Hey Lex, time for a catch up?

Ahh, where do I start!  It has been a busy season even though its winter..

Been on any trips?

Yeah!  I went to France in September and South Africa in November.  France was amazing as always; however the surf was rubbish, I think I got maybe 5 days of average to poor surf out of the two weeks!  I went wakeboarding at TNG cable near Toulouse though which was fun.  I had never been to SA before so it was a great experience.  I travelled from Durban to Cape Town, then up the Garden Route to Jeffreys Bay where I got to go round the Billabong Head Office.  I managed to surf there but it was only waist high, so fun but not proper J-Bay.  I did do the best backside turn of my life there though! Ha!

Shredding France!

Have you been in the freezing waters here?

Of course!  I’ve been riding a little, its pretty cold now though, there was ice on the edges of the lake last Saturday!  It’s all good until you fall in, then its time to hit the showers!  The aim of the game is to stay dry.

You have been doing some WakeGirlsGo… stuff??

It’s just girly fun.  I thought that because wakeboarding in the UK slows down so much in the winter, why not get the wake girls together and see if we can keep our fitness up in other ways – and having copious amounts of fun while doing it of course!  In October we went down to Croyde for a surfing weekend.  It turned out to be more than we could ever ask for!  We stayed in a beautiful cottage all weekend, had surf lessons, cream teas, nights out at the Thatch, Nalu Bead workshops, Desperados and Photographer Rob Tibbles there to capture it all!  And to top it off, the sun stayed out and the waves cleaned up.  In November the same group of girls headed to Bedford to have a weekend at the Flow House.  Again, so much fun and they were amazing for accommodating us.  We started with riding at WakeMK then headed over for an evening flowrider session, followed by a night out in Bedford.  We spent more time on the flowrider the next day, I think my body took a week to recover!

Flowrider fun!

I hear you were at the Boat Show last week?

Yeah it was girls day there on Friday.  There were two talks by Sarah from Wide-A-Wake and also a Girls Demo in the action pool which I got to ride in; it was pretty nerve racking as there were only four of us – two World Champions, a National Champion and me!  It was good to see the girls get some time to show off their skiiiiiiils.

Showing off the skills at The Boat Show!

Sounds like you’ve been busy! Anything else?

As always  I’ve also been working with a Personal Trainer this winter.  Sharm from Kurup Fit has been pushing me off the water taking me through circuits, which are based around strengthening exercises, muscle building and some intense fitness routines.  We have also been looking at my diet to get more out of what I fuel myself with.  I’ve never had PT before, it’s hard but I’m loving it.

Do you have any trips planned?

You know it! Haha! I am heading to Euro-land in the spring to go surfing for a couple of weeks.  I’m pretty excited about my summer trip though, I’m heading to Alaska to go fishing, hiking, horse riding and hopefully finding a little bit of surfing up there too if I’m lucky.

You are one busy girl!

Ha yeah, but I love it.

It was good to catch up, I’m sure we’ll be hearing from you after your surf trip!

Definitely, I’ll be sure to send you some pics.

Lex · Surfing · Wakeboarding

Two Seasons sponsored wakeboard Lex Balladon had a podium finish at stop 3 of the Ten Feet High tour at the weekend. First of all the rookies were out in force on the flat lake although it had been raining, conditions were great and it was actually quite warm. After the rookies came the ladies! All of the girls were throwing down their inverts and going big! Lex placed 3^rd behind Chloe Goudie who came 2^nd and Sophie Cordery who got the top spot. Great result!

The girls with their goodies!

A world champion freestyle jet-skier was on hand to provide some pretty gnarly interval entertainment before it was time for the guys to take to the water. Gary Stelfox came in first for the pro men with ‘Wee Man’ 2^nd and Damon Bull 3^rd.

A great day was had by all.

Lex · wakeboard · Wakeboarding

Stylin' - thanks to Jon boy for the pics!

