C O N T E N T S
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DEPARTMENTS 05 Ju st sayi n ’ 06 On t he cov e r 07 We Lov e 30 Gal l e ry 36 Scho ol e d 42 Ou t
F E AT U R E S 08 Wake e v ol u t i o n 10 The g rey si d e o f wa kes ur f ing 14 Cou rt n ey An g u s 18 Tra v e rs Fi sc h e r 24 Joh n He n so n 38 A aron G u n n 40 Nic Cri sp
Here: Andrew Fortenberry Bryan Soderlind
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
JUST SAYIN’ “I’m not here telling you to blow ye own trumpet, talking yourself up to industry people will likely have a negative effect on your reputation.”
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD RIDER AND A RIDER WHO MAKES REGULAR MAGAZINE, VIDEO AND PHOTO APPEARANCES? ‘HOW DO I BRIDGE THAT GAP?’ IS A QUESTION I’VE HEARD NUMEROUS TIMES OF LATE. THERE ARE MANY ‘UNEARTHED’ TALENTS OUT THERE, AND WE LOVE TO FIND THEM. BUT IF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ONE, HOW DO YOU BOOST YOUR PROFILE TO THAT NEXT LEVEL OF EXPOSURE, RECOGNITION…EVEN…STARDOM? For those asking such questions I have a one-word answer for you. Proactive. It’s true. In a general sense, the reason why riders gain media exposure is their drive and commitment to being proactive. Contacting photographers, magazine editors, brand and team managers – basically making themselves known. A huge misconception among wakeboarders and skaters alike is the media personnel should be approaching the riders, and if they don’t approach you then you have to sit back and wait your turn. In many cases this might be correct, however if you are serious about getting that extra exposure, being proactive in finding a good photographer, spot to shoot and a unique trick that will get people talking is a great starting point. Team up with someone savvy behind a camera and produce a bangin’ edit that shows your skills on the water. Send it around and get your name known. You may not receive an instant response, but your name will become more familiar. Now I’m not here telling you to blow ye own trumpet, as talking yourself up to industry people will likely have a negative effect on your reputation. As they say, actions speak louder than words, use photos, video and personal appearances as your ammunition. Don’t be that annoying guy on the phone every day talking up how you almost landed a Dum-Dum the other day. Be humble.
It’s also important to note that having exceptional skills on your board is going to be necessary, however just because you aren’t doing 900’s off the wake, switch and regular, it don’t mean you can’t begin to build a profile. Professional riders aren’t made over night and your skills on the water won’t be enough if you can’t compliment them with a proactive and positive attitude. Flick back to the cover and you will notice the guy poised nicely upon that shoulder height bridge footing is ‘Rubber’ John Henson. Then flick forward and read his feature article. You’ll learn that ‘back in the day’ Rubber had to earn the respect of the photographers before they would shoot photos of him. It was John’s persistence, proactive attitude and skills on the water that eventually landed his first media appearances, eventually leading to a long career as a pro wakeboarder and respected industry person. Travers Fischer, Aaron Gunn, Courtney Angus and Nic Crisp are all people who have been proactive in some way that has lead to exposure, sponsorship and great opportunities. Whether it is travelling the world to ride and meet new people, building winch gaps that will get people talking and photographers shooting, or making yourself known to the right people. Take the time to think about how you can be proactive, and begin to build a profile that represents you best. See you on the water, either in person or in digital form. JT.
< Once you get to know the photographers, cook them a barbecue breakfast after they shoot your cover shot. Right John?
Photo: Matt McFerran
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
ON THE
COVER
Rider: John Henson Location: Unknowm Photographer: Matt McFarren
When this photo of John Henson came sliding across my desk, I knew we had a worthy photo to grace edition nine. I like photos with detail. There is a lot going on in this shot, but if you point your bifocals toward John on the bridge footing, you’ll notice he’s made a shoulder high ollie straight to the ‘crete. Using the wake as a launch ramp, John popped a monster inside-out ollie (switch) sending him into a 180, landing tail heavy and pressing that bridge footing. Pretty impressive if you ask me. The consequences, oh the consequences if he came up short. If you’re reading the tablet edition of this mag, make sure you tap play on the cover and see how close John actually came to losing his face first attempt. For those keen on trying this, don’t bother. Why? Well it’s been done now and will no longer be original. Also chances are you may not have the experience and technical ability to pull off such a feat; we’d hate to see you come up even shorter than John did. Should you try and fail, we ain’t responsible. Get it.
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WE LOVE 2014
DOUBLE UP UNITE CT BOOTS
It’s a simple story really. It’s a love story between man and machine, man and nature and all things that keep them connected. Be it the line between hand and boat, or board between foot and water, we love it all. So here are our recent favourites.
DUP Wake has lifted the bar again for 2014 and in doing so they have given birth to the all new Unite CT boots. Lighter, more suportive, more comfortable and more stylish than ever before, the Unite boots will keep treat your feet through even the longest sessions on the water. Featuring an ultra-lightweight outer shell; with this the new stiff PU upper gives the Unite longer life and instant response. Along with Double Ups nylon baseless chassis you can expect a true feel with maximum impact absorbtion.
LIQUID FORCE PEAK HYBRID German rail and park master Nico Von Lerchenfeld has come out with a fresh new whip for 2014 by Liquid Force. The ‘Peak’ features an all-wood core for maximum strength and life. A single concave base that narrows into dual channel/concave tip makes the board responsive on the water allowing maximum control into any rail or kicker you may stuble upon.
Learn more: www.dupwake.com
Mid-body edge channels and a concave beveled edge complete the package to keep your ‘Peak’ performance in control and catch-free on any rail. Aside from all these finely tuned features, peer at that graphic. With unique art and transparent sections giving you a visual of the wood core, you’re sure to be inspired to ride at your creaive best every time you look down. Ain’t she a beaut?
