Girl Talk | Nicola Butler

On August 14, 2014August 14, 2014 By lex270In UncategorizedLeave a comment

Recently I caught up with Pro Wakeboarder Nicola Bulter. Read on to see how she got into wakeboarding and moved to the US of A; what she’s into now, how she broke her leg and her thoughts on Lana Del Ray…

| Hey Nicola, hows things?

| Pretty good thanks! Just had breakfast by the pool in sunny Orlando so can’t complain!

| Lets throw it back to the start. Fill us in from the beginning:

| I grew up in South Africa and lived there until I was around 9. I always loved the water and my dad taught me to surf from a very young age. We moved to England and I discovered wakeboarding when I was 11. I started on the cable and then met Will Christien and Stew Mackie and started riding behind the boat at Quayside. I knew I wanted to ride full time when I started competing in international events. I loved the idea of traveling the world and riding a wakeboard. I moved to the states when I was 14/15 thanks to an 0-1 sports visa. My family was incredibly supportive of my move and I owe a lot to my dad for his sacrifices that got me where I am today.

| Catch us up, what have you been up to recently.

| You’re injured right now? What ave you done and how? Hope you get back on the water soon!

I broke my leg around 6 weeks ago trying a new trick. I just got cleared from my doctor to do everything again but I’m going to take it easy and start with rehab. My leg is so weak right now! It’s crazy how quickly the muscle diminishes when you don’t use it.

| Where are you based?

| I’m based in Orlando and I’m living on Lake Conway right now. Half of my belongings and heart are in California though so I’m kind of just floating around.

| Who do you ride with normally?

| I like to ride with lots of different people but mainly Melissa Marquardt, Gunnar Shuler, Carro Djpsujo, Daniel Powers.

| How much do you ride?

| I try to ride at least once a day, sometimes twice.

| Do you workout outside of wakeboarding?

| I stay active in the gym and I try do as much yoga as possible to balance out all the wakeboarding.

| Are you into healthy living?

| Definitely! I’ve been vegetarian for almost a year and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever had. A lot of my friends are vegetarian and they’ve been a positive influence in that aspect. I try to stick with the girls because all the boys eat out for every single meal and they have crazy fast metabolisms. It’s not fair! Haha

| Hows this season going for you?

| Well, not great haha considering I broke my leg right at the beginning of summer. I’ve been staying super busy and working on my photography though so I’m happy

| Did you get to ride any any comps before you broke your leg this season?

| I started the season well with a second at World Cup in Australia and then didn’t do too well at Wakegames and Masters.

| Have you got any comps coming up that you need to be all fixed up for?

| I’m hoping to be back riding strong for Worlds and World Cup in September.

| Any flights booked?

| I just booked my flight for the China World Cup so I’m excited about that. A couple of us are traveling together and going early to stay in Beijing to see the Great Wall.

| What were you working on before you got injured?

| I injured myself trying a dum dum. My roommate and I were working on a funny edit so I’m bummed that we didn’t get to continue filming for that.

| What are you into at the moment?

| Just doing different grabs on tricks and trying to add more style to tricks I already have consistent.

| Do you get to ride cable much? What are your thoughts on it?

| I used to love the cable but it’s pretty hard to balance both. I used to spend every single day at OWC and I was on their team so I rode for free. Now that Hyperlite and Nautique took over it’s only their riders that can ride without paying. It’s kind of a bummer when I supported them so much my whole career and now when I go there I have to pay $35 for 2 hours when I just want to do a couple laps.

| Have you ridden straight line cables much?

| I love it! So fun and way more interactive with your friends so close. It makes me soo sore though. Especially when someone doesn’t know how to drive corners haha!

| Some random info..

| If you could only eat one meal for the rest of time? Probably brown rice, tofu, broccoli, with nuts.

| Same goes for tipple? I had to google tipple haha umm that’s hard. Probably Stella

| Do you like country music? Nope

| What you into? Really into photography, filming and editing. I’m starting a new website so stay tuned!

| Favourite place on earth.. Bali.

| Whats on your ‘things to do before I’m 30’ list? I actually just started a bucket list the other day! Travel more and create relationships that last a lifetime. I’m not really concerned with marriage and kids, I just want to do and see everything while I still can.

| Beauty product you cannot live without. Toothpaste? Does that count haha I could definitely live without makeup but maybe waterproof mascara if I had to choose.

| Five travel must have items: Headphones, nillow (neck pillow), hoodie, iPhone/laptop/iPad, chargers

| Now to the really important stuff. I read somewhere that you’re a Lana del Ray fan. I am a LDR fan myself… SO what are your thoughts on her latest album, and how bummed were you that the song from Gatsby wasn’t on there?

