitrust action, provided the Federal Trade Commission even knows what wakeboarding is.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Hmm, that's kind of disturbing.

tyty401 · Posted: Mar 28, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:

hmmm yeah if thats true I'll be really disappointed in LF...especially since I've given them sooooooooo much of my money.

Benji Mac · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 34 City: Okinawa, Japan

This is really interesting. cut-throat business tactics at the very least. illegal, probably not, immoral - sure. I think the worst part aside from them putting so many people in hot water with the lawsuits was the fact that it does slow down the progression and innovation of things. Kinda shines a bad light on LF, which sucks cuz i'm waiting for my new LF gear in the mail... maybe i shoulda went w/ the Ronix set-up... maybe my Groove got crushed in the tsunami and now i'll have to order something different Laughing

now we're talkin

FlyZone CR · Posted: Mar 28, 2011 6:47 pm Post subject:

I thought of posting it here but didn't cause I hate the discussion going on over at the other place. Like GnarrShredd said; it's one guy, who knows what his relation is to the parties involved, writing a whole lot of not-verifiable events/opinions. It's one side of the story, at best. Better: it's one opinion to one side of the story. I wouldn't ditch any brand, based on one opinion by god-knows-who.
Whatever the full story is; it sucks that brands go down, I really hope Company will make it. The wake-market is just so small. I hope the cables and winching and whatever make it big enough for all to live in.

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

J-Ro · Posted: Mar 30, 2011 12:45 pm Post subject:

I was pretty deep in the industry from '95-'00 and I will say there is some truth to the part about Kent and the merging of a lot of companies and the way it happened. Lots of shady stuff has gone dow.

However the author of the letter isn't very bright with his theories. The X-games dropped wake because the venues were non-existent anywhere near the other events, it was espensive to put on, and there was not a lot of interest compared to other sports. His whole making the market bigger and growing its reach is also invalid. We all know the barrier to entry for this sport is pretty high. For the most part you have to live in a decent climate with lakes and have a boat. That's a limited audience and is very economically vulnerable. Its not surfing. Surfing has the same geographical restraints but the cost to entry is minute compared to wakeboarding.

He has a point but is embellishing in my opinion.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Apr 02, 2011 9:38 pm Post subject:

J-Ro, +1

I feel like there are valid points as well, but played up a bit. I've been making an effort to support the other companies that are making sweet products. I was a LF man for years, but tried out slingshot because they had flex boards and my knees blow.

If anyone is scared to try slingshot because they're a "small" company - I wouldn't be. They've got years of kiteboarding experience under their belt and their boards flat out rock.

I only wish I would have tried Company first so some of my money was in their pocket to help deal with this BS. Kind of been following the whole Company deal after another forum member pointed me at the issue. Would be super lame if they tanked. GL Company and all the other independent companies out there Wink