Learn more: www.liquidforcewake.com.au
JETPILOT F22 PREDATOR VEST Ladies, if you want to ride to your absolute best ability there’s no questioning your comfort. Having the ability to contort your body with rubber band-like flex shouldn’t be restricted by your boyancy vest. JETPILOT have come out with the all new F22 Predator Segmented Neo Vest. Basically this means, zip one of these around ya bod and you’ll be the dryest, most flexible chick on the water. And even better it will float you well and good, even to the Australian Coast Guards standards! Learn more: www.jetpilot.com.au wakedition.com.au
SLINGSHOT WINDSOR PRO It’s no secret James Windsor is one of the best rail riders to emerge from our fair shores. Slingshot caught wind of this early on in James’ professional career and decided they’d assign him his first ever pro model. The Windsor board is purpose built to shred any rail to pieces, and withstand countless hours clocked around the wake park. This board features the softest tips in the Slingshot range meaning pressing will feel better than it ever has before. The stiff middle section of the board allows the board to retain its shape and performance while edging at those kickers or rails. The new EverShred (ES) base provides an even more controlled slide on the rails helping you progress your park riding to new heights. Learn more: www.slingshotwake.com.au
I RIDE SIDEWAYS RODNEY CAP Rodney is a loyal mate. He’s the kinda guy you can take everywhere, and no matter the situation he’ll keep you company. If it’s cold out he’ll keep your head warm, if it’s hot he’ll keep your brow comfortably shaded. Everyone needs a Rodney in their life. Rodney comes from a sweatshop free background so you know he’s legit, very thoughtful. There aren’t many Rodney’s in the world, so make friends with one now. You’ll have him for life. Learn more: www.iridesideways.com
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
The process of wake-evolution
Darrin Shapiro with his original Hyperlite directional board.
Interview with Nathan Buhagair, co-owner of Balmoral Boards
ev-o-lu-tion | a gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better from. Since the begining of wake riding, evolution has occured around the products we use. From our boards and bindings, to our boats and accessories, Wake products continue to develop, some innovations survive while others fall and are left behind. Do you think Harley would really be doing wake-to-wake 1080’s if he was riding the same board Byerly first stepped on? Unlikely we think. Nathan Buhagair, co-owner of Balmoral Boards has seen more wake product than just about anyone in Australia. Each year Nath stacks his shelves with the new innovations that are a result of the wake evolution process. We figured he’d be the right guy to comment on the process of wake-evolution.
Bryan Soderlind
You have seen wakeboarding products evolve over the years, how does the 2014 product compare to what we were seeing ten years ago?
The introduction of boards with flex is a more recent progression that has been huge. How do you see the introduction of these boards has impacted on the direction the sport is taking?
What has been the biggest ‘fail’ that you can think of?
I think what we see in a lot of the product these days are stuff that is much more durable, especially in the construction of boards and wakeskates. Also the boots that are on the market these days are so much lighter, more comfortable and made of much more tech materials. There is also a lot better value for money in the entry level products.
Obviously for the cable scene this has been a good thing, especially with those new construction techniques I mentioned as hitting obstacles regularly doesn’t trash boards so quickly. However having ridden a bunch of “flex” boards behind the boat I think they still work great as they still pop really well but also give softer landings and realistically the flex is quite minimal. With more cable parks around we’re seeing more crossover and this allows people to get one board and use it across both boat and cable.
Is it possible to choose the right board without riding it first?
What do you see as the biggest development in board technology in the last 10 years? I’d have to say for me the introduction of new construction techniques (similar to the way a snowboard is built) has been one of the most exciting things I’ve seen. Especially with the growth of the cable scene, these boards are built so much tougher and last longer even when constantly abused. What about bindings, what has been the biggest step for them? I think when Ronix introduced the baseless binding it kicked the other companies into gear. That was when everyone’s bindings started to really evolve. At that time we also saw the introduction of new materials to allow the bindings to be lighter and much more comfortable.
wakedition.com.au
Are you seeing more riders wanting to get a board with flex or are stiff boards still just as popular? This really depends on where people are riding. Those who mostly ride boat still tend to go for a more traditionally built board, although we are finding more boat riders giving flex a try. We’ve found most cable riders want something with at least a little bit of flex. Do you think there is always room for more progression and improvement in hardware? For sure, wakeboarding is still a relatively young sport and in the last 5 years or so we’ve seen a lot of new materials being used. However there is always room for things to be refined and improved. I’m impressed with plenty of product currently on the market, but I think there are always tweaks that can be made.
Wake skis!
I’d like to think there are plenty of shops out there with experienced staff who have tried lots of different products and can point you in the right direction by asking some important questions. There are plenty of demo programs around these days though so I guess if you have the chance this will eliminate any doubt. How important is it for someone to choose a board and bindings that suit them best? It’s really important. If a beginner gets on a really aggressive board they may find it much harder to learn and progress as the gear they are using is less forgiving. Finding something that fits with your level of riding will give you the most enjoyment and in the end allow you to progress quicker. There are more options for people out there than ever before, how can riders ensure they’re choosing the best-suited product for them? Speak to someone who has tried different things out and demo gear if you have the chance. With boots, always try them on to ensure a good fit before purchasing. Most experienced shop staff will be happy to run through products and answer questions you have, if you come back in stoked on the gear you bought we’re stoked too. EDITION 09 OCT 13
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100% Paulonia Wood Core Dyna 2 Base
100% PAULOWNIA TIMBER CORE, FOR THE MOST RESPONSIVE FLEX AND SUPERIOR DURABILITY. V Hull (V Shaped Hull) Quad ABS fins
D O N’ T LEAVE ME H ANG IN’
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NEW DUPwake.com
GREG WOOD
For your nearest stockist please contact Activ Concepts on 03 8587 1111 or email johnno@activconcepts.com
JONTY GREEN
Get mild with the all new, Blanc / Mellow. Greg Wood and Scotty Green are hard on their boards and like to have some fun, that’s no secret, so when they come up with a concept for a board, you know sh*ts about to get REAL! The Mellow has all the features you need for park and natural terrain shredding. It’s designed to hold up to all kinds of abuse, while keeping its freeride DNA .Featuring DUP’s 100% Paulownia timber core, for the most responsive flex and superior durability. Stiff lay up through the centre with Strategic Flex zones through the Tip & Tail provide for a solid tracking edge and playful performance on rails. Combine this with the V Hull for added ollie power and soft landings and you have THE Ultimate Park and Jib machine. It also comes with ABS sidewalls, quad ABS fins and the widest stance options in the entire DUP range.
