I started wakeboarding in 1993 with Jim Davis on Lake Howell in Casselberry Florida. There we met Billy Stroud who was riding with Scott Byerly and friends, and soon we were too. I started shooting video on a VHS Camcorder every day. We’d watch the footage after every session day after day. It was Scott and Ryan Byerly, Rich Goforth, Brannon Meek, CC Roberts, Drew McGuckin, Gregg Necrason, Andrea Gaytan, Sarah Cline, Johnny King, and more. Rich always made sure I was at photo shoots and events.

In 1994 I teamed up with Brooks Ferrell and Ronn Seidenglanz to work on the Gravity Films/Sidewayz project “High Wake Drifters”. In my second project, “24/Seven”, we featured a section I filmed with the Women of Wakeboarding that was inspiring and powerful. Andrea Gaytan, Sarah Cline, Tina Bessinger, Kristin Lutgert, Sonja Scheffler, Tara Hamilton, Farrah Dawson, Yoko Suzuki, Yoko Ebihara, Mardi Primeaux and Mero Narita really stepped up and showed the world, women’s wakeboarding was legit. For our next video, the three of us decided to break off and do it on our own. Ronn had already established Sidewayz Films and we decided to join forces. Our first video, “Switch” was nominated for a “Spirit Award”. Sidewayz Films went on to become a pillar of the wakeboard industry.

In the late ‘90s a few riders started taking Wakeskating more seriously and broke free from the bindings of wakeboarding. Scott Byerly and Thomas Horrell were modifying wakeboards and spending more time Wakeskating.

I really loved Wakeskating and filming it even more. I was riding and filming with Thomas as much as possible. Every day he progressed, which meant Wakeskating was progressing. My time spent with Thomas also reignited my passion for music. Going to shows became an important part of my life.

Some of my best memories were shooting with Brooks Ferrell and with photographers Doug DuKane and Josh Letchworth.

In 1998 I was introduced to David Segal from Bootleg Television. He filmed bands at local venues and broadcast on local tv. I contributed by shooting all the punk shows in Orlando. This is where I had my most memorable time behind a camera. I was on stage filming Fugazi.

In 2000 my friend Tim Payne called. He has been building ramps and skate parks since the 80′s. He asked if I’d shoot a project he was working on. It was the loop he built for the Jackass TV show.

Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman dressed as chickens and rode the loop into a kicker that launched them into a lake. This led to me shooting for the TV show, Jackass the Movie and the Wild Boys show.

Another influential person I met was Jordy Klein. He is a Director of Photography who specializes in underwater filming. His father, Jordan Klein Sr. is a living legend in underwater cinematography. It was an amazing adventure to work under these guys. Jordy hired me to work on commercials and eventually a feature film as a camera assistant. This led to many opportunities and my current career as a camera technician in the film industry. I have also worked with Peter Zuccarini, another amazing Underwater Cinematographer on movies including “Baywatch” and “Venom”. I’m always learning from these gentlemen and wish we could work together more.

In 2009 I started working with NFL Films as a camera assistant/film loader. I was with them for 7 years. During this time, I worked the 2010 NFC Championship game that sent the New Orleans Saints to Super Bowl XLIV. I also worked Super Bowl XLIV in Miami and had the opportunity to work with Spike Lee on “If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise”. We were shooting the Saints fans celebrating the rebirth of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The Saints won their first Super Bowl appearance for the franchise that year. In 2012 I was the camera assistant for NFL Films when the Miami Dolphins were chosen to be featured on the award-winning HBO’s Hard Knocks series.

Scott Byerly asked me to come film with him for the “Devise and Conquer” event in 2011 and we had a blast. That’s the last time I filmed any wake sports.

I’m now in Georgia working on Films and TV shows full time. I really miss those days and thank you for the opportunity to go down memory lane.

My biggest supporter has always been my wife Kristen. We starting dating in 1992 and married in 2000. None of my memories or dreams are complete without her.

Danny’s Wake films:

“High Wake Drifters”, “24/Seven” “Thirty Dirty Tricks”, “Switch”, “Switch 22”, “Wide Awake”, “Decline of the Waterski Monopoly”, “Linear Perspective”, “Sfumato”, “Volume Wakeskate Videos”.

TV Shows and Movies Danny has worked on:

“Jackass”, “The Celestine Prophecy”, “Never Back Down”, “Sidney White”, “One Tree Hill”, “Endure” ,”Transformers: Dark of the Moon”, “Spring Breakers”, “Oculus”, “Dolphin Tale 2”, “The Middle”, “Nice Guys”, “The Originals”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “Survivors Remorse”, “Bay Watch”, “Step Sisters” ,“MacGyver”, “Venom”, “Teenage Bounty Hunters” and “Die Hart”.

