Wakeboarding is excited to bring you another installment of Meet the Pros! This time, learn about pro rider Mary Morgan Howell!

Pro wakeboarder, Mary Morgan Howell, has been lighting up podiums in recent years. She has tallied a 2021/22 Masters Championship, and she’s also the 2022 Moomba Masters Champ and the 2022 World Champ.

MTP brings you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for Mary Morgan Howell!

Biography

• Name: Mary Morgan Howell
• Nickname: M&M; Morgie
• Social Media: @MaryMorganHowell
• Age: 20
• Home Lake: Compass Lake, Florida
• Favorite Trick: Boat: Crowmobe

Top 3 Accomplishments

• 2022 & 2021: 1st Place at Masters
• 2022: 1st Moomba Masters
• 2019: Silver Medalist Pan American Games

Gear

• Boat: Nautique G23
• Board: Ronix Mary Morgan Howell Rise
• Bindings: Ronix Rise
• Rope: Ronix
• Lifejacket: O’Neill Bahia Comp

Fun Facts

Something Quirky: “I’m a clean freak! Having a plan is important to me. My mantra is: ‘Be who you needed when you were younger.’”

Most Unexpected Wakeboard Experience: “I started wakeboarding at age six, and I remember watching the pro womens wakeboarders and thinking to myself: ‘I could never achieve that level of riding.’ However, by pushing myself and working hard, I’ve achieved more than I ever imagined. I’m ambitious to continue pushing the boundaries of what women can do in wakeboarding.”

What She Does Off The Water: “I’m a big foodie and love cooking healthy dishes for friends and family. I workout on land quite a bit. Yoga and trampoline and college.”

Sponsors

• Nautique Boats
• Ronix
• O’Neill

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Hey wake fans, in this installment of Meet the Pros learn about pro rider Bec Gange!

This two-time World Champion professional wakeboarder and reality TV star, travels the world for competitions and events. With two world titles under her belt, numerous Female Trick of the Year, World Cup wins, Best Female Rider of the Year and two knee surgeries, Bec has been through it all. Bec has also starred in the reality TV show, Instant Hotel with her brother Tristan.

MTP brings you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for Bec Gange!

Biography

• Name: Bec Gange
• Nickname: Bec
• Country: Australia
• Social Media: @BecGange
• Age: 32
• Home: Lake Murray River
• Local Lake: Lake Minnehaha
• Favorite Trick: Indy tantrum to blind

Top 3 Accomplishments

• 2020 1st place Moomba Masters
• 2018 1st Place WWF World Championships
• 2014 1st Place WWA Worlds

Read Next: More Meet the Pros Interviews

Gear

• Boat: Axis A24
• Board: Hyperlite Cadence Bec Gange 138
• Bindings: Hyperlite Capitol
• Rope & Handle: Hyperlite Cadence Bec Gange
• Life Jacket: Hyperlite Cadence Bec Gange

Fun Facts

Notable Trick: 1st woman to land a Whirlybird 540

Something quirky about you: My brother and I wanted to be WWE Pro Wrestlers as kids.

Most unexpected wakeboarding experience: Due to traveling so much, it surprised me how much the wakeboarding season takes away from the amount of time to freeride, learn, and practice new tricks.

What are you up to when you’re not on the water? I enjoy playing disc golf, hanging in the garden, and going for pontoon rides.

What’s your training regime off the water? In the off season, I do loads of strength training 4 days a week to build muscle. During the on season, 2 to 3 days I work on stability, conditioning, and injury prevention exercises.

The post Meet the Pros: Bec Gange appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Meet the Pros is our series of articles profiling professional wake athletes. MTP strives to bring you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for each rider. Enjoy this installment of Meet the Pros and learn about Massi Piffaretti.