The Blanc / Firm has all the features you need for park, boat and air style riders. Stiff enough to hold its shape behind the boat and aggressive cuts at the cable and designed to hold up to all kinds of abuse, while keeping its feel on rails. Featuring DUP’s 100% Paulownia timber core, for the most responsive flex and superior durability. Stiff lay up through the centre with stiffer Strategic Flex zones through the Tip & Tail than the Mellow to provide for a solid tracking edge and playful performance on rails. Combine this with the V Hull for added ollie power and soft landings and you have THE Ultimate Park and Jib machine. It also comes with ABS sidewalls, quad ABS fins and the widest stance options in the entire DUP range.
The Blanc / Mellow. Born to be Mild.
The Blanc / Firm. Business as Usual.
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The grey side of >
WAKESURFING There’s absolutely no doubt that wakesurfing has rapidly grown as a sport, social activity and interest for many boaters around the world. Feeding this more recent growth are the numerous companies producing specific wakesurfing products including not only boards and ropes but now boat companies are developing wave-enhancing hardware for your boat including the Malibu Surf Gate and the Nautique Surf System (NSS). Now, before we dive any further into this topic, I just want outline that we are wakesurf lovers here at Wakedition. Quite often we find ourselves carving a boat built wave late into a summery afternoon. But in promoting this growing sport we feel it’s important that people know the safety factors and Maritime regulations that can affect your time surfing behind your boat. Safety on the water is the primary concern for your local maritime department, and how they approach regulations in regards to new water sports and activities. As wakesurfing is (officially) a very new sport, many waterways around Australia (and the world for that matter) are subject to tight regulations that may actually make your Friday afternoon wakesurf session an illegal act or fall into a legal grey area. Let’s look closer at these safety factors that are contributing to wakesurfing regulations:
“it’s important that people know the safety factors and Maritime regulations that can affect your time surfing behind your boat.”
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Carbon Monoxide poisoning is the one of the key factors waterways around Australia (and the world) affecting the legality of wakesurfing on some waterways. It’s the silent killer gas that can’t be detected by humans via taste or smell. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is always present when dealing with motor vehicles such as cars and boats. CO affects the ability of the red blood cells in transporting Oxygen, hindering vital organs to function properly. But does CO levels from the boat cause a potential harm to wakesurfers? Several tests in the US have been performed by the WSIA (Watersports Industry Association) which have proved that carbon monoxide causes no threat to wakesurfers. The WSIA has also successfully supported water sport communities all around the United States to ensure exemptions to wakesurfing behind V-Drive and Direct Drive boats.
Bank Erosion Although un-proven that boat wakes substantially contribute to bank erosion, this is a sensitive topic that is prevailing many waterways around Australia. Environmental groups and peace-loving waterfront locals are at the forefront of attempting to ban wakeboarding and surfing on many waterways around Australia. Now this isn’t the focus point for maritime departments in enforcing wakesurfing laws, however this is a real and threatening subject that all wake enthusiasts must be aware of. Courtesy and respect to other waterway users is the best approach for us as the wake community to help improve our chances at waterway usage around the country.
Distance between rider and boat propeller
Rope Length
The typical distance between wakesurfer and the transom of the boat is between two and six metres. This means wakesurfing behind an outboard boat or boat with an exposed prop is totally unsafe and something no one should ever attempt. Wakeboarding boats are generally the best option for wakesurfing. Besides the hulls being designed to produce a large wake or wave; wake specific boats have ‘inboard’ mounted engines meaning the propeller is situated underneath the boat and safely hidden from the rider.
Many boaters may be unaware of the 7m Rope Law in New South Wales that may cause an issue with your local Maritime Officer. In 1998 the Maritime Safety Act was born and with it came this ‘seven-metre minimum towrope length’ rule. Understandably, this rule was made to deter people from riding at an unsafe distance from the back of boats particularly with exposed propellers. But now wakesurfing is proving to have developed into a legitimate sport, many believe this law should be re-visited and not effective for wakesurfers riding behind inboard boats. Our understanding however, is that ‘prop strike’ isn’t the soul reason for the seven-metre ruling. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is also a potential threat.
“wakesurfing behind an outboard boat or boat with an exposed prop is totally unsafe and something no one should ever attempt. “ wakedition.com.au
With all these factors causing possible negative impact on enjoying our time wakesurfing, what does it really mean for us as riders. Well for one, it means we have specific rules and regulations we should adhere to. Checking the regulations for your local area before hitting the water is advised. Finding your own grey area and getting around such laws, well that’s your choice if you’re game. However to plan for a long lifespan and growth in wakesurfing, taking appropriate steps in pushing for exemptions is key. Contacting your local maritime department and rallying other riders in your area would be a good start. Pressure on local authorities, even at small scale can help make changes closer to the top of the ruling bodies. In reality it’s going to be the greater effect our industry has on wider boating regulations that will allow such a great sport to thrive. Be supportive, respectful and patient and with any luck we’ll all be wakesufing legally for years to come. EDITION 09 | OCT 13
2014 Wake
boards now
Joel Bartley
Balmoral Boards Teamrider and current Junior Mens World Champion
Visit us in store for great advice or b uy online today and have your gear shipped quickly to your door.
in store!
COURTNEY There is a group of talented Aussie girls who have been causing some serious ruckus offshore this year. By ruckus I mean; contest domination, daily media presence, progressive film projects and pretty much pushing womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s riding to a new level. Courtney Angus is one Aussie sweetheart who has followed the sun and taken her skills to the rest of the World for the first time. Courtney has been cutting laps around some of the best wakeparks out there and her powerful style has been turning some heads. We dropped Courtney a line and asked her some questions about her time abroad.