After a crazy busy Christmas it was my first opportunity to hit the water, ahhhh thank god!  I think it had been three months since my last sesh - sad times.  On Wednesday I was so excited.  I rolled up to the lake with my friend Sarah Kingdom, it was sunny and it was glassy.  My excitement, nerves and adrenaline all kicked in as it had been so long since I’d last been wakeboarding.  I could not get on the water quick enough!!

Warming up - thanks to Jon boy for the pics!

I was wearing my new Billabong SG5 wetsuit (which rocks my world right now), booties and 3mm gloves so I was ready to go.  I had a brilliant time and wanted to ride more but my forearms were agony from wearing gloves.  I had a great time and my first ride of the year was even better than I imagined it to be!!

See you on the water

(Words by Two Seasons sponsored wakeboarder Lex Balladon)

Lex · Wakeboarding

Surf inspired Nalu beads are an interesting addition to any girl’s wardrobe.  Two Seasons have a range of the beads in store and you will hopefully soon be able to buy online too.

The Nalu brand has a surfy, relaxed and dare we say ‘hippy’ vibe and the beads reflect the brands passion for all things ocean. Inspiration is taken from the ever changing sea and the nature around it. Colours of ocean and everything in and around it are brought together in the Nalu beads collection. Effetre Murano glass is used to make these wonderfully different beads. The glass originates on the island of Murano, Italy and has been manufactured for centuries. It is proven to hold its finish, lustre and colour with no special storage requirements, if you look after them then they are likely to last for hundreds if not thousands of years, just like a piece of glass in the sea!

The girls from Nalu Beads including 2S sponsored wakeboarder Alexis Balladon

Each bead is handmade and there’s a story behind every one. The Retro Betty collection for example, is a tribute to the great female surfing pioneers. Nalu beads tell us about the Gidget (which is a bead that is part of the Retro Betty collection), “Kathy Kohner was born in 1941 and spent much of her childhood on the beaches at Malibu. She hung out with such influential surfers as Miki Dora, Mickey Munoz, Dewey Weber, Tom Morey, Nat Young, Terry “Tubesteak” Tracy and Bill “Moondoggie” Jensen, who became the inspiration for the eponymous character in her father’s novel.” Other collections include The North Devon Breaks and the Islands collections, full of beautifully patterned little delights!

Create your own bracelets and necklaces, if you’re not the imaginative DIY type, then go to http://www.nalubeads.com/ for some help with braiding your own.

Lex · Surfing · wakeboard

Coaches Sarah (left) and Lex!

On Sunday 17th October – it was a beautiful day at WakeMK Cable Park.  It was chilly but the sun was shining and the water was flaaaaaaat.  Perfect for a double-up coaching session.  Myself and Sarah Kingdom were coaching the ladies morning, which ran from 10am – 1pm.  We were getting the girls out the water and warming up, ready to try their new tricks.  The great thing about the morning was that Sarah and I were able to double-up with the girls and coach from on the water.  They feel more confident when hitting a new kicker or slider because someone is there supporting them.  We had some prizes to give out as usual: the Nalu Beads and Wide-A-Wake prize went to Vanessa, she made it all the way round on a kneeboard for the first time even though she took a nasty bump to the head!  The Two Seasons Vouchers went to Jasmine because she has put in so much effort this summer and really improved, she is only 13 but she was macking at the new rainbow rail at MK and nearly getting the whole way along!!  Well done girls!

Sarah, Jasmine, Vanessa and Lex with prizes!

The rest of the day was fun as people were testing out the 2011 kit.  I managed to get on the board I’ll be riding next year, the Pearl, which put a smile on my face.  We had the Slingshot Team down, myself, Sarah, Angelo Couchman, Rich Underwood and Dan Jordan.  We even had a couple of the Slingshot Kiters down, Lewis and Adam Walker.  We also had 5 times World Champion Kitesurfer Aaron Hadlow tearing up the cable.

It was a great day, keep your eyes open for the 2011 Ladies Mornings and Slingshot Demo days!!

(Words by 2S Team Rider Lex Balladon)

Lex · wakeboard · Wakeboarding

Lex and Sharm brave the cold, it looks freezing!