The post Where Are They Now? Danny Vanzura’s Journey appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

How did you get into wakeskating? How old were you?

I began to wakeboard & wakeskate with my family in a boat on a lake when I was 6 years old. Afterwards I started to practice at OCP in the Olímpic Canal of Castelldefels.

What are your favorite cable parks?

OCP in Barcelona is one of my favorites cables park in the world. Close to me there is another amazing park, Delting Wake Park in Tarragona, it is perfect to wakesKate and there is a pull gap. Other cable parks close to me are Rancho Wakepark and Simple Wakepark (one hour from home) and now T-Toms. I have visited some countries and some cable parks and I really like to wakesKate at La Poule wakepark, Izon wakepark and TSCasrcassone (France) and in USA Valdosta compound (Georgia) and soon I will go to visit the Bricks in Germany.

In what countries have you practiced wakeskate and what do you think about them?

I have visited 13 or 14 countries and I have amazing memories from every place that I have been to. First, I traveled to Israel, I love this team, Milan people, Egypt love this place, Mexico is where I won my first world championship, I love Argentina’s people too! Every place was lovely and brought me new experiences.

What are your best contest results?

I have won some medals and probably the best results were the two World Championships U19 in Mexico and last year in Argentina. I also won medals in Italy, one gold medal in U19 and one in Open Category.

What big differences are there between wakeskate and wakeboard?

The biggest difference are the boots. In wakeskate your feet are free. It’s more similar to skateboarding. The tricks, the inspiration and the motivation, it is like there’s a skatepark on the water.

Are you working on specific tricks right now? Which tricks are your favorites?

I’m working on doing the kick flip better and some tricks of the same family. Kick flip body variations and soon backside kick flip. Probably this will be my favorite trick. I will tell you soon, I hope!

Do you like any other sports and who are your favorite Spanish athletes?

I love to play basketball; I play in a team. I like to play tennis, football, surfing and skate. In my country there are some amazing athletes like Rafa Nadal, Pau Gasol and Mireia Belmonte.

Read Next: Zuzana Vrablova’s Exclusive Interview

Who are your sponsors and coaches?

I want to say thanks to all my family and all the people who support me, like the Federations, La liga 4Sports, Liquid Force , ION, Munich, OCP, Vivida,DWS Cableparks, Arkosports (Nuno), Iñaki y Onoff Wellness, (Ivan).

The post Q&A With Spanish Wakeskate Phenom Telma Cester appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

By Argentinean Wake Park Rider Flor Medrano

At what age and when did you start wakeskating?

I started wakeskating I believe around 17 but I’m actually coming from waterskiing. The first time when I stood on waterskis was when I was 6 years old, and at eight, I joined the Waterski Club in my hometown Piestany. So I was waterskiing which is jump (for distance), trick skiing and slalom and then later on I added snowboarding-snowboardcross. So, I was I exchanging summer waterski season with winter snowboard season.

Did you ever try wakeboarding?

Around the age of 14 or 15 I tried wakeboarding but it really didn’t catch my attention just because there weren’t too many riders, no rails at all, I didn’t know what to do so I just kept on waterskiing ha-ha. But what happened later was that I suffered a knee injury in a snowboard competition. I had to undergo ACL surgery. After that I was really worried to do jump skiing in waterskiing.

Why wakeskate?

After my injury I used to go to the cable park and hang out with my friends and I tried wakeskating because there was already someone wakeskating I guess I was having too much fun! I was trying a few tricks and it was going pretty well to me, I am sure the waterskiing gave me some good skills so it was easier for me to learn. And I just I started really enjoying it. I was searching for more riders to ride with and I just tried to learn more tricks so somehow, I naturally came from waterskiing into wakeskating around the age of 17.

When did you start competing professionally?

I guess I started doing the competitions kind of quick after I started wakeskating. Not that I really that I wanted to do the contests so much, but it was a really nice opportunity to ride with some other girls and just more riders.

Which was your first international title?

My first big title was winning the WWA World Championships at the Hip-notics Park in Turkey in 2010.

You are three times world champion, am I correct?

I won two times the WWA World Championships. The one in Turkey that I just mentioned and later one in Abu Dhabi and I have won four times the IWWF World Championships.

How does it feel to be a female top rider?