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wakedition.com.au
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X Ok Courtney lets start from the beginning. For those who don’t know you already, who are you? And where do you come from? I am a 20-year-old wakeboarder originally from the Gold Coast but I have relocated to Cables Wake Park in Penrith, Sydney. How did you discover wakeboarding? My dad was a tournament skier back in the day. When I was 3 he put me on double skies in the pool and he ran up and down the side of the pool pulling me on top of the water with a rope. Best dad ever! I had my first Wakeboard behind the boat when I was 5 and first Nationals when I was 7. Before making the solo journey over seas, where did you develop your skills as a rider?
wakedition.com.au
I rode at national level behind the boat from the age of 7 until I was 18. I have been riding cable down at Cables Wake Park for the past two years. Who has been there along the way to help you reach your goals? Mum and Dad. I have had the best opportunities imaginable. I grew up riding behind the boat before school and after school every day. Mum and dad would take me to all the Queensland Wakeboard Association Competitions and every wakeboard camp. Ange Schriber spent her summer at Cables Wakepark when I first started making the transition from boat to cable. Having such a competitive, high level female around was an inspiration. Competing against Ange and Sophie Hogben at comps at home in Australia definitely pushes me and is
great because they are my biggest competition at all the events around the world. At the second stop of the WWA Triple crown Ange finished 3rd, Soph 2nd and myself on top. It was the three of us on top again at the US nationals. This year you decided to pack your bags and escape the Aussie winter and head to the Northern Hemisphere. Where have you traveled? I’ve been here, there and everywhere. I had my first comp at Barefoot Ski Ranch in Waco, Texas back in May, and then I traveled to China for an IWWF World Cup event. From there I went to London to stay with my best mate Tor Young who spent 6 months of the Australian Summer with me. We rode at a ton of different cables around London then drove 5 hours North to Wales for Wakestock! At the first comp back in May I made some friends to stay with for when I returned for the second stop of the WWA Triple Crown at Texas Ski Ranch. EDITION 09 | OCT 13
We had the best time! We got in a van and drove North 18 hours to Cincinnati then to North Carolina, down to Orlando, Florida and back to Texas stopping at all the Cable Parks along the way. We filmed everything for an edit series called ‘Packed’ by JB O’Neill so keep your eyes on Peeled. I am flying back to Orlando for Surf expo and the final stop of the Triple Crown then home for the first time since May! I can’t wait to see Mum and Dad again - feeling a little home sick. I’ll be off to Worlds in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of October. Which places stand out the most? Texas! You have also had some success in some contests while away, which results are you most stoked about? Currently I am tying first with Ange for the Triple Crown Series. The final stop in Orlando will be the decider! Bring it on! (Laughs). We’re not gonna lie, we peeped at your facebook page recently and turns out your rubbing shoulders with some of the best in wake. Did you have contacts already to rendezvous with or where you flying solo when you first set sail? I was flying completely solo. I had accommodation booked for the first 10 days and from there I have winged everything! It all worked out really well. Wakeboarders are like a big extended family. I am a big believer in what goes around comes around. At home last summer I looked after a bunch of internationals and I have been blessed by the hospitality of random wakeboarders! Thank you to everyone who has helped me out over my trip! Have you been living with anyone in particular or couch surfing like crazy? As I mentioned earlier I had 10 days of accommodation booked… After that a couple of guys that I had been hanging out with at the BSR offered me to stay with them. They were a part of the Baylor University Wake team and lived wakedition.com.au
“I was flying completely solo. I had accommodation booked for the first 10 days and from there I have winged everything!”
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in the Wake house on Campus. It was sick! I had my own room with my own bathroom while I was there. In China the IWWF gave me a room then I stayed with Tor Young in London. Since I have been back in Texas I have been staying with JB O’Neill riding boat and cable. Living the dream! Where are you now? At a new cable park in Austin, Texas called Quest ATX. They opened yesterday.
No doubt you’ve ridden in a heap of wakeparks, which ones are your favorites? I love all the Texas parks! Texas is the place to be. Tell us about Jibtopia, that place looks insane! Jibtopia is insane - definitely for the advanced riders! Check out my new edit ‘Packed’, coming very soon. You will see Jibtopia and a bunch of American parks. It’s starting to warm right up here in Australia, what’s left on your agenda before you make the trek back home? Expo, Triple Crown at OWC, and a fresh edit. Where will we find you this Aussie summer? Cables Wake Park! Anyone you’d like to thank? Everyone that has helped me out on my trip; Fox, LF Australia, ML and all the wake parks thanks for the support.
travers fischer
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Travers is a perfect guy to speak to about the Australian wakeskate scene, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been there from the beginning. In fact, this editionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover boy John Henson was the first person to introduce Trav to wakeskating way back when. These early days on the Hawkesbury are filled with lasting memories for Trav and he continues to make more memories on his wakeskate with the rest of his crew.
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The landscape of wakeskating has certainly changed over the past few years. Wakeskate specific brands, products, events and videos are becoming more abundant as the industry grows. The level of riding is higher than ever before and the number of professional wakeskaters on the globe is growing. The Australian wakeskate scene is a niche of its own with some riders making a mark on the wake scene as a whole within Oz and even offshore.
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Was anyone wakeskating back then? Nah that was a while before anyone was skating. The first person I saw skating was probably ‘Rubber’ John Henson. That was probably 2005 or 2006 I reckon. He gave me one of Pete Stuart’s boards, remember ‘Blue’
What park of wakeskating to enjoy the most? Boat, winch, cable? I’ll have any of it! As long as we’re on the water and hanging out with the lads, that’s all that matters really. I like riding cable in winter when it’s quiet and there’s no one to ride with. Riding behind the tinny is gold. It’s so easy to ride any day of the week, on weekends we head down to some secret spots where you can’t get a big boat into.
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So you knew all the original Hawkesbury crew back then? It was such a small crew, and everyone knew everyone back then. There were only a few boats on the river with towers at that stage.
So why did you make the switch to wakeskating? It’s just so much better (laughs). I got sick of dealing with thousands of litres of weight. I’d put the boat in and have to wait an hour for all the ballast to fill. Skating is so easy, the boat goes in and you can jump straight into the water.
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From the beginning, you were a wakeboarder well before you discovered wakeskating right? Yeah, I started wakeboarding in 1998 at Penny Cables. I met the Tolsons, Johnny PY, Drew Ghantous and started riding with those guys a bit. I bought my boat in 2002 and still have her now. Actually Rubber (John Henson) came and picked up the boat with me, we used to ride together a fair bit back then.
wakeskates? He was the one who got me onto a skate, I never took it seriously though, I was doing both wakeskating and wakeboarding for a while.
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Who are you? I’m Travers Fischer. I’m thirty-three and from Pittown, NSW.
