DAY 3 - FINAL DAY ENDS IN GLORIOUS SUNSHINE, HUGE CROWDS & A NEW WAKESTOCK CHAMP
Can you believe it, Relentless Wakestock has finished with a third day in a row of glorious sunshine up on the stunning festival site in Penrhos. There’s even green grass still covering the whole site which meant the wellies were only out to accompany the tiny shorts, slinky tops and compulsory sunnies that most of the female Wakestockers were sporting!

The day did start slightly differently however with some strong winds and an overcast cloud blanket that covered the wakeboard arena at Pwllheli Marina. It was not ideal conditions to say the least for the final of the biggest event in the wakeboard calendar, Despite this the crowds turned out in their thousands to watch world renowned riders like Randall Harris, Andrew Adkison, Adam Errington and current Relentless Wakestock champion Nick Davies show their commitment to the sport and battle it out in the unsavory epic conditions.

It was down to 4 riders from opposite sides of the globe that set the scene for the memorable final. Australian champion Dean Smith, Austin Hair from the states, current World Series title holder, Philip Soven also from the USA and previous World Champion and Rider of the Year, Aaron Rathy, the Canadian big hitter returning for his 3rd Wakestock. The seriously rough riding conditions made this the most testing final on record, but the true professionalism & dedication of these world elite made it an outstanding spectacle for the thousands lining the famous Pwllheli Promenade.

It was back up to the festival site which ironically simultaneously produced the cloudless skies and much lighter winds, but set the scene for a perfect final climax to a memorable 3 days of the festival.

There was no let off with the crowds, starting off relaxed & chilled with many sat enjoying the still very grassy arena whilst watching Los Campesinos!, Rhys Ifans band The Peth and Huw Stephens favourite, Frankie & The Heartstrings. The crowds soon grew in numbers  becoming more active and very much more vocal during some seriously rocking performances from Sub Focus, Robyn, The King Blues and The Futureheads, enhanced by a stunning sunset behind the main stage.

The Prize Giving proved entertaining with it being broadcast for the first time live on TV to the nation. But it’s always a great moment for the festival and the pro wakeboarders as they get onto the podium and milk the acclaim before making light work of 12 bottles of champagne to drench the crowd. Will Bradley, Nicola Butler, Amber Wing & Aaron Rathy all took various titles on the Rococo Pool Gap event but it was the Pro Boat Finals that hold the biggest prize purse & greatest prestige. These were taken in the girls event by  Argentinian Robbie Rendo, taking 3rd. UK superstar, Nicola Butler and Australian legend, Amber Wing took the coveted girls title. In the mens it was Auzzie Dean Smith who took 4th on the podium, Austin Hair from the USA took 3rd. Canadian Aaron Rathy just missed out on the top spot in second and the Relentless Wakestock 2010 Champion and number 1 spot on the podium going to American & multiple world title holder, Philip Soven.

It was then on to the final headliners which had the now huge crowds back into a full frenzy with Pete Tong packing out the Main Arena and The Ting Tings smashing the main open air stage with their big hits and a rapturous rendition with the crowd of That’s Not my Name to finish the night & the festival off in fine style.

An amazing weekend that’s had a bit of everything, from the customary rain on Thursday to the massive crowds on Saturday enjoying blazing sunshine, from the strong winds that left the RAF Falcons grounded and the wakeboarders tested to the limit to the memorable sunsets and loudest show of the weekend by the RAF Typhoon display. It was a lot of fun having Radio 1 join us and getting over 6 hours of live TV out to the nation but once again it’s the atmosphere that the awesome crowds create that make the festival so enjoyable & an emphatic success. Roll on 2011.

Check out the gallery section of the site for 2010 pics