Jonathan Tollefson

With a sport like wakesurfing that is blowing up as we speak, there are many different people trying to capitalize on this industry.  Why wouldn’t they?  Take a sport that allows people to surf on inland waters with an endless wave, and one that doesn’t beat you up unless the board comes back and hits you in the head when you fall.  Now only a small fraction of people ever experience the board hitting them in the head, however a large fraction of  people are starting to pay attention to up and coming communities such as the slayshTank.

From the time I was first introduced to the slayshTank, they have always been about the riders and the people that surround the surf, wake, skate, and music industries.  This community is growing fast and has a big impact on these sports.  You can be a part of this group if you want to.  Go to slayshTank.com, sign in with your facebook account information, and start interacting!  The slayshTank is always updating their site with new videos, music, and industry specific news.  It might also be safe to say that they have the best riders from around the world backing them.  I don’t think I have to mention names Chase Hazen, Rebecca Ort, Dominic Lagace, and Bri Chmel.  Go there check it out, and then get yourself out on a boat!

One hot summer day out on the water wakeboarding and wakesurfing I decided I needed to apply sunscreen to my skin.  While applying a nice layer of sunscreen, one of my buddies made a BS comment about me using it. 

Here is my response: 

“The more I use sunscreen, the longer I can prevent skin cancer.  Which extends my life on a boat.”

Enough Said!  What can you do to prolong your life and time on a boat?

The wind is blowing at 20 knots, X-Stars are pulling three tubes in circles, and your skin about to fall off from being in the sun for hours.  Time to get off the water right?  Nope, it is time to break out the surfers and get some wakesurfing done.

Many people think wakesurfing is a sport you do after you get done wakeboarding, if the water is choppy, and the last thing you do before you go home.  Well I am here to say that wakesurfing deserves more time and credit than that.  It is way better to surf when the water is glass and all day long.  Surfing is more fun the more time you spend doing it, and I say forget saving all of the glassy water for wakeboarding.  Switch up the game.  It will help you in every other activity that you do.  With a different sense of balance and a different board to stand on, you can’t go wrong.  Wakesurfing will give your legs a break from wakeboarding and teach them another level of muscle memory that you will not get from other board sports.

Trying something new is also stress reliever and a way to get your mind off that trick that you have been trying to land for days.  On one last note, wakesurfing is easier on your body which will allow you to be on a board and out on the water longer into your life.  Can we say it is a life saver??  Sure!  Get out, give wakesurfing a chance, save your body, and try something different.  Wakesurf for a day!

The day I originally stepped onto a wakeboard, I knew wakeboarding was going to be a part my life forever.  My passion for water sports spawned from my childhood years growing up in Minnesota where I had the Mississippi River as a backyard playground.  My first memories are bright pictures of my dad pulling me kneeboarding for countless hours behind a 12ft fishing boat powered by a 10 horse Johnson.  As I grew older and moved on with my life, I was not always blessed with the luxury of having a boat and a dad that would pull me everyday.  Heck, I have been away from home for over five years now, and I still do not have a boat.  My goal is to have a boat in the near future; however, since I have never owned a boat, I had to find different techniques to get myself out on the water.  I am going to share my techniques with you; and if you are willing to put in the effort and give them a try, you will find your way to a boat and a life full of wakeboarding in no time.  I have been doing it for years, am still doing it today, and so can you.

Google

The first technique you need to use, is that you need to start feeling out your area.  Google is a good source for this.  Search your area for people wakeboarding, search for lakes around the area, and search for shops and organizations that people have started around you.  These sources will be the ground work for your journey.

Local Pro Shops

The second technique for you to try is to go to your local pro shops.  People who work in the local shops usually have a wealth of knowledge, and might even have a boat for you to come out on.  They are usually the first to know of any events, shows, or organizations that you can get involved in.  Who knows you could get lucky and you could be the person they need as a third.

Wakeworld

After you stop into your local shops and ask around, jump on Wakeworld and go into their forums.  In the forums you will see a topic that says Find a Third/Be a Third.  Look through the posts to see if anyone has posted anything about your area, and if they haven’t, feel free to start your own discussion.  I have met some great people in the Midwest through Wakeworld, and have been invited out many times.  This will also help you meet new people in your area who have boats.  It is very important to get involved.

Lessons or Camps

If you still have not found anyone to ride, try finding a camp or someone giving lessons in your area.  This is a good way to get yourself into the sport, and these people will also know many other people in the area with boats who love to ride.  Ask them questions, and I am sure you will be able to find someone who you can get in contact with.  If you are in the Midwest check out WakeBoard Clinic.  The owner Brian Snabes is a cool dude, and he is more than willing to help you get out on the water.

MeetUp and Boat Shows

Two more techniques I have used are MeetUp.com, and attending every boat show that I can.  With MeetUp.com you will find groups of people that love to wakeboard.  Join the groups and start talking to everyone that you can.  By going to boat shows you will be able to communicate with people who are very involved in the boating and wakeboarding industries.  Do not be afraid to talk with these people and ask them as many questions as you possibly can.  They are more than willing to talk with you, and I have had some of the best conversations about wakeboarding because I attended a boat show.

Most importantly get on the mighty internet, and look into the many different forums that are out there that deal with the wakeboarding industry.  It is going to take some work, you are going to have to be a good person, and you can get out on the water if you want it as bad as I do.  Like I said in the beginning, I have never owned a boat, but I am still able to get out on the water and wakeboard more than most people have time for.  You will be amazed at how many people actually need a third person just to get out, and you will meet some great people throughout your journey.  Take my advice and you will be one step closer to boarding everyday, all day!

One last thing, if you end up finding someone to go out and ride with; make sure to bring some gas money.  Boats are also a lot of work so help the people who invite you out in anyway possible so that you will be invited back on their boat again!

In the wakeboard, snowboard, and wakesurf industries you cross paths with many great people.  Ragboy and Ragboy Jr. from wake9.com fit this description like a glove.  I am pumped they took time out of their day to talk with me, and now I get to share this conversation with you.  Enjoy the video, and I hope you get the chance in your life to have as much fun as the people over at wake9.com have.

Interview With Wake9.com from Jonathan Tollefson on Vimeo.

Links

Wake9 Spring Festival – Going down May 14th – 16th, Demos, Cash Prizes, and More.  Check it!

The Wake9 Community -  The place to go if you have wakesurf questions or want to chill!

Tige’ Boats – The Spring Festival competition tow boat.