The SPEEDBALL!!!

CTWAKE · Newbie Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 2 City: Wallingford

Hey guys, remember the Darin Shapiro "Speedball?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeA-Sys08eg&feature=fvw

(thrown @ 2:54 w/ slo-mo!)

I think it's one of the most beautiful and technically difficult tricks ever thrown! It's amazing to me that wakeboarding has come so far and yet this trick is still my favorite. When Darin tried to throw the Speedball at SeaWorld for $10,000 in 1997 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcdHt36DRxk&feature=related), modern tricks like the 1260 were unthinkable! Are there any riders still throwing this trick today? Was Darin the only one to do it?

Finally, might this be the best trick of all time? Top five?

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

ehh... not in my book of all time best tricks.

#1-Pete Rose(love it!)
#2-Off axis grabbed 5's(talk bout style)
#3-backside 180's(talk bout more style)
#4-supa tweaked the steeze outta a indy grab(self explanitory)
#5-fashion air.

LFADAM · Posted: Aug 22, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:

Its an awesome trick, especially if that is your taste. Ive never seen anyone else do it..., but my favorite 5 tech invert based tricks have to be

1-Double Half Cab Mobe (Parks)
2-Indy TS Double Backroll (Sharpe)
3-Crow 7 (Soven)
4-Whirly 7/Whirly Dick (Parks/Soven)
5-Bee Sting (Kenney)

waterdork88 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 221 City: lake placid

I personally dont think the speedball is the best looking trick, but I would agree that it is one the most difficult to pull off.

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Aug 23, 2009 6:43 am Post subject:

i remember the speedball. when it first hit a comp. darin was always my favorite rider. but that was back when they actually televised wakeboarding on standard cable Confused

most of the time it was aired at 2am but still.

WilsonH · Posted: Aug 23, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

The video where he crashes and recovers is crazy... dude gets up 1 foot in 1 out lol.. Shocked

Medina · Posted: Aug 23, 2009 11:09 am Post subject:

What the Bubb Rubb is that for a trick....

Sick! And a real beauty.

Double Frontflip?

ronix_brendo · Posted: Aug 23, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

LFADAM don't forget about harley clifford in the whirlydick club, that kid has been landing them consistent for a few months now, its amazing how riders can get so good so young!!!
my top 5 are:
1. danny harfs 1260, amazing trick! wondering how far danny will goe before he stops lol
2. whirlydick
3. big wurm
4. huge grabbed bs 180s into the flats
5.pete rose

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

Wow, that video is sick. I haven't seen that one yet, but I remember seeing the one where he falls and recovers and still can't hardly believe that. That guy has some style, but he was super tech ahead of his time. How many guys do you think even attempt a front roll in the flats? I've seen him and Byerly do it. Who else?

b33nine · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 311 City: Salem-ish

all the guys back in the day could do "air" tricks because it gave you another trick/invert in your 5 trick pass and allowed you to take the other 4 really big.

The contest format has changed so there really isn't a purpose for "air" tricks anymore.

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

b33nine, I didn't realize that. I love seeing the air tricks in the freeride videos though. It's mind blowing when they do something without a wake that I can't do with.

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

you also have to remember that back in the day tricks were worth a certain amoint of points and your totals were added up at the end of the run so air tricks were quick high point tricks to top off your score.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Aug 24, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

LFADAM, seconded on the double roll mobe. Absolutely disgusting. i got to go the PB documentary premier, and to see how good that kid really was, it was very humbling.

taitrt · Soul Rider Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 413

TnR6Rida · Posted: Aug 25, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 25, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject:

JeffreyCH · Posted: Aug 25, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject:

Shapiro has always been and always will be my favorite rider. The simple fact that he tossed the speedball in Russia with no crowds, no comp, ect. speaks volumes to me. I was kind of hoping for an answer to whether or not any one else has ever pulled it? Throwing it harder and bigger for 15 + years, yeah, that's the kind of thing I can dig. In a previous thread Craig(blitezentrapped) said he didn't care for his style because it looked "muscled through" but I like that, power, strength , and style for days. Personally I think he retired just to give the kids a chance Laughing

On a side note, anyone know the artist on the Russia vid? That's the tune stuck in my head while I ride, even though I have no idea what the lyrics are about lol.

ILIVETOWAKE · Criminal Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 59 City: Asheville,NC

savage3221 · Posted: Aug 26, 2009 8:54 am Post subject: