Triple S gets a new format for 2014 - Wake/Surf Style!
“Hot on the heels of the best Triple-S Invitational ever in the 9-year history of the event, Triple-S Invitational Co-Founders and Event Co-Directors Trip Forman and Jason Slezak, have announced that the event most likely will undergo a new and exciting format change for the 2014 season.
“Triple-S has always stood for “Surf, Slicks and Sliders”, and this will remain the same. We are looking at changing the SURF discipline from kitesurfing in the waves to wake style kickers and freestyle in the waves. We’re looking at this change for several reasons, the first and most important being that this event has always been about the riders and making the best event possible for them.”
This surf/wake style blend has been getting a lot of coverage lately, with many of the worlds best wakestylers publicly claiming how good it is to have a naturally formed kicker to bounce off. With it’s inclusion to this years Triple S event, it cements the styles position in the sport, and will prove to be one of the most spectacular disciplines of the event.
Still, it won’t eclipse the media coverage the sliders will no doubt have, simply due to the fact that it’s impossible to plaster a wave with sign writing. The advertisers pay for the event, so they’re always going to want photo’s of their obstacle, banner or their board being bent like there’s no tomorrow as a rider nose-presses it hard over a flat-top rail.
As for the invite list, People like Andre Phillip, Jason Slezek and Aaron Hadlow were all guaranteed to be on the list. For Dre it’s his first year on the Slingshot and Tona gear, a company he’s helped support since it’s inception a few years ago. Aaron Hadlow is back from his break too, and pushing hard for another world title.
In recent years the girls have held their own on the obstacles, strapping on the boots and showing the boys that it's not that hard! With seven girls trying for the wildcard positions, plus the invited girls, get ready for all the girly action shots that will be around in June.
Male wildcard entries number in the mid 30’s, with some high profile names like Elliot Drury from Australia among the list. The full list of invited riders is still not published. We’ll get to see that when the wildcard entries are announced on the 7th of May.
Also exciting, is that the Triple S is usually when we start to see the first pictures of the 2015 gear! While the riders hide it all away inside board bags and keep it under lock and key, they can't hide it while they're riding it! So if you're keen on seeing what's in store from the big brands next year, keep your eyes peeled for the Triple S pics and take note of the gear on show.
The event kicks off on the 31st May and runs for 7 days. We'll bring you all the action, highlights and videos when they appear.
Black Rock, VIC
