A-dam Underwear has had some brilliant and innovative marketing ideas over the years, whether it’s with photos or videos to prove they can ‘meet the modern man’s needs with designer boxers‘. They are no stranger to publicity stunts either. But when they did a photo shoot of a man, being pulled on a wakeboard behind a horse, in his pants, I bet they didn’t dream it would lead to the first ever World Cup of Horse boarding.

You did read that right, professional wakeboarders, insane jumps, a gorgeous Dutch sunset, thousands of people, and a BBQ on the beach. I came across it by chance, during my inspiring photography course run by Bambos of I Capture Amsterdam. He explained it was a train and bus journey to the beach at IJmuiden, 45 minutes or so from Amsterdam. I couldn’t miss it; what’s the point of being an Intrepid traveller if I can’t drop everything for something like this?

I couldn’t quite believe how many people had showed up! There were around 15 – 20 Irish Cobs (or Tinkers) galloping up and down the beach, they’d stop, hook a line up to their saddle and on queue shoot off up the beach with a wakeboarder in tow. It was brilliant. As the tide came in, the crowd moved back and the real show began. As they picked up speed the top boarders would get air from the ramp to set up superb back flips, or grinding along the A-Frame, all in front of an awesome sunset. You can’t write this shit, I couldn’t quite believe what I was watching.

I didn’t have a clue who was winning, I didn’t really care. I managed to blag my way into the buggy for a final shot for my video, which you can see below. It’s not quite on a par with the awesome official production. Once the wakeboarding finished the fun wasn’t over, it was time to dry off and enjoy a BBQ at the Beach Inn, with the beach a perfect backdrop for a chilled and funky DJ set, from a rather hot DJ. What an evening.

The Videos

My Video:

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/Pll_YYq-zGc” width=”300″ height=”200″]

The official Video:

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/bb3qVm8iPCk” width=”300″ height=”200″]

The Winners

For those of you that are interested, these were the winners as announced by A-dam Underwear.

Men Wakeboarders:
1. Rocco van Straten
2. Tommy Swaan
3. Kevin Muller

Women Wakeboarders:
1. Britt Barvelink
2. Nicky Schmakemeijer
3. Maaike Joustra

Horse Riders:
1. Leonoor van Dongen
2. Andrea Teunissen-Schellekens
3. Marco Broere

The Dogs

And it turns out the Dutch like their dogs! 🙂