I mean I never really think about it like you are asking me, but it’s a nice feeling to achieve some results (for example a good edit after you put your biggest effort into it, or landing a good run in the contest after you try your best to progress, capture some good shots, and get some appreciation for it too. I believe because of that I have some brands supporting me. And I try to take advantage of it. Not only for myself but I try to give forward in the community. I’ve organized Wakeskate Session for 5 years now and some other events.

What is your favorite trick?

I really enjoy doing Backside Backspin. I would say that is my favorite trick. Especially on the gap!

Which one was the hardest to learn and which is the one you are practicing nowadays?

I was really worried to ollie front board. I feel like I was always doing more flat tricks than the rails maybe in the beginning for sure. But the hardest, I guess the kickflip was taking me the longest, and I am still trying to get it clean so that is what I am doing nowadays other than shooting a project.

Do you have a routine before you get into the water?

I always stretch and warm up. First, I do warm up for like 5-10 minutes like some jogging, jumping or something to warm up my body and then I do dynamic stretching before every riding. Sometimes I use balance board or I skate before wakeskating as well.

Which riders inspire you most?

I am always inspired by anyone who I am riding with or whose edit I am looking at. Or seeing some sick photos. In the beginning I was always watching Aquafrolics edit so the first wakeskaters I was looking at were Andrew Pastura, Nick Taylor and Ben Horan. Now I really enjoy to watch Cole Kraiss, Maxime Giry and many others too. But really, I can get inspired by everyone who I am riding with or watching.

You travel around the world and you are a legendary wakeskater, which parks do you prefer most?

I really, really like to travel to CWC in the Philippines that is like the place I have been most often, I think they provide really good conditions in many ways like there is a pool gap, there is a big wake park with many rails, they have accommodation there and food. Everything is at one spot and you can just ride so much in good conditions that is amazing. And I’m always excited to see all of my friends there! Not only foreign but locals too! People are so nice and chill there.

I also like to go to the States where I think like the core of wakeskating is coming from. There is always someone to ride with. Either some good Sea-Doo session or 2.0 or cable park – Valdosta Wake Compound is my favorite there! But having opportunities to ride at Nick’s, Ben’s, Andrew’s or Reed’s pool gaps are just amazing experiences. Last mention, but probably the best place to go nowadays for wakeskating is Trey’s Black Water Junction. Can’t wait!

Tell us what’s a day in Zuzana’s life?

A day in my life? Ha-ha that is really hard to answer this question. It is never really the same. It all depends of where I am and what time of the year it is. If it is summer, I try to wake up super early for a good Sea Doo glassy morning session, that is my favorite! Or join some friends at the cable park. Other than wakeskating I always have some computer work. I organize events, work on projects and try to keep up with everything I should. And I love dogs! I spend a lot of time with my dog, or I go to to dog shelters to take dogs for a walk in my free time. I’m also a big fan of live music festivals.

Read Next: What’s in Zuzana Vrablova’s Bag?

What would you say to those girls that start wakeskating?

Don’t worry and have fun. I think it is always good to look for some good conditions and try to ride with other motivated riders and just all have fun together.

The post Zuzana Vrablova’s Exclusive Interview appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

What do you get when you give a group of wakeskaters and video-makers full access to a DIY playground of progression like Valdosta Wake Compound? Well, this. “How We Doin’” features next level wakeskating from Bammer Rehn, Cole Kraiss, Trey Seneff, Andrew Pastura, Keaton Bowlby and Maxime Giry and it’s shot and edited beautifully. This is modern wakeskating at its finest, and it’s sure to get you stoked.

Shot by: Keaton Bowlby / Mitch Cobb / Board Meetings

Edited by: Keaton Bowlby

Produced by: Ascending Works / For the Gator / WeSubsist

The post “How We Doin’” – Full Wakeskate Video appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this era of highlighting full length wake videos, both classic and more recent, we bring you another epic: ISTUDIOMO. Released in 2017, This all-wakeskate feature is at the same time both energetically progressive and aesthetically gorgeous. It truly is a treat just to watch it. Director/videographer/editor Andrew Roehm puts his talents on full display, and we’re all better off for it. With riding from Nick Taylor, Andrew Pastura, Cole Kraiss, Yan Lecomte, Matti Buys, David Roehm, Ollie Moore, Bret Little, Braden Ioi, Andrew Fortenberry, Nick Robinson, Travis Belsito and Collin Gee, ISTUDIOMO is a must watch.

For a deeper look inside how Roehm put ISTUDIOMO together, check out our Inside the Numbers article from 2018.