I love riding behind a wakeboat too, it’s a good feeling going wake to wake. There aren’t many guys that we know of in Australia who ride wake to wake consistently and focus on that aspect of the sport. Yeah there aren’t really. A lot of the guys who ride tinnies come down and ride with me and all still kill it wake to wake. It doesn’t seem to take them too long to get used to it. I think it comes down to the opportunities you have. A lot of people don’t have big boats so they don’t have the opportunity. That’s why wakeskating is so good you can have just as much fun behind a small tinny. The ol’ Sportster is still kicking on and serving you well? Yeah mate, going on eleven years now, it’s the best thing ever, I haven’t spent a cent on her (laughs). Well except for batteries and starter motors. Back in the day we used to empty the ballast into the engine compartment and use the bilge pump. So we went through a few starter motors. She still turns over first kick.
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Do you ever see that happening here? I’d like to see it happen, but I think we’re just too lazy.
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What do you see is the best thing happening in wakeskating right now? The wakeskate tour in the US. Without a doubt. It’s just taking off.
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Don’t get me wrong I still respect good wakeboarding and I know a lot of wakeboarders get stoked to see some crazy wakeskating. The cool thing is you can take ideas from each sport and apply it to your own.
Who in the Aussie scene is killing it right now? Oh man, there are so many guys out there killing it. The Queensland boys are riding so good. Matt Edwards and Ryan Leary and Timmy (Franco) from down here is absolutely killing it. He hasn’t been riding for very long and it just seems to come naturally to him. We went for a ride with Kallas a few weeks ago and he still kills it. He’s so fun to watch.
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Do you still see wakeskating being closely connected to wakeboarding, or do you see it as its identity now? Wakeskating is definitely its own thing. It’s getting so crazy now. Everyone is just getting so good. All the comps and events, like Battle Falls was on the other day, it was crazy what those guys were doing. It’s getting further away from wakeboarding I reckon.
There’s definitely a lot of skate and snowboarding style coming into wakeboarding these days, and wakeskating is also influenced by those sports.
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Who are you skating with these days? Timmy Franco, he’s definitely rejuvenated my love for skating. We’ve been out a lot since he got into it. Other mates Stu, Pete and Zip – basic all the local dudes. I’ve notice a lot of new and younger kids getting out there these days. They’re out there every other day behind their tinnies, killing it doing back bigs and three shuvs, it’s good to see.
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It’s perfect for skating though. The wake isn’t massive so it’s not hard to ride but it’s got plenty of kick to go waketo-wake.
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We need someone to organise stuff for us but there’s no one around to do it (laughs). Munners (Paul Munro) used to organise events for us then Greggo (Greg Dillon) stepped in for a bit. I mean we really need someone motivated to make it happen but between all of us we just want to get together, drink beers and party. Maybe do some wakeskating in between. I don’t know who would organise something like that. Bags not (laughs). Do you ever strap on a wakeboard these days? Nope. The last time I did was at CWC in the Philippines, all the guys were talking up how hard it was to do air tricks. So I strapped on a board and pulled out some of the ol’ stunts (laughs). It kind of sucks that I don’t wakeboard any more. I often think about it when I get down to the water just for a change, but I always just end up skating. I don’t mind stepping off once in a while and having a barefoot though. Scare the shit out of myself and jump back in the boat (laughs). What are your thoughts on the Aussie wakeskate scene? Is it growing? It’s definitely growing. There are a lot more kids getting into it and getting real good. In the next couple of years, there will be a whole bunch of kids coming through that we’ve never heard of. They are the guys riding behind their tinnies every day after school. It’s only going to grow. Some of our best Aussie riders are getting close to the level of the guys on the tour in the US. Some of them have even gone over and competed in some of the events. In the past few years there has only been one or two guys that could compete at that level but I think we’re slowly getting there. And you have a good relationship with a lot of the American riders. They often come over to hang out in our summer? Yeah, most of them come over to winch at Pandora, which is pretty sick. Most of them have already heard of that spot and come here just to ride it. We found the spot and rode it in the early days and they saw our videos. Now they just come over and tear it apart! Show us how it’s done. But that’s one good thing about skating is we all have something in common. When the American boys come over we put them up and show them and good time. And I’m sure they’d do the same for us when we go over there. wakedition.com.au
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Tyrrell
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r e b b Ru John Henson
John Henson, or more commonly known as ‘Rubber’ hardly needs an introduction. Born and raised around watersports. Rubber grew and learned from some of wakeboardings most respected pioneers. Promoting a positive, respectful and humble approach to wakeboarding, Rubber proved himself as a teenage sensation on the water. But it was coaching and mentoring fellow riders where Johns true passion lay. He eventually opened his own wakeboard school fulfulling his dream to inspire and teach day in, day out. Now that dream has been achieved, Rubber has begun a new chapter in his life. Still involving plenty of time on the water and that same positive attitude, we chased him down the freeway for a couple of weeks and took in some of that ‘Rubber’ John Henson cheer. Interview by James Tyrrell
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Tyrrell
Describe your current day-to-day life. Welcome to the real world, I got a nine to five job, Monday to Friday. I work for Transcale, in a marketing roll. We deal with payload management in the mining space. This sounds like serious stuff John. It is very serious (laughs) But it’s fun, a new industry, new lifestyle. It’s a pretty significant change from your previous line of work as a wakeboard school director and coach. Yeah my life is no longer Saturday every day of the week. I’m like most other people now where I actually have a Monday to Friday. Are you still wakeboarding then? Definitely. Since starting this new career my love for the weekends and riding has come back massively. I have been riding flat out and been loving it again. I’ve been landing tricks I haven’t done in years. Been having an absolute ripper of a time on the board. wakedition.com.au
