Rland is a Wakeskate
Experiment! What happens when you take the world's best
riders....put them on their home ground....and shoot them using a
classic 16mm camera. Bryan Soderlind has made something truly
remarkable!
Bryan's Vision:
The purpose of this film is to showcase a sport in an area that has
been a long time in the making. Over Sixty years ago Dick Pope Sr.
moved to Central Florida and began Cypress Gardens on Lake Eloise. He
landscaped beautiful gardens on the lake that would make a perfect
backdrop for his water-ski show. Soon the pictures from Cypress Gardens
appeared in newspapers, magazines, motion pictures, and television
around the world. When the world saw these skiers with huge smiles on
their face, waving, with beautiful gardens in the background,
everything we have today began. Central Florida became the ski capital
of the world and people relocated to be a part of the fun. Dick held
ski tournaments that brought the best international riders into town
and once here, many of them decided to stay and those who didn't, went
home to tell of this Florida Mecca.
Sixty years and countless influences later, this area has become the
wake capital of the world and home to the movement of wakeskating. This
film offers a look into the most influential lakes and riders here in
the sunshine state. Another generation, another piece of equipment,
another way to have fun on the water, and another reason why this is
RLAND.
THE RIDERS:
Scott Byerly - Scott Byerly is a Florida native born
in St. Petersburg and raised in Casselberry. His influence on the sport
of wakeboarding is immeasurable as he has been the leading innovator
for over 10 years. For the last few years, Scott has turned his
attention to wakeskating, becoming one of the premier riders and the
most respected man in the sport. He has not only brought new tricks to
the table, but he has been a leading innovator in board design. At 34,
Scott now resides on Lake Georgia with his wife and three kids. Scott
still rides daily at the LG and the Projects.
Brian Grubb - Brian Grubb was born New Hampshire but moved
to Orlando in his teenage years. Brian quickly became a force in the
wakeboarding scene but soon his passion took over and he began to
wakeskate full time. He has been the most successful competition rider
this sport has seen and his riding behind the boat has been
unchallenged for some time. Grubb is still at the forefront of the
sport, riding with roomate Brandon Thomas on their home lake, Lake
Jessamine.
Aaron Reed - Aaron
"Freedom" Reed is a Florida native born in Stuart. Reed moved to
Clermont in high school and quickly became a staple at the Wakeboard
Camp. After years of wakeboarding and coaching, Aaron came into his own
on a wakeskate. He has landed tricks that will still hold their own
years from now. The air Reed attains makes boots seem completely
unnecessary.
Brandon Thomas - Brandon Thomas was born and raised
in Orlando before taking a few a years to go to school and get his
degree. Brandon has been a staple at the Projects and on Lake
Jessamine. One of the most stylish riders, BT can do almost anything on
a wakeskate. Wake to wake, flip tricks, rails, or riding the cable, you
won't find a weakness in his game. Look for his BT to continue mixing
up his riding on his new board, the Vinyl .
George Daniels - George Daniels is the son of Charlie
Daniels and a Florida native. After breaking on the scene at the first
Byerly Toe Jam, George has come a long way in becoming one of the best
all around riders. Among many other titles, George is the first
wakeskater to land the backside flip. The youngest of the riders in
this film at 19, Daniels has a long career ahead that will lead to many
more "first to land" titles.
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