Day 2 in Orlando (Clermont, to be precise) started early with my alarm going off at 6:45. After double-checking to make sure the sun was coming up and hitting the snooze a few times I headed over to Danny Harf’s house for a dawn patrol set. Danny is busy racking up footage for his new movie, Defy, and I was going to tag along for the shoot. Defy is the new project from Sean Kilgus due out sometime early next year. Driving around Lake Minnehaha on the way there looked really promising, the whole lake was glassed out.

I pulled into Danny’s house right behind JD Webb and Bob Sichel; already waiting for us was Kilgus, Danny, Amber Wing and Dean Smith. A few minutes later the rest of the crew was complete with Shawn Watson, photographer Aaron Katen, filmer Spencer Norris joining us. Everybody was riding behind Danny slammed Super Nautique 230, while the paparazzi jumped into the chase boat on loan from Kevin Henshaw.

JD and Kilgus getting the boats ready. Levitt photo

I'll save the details of the shoot for the photos but a few highlights stuck out in my mind. Danny can roll right out of bed and ride better than 99% of the pros out there; he completely killed it, notching at least a couple of keepers for the film. Dean got at 1 AM that morning on a 15+ hour flight from Thailand but still managed to bust out half a dozen huge Indy Tantrums off the double-up. JD has one of the best looking Methods around and had recently added a Pete Rose 5 to his arsenal. Watson rode last and kind of got screwed on water conditions but still managed to style out a bunch of grabbed wrapped tricks. All in all it was successful shoot. I’m heading out with the Defy crew again on the weekend to their private filming spot, which is an active quarry where the water is an incredible turquoise blue. Check back for a full report on Sunday.

Danny taking full advantage of the glassy conditions. Melon Crow Mobe 5. Levitt photo

Kilgus and Watson taking an iPhone break. Levitt photo

Not a recommended way to shake off jet-lag. Dean boosts this Indy Tantrum. Levitt photo

JD's got a ton of style. Locked-in HS Indy. Levitt photo

Watson riding, Danny driving, Katen shooting. Levitt photo

Watson making the most of not the greatest water conditions. Wrapped TS BS Melon 360. Levitt photo

I left Clermont to make the long drive across town to The Projects. Along the way I stopped to pay a visit to Aaron Rathy and check out his new house. Rathy was waiting on a shipment of new boards from Byerly so I’ll be heading back there later on this week to shoot photos for an upcoming interview. On the road again, I can’t help but notice that Orlando’s highways seem to be in a constant state of repair. I’ve been coming down here for at least 5 years and the construction never seems to stop.

I finally pulled into The Projects mid afternoon and spent time catching up with Pat Panakos. He’s got so much on the go, he could clone himself a few times over and he’d still be busy. He talking to people on the other side of the world, video conferencing on his laptop and answering emails all at the same time. Pat’s got some really exciting projects (no pun intended) on the go, which you’ll be hearing about very soon.

I managed to pull Pat away from his multi-tasking for an hour to go shoot some photos in the System 2.0 rail park. Pat had a couple of good sessions and admitted it was only the second time he’s been on the water in a few months; definitely a sign that Pat’s a super busy guy.

On the other side of town, Pat Panakos rides something other than a desk for a change. Levitt photo

The plan is to shoot with Pat in the morning tomorrow and then head back to the Clermont area to catch up with Rathy and a few other of the Florida based Canadians. Be sure to check in for Part 3.