stop trying to be cool

Preston Duke · Outlaw Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 150 City: Richmond, Va.

it seems like there is always a new thread about getting sponsored which led me to want to tell you...

getting sponsored doesn't make you cool or make your riding more legit.

i know thats what some of you are in it for.

Chukee_R · Posted: Feb 07, 2003 7:03 am Post subject:

You mean im not the coolest thing to hit earth anymore since converse sneakers? Wink

jim Bogden · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 178 City: Sandy, UT

i am in it for the chicks!!!! wait i am not sponsored so maybe thats why I am not getting any Rolling Eyes

Paul C. · Posted: Feb 07, 2003 9:32 am Post subject:

I'm in it for the good vibe and the feeling I get.....all these other deusch bags can just take the walk. I would like to get sponsored but it would make no difference in the way that I ride. I wouldn't kiss butt...... I don't think.

jason_ssr · Posted: Feb 07, 2003 12:23 pm Post subject:

HAHA! Preston, dont sweat it. Just let them get some and they will see. If you are going for sponsors because you think its all supermodels and free swag, then you will be very disappointed.

If all you want is gear, then get a job at the shop. Your wage plus discount is worth more than the free gear you would get for the same work.

otiswunguy · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 871 City: Sammamish

sponsorship is everthing. you can't look cool if you don't have stickers on your board. i am totally hooked up with hydroslide and gotcha. they give me the fattest 10% discount on crap they mark up 200%. i just make sure i tell everyone how good i am to justify wearing my slightly discounted billboard. hahahahahahahahahha!!!! if they aren't paying for everything then you aren't sponsored. if it makes you feel better to have the name of some ma and pa boardshop on your signature, then thats great. just know that everyone looks at profile pics. if you have a crappy pic then everyone knows you suck. that is great publicity for a sponsor. my 2 cents

Wakerideordie · Newbie Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 29 City: Northern CT

i understand your point to this whole thred, but what does some kid killing it for free stuff and to be cool have to do with you, how about you ryde how you want to, and let the other kid ryde how he wants to, sponsered or not, ryde for you and dont worry about other, theres no point in worrying about stuff you cant control~

Premier135Chick · Guest

Riding is the one thing that gives me uttermost joy in my life. I don't care if I ever become sponsored or whatever. I am always looking to improve my skills and stick new tricks. I just know that when I grow up, I want to ride all day long and be out on the water. I would think money, competition and pressure to perform kind of take the fun out of it all...

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

Wakerideordie, very well said!

Premier135chick, you told me your goal was to get sponsored and to be able to stick a raley by the end of your first year!

Premier135Chick · Guest

Being sponsored would be nice but that isn't what the sport is all about for me.

I still plan on sticking that raley. I just need to do it in baby steps. There are some other things I have to work on first! Wink

Public-Enemy · Criminal Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 74 City: South florida

u guys go to far with the whole sponsorship crap, just let it be and iqnore the people who "think there cool because they are sponsored" if it bothers you

quigglymaster · Posted: Feb 10, 2003 2:02 pm Post subject:

i would care less if i got sponsered. to be perfectly honest, i don't think i will be b/c the board shops in my area really suck. but the point is to have fun while ur doingint and enjoy the beauty of nature as u rip up the butter.

JRock*Girl · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1340

Who really cares about sponsers, ride because you love it, and if you get free sheit good for you. If you ride just to get a sponser, you have some issues you need to deal with. Don't stress it.

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

If you get bent on people that ride to get sponsors, you have issues.

Partyb · Posted: Feb 10, 2003 3:20 pm Post subject:

I think that telling people that they are not being cool, is really not cool. If i was an expert on cool, and I am not (just ask my wife!), i would think that being sponsored is a little cooler then not being sponsored. Of course, it is not the only factor in being cool.

doinflipsdavis · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 179 City: SML VA

otiswunguy:
just know that everyone looks at profile pics. if you have a crappy pic then everyone knows you suck

here's something that pisses me off... dont judge someone's riding by a single picture. i hate it when people are like "dude they suck" or "wow he's awesome" just because of one picture. pictures dont represent someone's riding. i've seen some good pictures of bad people and bad pictures of good people, sometimes people might have a picture on their profile simply because they have no others. dont judge people by a picture!

