Austin Hair
Basic Info:
Age: 23
Country: USA
Years riding: 10
Home Park: The OWC
Setup: Jobe Austin Series
Favorite place to sess: McCormicks, Lake Picket
Other hobbies: Surfing, Yardwork
Q&A:
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
Danny Harf, he’s got fluid dtyle and ingenuity on the water that no one has matched.
Traveling all over the world is apart of being pro these days. Where have you been, what was your favorite trip, and why?
Been to over 13 countries but I loved my time in the Philippines. You get a little stir crazy, but its always warm, the cable is perfect, and the boar lake is so much fun. It doesn’t matter what’s going on, contest or not, it brings out the best riding in anyone.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Retired, sipping mojitos on the beach.
Claudia Vadillo
Basic Info:
Age: 22
Country: USA
Years riding: 6
Home Park: Ski-Rixen
Setup: Witness grind, Melissa bindings
Favorite place to sess: Ski-Rixen, McCormicks, Lake Okeeheelee
Other hobbies: Skateboarding, Swimming, Kiteboarding, Black and White photography, and playing my Didgeridoo
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
Brett Scott and my brother David since there always pushing me to try new tricks and I enjoy riding with people that are as passionate about the sport as I am.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In Vet School and still shredding
Quote ta live your life by?
“Life isn’t measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away” Author: Anonymous
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
Haha I would have to say Diego Shaw, he’s a very stylish aggressive rider that grabs and tweaks every trick and still manages to go really big
Kyle Cameron
Basic Info:
Age: 22
Country: USA (The Republic of Texas)
Years riding: 9
Home Park: Texas Ski Ranch
Setup: CTRL RX 140 with the Baseline Kicks!
Favorite place to sesh: TSR but there are so many sick cables around the world
Other hobbies: Gardening, Brushing my Teeth, and Seahorse Racing
Other sponsors: CTRL
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
There are so many riders that I love ride with and watch ride. Being that I worked at the Ski Ranch I’d say the boys at the ranch all push me in some form. From Tom “King of the Cable” Fooshee and Muscle Hamster Cody Johnson, to the local shoe string belt skaters, I couldn’t have a better crew to ride with. We all seem to push each other in some way. But nothing is better than going to a competition where all the best riders from around the world come together to celebrate the same unity of enjoying the water dancing we call work.
Traveling all over the world is apart of being pro these days. Where have you been, what was your favorite trip, and why?
I was fortunate enough to get to travel over to Europe for 3 weeks of my summer last year with a group of people I really enjoy being around. We traveled to places such as London and Germany but the place I enjoyed the most was Amsterdam. The people that we encountered during our visit were welcoming from the start and the culture around us was so unique.
3 things you must have when your on the road?
Cell Phone (GPS/Social Connection/Music player/Weatherman/Camera/Flashlight/Handgun App…..you get the picture), Wakeboard Gear, and Good Friends!
A lot of guys now of days ride a boat, wakeparks, or 2.0′s to get their wakeboard fix. Which one do you enjoy the most and why?
All of them! I believe that if you want to be the best you have to be able to slash them all. I personally came from boat roots so I have MAD respect for boat riding and I am fortunate that I get to do a little more boat riding now a days. Portable two tower systems are super fun to hit up and are prime for some of the sickest rail jams! But, I am going to have to say that Wakeparks are my favorite because of so many variables you have to take account for. Every cable is different and challenging to figure out!
Kyle Reed
Basic Info:
Age: 32
Country: USA
Years riding: 12
Home Park: Texas Ski Ranch
Setup: Watson Hybrid at the moment
Favorite place to sesh: My home park
Other hobbies: River Surfing, Skateboarding, Snowboarding
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
Tom Fooshee. He’s amazing to watch and super fun to ride with.
Traveling all over the world is apart of being pro these days. Where have you been, what was your favorite trip, and why?
I’ve been to the Philippines several times and Europe twice. I’d have to say my favorite place is the Philippines because it’s really cheap and the people are really cool.
