BEN
hitch
explosive, intense, controversial read the interview from the latest issue of syndicate
life witho intense, explosive, controversial Words: Andrew Eddy Photos: James North Ben Hitch has seen it all, the rise to the top as a Junior European and World Champion and the falls of a professional sports career and losing sponsors amid questions and behaviour off the water. Now ten years after winning a world title he is competing again and back in the game. We have heard stories in the past along similar lines that have faltered along the way. Ben tells Syndicate why this time he is back for good and what has changed within the mind of this ferociously explosive rider.
50 SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
ut a hitch
SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
51
Back on a board and hitting the gym… what’s this all about? Is this the same Ben Hitch? Of course it’s still me! Just with a very different outlook and approach to my competitive riding. Is there some sort of master plan that we need to know about? The master plan is to get back in the game, I want to be competing with the best again and doing well. I want to see and help the sport grow in a positive way. What positive changes have you made in your life recently? Well I have knocked the crazy out-all-night partying on the head, which was my biggest downfall and responsible for most of my problems. And I have been hitting up the gym with Neil Shannon at Lakeside gym with a strict training regime. I’ve also been doing a few kids coaching clubs at JB Ski which has been real good for me and the kids. I’ve really taken a liking to reflecting on all of this off the water in my blog writing; the travelling, the training and everything that comes with it. Writing is a great way of grounding yourself and finding out who you really are.
You are used to controversy by now and seen your fair share of it along the way, how do you think that has affected your career as a whole?
This is not the first time we have heard this is it? What and why is it different this time?
Every decision of the past has brought you to where you are today, are you happy with that thought or do you feel that you could have achieved more?
Well this is the first time I have been serious about these changes, and over the last five months I think I have proven that I am serious about this decision to channel all my energies into giving wakeboarding my all, and that I’m going to stick to it and not be broken by my demons.
52 SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
Yeah I am used to it but I’m aware the main reason all the controversy surrounded me was because of the silly decisions I made and my reckless behaviour.... which is why I’m making all these changes and trying to better myself, so that the only vibes and energy that surround me are positive ones.
Of course I feel I could have achieved more, but I’m not one to sit around and cry about it and dwell on the past. I was very young when I was thrown into this world of freedom and I travelled a lot with an older crowd of people and back then things weren’t as professional. Partying
"I'm going to stick to it and not be broken by my demons" and getting loose was a big part of it, and I was strongly influenced by all of this from a very young age with no parents travelling with me to guide my decisions. Yeah I got older and could have made better decisions in the paths I walked, but the fact is I didn’t and I’m not going to sit here today and say I regret everything I did as I had an amazing time when I was young-en! I travelled the world doing what most people would love to do at that age. The regrets I do have are those in which I upset people and sponsors in the times where I was just basically out of control, and I admit I was stupid and wild at times but everyone grows up - it just took me a little longer.
purity.
Do you feel that this is a last chance at proving what you want to prove?
The thought of getting back on top and being the best I can be, or seeing what I’ve got in me if I give it my all. Music plays a big part in keeping me on track in life. There’s always a suitable tune for every mind state.
I feel it may be the last chance to prove to my sponsors that I can be a good representative for them. As far as riding goes, I don’t really feel I need to prove anything, I ride because it’s amazing fun and if you’re trying to prove something out there then your riding starts to lose its
Do you feel like you owe it to yourself or anyone else for that matter? As I said before I feel I owe it to my sponsors and everyone that’s stood by me throughout everything; the low times, dark times as well as the good. What is your goal/motivation apart from riding, what keeps you going in the gym and on track with everything?
If you had to teach something to some wakeboarding groms what would you teach them? SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
53
d
Eddy
"I'm looking forward to giving back to
54 SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
Eddy
the sport I've gotten so much from"
Clockwise from left: 1. Method Man has a lot to learn - switch method 2. Early morning indy glide 3. Same face, new attitude 4. Switch frontside boardslide
SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
55
Explosive in all the right ways
I would say if the riding is starting to lose its buzz and you have had enough of it for a while then step back and take a break. Don’t try and grind through it, go do something else. My parents never gave me any grief with my riding and they were never pushy and I’m super thankful for that. I think one of the biggest problems for kids riding nowadays is that they are being pushed too much by either their parents or trainers to be the best, then they start to forget why they started in the first place... the fun. Off the water I would say that a trampoline was the biggest help for me as a grom. It’s amazing for your cardio levels and your spatial awareness will go through the roof in weeks. What life lesson did you learn the hard way that would have made a big difference to you?
Below: Look at it, look at it again, now notice that it is switch
56 SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
Knowing when to stop. How would you describe your outlook on the next couple of years on the water? I would say that it’s going to be an interesting ride and that a lot of positive things shall arise from it. I’m looking forward to giving back to the sport I’ve gotten so much from. You have had a host of different sponsors through the years; do you feel that you can deliver this time around? I feel that I have always delivered in the riding department, but this time
Crail never fails
I will be delivering a lot more as a rounded representative for their brand and I feel that they are going to be positively surprised with my efforts. I’m really grateful to Oakley and Vans for sticking with me through the years and really excited to be riding for CTRL now and have Lakeside, Liquid Leisure, Jam Agency and Believe all supporting me.
and that is keeping me stable. It’s also bringing out the best in my riding, so it’s all good!
What would you say to sceptics and those within the industry that might have experienced a darker side to you?
I mean yeah everyone knows I was no angel, but I never went out of my way to upset people. I liked letting loose and was a bit a bit of a cheeky bugger... But as I said earlier people grow up and I feel I’ve grown up and am ready to prove myself as a good rider who is able to represent those who support me on and off the water.
Eddy
I would say that I will probably always have a dark side, I think it’s in my nature. To be honest I think everyone has a dark side, mine just arose more so than others. But that side of me will only surface in my riding now. I think I am learning to channel those energies and aggressions
Do you think that they have a point or do you feel like you deserve their trust, if so, why?
SYNDICATEWAKE.COM
57