Stefan Ewing's Fog Video

I swear Stefan, Red, must be somehow related to Chuck Norris. I really enjoy the vibe of this video. I like how you can't see anything behind the person riding, the music was nice, and the riding was top notch as always.

Brandon Bivens Video

Brandon Bivens Kneeboarding from Shannon Griffin on Vimeo.

Brandon has been practicing up for Nationals and Internationals coming up within the next few weeks. Needless to say he is killing it. I havent seen a 7 front since 1999 (no joke), and he stomped it clean aswell as some sick combos. Thanks for filming Shannon, and thanks for the show Brandon. Enjoy.

Frankie Is On Fire...

This time not literally...but figuratively. All-actionsports also interviewed Frankie Panno. Enjoy.

http://www.all-actionsports.com/team-athlete-affiliate/team-member-frankie-panno/

ODUB

A few minutes ago, I signed my resignation to kneeboarding. But starting tomorrow, is my one month aniversarry of working at the Orlando Watersports Complex which means that I get to ride whenever I want. Timing couldn't have been worse to sign those papers. So I just signed my resignation from my resignation. Can't wait to shred tomorrow. (Not a recent photo, there are now more obstacles now, but I like the vibe it sends off)

MOTHER OF ZEUS!!!

Jared Bohlen was out riding with Alisa Piper and Brooke Grassman. Least to say, they are all rabies infested rabid animals that need to be locked in their cages made of adamantium... and this picture is proof. With that I signed my resignation to kneeboarding today, I hope you're happy Jared.

Just for fun, leave a comment on how many feet in the air you think he is. I estimated a bajillion feet, but my roommate/sister guesstimated 12 feet high. I think I'm closer.

Frankie Panno Interview

Lets's start with the basics. How old are you and where did you grow up?

I’m 44 From Chi town

Who got you into kneeboarding?

A friend Steve and I used to repo boats back in the day. There was a kneeboard on the boat. We decided to take that boat out for the weekend and we decided to try it. I was immediately hooked. Even on that first weekend I tried to go upside down on the board. The thrill was out of control and I had to buy a board the next day.

Who are some of the people you ride with?

I ride with wakeboarders most of the time. There are only a handful of kneeboarders where I ride, but we are changing that. When I’m in Florida I ride with Byerly and his crew. He has been the main reason why I want to push this sport to the next level.

How long have you been riding?

I’ve been riding a board for around 25 years. I guess that makes me 25 not 44☺

What kind of work do you do?

I have two jobs; repping clothing and riding

What kind of music do you listen to?

311, Seether, Nine Inch Nails, Dr. Dre, Kenye West, and Snoop Dog fo shizzle. I’m all over the place with my music, but I bring out the sexy when the ladies are around lol.

Have you ever competed?

I tried for a while back in the day, but it was way to strict and low flying for me. I could never fit the “normal” formats for competitions.

Who is your favorite rider to watch?

That is an easy and hard question at the same time for me. For sure first would be Bylery for style and originality. Then other people; Parks, Danny Harf, Ross Gardner, Brandon Thomas, Daniel Watkins, Erik Ruck; pushing the sport to the next level. One thing about Ross Gardner too, he is so inspirational with his fluidity and determination the way he can go from wakeskating to wakeboarding.

What is your favorite move and what is your hardest move?

This is a loaded question haha….Probably a front flip mobe is my fav and a whirly bird is the hardest

What moves are you working on now?

I’m going for a couple double variations for film. We will see what we get.

A few months ago, I was looking through a wakeboarding
magazines with some friends. First off we were stoked and
baffled to finally see a kneeboarder in a wakeboard magazine.
We saw the sequence of your friend breathing fire, while you
ran through it while doing a running drop start onto your board.
Let me just say that that was sick!!! Were either of you nervous?
and who's idea was it?

Yeah, thanks on that. I was baffled myself. I was riding huge about 15 ft out of the water and I knew I had to take it to the next step. People didn’t start taking a look until I made it a board sport aspect on camera and film. Things like jumping through the fire, wake to wake, kick flips, shuvits, cable parks, ramps, and even taking it out to the snow did the interest start to rise. For example, I texted the fire sequence to Scott and he happened to be on the boat with Kevco “Editor WBM” and I got texted instantly that I would be in the mag. My friend John Brankin had the idea for me to jump with a guy spitting fire at me. We took it to the next level with me jumping through a 40 foot wall of fire while my friend Matt Larrian spit fire at me. I never thought about it twice I just went for it. I can tell you I am still growing hair back today from it lol.

Who are your sponsors?

HO Sports, Accurate Ski Lines, Billabong, Monster, Team Munson Marine, Malibu Boats, Byerly Boards, Von Zipper and Performance

How long have you been riding for H.O.?

HO and I just got together last year to put a new board together.

You have a pro model coming out. Can you give us any details; such as the name of the board,
the shape, how it rides, or when it will be out?

Yeah, the new board is going to be sick. HO really let me play with the design and a lot of wakeboard technology and materials that have never been used in kneeboarding before. It’s called, “The Agent,” and should be out for the Surf Expo in September 2010. Some of the technical aspects of the board are utilizing a 2-stage rocker, 3.5” nose height and 1.125” tail height, that helps the Agent maximize pop off all wake sizes. We combined a pin tail design with fully exciting curved flow channels for a deep edge hold that holds speed into the wake. Our soft landing spine is new to the kneeboarding design, breaking the water’s surface upon touching down. The Agent is equipped with all new kneeboot for optimized control and rider comfort and our double locking knee strap will keep you locked in.

Ninjas or Pirates?

This is a tough question. I say both. Pirates cause they find gold all the time and get to be in the water 24/7. Ninjas because Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles totally rule. They get to eat pizza and chill in the water. I advise everyone to not do that at the same time. Soggy pizza is not righteous dude.

What do you think we'll see in kneeboarding's future? Do you think we'll ever see snow kneeboarding winch competitions?

The future looks bright if a company like HO is willing to get behind me, like they have, and see the big picture. I want to make a name for kneeboarding and hope kids will want to follow if I keep going big with strapless tricks like running finger flip dock starts, wake to wake kick flips and shovits. People will start to look at kneebarding in a new light and help keep growing the sport for the future.

Who would you like to thank?

I would like to thank my parents, my Kiki, All my friends at the companies believing in my vision, Greg Nelson and Dave Wingerter at HO Sports, Kevco and Jason Bingham at WBM, Scott Byerly, Matt Munson and the Munson family, my photographers John Brankin and Alicia Rodarte and Matt Maloy, Jimmy Aldana and all my friends on the Fox that I ride with. I Hope I’m not missing anyone, but every person has had a big influence in my life and what I do. Thank you

Any last words you would like to say?

Thanks John for taking the time to hit me up. I hope everyone enjoys the video and pictures I sent. I look forward to doing clinics next summer and can’t wait to meet with everyone that has the same stoke for the sport as me.

Thanks for your time Frankie.

Thanks,

Frankie P