It was the last ladies morning of the season for Box End Park.  It was cold, it was windy, but it was flat and a few brave women came along and showed their commitment to the sport.  Throughout the sessions we have been giving away prizes for the most improved, best stack or best trick etc.

This week the the Two Seasons Gift Vouchers went to Sharm!  Sharm rides at Box End and at WakeMK, she had also just returned from Bulgaria from a week behind boat – lucky lady!  This week, Sharm landed a switch heelside 180 off the kicker!! Well done Sharm!!

(Words written by Two Seasons rider Lex)

cable jam · Competition · Lex · wakeboard · Wakeboarding

Lex presenting Sue with her Two Seaons voucher!

On Sunday the 29th August it was Ladies Morning down at Box End Park.  The weather was not the bright sun we had hoped for but intstead it was a little chilly with all the wind, but the ladies still came to have some fun on the water.  There was a group of newbies who were doing well with their kneeboards, all of them progressed onto easy-up wakeboards.  There were some ladies trying new tricks such as surface 360’s, riding switch around the whole cable and some getting to grips with the kickers.  One of the girls was practicing her new raleys!

One lady that stood out this week was Sue who rides at Box End.  Last month I was coaching her and she hit her very first obstical, the box at WakeMK.  Her board just slid out from under her and she fell but mangaed to catch her baby finger on her board and cut it quite badly.  So after a trip to A&E to get it all cleaned up and some healing time, she was back at ladies morning and ready to get back on it!  Now Sue is not far off the age of 60 and she is busting out the jump starts and gets them most of the time.  So this Ladies Morning, the Two Seasons Voucher Prize went to Sue for her persistance and her no fear approach to the sport.  Keep riding Sue!!

(Words by Two Seasons wakeboarder Lex)

Lex · wake board · wakeboard · Wakeboarding

The time had come around again for the nerve racking UK Cable Wakeboard Nationals. This year they were held at Box End Park, in Bedford, which was good for me as I coach the ladies mornings there so it was familiar water. All the competitors had to arrive before 07:45 to register and to listen to the riders briefing, everyone looked around at the familiar and not so familiar faces wondering and knowing who would be their category’s UK Champion.

The day kicked off and the junior categories flew by. It was time for the Open Ladies to dazzle. We were up against the World Champion, Kirsteen Mitchell who was riding amazingly, going massive on her front to fakies and roll blinds, and doing it with style. I put in a solid run which secured me a 3rd in the qualifiers which I was pretty happy with.

The day flew by as everyone was watched the high level of riding. At this one competition we had three of the world champions present – so when they hit the water you could hear the crowd’s volume lower as they watched their gold medalists.

The Open Ladies final had come around and I’m not going to lie – I was bricking it. I just wanted to do as well as I had done in the morning. I set off with a box transfer, blind 180, backroll, scarecrow, hit the box with a 270 on into a press with 270 off, slider then switch heel 360 to finish. I was happy with my run but also knew that I could have done better. I watched the other girls I knew I had missed out on a podium finish after all that.

I hope I have better luck next year!!

(Written by twoseasons rider Lex)

board · Lex · wake · wakeboard · Wakeboarding

Years riding: 5
Home lake: WakeMK
Setup: Slingshot Drama and Jewel Bindings
Sponsors: Slingshot, WakeMK, Two Seasons
First invert: Backroll
Favorite trick: Switch H/S 360 with a grab
Countries ridden in: UK, France, Spain, America, Canada, Philippines
Favorite cable: WakeMK and CWC
Post ride food: Mexican / Italian
Loves: Glassy lakes; Dawn patrols; Summer time at the lake; Surfing; Snowboarding; Pizza.
Hates: Wet wetties; Grey, cold rainy days; Spiders; Scary movies.

Best results:

• 1st – King of Cable 2005
• 2nd – Nationals 2007
• 3rd – Summer Jam 2009
• 3rd – Ten Feet High (1st stop) 2009
• 4th – Europeans (UK Stop) 2008

Want to know more about Lex? Checkout her wakeboard & surf blog

Lex · Wakeboarding