Tag: Pro

Girl Talk | Nicola Butler

On 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.

_DSC0080

| 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

DSC_8925

| 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!

IMG_2955

| 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 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?portfolio

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.

Courtney method

| 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.

QLD_CM_BOARDER_9MAY14

| 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:

  1. Push your riding as hard as you can
  2. Do yoga
  3. 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

W A K E | K O O K S

On By lex270In UncategorizedLeave a comment

IMG_8886We’ve all heard of kooks when it comes to surfing, but the term doesn’t seem to be used in the wake world.  Maybe the sport is still in its infant phase of life unlike surfing that has hundreds of years of history behind it.  So when we think of the classic surf kook we think of big ol’ foamy boards and white water beginners.  However, thats not really fair as everyone has to start somewhere and at least they are giving it a go, right? When I think of a surf kook I think of someone who is dangerous in the water to either themselves, others or both.  Someone who doesn’t pay attention to whats going on around them and just drops in on any wave that comes their way with absolutely no respect for the person(s) with priority.  

So what do I think of when I think of a wake kook?  

1. All the gear and no idea?  This, I think, does not really qualify you for kook status because if you can equip yourself with the latest kit, do it.  Also if you’re having fun and getting involved, keep on going!  However, its never ideal in any sport from golf to skiing, from chess to fishing… if you turn up with all the latest gear from head to toe, people are going to expect you to rip.  

2. Talk the talk?  If you’re trying tricks with friends and having fun, great, and you might need their moral support if the tricks get a bit scary.  If you’re going to talk the talk that you’re going to try this trick or that transfer, you better do it.  Otherwise people are going to cotton on that you’re full of it and just stop listening. 

3. Beginners?  Doesn’t qualify as we all have to start somewhere and good on them for getting up off their ass and trying out a new watersport in a county that doesn’t fall within the tropics. 

4. Weavers?  Annoying I admit, but again doesn’t qualify as once beginners are up they need to find their edges to gain edge control for all those badass tricks they are going to be throwing down with their mates. 

5. Attitude?  If you’re attitude sucks, thats just not cool, step away from the dock. Wakeboarding is fun, lets keep it that way.  No one wants a tool shouting, cursing and most of all; water slapping.  

So after pondering about what makes a wake kook, its not the beginner on the dock with the rental board, its not the intermediate hitting the rails 50/50, its not the pro throwing it down; because they are all having fun.  Its that person who throws their kit on the floor as if its completely disposable, its the person who has a sucky attitude on the dock, its that person full of s**t… wakeboarding it fun, lets keep it that way.