The post ISTUDIOMO – Full Wakeskate Video appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Video: Erik Ruck

Earlier this summer an awesome crew of riders got together for another epic, Florida-based journey. With the help of Red Bull, Parks Bonifay, Brian Grubb, Nick Taylor and Massi Piffaretti set out with two boats and a unique idea. The gist: launch the boats in Lake Monroe, just north of Orlando, and head north along the historic St. John’s River (one of only two north-flowing rivers in the world) toward Jacksonville. Then roll through Jacksonville toward the Atlantic and Florida’s intracoastal waterway. Cruise back south toward Titusville and complete the “loop.” Along the way the guys did it all and saw a ton, and ultimately were able to experience more of Florida in a truly unique way.

Watch Day 1 here
Watch Day 2 here
Watch Day 3 here

For Day 4 the guys ride in historic St. Augustine, just south of Jacksonville. This is the oldest established city in the Unite States, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. Seeing brand new wake boats and crazy toys like an e-foil, right next to one of the oldest structures in America is pretty cool. From there they cruise south along Florida’s intracoastal waterway, heading toward their final destination in the loop, Titusville.

The post The North Florida Loop – An Epic Wake Boat Adventure – Day 4 appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Back in 2011, the Devise + Conquer contest was setup in the vein of some of other TransWorld entities like Skate & Create, the Team Shoot Out, and Imaginarium. The original concept was to give four wakeskate teams full access to The Projects for three days to create their own setups and then shoot photos and video on them. When it was all said and done, there would be one winner. The initial Devise + Conquer made waves in the industry, and the photos and videos each team came up with were some of the most creative ever. Here’s a look back at the first iteration of this epic series, with the story and photos from the magazine, and the original videos.

Experiment Gone Right
Team Obscura wins the first-ever Transworld Devise + Conquer present by Teva

The inaugural TransWorld Devise + Conquer was as much an experiment as it was an event. Wakeskate teams from Byerly, CWB, Obscura and Remote were given a blank canvas upon which they could portray wakeskating exactly as they wanted it to be seen. Every team received the same basic tools and had full creative control over the outcome of their talent and hard work. We didn’t know what to expect, but what the first Devise + Conquer produced could never have been anticipated anyway.

The concept is simple: Each team received three days of isolation at The Projects outside Orlando with a photographer, videographer, some random obstacles and a small budget. They had one day to bild and two days to film and shoot photos. At the end of each team’s allotted time, it produced a three-to five-minute video and submitted photos from its shoot.

The sheer diversity of the setups and riding made it interesting to watch as each team came through The Projects over the course of 12 days. Byerly, Obscura, Remote and CWB all came up with original setups and unique ideas for its repertoire. But to win, a team needed the entire package. It not only needed a solid them that allowed its photos and video to shed light on its talents on a wakeskate, but it also had to show diversity, innovation, and creativity. In the end, that team was Obscura.

Byerly Boards
Puttin’ Paint Where It Ain’t

Riders: Scott Byerly, Brandon Thomas, George Daniels, Bret Little
Photographer: Matt Maloy
Filmers: Tad Matthews, Danny Vanzura, Steve Campbell
Build by the Numbers: 36 cans of spray paint, 15 ladders, 6 painter jump-suits, 1 Ski Nautique for $1
Highlights: Brett Little’s back-to-back-to-back first tries on the incline. George Daniels frontside flip off the boat. Brandon Thomas boardslide big spin 360 off the the boat. Scott Byerly shove lipslide to fakie.

“The team and I wanted to come up with something completely different. We have done a lot over the years, and it’s pretty hard to come up with different and original stuff. We were throwing all sorts of ideas around we were kinda stressing about it. I couldn’t sleep at night! Matt (Maloy) and I finally came up with the ladder idea, looking around my house for things we could use. I sent BT and George some pictures, and they were into it. So when we go to The Projects, it was pretty easy to set everything up, and we couldn’t believe we never used ladders before! It was the most fun we have ever had.” – Scott Byerly

CWB / Connelly
The United States of Awesome

Riders: Matt Manzari, Stuart Shinn, Josh Zentmeyer, Tom Doran
Photographer: Joey Meddock
Filmers: Tad Matthews, Steve Bates, Aaron Pastura
Build by the Numbers: 26 4×4 posts, 5 gallons of red, white and blue paint, 2 badass American flags, 1 can of gas for $3.81.
Highlights: Matt Manzari backside flip. Stuart Shinn back-to-back kickflip and frontside flip. Matt Manzari 3 flip. Josh Zentmeyer switch front big into the pool, regular front big out.