Yes! I lovee her. I guess the song was just an exclusive Gatsby thing but that’s okay cause I’d heard it a million times. At first I hated her new album because there was nothing that really stood out as a catchy sing-a-long. Then I read a review praising how brilliant it was and what it stood for. Intrigued I read on and my whole view on it changed. Basically she was like no, I’m not going to sell out and write radio pop hits I’m just going to record and sing what I want. Then I listened to the album on repeat for a week and I was like oh, Lana you badass, you.

| Any shoutouts: Mom & Dad! CWB, Rockstar Energy, BuyWake, The Young And Brave Foundation, Surfergirl Suncare, Rope The Moon Jewelry.

| Thanks for the catch up Nicola, its been great!

| Thank you!!

| You can follow Nicola here:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicola-Butler/144884042204448?ref_type=bookmark

Twitter: twitter.com/butlernicola

Instagram: @nicolabutler

Website: www.nicolabutler.com

Girl Talk | Courtney Angus

On June 20, 2014 By lex270In UncategorizedLeave a comment

I caught up with one of Aussies Finest recently to find out what she’s been up to when it comes to travelling, fishing and 900’s. Don’t let this pretty face fool you as she is the WWA Wake Park World Champion and is not afraid to smash herself to get the job done.

| Hey Courtney! How’s things?

Pretty damn good Lex! And I can see life is treating you the same according to your blog 🙂

| Thanks, I try! So since I saw you last summer your world has been rocked. Fill us in.

For sure – My world has stepped up a fair few notches! I upped my game by pushed my riding, making some edits and winning some comps. I am all hard work and no talent so that wasn’t as easy as you may think. I worked my butt off! After a ton of crashes and new tricks earned, I signed with Hyperlite at the end of last year 🙂

| What set up are you on and how much do you love it?

ATM I am riding Hyperlites first chicks cable board – the 2015 Socialite! I love the board and I love being apart of this movement with Hyperlite!

Travelling has given me a new appreciation for systems (bindings). Being care free about where you step in murky water is awesome and the design gives you a new level of control!

| How’s your riding – What you into right now?

I am really enjoying my riding! The kicker is where the party is at! This year I have learnt TS and HS 900s, TS and HS BS 720s, Moby dick and Back Mobe 5. I have no motivation issues and I have more goals to achieve.

| You’ve been getting involved with helping out some groms, they always look stoked. Tell us more about the kids clubs…

I am all about the progression of our sport – People that don’t know what wakeboarding is push my buttons big time! So I do what I can to change that… During the summertime at Cables Wake Park in Sydney, Australia I run Kids Club, Grom Camp, Ladies Sessions and general private coaching on the 2.0s and main lakes. I am pretty flat out…

| Sounds Hectic! What else is on the agenda for you this season?

Currently I am in Moncontour at TNM! This park is sick! If your planning on travelling to France put this park on your list – sick tension, good kickers and dope rails! What more could I ask for!?

After this stop I am travelling to TNG in Toulouse for the Chicks with Tricks clinic before I head back to the States for a jam-packed summer.

– WWA Triple Crown stops

– US Nationals

– A chicks cable edit

– And hopefully some new tricks

| What do you do outside of Wakeboarding? Apart from fishing and flying?

Haha! I love fishing! And I am sure if you come on an adventure with me you will too 🙂

I play guitar and listen to badass chick rappers! I know that sounds lame but I am so into it! It gets me real motivated!

| Love a bit of fishing. Are you into health and fitness? If so what’s your regime?

I do a ton of Yoga! I have a ruptured disk in my lower back and I find that being flexible keeps the pain under control. The balance factor helps stabilize my knees and hot yoga helps burn away all the not so healthy food I consume… I love Nutella, chocolate, white wine and Mexican food with plenty of sour cream and cheese. I live a very balanced lifestyle – A typical lifestyle enthusiast.

| 3 tips for those wanting to become a Pro Wakeboarder?

PUSH YOUR RIDING! – Approach each new trick with the expectation of being successful rather than dreading failure and do not procrastinate! Today you are the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you will ever be so just do it!

Any way 3 tips:

Push your riding as hard as you can
Do yoga
Ride the Socialite!

| Any shoutouts?

Visit me at Cables Wake Park this summer 🙂

| Thanks for the chat Courtney, see you soon! x

Anytime Lex and thanks for having me xx

Girl Talk | Julia Rick

On May 29, 2014May 29, 2014 By lex270In Uncategorized1 Comment

I recently caught up with Julia Rick. This girl is storming the world of cable wakeboarding and has some hefty results to prove it. She is the current Pro Women’s World Champion of the WWA, IWWF European Champion and ranked number one in the World. Read on….

| Hey Julia, what’s happening?