3 things you must have when your on the road?
Laptop, DVDs, IPOD
What is your greatest achievement?
Taking the Win in a Rail contest at Cable Island in Germany.
Tarah Mikacich
Basic Info:
Age: 27
Country: USA
Years riding: 5
Home Park: I ride everywhere
Setup: O’Brien Vixen 137
Favorite place to sesh: Any lake that’s not crowded
Other hobbies: Cooking, swimming, football, surfing
Other sponsors: O’Brien, Honu, CTi, Point Conception, Straight Line, Mix1
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
I have a lot of friends I ride with regularly. Besides my husband, Cobe, I ride with Emily Durham, Shaun Murray, Gunnar Shuler, Robby Holihan, Josh Palma, and Daniel Powers. All of these riders are really chill & fun. It’s an easy-going atmosphere & we help each other out.
3 things you must have when your on the road?
iPhone, vegetarian meals, sunscreen
Quote ta live your life by?
“Do not conform any longer to the ways of this world, but be transformed by a renewing of your mind…” – Romans 12:2
Who has been most influential in your wakeboard career?
My husband: Cobe Mikacich. He is the one who first put me on a wakeboard; he introduced me to a lot of people in the industry; he gives me advice and helps me train every day.
Cody Johnson
Basic Info:
Age: 24
Country: USA
Years riding: 6
Home Park: The Texas Ski Ranch
Setup: (board) 136 CTRL RX with CTRL Baseline bindings. (apparel) THREE Backsplash boardshorts and the THREE Sparten vest.
Favorite place to sess: Langenfeld Germany, CWC Philippines, Home (tsr)
Other hobbies: Skateboarding, Sandcastle building, Cattle Driving, Eating
Q&A:
Who has been most influential in your wakeboard career or life?
Tom Fooshee – I don’t think that my riding/career would be anywhere close to where it is today if it wasn’t for the help that that little guy has given me. Everything that I have learned about the industry has come from watching and riding with him.
Something you can’t live without?
My family. I get so much love and support from my family especially in the times when chasing this little wakeboarding dream of mine seems almost impossible. They are the ones that encourage me the most.
A lot of guys now of days ride a boat, wakeparks, or 2.0′s to get their wakeboard fix. Which one do you enjoy the most and why?
I am defiantly more into riding wakeparks. I come from a strong skateboarding background and wakeparks are more fun to me because I get to combine the the rail aspect of skateboarding to my favorite passion wakeboarding. I also feel that I have been able to accelerate in learning the sport just because of how much more time I am able to spend out on the water at a cablepark as opposed to a boat. Don’t get me wrong, I do still love to get out on the lake with all of my homies and kickin it out on the boat. You cant ever replace that feeling.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In a big mansion somewhere on top of a mountain kickin it in the hot tub with my soul mate.
Donald Shelbrick
Basic Info:
Age: 31
Country: USA
Years riding: 17
Home Park: Revolution in Fort Myers, FL
Setup: Blue Print 138 with baselines size 11
Favorite place to sesh: CWC in Naga
Other hobbies: Golf
Other Sponsors: CTRL, Shred Ready, revolutioncable.com, WWA official
Q&A:
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
I’m a bit old so I really enjoy the styles of Matt Staker and Thomas Horrell. I could watch these guys ride all day… so sick!!!
Traveling all over the world is apart of being pro these days. Where have you been, what was your favorite trip, and why?
Ive been a lot of places but Israel to me always brings back the best memories with some of the coolest people!! We experienced so much in such a short time and we didn’t even get to scrape the surface of that place. Riding was awesome, people were just so nice, weather was epic, and from the moment I left I’ve wanted to return.
Quote ta live your life by?
“Life isn’t measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away” Author: Anonymous
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
“Live your life with no regrets!” and “Mistakes aren’t made, lessons are learned”
Something you can’t live without?