Biography

• Name: Massimiliano Piffaretti
• Nicknames: Pizza Boy; Piffa
• Country: Italy 
• Social Media: Instagram @MassiPiffa
• Age: 28
• Home Lake: Lake Como, Italy
• Favorite Trick: Rewind

Top 3 Accomplishments 

• 2015 & 2016: IWWF World Champion 
• 2021: 1st Place Red Bull Double or Nothing 
• 2022: Red Bull Wake the City

Read Next: More Meet the Pros Interviews

Gear

• Boat: Malibu M240 at 22.2 MPH
• Board: 140 Ronix RXT
• Bindings: Ronix RXT Massi
• Rope & Handle: RXT package at 75 feet
• Life Jacket: Ronix RXT Vest

Fun Facts

Tricks pioneered: Zero, Toeside 450 Rewind 3, and switch tootsie rewind. 

Quirky Trait: I have an unhealthy obsession to pizza. 

Most unexpected wakeboarding experience: Becoming friends with all the people I looked up to in the sport of Wakeboarding. 

What are you up to when you’re not on the water? Hanging out with the fam, snowboarding, playing golf, and training.

What’s your training regime off the water? Yoga, working out, and physiotherapy.

Sponsors

Malibu, Ronix, Fastweb, and Red Bull.

The post Meet the Pros: Massi Piffaretti appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Meet the Pros is our series of articles profiling professional wake athletes. MTP strives to bring you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for each rider. Enjoy this installment of Meet the Pros and learn about Thomas Herman.

Biography

• Name: Thomas Herman
• Nickname: T-Herm
• Instagram: @Thomasherman
• Home Lake: Lake Jessamine, FL
• Favorite Trick: Boat: KGB 540

Top Three Accomplishments

• 2021 – Rookie of the Year
• 2020 – 1st Place Junior Pro National Championships
• 2020 – 1st Place Junior Pro Series Overall Champion

Gear

• Boat: Whoever’s willing to pull me!
• Board: Ronix One Blackout
• Binding: Ronix XRT
• Rope: Ronix North Handle
• Life Jacket: Ronix Supreme Jake Pelot Vest

Fun Facts

Most Insane Trick Landed: Double Nose Grab Backroll

Something Quirky: I love Demi Lovato’s music!

Surprising Fact About Pro Wakeboarding: I was very surprised at the toll riding at the pro level takes on my body.

What do you do off the water? Play guitar and I enjoy hanging out with friends.

The post Meet the Pros: Thomas Herman appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Biography

• Name: Fynn Bullock
• Nickname: Fynntastic
• Country: USA
• Social Media: Instagram: @Fynn_tastic
• Age: 17
• Home Lake: Lake Gaston, North Carolina
• Favorite Trick
  • Boat: Chicken Salad Tantrum to Blind
  • Cable: 3-to-1

Top 3 Accomplishments

• 2020 Rookie of the Year
• 2020 Check Out Award Winner
• 2019 JR. Pro Overall Winner

Gear

• Boat: Nautique G23
• Board: Liquid Force Bullox
• Bindings: Liquid Force Classics
• Rope & Handle: Liquid Force Pulse
• Life Jacket: Body Glove Harley Clifford Impact Vest

Fun Facts

Tricks pioneered: First to ever land a wake to wake KGB 720 in contest and 2nd to ever do the trick.

Something quirky about you?: I’m a pro snowboarder in the winter! Always have my Canon EOS R5 with me to take photos and videos. 

Most unexpected wakeboarding experience? I was out wakeboarding in Wilmington, NC one time and a few dolphins joined in the fun on the rollers.

What are you up to when you’re not on the water? Snowboarding, school, and editing photos and videos.

What do you do for wellness and training off the water? I train with New Dimensions Wellness for dynamic training geared towards my individual needs to excel in sports.

Sponsors

Liquid Force, GoPro, Body Glove, Performance Ski & Surf, Etnies, Grom

The post Meet the Pros: Fynn Bullock appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this installment of Meet the Pros, learn about pro rider Cory Teunissen. MTP brings you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for Cory Teunissen.