Hey Lex, I’m fine but very busy right now 🙂 I’m preparing for lots of competitions coming up this season and I also study at the University of Cologne.

Sounds hectic! Give us the low down…

| How did you get into wakeboarding and how long have you been riding now?

I firstly began wakeboarding in 2009, however did not spend much time at the cable as I was professionally engaged in the “Second German Football League” in Cologne (1.FC Köln). The decision to end my football career was made in April 2012, where I decided to engage myself fully into professional wakeboarding. It was the same year, where I commenced my first participation in wakeboarding competitions. Wakeboarding is my passion, I simply love it and try to spend as much time as possible on the water.

| Where do you mainly ride and who do you ride with?

I mainly ride at my home cable, “Wasserski Bleibtreusee” near to Cologne. It’s a nice little cable in a natural lake with a great atmosphere and nice people who I can ride with. When I’m not riding at my home cable I’m riding on different cables traveling around the world meeting new people.

| Is it just cable or do you dabble with straight-line cables and/or boat?

I ride only cable 🙂 In Germany we have lots of cable parks that are really good so I enjoy it pretty much! Also I really like the air tricks you can do only at the cable.

| What kit are you on this year? How’s it working for you?

Since this year I’ve been riding for Ronix Wake and I’m part of the new International Cable Team. My riding setup consists of the Ronix Bill Board 135 and the Ronix Frank Boots and I’m loving it! It works great for both air tricks and obstacle riding! I’m wearing ION wetsuits and FOX clothes, these clothes are awesome, appreciate the support!

So what’s in store for you this year…

| What comps are you doing and which comps are you really excited to do?

I’m looking forward to a lot of competitions this year! I’ve won my first comp this season in Israel at Lake TLV and I’m pretty happy about it, it was a nice event! This year there are the German Nationals, the European Championships and the World Championships of the IWWF and the WWA. Furthermore there are other stops of the IWWF world tour and WWA events. I’m really excited to do all of them, but most important are the World Championships in Norway and the World Cup in Beijing this year!

| With comps comes plenty of travel, where will you be heading this year?

That’s right, I will be heading to different countries all over the world this season. There are different stops in Europe as Germany, Vienna, Bratislava, Poland or Norway but also there are events in Beijing, Abu Dhabi, Australia and the USA.

| Any fun trips just because you want to?

I was thinking about a kite trip to somewhere in the world but I think this year I have not enough time 😉

You have some crazy tricks under your belt that not a lot of girls are doing…

| What’s your favorite trick right now?

One of my favorite tricks is a simple front flip to blind with a nice tail grab or a big frontmobe 🙂

| What was the most rewarding trick to land?

I would mention three tricks: Frontmobe, Switch Mobe 5 and the KGB.

(You can see Julia’s KGB HERE)

| Any tricks your working on at the moment you can fill us in on?

I’m working on different air tricks but also on my kicker tricks. I would like to land another 540 invert or to add new spins over the kicker to my trick pocket. I also try to improve my style in every session and to add different grabs to my riding, that’s quite important I think.

| How do you manage to keep your invert, kicker and rail work all at such a high level?

I spend a lot of time on the water and train every day. But I have fun every time I ride and I think that’s the main thing. The feeling to land a new trick keeps me motivated and I just want to be a balanced rider with invert, kicker and rail skills on a high level!

| What do you do when you’re not wakeboarding?

I also like to do Kiteboarding but unfortunately I have not enough time to do it at the moment. I also do cardio and fitness training to keep my body fit. As I mentioned before I study at the University of Cologne Business Administration so there is a lot of work to do besides Wakeboarding. In addition I love to spend time with my friends and my family!

| Are you into health and fitness? Or do you just ride and eat whatever you like? 🙂

For me it’s really important to have a good fitness and to eat healthy. A good “all-around” fitness is essentially to prevent injuries so I try to keep fit and work out quite hard. For me to stay healthy is the most important thing in the life of an athlete.

Thanks Julia, its been a pleasure catching up!

Thank You for the interview! 🙂

Photo credits: Black Mountain, Wilfried Rick, Benjamin Wiedenhofer.

Julia’s FB – https://www.facebook.com/JuliaRickOfficial

Julia’s latest edit – https://vimeo.com/92939672

Lex Balladon

Tag: Girl Talk

Girl Talk | Nicola Butler

Girl Talk | Courtney Angus

Girl Talk | Julia Rick