My Melissy
Keith Lidberg (squidberg)
Basic Info:
Age: 30
Country: USA
Years riding: 10
Home Park: Orlando Watersports Complex
Setup: CTRL Hustle and CTRL Hustle Kicks
Favorite place to sesh: Wherever my friends are…
Other hobbies: GOLF! Learning, Hockey
Other sponsors: CTRL, Proof
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
I don’t have a crew. I love riding with everyone anytime.
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
I’d like to ride like Shane Bonifay, he has such sick style.
Traveling all over the world is apart of being pro these days. Where have you been, what was your favorite trip, and why?
I have been just about anywhere anyone would want to go. I don’t really have a favorite however I would like to travel to Japan and Korea for some reason.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully golfing in the high 70′s or better with a house on the coast and a catamaran docked in the back!
3 things you must have when your on the road?
iPad, earplugs, antacid…haha
Lior Sofer
Basic Info:
Age: 25
Country: Israel
Years riding: 7
Home Park: Tel-Aviv
Setup: CTRL RX 140 Baseline bindings
Favorite place to sesh: Hip-Notics Turkey, HotLAke Italy, Rixen usa, Tsr usa, Philippines
Other hobbies: Watching TV
Q&A:
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
I would like to ride like Mr. Lidberg because he’s all over and has so much control. Wherever he rides, in the park or behind the boat, or on the system, it looks fun when you have tons of style.
Traveling all over the world is apart of being pro these days. Where have you been, what was your favorite trip, and why?
No complaining its a dream come true, the perfect job travel and do what you love to do all over seas its Perfect, i was in Florida USA, Canada Winnipeg and in Italy Milano well i cant point on one trip because every place ive been too is unique but just got back from canada(AdrenalinAdvanture) and italy(HotLake) so if you around you have to check thoes parks they sooo sick and the people are super nice and happy to help lovin it.!
3 things you must have when your on the road?
Angry Birds on the iPhone, board and bindings, passport
Paul Hernaez
Basic Info:
Age: 23
Country: France
Years riding: 7
Home Park: OWC (Orlando, FL)
Setup: Not too sure yet, but on Control
Favorite place to sesh: The Projects
Other hobbies: Golf, Hot Tub
Other sponsors: Control, The projects, Shred ready
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
I am always riding with the same crew which are Donald Shelbrick, Adam Carlson, Keith Lidberg, and Chris Law when he is not sleeping or playing Xbox. We all ride for the same reason which is having fun and that is why I love riding with those guys.
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
I’d have to say Nick Davies just because I’ve always loved Kangoroos.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Living in Orlando next to a mall so I can go to Starbucks everyday.
Something you can’t live without?
My PT Cruiser
Mackie Rosen
Basic Info:
Age: 20
Country: Thailand
Home Park: Phuket Cable Ski
Setup: Obrien Format w/ Decade bindings
Favorite place to sesh: Home Cable in Phuket
Other hobbies: Basketball, Soccer
Q&A:
So a lot of riders tend to shred with the same crew. Who do you enjoy riding with the most and why?
Ken Tackmann, its fun to challenge each other and we are living and riding in Phuket.
If you could ride like one other person you know who would it be and why?
Tom Fooshee, his style is sick on all air tricks, obstacles, and spins
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Aint getting married and going to keep on riding
Something you can’t live without?
My car
Park Sungjun “Windy”
Basic Info:
Age: 32
Country: Korea
Years riding: 11
Home Park: Penrith Wake Park
Setup: CTRL Hustle and CTRL Bindings, THREE apparel
Favorite place to sesh: Penrith Wake Park
Other hobbies: Watching movies
Q&A:
Who has been most influential in your wakeboard career or life?
Shane Bonifay, Randy Harris, and Keith Lidberg because they has something when they on the board
Something you can’t live without?
My Sun and Hani
A lot of guys now of days ride a boat, wakeparks, or 2.0′s to get their wakeboard fix. Which one do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy boat and cable because I love wakeboarding
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully something with wakeboard