Biography

• Name: Cory Teunissen
• Nickname: CTP
• Country: Australia
• Social Media: @CoryTeunissen
• Age: 24
• Home Lake: Somerset Dam
• Favorite Trick: Any variation of 360 or backside 180

Top 3 Accomplishments

• 2X Pro Wakeboard Tour Champion
• 2X World Series Champion
• 2X World Champion

Gear

• Boat: Super Air Nautique G23 Paragon History Made Behind Nautique G23 at Wakeboard World Championships
• Board: Hyperlite Capitol 143
• Bindings: Hyperlite Capitol
• Rope: Hyperlite Capitol Don’t
• Life Jacket: Jet Pilot Cory Teunissen Pro Series

Fun Facts

Tricks Pioneered: Youngest rider to land a 1080, age 15

Most Unexpected Wakeboarding Experience: Mick Fanning, a pro ocean surfer came over to hang on the boat and asked to bring a friend. The friend ended up being Step Brothers actor John C. Reilly and his family.

What are you up to when you’re not on the water? Ocean surfing and hanging out with the fam to relax. Off-roading.

The post Meet the Pros: Cory Teunissen appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this installment of Meet the Pros, learn about pro rider, Noah Wildman. MTP brings you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for Noah Wildman.

Biography

• Name: Noah Wildman
• Nickname: Wildman
• Country: USA
• Social Media: @Noah_Wildman
• Age: 20
• Home Lake: Winona Lake, IN
• Favorite Trick Boat: 321
• Favorite Trick Cable: Back Mobe 7

Top 3 Accomplishments

• 2022 – Finalist in the Pro Wakeboard Tour
• 2021 – Qualifying for the Pro Wakeboard Tour
• 2019 – 1st Place Junior Pro World Championships

Gear

• Boat: Supra SA 550
• Board: Ronix RXT
• Bindings: Ronix RXT
• Rope: Ronix RX Mainline and North Handle
• Life Jacket: Follow Unity Vest

Fun Facts

Most Insane Trick ever landed? Mobydick 720

Something Quirky: I always carry a foilboard on the boat.

Most unexpected wakeboarding experience? The importance of dedication on the off season and it’s reflection of your riding during the on season.

What do you do off the water? I enjoy film and photography, business, and I’m an investing guru! (Crypto, NFT’s, and Stocks) golf, road biking with my grandpa and family, and anything outdoors!

Sponsors: Supra Boats, Ronix

The post Meet the Pros: Noah Wildman appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this installment of Meet the Pros, learn about pro rider, Tara Mikacich. MTP strives to bring you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for each rider.

Biography

• Name Tarah Mikacich
• Nickname The Mikachick
• Country USA
• Social Media @TarahMik
• Age 38
• Home Lake Lake Holden and Freedom Wake Park
• Favorite Trick Boat: CrowMobe
• Cable: Any transfer

Top 3 Wins

1. 2021 & 2022 Wake the Canyon Champion 
2. 2019 & 2021 Wake the Desert Champion
3. 2016 Female Boat Rider of the Year

Gear

• Boat: Malibu 25 LSV
• Board: O’Brien Spark 137
• Bindings: O’Brien Infuse
• Rope & Handle: O’Brien Small Diameter Comp Handle and Silicone Mainline
• Life Jacket: O’Brien Spark Women’s Flex V-Back Vest

Fun Facts

Tricks pioneered: First and only woman to land a switch back mobe behind a boat.

Most unexpected wakeboarding experience?Getting to ride in Tokyo in front of the Rainbow Bridge for the Tokyo Pro by Malibu was a surreal experience to say the least.

Advice for anyone looking to become a pro wakeboarder? Make sure you really enjoy the sport and surround yourself with friends to share and enjoy the moment with.

What are you up to when you’re not on the water? I co-own and operate Drop n’ Fill with my husband. In my free time I really enjoy walking the dogs on the beach and cooking. 