“We went into this thing knowing we all loved the U.S. of A. Matt had the grand idea of a 4th of July theme, including large flags, fireworks, and Neil Diamond. Both the fireworks and Neil were tough to come by, so we lit a fire and did flip tricks through it while being watched over by 12-foot American flags. It just so happened that our last night of filming was the same night bin Laden was paid a visit by our SEALs. It was a proud moment for us all. God bless the USA.” – Steve Bates

Obscura
The Hollow Men

Riders: Aaron Reed, Danny Hampson, Grant Robers, Travis Doran
Photographer: Josh Letchworth
Filmers: Tad Mathews, Ian Reid
Build By the Numbers: 1,144 miles that Aaron Reed drove to the event, 18 sheets of plywood, 2 fog machines, 1 stolen road barricade
Highlights: Aaron Reed front board hippie jump 270-shuv. Travis Doran backslide flip over the standup PWC. Danny Hampson boardslide to nosegrind backside 180. Danny Hampson nose pick into the burning town.

“The inspiration for our theme and title came from the T.S. Eliot poem “The Hollow Men.” The poem deals with the end of the world and the Hollow Men who bring it on. In today’s turbulent climate and with 2012 looming, we thought it fitting to tie in the end of the world idea. In reality, we are the Hollow Men – a bunch of guys in wet shorts watching the world spin off into darkness and not caring as long as the rope is in our hands. I know it’s a little heavy, but it was just an idea we wanted to experiment with.” – Danny Hampson

Remote
Back in Black – and White

Riders: Ben Horan, Silas Thurman, Matt Hooker, Yan Lecomte
Photographer: Josh Letchworth
Filmers: Tad Mathews, Ian Reid
Build by the Numbers: 223 2x4s, 25 sheets of sheetrock, 20 2x6s, 18 sheets of plywood.
Highlights: Ben Horan 3-flip and varial heel. Matt Hooker boardslide to backlip, 270 shuv. Yan Lecomte front board to backside 360 big spin.

“We wanted our theme to be simple. Black and white with all straight lines, and we were really trying to keep things square with this idea too. We decided for a lot of the riding to do the work as well. With the music we chose, I think it worked out to be exactly what we wanted.” – Ben Horan

The post Throwback Thursday: Devise & Conquer 2011 appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Wakeskater Matti Buys has long imagined what it would be like to have full access to his hometown’s spots for some epic wakeskating. Durban, South Africa is an iconic beach town famous for its piers, pools, and overall vibe. This winter (South African summer), Buys got to team up with Brian Grubb and Red Bull to make all of his vision possible. Check out “Reflections,” which shows just what went down on this unique trip.

The post Reflections – Brian Grubb & Matti Buys Wakeskate Through Durban appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Brian Grubb headed to Slovenia for his latest wakeskating adventure with Red Bull, but this one was way different than any other he’d ever done. Rather than being pulled by a winch, cable, or boat, this time Grubb was pulled by a drone.

The drone, created by Infineon Technologies, was large enough to pull Grubb for 10 minutes at a time. To say that drone technologies are advancing would be an understatement. It’s pretty incredible for a rider of Grubb’s size to get pulled as easily as he does, while carving and doing tricks, that pull against the drone. Watch the full video above.

The post Drone Wakeskating With Brian Grubb appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

At any rate, Istudiomo is a gorgeous video filled with some of the most epic wakeskating ever caught on camera. Years went into the making of it, and once you watch it you’ll see why. Given the insane amount of time and energy that went into it, we figured it was only appropriate to break down some of the insane numbers that make the film what it is.

Watch Istudiomo here

• Length of movie: 1:01:16
• Number of riders: 13
• Number of countries: 7
• Amount of video shot (in GB or TB): 5TB of usable 1080p/4K video (AKA ~3 straight months of video)
• Number of cameras used: 6
• Number of times cameras splashed: ~60
• Number of drones crashed: 4
• Number of days filming: ~300
• Number of hours editing: ~250
• Number of flights you took: 39
• Number of times you said “Just one more!”: It was usually them saying it! Probably around three per session.
• Number of run-ins with the law: 53, I actually kept really good track of this! 26 kickouts (14 by locals, 12 by police/park rangers), 21 let us stay, three locals stopped them from kicking us out, two cops talked other cops out of busting us, one ticket then kicked us out (ticket disputed and dropped).
• Footage that was lost to a digital demon (bad card/HD): Surprisingly none, always have backups!
• Number of clips missed filming: Just one… Sorry, Nick T!

The post Istudiomo Is a Beautiful Wakeskate Film Worth Watching appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.