slayshTank: The Wakesurf, Wakeskate, Skateboard, Music and Video Coalition

Wakesurf Magazine Summer 2009

Shred Stixx will be featured on the cover of the Wakesurf Magazine with a story on the Team Riders taking over Lake Austin for a 3 day video and photo shoot for the launch of slayshTank.  The following article is featured in the magazine along with the 2009 Board Guide, part III of the slayshSTIXX ad series, and some amazing photography by Tank contributor Ryan Slack.  Look for magazine online here.

Stixx Team Invades the 3rd Coast
shred stixx hits LATX for slayshTank launch

may 15, 2009 Lake Austin, TX

What once was the proving grounds for wakeboarding is quickly  becoming the breeding grounds for progressive wakesurfing. Lake Austin, Texas (LATX) is truly the 3rd Coast and both professional and amateur wakesurfers are flocking.  Last season, wakesurfing pioneer and Shred Stixx founder Jerry Price established a second corporate office on the south shore of Lake Austin. Stixx joined local board manufacturers Smed Wakesurfing and ASC in a very established wakesurfing scene in the heart of Texas. Since this time, wakesurfing has grown by the day and become an integral part of the LATX culture.  With 12 month seasons, there is no off season for Lake Austin surfers,  the winters are mild and wetsuits are only necessary for 3 or 4 months, depending on the thickness of your skin. LATX is the ultimate surf lake, the 13 mile stretch of the Lower Colorado stays at a constant level, refreshing temperature, and good water is always one bend away

With the arrival of Shred Stixx Wakesuf Company, Austin has quickly become home to a handful of  wakesurfing’s most talented up and coming riders such as locals Jack Oman and Landon Reichle. Jack and Landon have recently been ranked at the top of the Texas pro wakesurf list and continue to set the bar with almost daily surf sessions on LATX. Austin has also seen the cross over talent from the ocean with riders like Wes Beck Jr. coming up from the Texas coast. Beck brings an aggressive style to the lake and pushes the limits of conventional wakesurf tricks with a style all his own. Late last season, established pro and long time Stixx rider Chase Hazen joined Johnny Stieg on their first trip to the Lone Star state.  During this first trip, the Shred Stixx team was formed and quickly found a home on LATX.  This first three day film and photo session resulted in the production of The Lower Colorado Sessions pt I  by Liquid Image Films and some of the most progressive wakesurf video and photography captured to date.

‘Chase Hazen Pulling Off the Shot of 2008 While Introducing His Own Signature Series Board, the Comp I’ fall 2008 photo Ryan Slack

When asked about his first trip to Texas and the Austin surf scene, here is what team rider Chase Hazen had to say:
“Showing up for the first time in Austin was cool, it wasn’t what I thought Texas would be like… it kind of reminded me of Lake Tulloch in Northern California… almost every boat on the lake was wakesurfing and there were a few guys coming out of Austin and surrounding areas that ripped.” -chase hazen

‘Johnny Stieg Boosting a Pop Shuv on the comp I During the Same Session in 2008’ fall 2008 photo Ryan Slack

Johnny Stieg had this to say about coming to Austin for the first time and joining the Stixx team:

“Austin has been one of my favorite places to visit since my first trip. We stay at the Stixx house on the water that is literally a 20 second walk away from the boat, surf all day, cook out, and relax all night with the guys from the team. It really doesn’t get any better….everyone on the team gets along so well, and we all just go out and push each other on the water. If someone gets a sick shot it just makes everyone else that much more hungry and amped to go bigger and start trying new things.” -johnny stieg

With the arrival of the 2009 spring season, the Shred Stixx team continues to grow and now features a lineup of some of the most talented riders in the sport, including West Texas Young Gun, Chris Kinsey and California native Alec Wood.  In April of this year the Stixx team met up again on LATX for another three day film and photo session for the launch of slayshTank, a new wakesurf apparel company also based in Austin. We met up at the Stixx headquarters on LATX for three days of the surf, skate, and ribs from the grill. Here are a couple shots from the wakesurf sessions and we hear part 2 of the Lower Colorado River Sessions is currently in the works.

‘Austin Local Jack Oman Hits a Huge Front Side Grab on His Custom comp I’ spring 2009 photo Ryan Slack

Jack joined the Stixx team last season and had this to say about his experience riding with the guys from California:

“Being apart of the Stixx team has changed everything for me, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the owners and other riders. Surfing with the other riders like Chase, Johnny, and Landon has taken my surfing to a whole new level. The experiences that we share as a team are always great times.” -jack oman

‘Stixx Newcomer Landon Reichle Boosts a Double Grab on the Stixx LE’ spring 2009 photo Ryan Slack

Landon said this about joining the team and surfing with riders like Hazen and Stieg:

“It’s nice to have some real wakesurf influence from the ocean, especially from some guys that are really pushing the sport to the next level.  Our team feels too natural to even consider it something serious, it seems like were all just a bunch of friends that happen to wakesurf. I’m really happy to have these guys fly in just to ride on LATX.  It really shows how the surf scene here in Austin is going off the hook.” -landon reichle

Although still unconfirmed, there is rumor that Chase Hazen will be moving to Austin for the summer and surfing with the rest of the team on a daily basis. If this is in fact the case, we could see the best progression of the sport to date. Follow the Stixx riders on a daily basis from LATX during the 2009 season at slayshBlog.com.