What’s your training regime? I coach wakeboarding at Freedom Wake Park and workout at the gym.

Sponsors

Malibu Boats, O’Brien, Performance Ski & Surf, CTI Knee Braces, and Boarding4Breastcancer

Read Next: More Meet the Pros Profiles

The post Meet the Pros: Tarah Mikacich appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this installment of Meet The Pros, learn about pro rider, Jake Hill. MTP strives to bring you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for each rider.

Biography

• Name: Jake Hill
• Nicknames: Jake from State Farm
• Country: USA
• Social Media: @JakeHill_Music
• Age: 22
• Home Lake: Flint River
• Favorite Trick Boat: Indy Moby Dick
• Favorite Trick Cable: Double Half Cab Roll of the kicker

Top Accomplishment

• 2021 Won 2nd Place in the PWT Team Challenge

Gear

• Boat: Nautique G23
• Board: O’Brien Valhalla 143
• Bindings: O’Brien Infuse
• Rope & Handle: O’Brien Small Diameter Comp Handle and Silicone Mainline
• Life Jacket: JetPilot Cory Teunissen Vest

Fun Facts

Hardest trick you’ve ever landed? Back Mobe 5

What’s Something quirky about you? I have webbed toes so I’m a fast swimmer! 

Most unexpected wakeboarding experience? Networking in my wakeboarding pursuits provided many valuable connections in Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue my career in country music.

Other than music, what are you up to when you’re not on the water? I spend a lot of time with my family and exploring the great outdoors!

What’s your training regime off the water? I workout in the gym 5 days a week and focus on weight training quite a bit. I also manifest tricks and contest runs before riding.

Sponsors

O’Brien Watersports

Read Next: More Meet the Pros

The post Meet the Pros: Jake Hill appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Meet The Pros is our series of articles profiling professional wake athletes. This installment features pro wakeboarder Mike Dowdy, aka Dirty Mike Dowdy. MTP strives to bring you the hard facts about your favorite pro riders, so you can learn what boats and gear help them achieve greatness. We also make sure to include some personal insights: be sure to scroll all the way down to learn what these, “Fun Facts,” are for each rider.

Biography

• Name: Mike Dowdy
• Nickname: Dirty Mike Dowdy
• Country: USA
• Social Media: @DirtyMikeDowdy
• Age: 28
• Home Lake: Lake Jessamine, Florida
• Favorite Trick: Method

Top 3 Accomplishments

1. 2017 Malibu Vienna Pro Winner
2. 2016 Pro Wakeboard Tour Overall Champion
3. Bronze at MasterCraft Throwdown “World of X Games”

Gear

• Boat: HeyDay H22
• Board: Liquid Force Bullox
• Bindings: Liquid Force Classics
• Rope & Handle: Liquid Force Pulse Combo
• Life Jacket: Liquid Force Spector Comp Vest

Fun Facts

Tricks Pioneered: KGB 720, Wake to wake Toeside Frontside 1260, Wake to wake Heelside frontside 1080, Wake to wake Heelside backside 1080, Tailgrab mobydick 720, Underflip 720, Underflip 900, Underflip 1080, Wrapped blind Pete 540, Double roll to blind (early), Double roll to blind (late), and Ole toe back 540.

Something Quirky: Everyone thought my missing tooth was from a wakeboarding accident, but it was actually shot out by an airsoft gun.

Most Unexpected Wakeboarding Experience: When you’re competing a lot, you get to know other pro riders closely and get to see how much grit they really have on the water and at competitions.

Off-Water Activities: I spend all my free time with my family and entertaining my son.

Off-Water Training: Lots of knees over toes exercises!

Sponsors

Heyday Wake Boats and Liquid Force Wakeboards

Read Next: Meet the Pros: Jamie Lopina

The post Meet the Pros: Mike Dowdy appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.