Edwin Tipones Pinoy Wakeboarder

Hi guys my name is Reuben Buchanan & I used to work at CWC Wakepark in the philipines for 4& 1/2 yrs when it first opened in 2006. Shortly after it opened the governor there spotted some local boys doing hip hop & street dancing near to there new Wakepark, these guys had some serious skills so he invited them to have a go at wakeboarding. Edwin was one of the more talented people out of the group of about 20 these guys were invited to work at the park as most of them lived around the rice paddys areas next to the Wakepark complex & most did not have a job or regular income. I had the pleasure of training the best of these 20 to wakeboard. Edwin was dedicated a quick learner also very modest & would greet me with a big smile & a gyday mate trying to imitate my Aussie accent everyday. I will really miss that when I visit there!! He learned quick & within a few years won at least 1 national championship that I can remember. He was super fit with a ripped six pack & had real style on the water. He always rose to the occasion when a big crowd was cheering him on. I was & am so proud of him & I know many others are to. It was so great to see someone come from such a poor family & ride to be one of our best Philipino riders ever. He was a worker that you could always trust to be there everyday & had the respect of those who worked with him. Unfortunately last week while removing an obstacle from the lake with a winch he was fatally electrocuted when the tower they were winching of came alive. It was a freak accident that no one could of for seen happening. I don't know why but all I can say is that unfortunately sometimes the good beautiful people die young!! He has left 3 young children & a wife & while the governor who was a personal friend of Edwin's has assured me they will be looked after I wanted to start this campaign to raise as much money as possible for there family. They are by no means a wealthy family & I know this won't bring him back but I'm sure it will help his family for a little while as they pick up the peices & try to get on with life. If you have ever been to CWC than there's a good chance that Edwin has passed you a handle as he has been there pretty much since the start. Foreign money goes along way when it is converted to pesos so even if you only have $5 to spare this will mean a lot to his family!! $5 will buy a coke in my country but it's almost a days wage for many in Naga city where Edwin comes from. So please share this around as much as possible & if any of you has pictures with Edwin in even if he's just in the back ground then please post them up on my Facebook or the CWC Wakepark Facebook page as I'm sure his family will love & cherish any pictures of him. Over the years I will try to update anyone who wants to know how his family is going as we still regularly stay in touch with some of Edwin's relatives. Thank you for your contribution.