BURNING BRIDGES 2.0

Following his bridge-based adventure all the way back in issue #8, Guenther Oka couldn’t shift that itch of getting back under all that asphalt and concrete, and enjoying the myriad opportunities that its refractive chaos throws up. So he gathered up some like-minded chargers, and boarded the wake boat…

WORDS: GUENTHER OKA
PHOTOS: JEFF MATHIS

As the sun began to rise, engines churned, horns blared, and the Howard Frankland Bridge rumbled to life with the morning rush hour. This eight-lane highway carries commuters three miles over the waters of Tampa Bay, connecting St.Pete and Tampa. Little did they know the adventure that was about to unfold beneath them…

We arrived the evening before with the Axis A24 in tow, eager to get our feet wet and assess the area. My research – using YouTube, Google Maps, and Navionics – could only get us so far; it was time for an on-site inspection. Multiple bridges were at our disposal, but we needed to find the perfect one. The first bridge we idled past had tight, uneven pillars. Some were three to four board widths wide, while others shrank to nearly one. Adding to the challenge, the base of every pillar was caked in razor-sharp barnacles. This wasn't inviting, but it did put us on our A-game and let us know what to expect for the next bridges. With all this in mind we had to have foilers that were up for the challenge.

It didn't take long to assemble the all-star crew. Myself, being familiar with foiling under bridges via our 2021 project “Burning Bridges” had the idea of a bigger and better bridge in mind for a couple years. It was only a matter of time before we found the time and spot for it. My first call was to Gordon Harrison, a long-time friend and former pro wakeboarder, who was in. With his beachside living and fire station job, he was no stranger to ocean and boat waves. Brian Grubb, a legend in his own right, was harder to pin down between his base jump sessions and big wave missions, but once I mentioned the bridges, he was all in. To round out the team, I called my neighbor Sam Langley, a seasoned wake coach and skilled foiler, eager to take on the pillars.

The next morning, we awoke to perfect weather. The bay slicked over like oil, with no wind in sight. We ran across the bay, reaching the Howard Frankland Bridge as the sun peeked over the Tampa skyline. I wanted to set the tone for the day and opted to get in the water first. The Axis threw up its perfect wave, and we were off.

The first line had the Axis running at the ideal distance from the bridge so the second wave stacked up on the outside pillars. This allowed us to dodge and weave in and out of the bridge but gave us an out if the pillars got too narrow. However, we were reliant on the boat driver to hold his line while the current and speed constantly changed. The other option was committing to running the whole line on the third or fourth roller under the bridge with no emergency exit. This required maximum focus and left little room for mistakes. As you exited the second wave, you had to pump under the bridge and out to the other side (four car lanes' worth) before coming back under the bridge to catch the third wave, which inevitably lined up with a stack of pillars. You had to commit to the wave and set your line. Once you locked on, you had all the power from the wave to create your own line and link turns around, behind, and through the barnacle-infested pillars.

It was a rush and something that kept your brain working at 100% capacity while it coordinated with your body to make the right moves. After my session, Sam laid down some effortless lines and smooth carves through the pillars. From there, Gordon found his flow on the backhand and linked seamless turns through the concrete maze. Brian had a different idea up his sleeve. He opted for the run that had the vertical pillars but rode it all the way to the foundation of the bridge, where the supports turned into wide blocks resembling the letter H. In one smooth move, he let the trough of the wave suck out, got low, and flew under and through the supports, essentially getting barreled by the pillar. We all lost it when we saw him shoot out the other side.

The session continued, but it was time for a change of scenery. Luckily, a new bridge was under construction, so we motored over to it and posted up. With the camera crew on solid ground, we began our next session. I opted for straps and went to work trying to dial in my backside melon grab. I couldn't get over the insane backdrop we got to ride next to, pass after pass. Gordon put on a strapless air clinic behind the A24, landing smoothly and in control on every air. Sam tested his foil by laying into a heavy bottom turn with a nice breach.

The beautiful thing about projects like these is all the unexpected opportunities that arise. Due to the construction, the huge barges carrying materials were anchored in the bay. I've seen photos and videos where wake boats drive by a solid wall, and the wave stands up as it collides with it. I figured this would be a great way to cap off the mission and did a couple of passes, getting maybe too close for comfort to the side of the barge.

Reflecting on the mission, there is one thing that stands out above the rest. The foil unlocks access to new waves and new locations that otherwise would be unrideable. The water truly turns into your blank canvas where you can paint whatever picture the mind is capable of conceiving. So foil on and explore more!