Six girls awoke before dawn to some less-than-promising weather in chilly Napa, California this Saturday, but even the dark rain clouds and distant lightning strikes couldn’t dampen the excitement in the air. NorCal Hyperlite Girls Team Riders Becky Carter, Nataly Conner, Diana Fleenor, Tori Lovelace, Kathryn Medina and I converged on beautiful Lake Berryessa with one goal in mind - to ride. There to capture the action was photographer Riley Bangerter, who wasn’t stoked when he drove down to assess the lake conditions - blown out, and in no way ideal for shooting photos. But nothing was going to deter us from our mission, so we all piled into the trucks and headed to the boat launch.

As we drove towards the only stretch of water that might possibly be protected from the wind, raindrops started to fall. Still, our optimism didn’t waiver. Perhaps it was the positive vibe that every girl on the boat was exuding, or maybe it was just good karma, but as our first rider Kathryn enthusiastically strapped on her board, the clouds parted ever so slightly. Like most of the team, it was her first time to ride with a photographer only a couple of feet away on a tube right in the middle of the wake, but it didn’t take long for “Funky Cold Medina” to find her groove. The girl’s got style, no doubt, as she poked and tweaked a variety of grabs, all the while with a megawatt smile on her face. Nataly rode next, showing her teammates why she has a roomful of medals from every local contest she enters. Nat is consistent, smooth, and has killer board control. Her 180s looked effortless.

After several shenanigans involving the tube, my rope, and my failed attempt to save the camera when Riley took a tumble off the tube, it was my turn (note to self - the camera, when in a waterproof housing, floats; so don’t kill yourself trying to keep it from falling into the lake). As the clouds darkened, the swirling wind finally calmed a bit, and I was stoked to nail a shot of a nose grab roll to revert. On deck was Becky, who charged the monstrous X-Star wake. Beckers took aggressive cut after cut, flying past our photog’s lens with ease as she busted out her arsenal of grabs.

The newest member of our team, Diana, rode next, on her brand new 2010 Tribute. The board graphics, much like her personality, are bright and cheerful, and looked awesome as she boosted huge airs off the wake. The last rider to hit the water was Tori, and hit it hard she did. Her floaty wake jumps had us cheering, but when she whiplashed from catching a heel side edge, we all gasped. No need to worry, though, because Tori is one tough chick, she got right back up with a smile and finished her set.

As Riley climbed back into the boat, we started the free ride session. It was so exciting to see every girl pushing themselves, trying new tricks, and supporting each other. But all too soon the wind and boat chop rendered the lake unrideable. Still, the day was a huge success; everyone got a few good photos, a couple of great sets of riding, and lots of laughs. Our team got to know each other better, and we’re stoked to begin planning our next event.

Special thanks to Tim and Kim Connor for hosting this event, it wouldn’t have happened without your gracious support; Cassie Bangerter for being part of our cheering section; Riley Bangerter for braving the cold to shoot us; and of course to my lovely teammates for not only killing it behind the boat, but also for being such positive and inspiring young ladies. You can definitely expect some great things to come from the NorCal Hyperlite Girls Team. For more info about the team and to see more photos from the shoot, visit www.NorCalHyperlite.com.