The Other Aspect Of My Life

These days most people already know what wakeboarding is, but majority of people have no clue about wakeskating. The easiest way to explain it is "skateboarding on the water while being pulled by a boat or jet ski". That usually leads to these next questions: "so you're not attached to it?" and "how do you stay on the board?". No, we (as in all wakeskaters) are not attached to the board, and we use shoes and grip tape, just like skateboarders, to help control the board.

Let's see what Wikipedia has to say about wakeskating:

"Wakeskating is a water sport and an adaptation of wakeboarding that employs a similar design of board manufactured from maple or from fibreglass. Unlike wakeboarding, the rider is not bound to the board in any way, which gives the sport its own unique challenges. Instead, the top surface of the board is covered with griptape, (in a similar fashion to a skateboard) or a soft, high-traction, foam covering that is kinder to riders in the inevitable crashes. Riders usually wear shoes while riding to afford themselves extra purchases on the board, similar to skateboarding.The speed which you wakeskate at behind a motor boat is generally 16 - 20 miles per hour. But this depends on things like water conditions, rider's weight and if they are just learning or advanced in the sport"

Yeah, that sounds about right!

I grew up skateboarding, so when my Dad and I bought our first wakeskate I felt a certain level of comfort I never felt on a wakeboard. The next thing I knew, I was getting better on a wakeskate. That was enough of a push for me to put down the wakeboard and focus on wakeskating. Living in Orlando and working at the Orlando Watersports Complex equaled riding and meeting people in the industry. Pretty soon I picked up some sponsors, did well in some contests and went on some trips. The next thing I know, I received the cover shot of Alliance Wakeboard Magazine's May 2007 issue. I've also had the opportunity to film for a few video parts and be a guest on Fuel TV's The Daily Habit.

Although my priorities may have changed in the last couple of years, my passion and my progression still continue. I am very grateful to have a fiancée and family that enjoy and support what I do. It's safe to say that I will wakeskate until I am physically unable to any more.