I want to step back in time when extra mini Rubber Johnny first discovered wakeboarding. This is your life (laughs) Exactly. Where did it all begin for you? It began mainly on the Hawkesbury River, and we also had a holiday place up at Lake Windamere near Mudgee. Mum and Dad had been skiing forever and that filtered through to my sister (Hayley) and I since we were young kids. So you skied before wakeboarding came about? Yeah that’s right. It would’ve been 1990 when I was five. That’s when it started for me. At that stage wakeboarding wasn’t really around, it was about three years later when I stepped on a wakeboard for the first time. It was a Hyperlite XP, I still have that in my wakeboard collection. Dad ended up taking me to a water ski school, it was Jack and Deon Ellison’s setup on the Hawkesbury River at Pitt Town. I got into tournament skiing flat out as a kid. But when wakeboarding came along that
sort of took over. It was the dream from then on. You entered your first contest at age ten right? That’s right, back in 1995 I entered my first contest, which was the first wakeboard contest in Australia and was actually held by Jack and Deon at their place in Pitt Town. It was funny because it was like a three event style comp. There was wakeboard slalom, expression session and freestyle. You had to write down your run onto an attack sheet and each trick had a set points value. The slalom event was a bit of a joke between everyone. There were a lot of specific rules, one being you had to have at least one fin on your board. It’s awesome that you were there from the beginning and at such a young age. In a way you could say you were raised by wakeboarding and especially by the people who kicked it off here in Australia. Who were the guys you looked up to back then? EDITION 09 | OCT 13
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I distinctly remember a conversation I had with Boydy where he told me to stop doing so many spinny flippy things and start grabbing the board.â&#x20AC;? wakedition.com.au
Tyrrell
Tyrrell
Matt McFerran
I definitely have been raised by wakeboarding. Along with spending a lot of time with Jack and Deon in the early days, they introduced me to Bruce Robson. He was and still is a massive influence in my life; we actually live together at the moment. He was my first sponsor with O’Brien wakeboards back in 1997. Daniel Watkins was there too. I met him on my flight back from the U.S in 1997 and every time I went over there he’d take me under his wing along with his brother Mick. Then there were the guys I used to ride with; Adam Shevell, Dave Freeman who were also young and Howie; he used to drag us around the Port Hacking flat out, he was like our older brother and we were his grommets. Scotty Kell was also a massive influence for me, I used to ride with him a lot along with Adam Dodd. Then Reece (Jordan) and Boydy (Paul Boyd) were always influential. I distinctly remember a conversation I had with Boydy where he told me to stop doing so many spinny flippy things and start grabbing the board. Along the way you had to prove yourself and play your part as the wakedition.com.au
grommet. That even included being involved in photo shoots right? Back then they would shoot with slide film. Brett Stanley and Adam Dodd were the two main photographers you’d shoot with. Adam would often come out on the boat when we’d ride with Howie and he’d sit there in the boat with his camera gear and wouldn’t shoot you until you could prove to him that you had the skills and weren’t going to waste his time and money. Slide film was expensive and you really had to prove you were worth their while to shoot. I think because of that there was more of a process of shooting photos. We’d sit down and plan out what trick and angle we’d want to shoot so we weren’t wasting the photographer’s money. We couldn’t just bang out 100 digital shots and assume we’d get something. I see it as we were doing an apprenticeship in a way and I remember when they eventually did start taking photos of me and that’s when I began to think I was getting somewhere with it. Let’s talk about Worlds. You went to the States a few years in a row competed there. How was that?
From 1997 to 2000 I was going over and competing in the World Championships. I’d go over some weeks before and train for the events. I remember the last Worlds I went to I was riding at the top of my game. I qualified for the finals and was looking like a real contender to win it. I was hanging with Daniel (Watkins) and a bunch of the boys and life was definitely a party back then. When it was time to get down to the event site for the finals we may have been running late and missed our exit off the freeway. I missed my finals run by about four riders. I guess that’s what happens when you’re a grommet relying on older mates (laughs). They made up for it though. After the event Daniel and Mick (Watkins), Josh Sanders and a few other boys took Chris O’Shea and myself to Vegas. Hold on, how old were you at this stage? I was 14 (laughs).
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
So we were in Vegas with a whole bunch of pro wakeboarders we’d always looked up to. As they say what happens in Vegas will ultimately stay in Vegas (laughs). You spent many years riding with guys like Chris O’Shea, Dean Smith, Scotty Broome and many others who have made successful careers being pro wakeboarders, why didn’t you follow that same dream and chase the endless summer with them? I always had a dream of running my own wakeboard school. Being coached myself, I always loved that feeling of going back and forward throwing ideas around with a coach. Scotty Kell would coach me here in Australia and we’d do a lot of grommie camps. Scotty Broome, Dwayne Priestley and I would coach at those grommie camps which I love doing.
Tyrrell
I figured if I went down the pro wakeboarder path it was going to be a relatively short-term career and I saw coaching as something I could do for a long time. So I wanted to coach and that’s where my passion for wakeboarding lay. Scotty and Sally Kell helped me kick start that dream and I will be forever grateful of that. I was able to move to the Gold Coast and open my own school and the rest is now history. You ran that wakeboard school for quite a few years on the Tweed River. More recently you experienced a few difficulties with the local council who basically shut you down, hence the career change. But you’re still doing some coaching right? I have owned the business for seven years now and it’s been great. But because of those issues with the council the business has taken a new direction, which I’m really positive about. I work my new job during the week and on weekends I run a lot of clinics and coaching sessions in other people’s boats. After doing the Monster Energy Tige Tour I met a lot of people around the country and often still catch up and coach some of those people. We’re also doing the Tige owners reunions around the country over summer where I also get to coach people, which has been great. It sounds like a more balanced lifestyle for you now? It definitely is. Balance is something I really appreciate about this new lifestyle and it has made wakeboarding fun again. For three years I did the Monster Energy Tige Tour and over that time I did more that 2200 hours on the boat in two of those years and on the trailer that boat did about 80,000 kilometres. So living and breathing wakeboarding for two years would be an understatement. It was great time and I’m thankful to have had that experience. But having a more balanced life right now is great, I’m really happy.