doinflipsdavis · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 179 City: SML VA

that was a quote by otiswunguy, i didn't say it, he did

Preston Duke · Outlaw Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 150 City: Richmond, Va.

i dont remember telling anyone they weren't being cool

wakeskatengirl · Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 6 City: Disco Bay

I agree with Jason. To all you people that think getting free stuff is the best thing in life, get a job at a boat shop! You think getting a t-shirt when you want with someone's logo on it is damn great because now you can say you are 'sponsered' When you start to get boats kicked down to you at a moments notice, then you can say you're sponsered and cool! Rolling Eyes

It's for the people that just started out wakeboarding and it became their passion in life. Thats when they start claiming 'i'm gonna get sponsered' Ride for the sport and because you love it, not for the material things you can get for free from the sport.

Premier135chick - all this talk of raleys, sticken tricks, sponsers, you sound like you're pretty good. what kinda tricks can you do and how often do you ride?

Tyler*Moore · Guest

Just because someone is sponsored or wants to be sponsored doesnt mean they dont love the sport. I dont think there is one person on this site thats sole purpose is to get sponsored, or else they wouldnt be in this sport, this sport is expensive and any help towards equipment is much needed/wanted.

Preston-you think its stupid to post about getting sponsors. Its twice as dumb to post about how dumb it is for people to want sponsors. and you say sponsors are like a bad thing for something, when you have three... I might be confused on what you meant, and I prob am, so can you explain more about what you mean?

Vinne Babareeno · Criminal Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 95 City: Austin, Tx

This guy is sponsored, and I think he looks cool!!!

Premier135Chick · Guest

wakeskatengirl-Never said I could do a raley or that I was sponsored. When the weather and water is warm, I ride anywhere from three to four times a week. As for sticken tricks, I can jump w2w, a few grabs, a few slides and have hit the sliders.

hlboatsnboards · Criminal Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 93

I just like her profiel pic! Haha

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

I can see how sponsorship might be equated with some level of recognition that is mostly based on wakeboarding abilities and working connections, recognizing that ability required will vary a lot depending on sponsor. So I can see why someone would be a bit proud to be sponsored, but I can't see how sponsorship = cool or not cool.

Vinne Babareeno · Criminal Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 95 City: Austin, Tx

Sponsorship has nothing to do with being cool.

Cool is:
+Giving someone a pull.
+Pitching in for gas money.
+Teaching riders that are not as good as you.
+Never putting anyone down for their skills, but pumping them up to try harder.
+Hanging out at the river with your friends.
+Respecting other boats, riders, lines etc.

If you can do these things and more, then you are cool in my book, SPONSORED OR NOT!!! Wink

Chukee_R · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 9:56 am Post subject:

I don't think that anyone was trying to become cool. I got sponsored because I was bored one day and thought it would be fun to write an e-mail to companies. I never expected that they would actually sponsor me. When I get the letter saying I was part of the team I was stoked and I had to share with someone. I think that's what everyone else is doing. The sponsorship posts will disapear i'm sure. It's the beginning of a new year a lot of companies are picking up some amatuer riders. It's cool that you are sponsored, but it doesn't make you any better than someone who isn't. I'm with Wakahuki on his little "Cool is" list.

Wakeboy551 · Posted: Feb 11, 2003 10:11 am Post subject:

How many people would tell a potential sponsor to go kiss off? I don't think anyone really would. I could be wrong, but I really don't think they would. I think on some level getting sponsored is something that everyone really wants, and for a variety of reasons. For some, it might be the fact that they are being recognized as a rider with skill (i don't thikn sponsorship should soley be based on ability, but it should be combined with your potential and your style). Some poeple might just want the free stuff, so what!

I've noticed a lot of people in here on this post have sponsors. I have a shop name under my name because they hooked me up pretty good and I don't think ive ever been treated as nice as i was treated. If all of you people with sponsors are saying its not even that awsome to be sponsored, and people shouldn't be riding for sponsors and only for them selves, i think you need to practice what you preach and say adios to those names.

just my 2cents, but what do I know, right? Rolling Eyes

JER