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Wakeboarding phenom Kane Ward hit Lake Martin in mid-June to warm up for a commercial photo and video shoot with his Hyperlite sponsor. A two-time national wakeboarding champion and a WWA World champ, Ward became the world’s youngest wakeboard pro two years ago at the age of 8, but he’s been riding behind the boat since he was 2 years old. He gained YouTube fame when his father, Justin Ward, posted a composite video of his then-6-year-old son shredding to school, which opened the door to industry sponsorships that include Russell Marine, Grom and Flipside Cable Park, as well as Hyperlite. “It started out as just having fun. Me riding with him; watching wakeboarding videos,” Justin explained. “He is on the trampoline at home almost non-stop, and we tied up a rope and handle on the trampoline. He tries tricks there first. Once he’s got it on the trampoline, he can usually dial it in pretty quick on the water.” Ward is coached by Tony Iacconi, who
has helped the young wakeboarder to expand his trick repertoire. “His coach has set up a system where Kane wears a helmet with speakers and a mic, and his coach can be in the boat talking to him. They just gel. Kane learned 11 new tricks in one weekend with his coach and got five more later. This early in the season, he’s already learned three new mobes,” Justin said. “Whatever Tony tells him to do, he’ll do it. He trusts him.” Ward is a rising fifth grader at Cullman Elementary School and plays basketball during the short season when he is not on the water. He wakeboards from late March or early April to November or later, donning a wetsuit when cold temperatures blow in. For his son’s practice round on a warm, sunny June morning at Lake Martin, Justin borrowed a wake boat from Flipside Watersports’ Baker Bru. “I’ll just do some flips and turns – poke a few things out,” Ward said as he waggled his elbows at his sides and tied up his boots
The youngest wakeboard pro in the world, Kane Ward, age 10, edges out to warm up for a practice session on Lake Martin last month
34 LAKE
JULY 2021