I’m stoked actually. I have ridden the same board for seven years. The Liquid Force Witness became part of my lower limbs (laughs). You really get comfortable on a board and it’s hard to change. But now that ProWake is the Australian distributer for Slingshot I’ve chosen to ride the Response 142 and it’s fun to have a fresh new board under the feet. I love the approach Slingshot has to the wakeboarding market and it’s also given me a fresh new outlook on things. Fitness and health have become more of a priority for you recently. What has the benefit been to your wakeboarding since being more conscious of your fitness? Yep well now I’m a cyclist. One of those lycra wearing, tap dance around a coffee shop kind of morons (laughs). But it is the greatest thing I have ever done. My boss got me into cycling and I have also been working with the guys at Ultimate Wakeboard training. I have started to iron out some longterm injuries I’ve had and that was mainly due to an unhealthy life on the road. Now my knees are 100 percent and my shoulders are feeling good. I still get a bit of tennis elbow but we’re working through that. I think it’s super important for all the young kids out there to be conscious of their health and fitness. To be competitive they’re pushing the limits these days, and being fit is going to help maintain a longer career. I want to be riding forever and I look up to Boydy and Reece and they are in their early forties – sorry Boydy I think you’re a bit younger than that. But those guys are still riding and having as much fun as they were in the early days, they’re my inspiration to stay fit so I can ride for many years to come. Since you’ve seen wakeboarding develop basically from day one here in Australia, you have just about seen it all, what is your outlook on the sport right now? I think it’s looking good. Now with the cable scene blowing up it’s great to see all the people getting the opportunity to wakeboard who may never have had the chance. In turn I think that’s growing the boat side of the scene. I’m seeing so many stoked new people getting amongst the sport, especially through the Tige Owners Reunions, it’s so good to see new and eager faces on the water. The sport is in a great state. I think if the up and coming kids out there put more focus on making their tricks look good and dong things right, the sport will continue to grow in a legitimate way. Less flipping and spinning and more grabbing, that’s what I was taught and will continue to preach to the next generations of riders.
You’re on a new board this season, why did you choose to stick a Slingshot beneath your feet?
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
Matt McFerran
“I saw coaching as something I could do for a long time. So I wanted to coach and that’s where my passion for wakeboarding lay.”
CONNI SCHRADER Photo: Andre Kremmer
ANGIE SCHRIBER Photo: Daniel Deak Bardos
TIM FRANCO Photo: James Tyrrell
JAMES WINDSOR Photo: Karl Herman
CHANDLER POWELL Photo: Rob Corum
BRENTON PRIESTLEY Photo: Bryan Soderlind
S CHOOLED Toeside Front Roll with Caity Adele Learning any invert whether it be your first one ever or your tenth will always be a little daunting. Charging into the wake and forcing your body into a naturally uncomfortable position will always be a hard barrier to break. The toeside front-roll is by no means the hardest invert in existance, but trying it for the first time can be a challenge. We teamed up with Caity Adele to show us how to master a toeside front roll. KNOW THIS FIRST: Before learning the toeside front roll you will need to have a strong and confident toeside edge into the wake. Being able to take your toeside jumps into the flats will also help. THE APPROACH: Like any trick the approach is possibly the most vital part to get right. Start out wider than you would for a straight wake jump and roll onto your toeside edge gradually building your angle and speed toward the wake. We call this a progressive edge, starting soft and progressively building into a strong edge, maintaining line tension the whole way through your approach. Importantly, with the toeside front roll you need to back off or flatten off your edge just before the wake and stand tall. This initiates the tripping motion which enables you to start the flip. HITTING THE WAKE: As you flatten off slightly, ride the whole way to the top of the wake with your chest up and your handle between your leading hip or rib cage area. As you ride up the wake, transfer your weight onto your front foot, this will give you the upward pop you need to begin the rotation.
James Tyrrell
IN THE AIR: Now you’re up off the wake throw your head and shoulders down toward your board to initiate the rotation of the flip. It’s important to ensure you have taken off the wake before throwing your head and shoulders forward. Keep the handle in close so you can control the rotation and it’s best to keep both hands on the handle. As you begin to feel your body come out of the flip and into the upright position start to look for your landing. As you see your landing you can drop your back hand off the handle so you can use it to balance. THE LANDING: You will find it’s hard to see your landing until you’ve almost completed the flip entirely. Spot where you want to land. Commonly it will be just outside the second wake. Keep the handle close to your front hip and allow your body to rotate so you land with some weight over your toes. Keep your knees soft to absorb the landing and ride away with your head up, looking and the shore in front of you. WHAT’S NEXT: The toeside front roll is a trick that will open the door for many more technical tricks. Add a 180 and turn it into a scarecrow or tootsie roll. Grab it indy, stalefish or tail. Get creative and take it big!
wakedition.com.au
Caity recently won the IWWF Australasia Wakeboard Cup in China. She knows what’s up.
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
S CHOOLED Toeside Backside 540 with Christian Robinson With so many different variations of spins open for you to learn it’s often hard to decide where to start. If you haven’t started working on your toeside backside spinning game, well frankly you’re missing out. A clean toeside backside spin can feel sweet as candy so we teamed up with Western Oz rider Christian Robinson to tempt your tastebuds with this flavourful nose grabbed, toeside backside 540. KNOW THIS FIRST: Before attempting the 540 you’re going to need to have a solid toeside backside 180 and 360. Being able to grab both of these will be a plus. THE APPROACH: Start your edge under the cable and progressively build your speed toward the kicker. The key to this tick is dealing with the line tension so aim to back off your edge about two to three metres before the kicker. Flattening off your board will allow the line to ‘relax’ slightly meaning an easier pull on the handle to keep it close to your body. OFF THE KICKER: Continue on your flat base up the kicker and begin to pull the handle in hard toward your back pocket to initiate the handle pass. Keep your head up and make the handle pass early. As soon as you have passed the handle, look toward the nose of your board and reach for the grap. Sucking your knees right up into your chest (particularly your leading one) will help with the grab and keeping controlled in the air. James Tyrrell
IN THE AIR: Now you have a solid grab on the board and the handle remains close to your body. Let the rotation continue into the 360. As you reach 360 degrees let go of the grab and reach across your body for the handle. This handle pass happens in front of your body and should happen quite naturally. Now you have two options. You’re on the way back down and you need to decide whether you will handle pass again behind your back or if you will land wrapped like Christian does in this sequence. Reaching for the second handlepass will be a bit harder than the first, so really go for it. The advantage of making a second handle pass is it should set you up for a strong landing. If you chose to land wrapped, you need to be evenly balanced over your board with the handle tucked in tight to your lower back. Rolling your wrist over so your knuckles are touching your back will helf you control the handle. THE LANDING: Keep your head up and your knees bent. Arching forward with your chest over the board will help you ride away if you land wrapped.
Christian is one of Western Australia’s best up and coming riders. He’s known for throwing down unique tricks behind the boat and in the park.
WHAT’S NEXT: 720, 900, 1080...the options are endless. But if you ask us, keep working on the 540 and try different grab variations or add a shifty. This trick deserves as much flair as you can give it.
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
W o r d s : J a m e s Ty r r e l l Images: Brett Hemmings
AARON GUNN Back home to my quarter pipe BEING GIVEN AN OPEN DOOR TO THE BROARDER WORLD OF WAKEBOARDING IS A RARE OPPRTUNITY THAT MANY RIDERS MAY NEVER RECIEVE. WHEN YOUNG AARON WAS GIVEN A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY HE TOOK IT AND RAN... It’s usually a matter of instinct, sponsor pressure or will to dive into the deep end that motivates young Aussie riders to test their skills on the world stage. Aaron Gunn was presented with a unique circumstance where he earned a wild card ticket to compete in ‘Wake The Line’, one of the biggest events on the 2013 calendar. So off Aaron went, he literally took the dive and competed in Wake The Line in front of thousands in Cologne Germany. This was just the beginning of his first season abroad.
You’ve just got back from your first full summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. How does it feel to be home? I suppose its good to be home, I mean its good seeing my friends and family and getting to ride my home cable again. Cast your mind back to the Wake The Line qualifier at Penny, which ultimately opened the door for you to approach the international scene. Are you glad you took that opportunity and went to Europe? That day is still the highlight of my wakeboarding career, I think, I was lucky enough to get a chance to go to Europe and I’m so glad that I went. How was Wake The Line? It must’ve been an unreal experience for you? Wake the line was the most intense contest I have ever been in. The feeling is unbelievable when you’re standing on the dock with the camera in your face and so many people screaming it was surreal. wakedition.com.au
Who did you travel with while you were in Europe?
Jamie Neville and Rebecca Gange as we lived so close to each other
I traveled through Europe with Mitch Langfield, Chris O’Shea and Shane Bonifay
What other events did you enter during the U.S season?
Did your family go over?
I entered the second and third stop of the Triple Crown where I came second at the second one and bombed out in the third. I also entered the US Nationals and came out second, which I was pretty stoked about.
My family made a stop at Wake The Line to come see me, which was awesome. I couldn’t be doing what I love without them. After your stay in Europe you went across to Orlando and posted yourself there for most of the season. How was Orlando? Orlando was amazing! One of my favorite places in the world, even though its not the nicest area, its so easy to wakeboard there, to have a boat on the dock and the cable 5 minutes away, what more could a wakeboarder want. Who did you hang out with there? I hung out with a bunch of people over there but mainly Brad and Cory Teunissen,
A lot of people may not know that you were a boat rider before you discovered cable. You got back out behind the boat while in Orlando. Did you find the love again for boat riding? Yes! The Teunissen’s showed me the love for boat again, they took me out on their boat everyday and taught me a bunch of new tricks. Expect to see me back in the boat scene I reckon. No doubt you made some new friends along the way. What else have you gained from traveling the World?
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
“I think the main thing that happened to me overseas is that I’ve grown up. Traveling the world pretty much by myself for half a year does that I guess.” I made so many amazing new friends who I’ll hopefully have for life, but I think the main thing that happened to me overseas is that I’ve grown up. Traveling the world pretty much by myself for half a year does that I guess. How do you think traveling to Europe and the U.S helped your riding? I think I have become so much more of a diverse rider since going overseas, watching and riding with all the big names and seeing what they do was a big help and helped me start putting more style and diversity into my riding, I try to make my riding as different as I can from anyone else. Now you’re back in Penny, how are you going to approach the Aussie summer? I still have a little bit of traveling to do over the Aussie summer, I have got the rest of the World Wakepark Series events, and I’ll do all the Aussie events as well, also going to be working on some edits and maybe a big edit for the start of next season. Will you be going back to do it all again next season? I sure will be! Anyone you want to thank? I would like to thank my sponsors, Liquid Force, Jetpilot, Cables Wakepark and Spy Optic. I’d also like to thank all the people who helped me and looked after me on my international travels, and a big thank you to my parents who have been the most helpful and supportive people in the world, they are my role models and I couldn’t be where I am today without them
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
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Scotty Broome on the Cables Quarterpipe
WE Introduce..
N I C CRISP
Nick launching a method above the Clarence River in NSW. Photo: James Tyrrell
Name and age? My name is Nic Crisp and I’m 17 years old. Where are you from and where do you usually ride? I’m from a small country town called Glen Innes in NSW and I ride on the Clarence river in Grafton.
Coolest place you have visited to ride? The coolest place I have ridden would have to be my home river in Grafton. On the Clarence, the water is always flat and whenever I go out I have an awesome time. What does the word ‘style’ mean to you? To me it means being unique on the water.
How did you get into wakeboarding? I started Wakeboarding when I was 9 when mum and dad bought me my first board; I started riding and hated it because I took so many heavy hits. I put it in the shed and it wasn’t until two years later that I wanted to ride again. Six months after that I landed my first invert (tantrum) and was hooked straight away.
What are your future goals for wakeboarding? My future plans for Wakeboarding is to be competitive at a State and National level and travel overseas at some stage. Probably fit a trade in there somewhere too.
Who do you look up to in wakeboarding? I look up to Dean Smith because of his unique style and how crazy big he goes on all his tricks.
What do you like to do when you’re not wakeboarding? When I’m not wakeboarding I like to hang out with my friends and go surfing.
What is your favourite trick to do? My favorite trick would be a backside 540 or a heelside 720.
Anyone you’d like to thank? I would like to thank ProWake for their support and their sponsorship, also Mum and Dad for their support and running me around the country to comps and the Tige Boats Owners Reunions with Mick and Daniel Watkins.
What is the next trick you want to learn? The next trick I want to learn is a Skeezer 540. What boat do you ride behind? I ride behind our Tige RZ2
wakedition.com.au
EDITION 09 | OCT 13
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DUP Wake team rider Sam Johns with an early morning press at Black Mountain, Thailand. Photo: James Tyrrell
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Out! EDITION 09 | OCT 13