Overcoming Challenges and Finding Strength
As I geared up for my fourth consecutive year of competing in the Wakeboard World Championships, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey that has led me here. From my experiences in the United States in 2021 and 2022, and Portugal in 2023, to this year’s Worlds in Australia, it’s been a roller coaster ride filled with highs and lows.
A Rocky Start to 2024
This year didn’t start as I had hoped. In January, I found myself in a tough headspace, struggling to maintain focus as I prepped for the competition. I was working on transitioning from an easy trick to a more challenging one when disaster struck. A major miscalculation on a jump left me severely jarring my knee. The pain was immediate and intense; I knew it was bad.
The Waiting Game
Walking became a painful task, and I decided to wait it out, hoping the pain would subside on its own. After some time, I received an injection to ease the discomfort, but it didn’t bring the relief I was hoping for. Frustrated and anxious, I finally opted for an MRI. Thankfully, the results showed no tears in my meniscus or any ligaments; I was diagnosed with swelling in the joint and patellar tendonitis. While it was a relief to know it wasn’t worse, the recovery process would still be challenging.
Adjusting My Routine
Normally, I ride often in Florida, balancing lessons and practice to stay sharp. But this time, I had to shift my focus entirely. While I couldn’t ride, I was determined to heal and stay in shape. I turned to my 1st Phorm products to aid in my recovery. The Level 1 protein was crucial for getting the necessary protein into my diet, as it’s always a struggle to meet those daily requirements.
With my knee in so much pain, I couldn’t work out the muscles as I normally would. Still, I was mindful of providing my body with the nutrients it needed to repair. I also added collagen supplements to my coffee and shakes, aiming to support the healing of my tissues and tendons. Additionally, I included a joint supplement to further fuel my recovery.
Staying active during this time required some creativity. I focused on exercises that wouldn’t aggravate my knee while keeping my body moving. From January through April, I committed to this modified routine, hoping to build strength without compromising my healing process.
Finding My Rhythm Again
Come May, I was finally ready to get back on the water. At that point, I had no plans to compete in the World Championships, knowing it was all the way in Australia and I hadn’t been riding. My goal was simply to enjoy riding again during the summer. To my surprise, I found myself back on the board a ton, and loving every moment of it. By mid-July, I realized that my progress had been rapid. Riding felt natural, and I was regaining my confidence.
I distinctly remember a session in July with a great crew, including Aidan Siemer, who coached for me a few summers ago, James Otto, and a few other friends. The vibe on the boat was electric, and I landed some of my hardest tricks with ease. The supportive environment made a significant difference. My confidence soared as I hit my back seven and my Mob 5 without hesitation, proving to myself that I could still perform at a high level.
This was the turning point; I started discussing who would be joining me for the competition. Brody Spriggs quickly topped my list. Brody won the Wakeboard National Championships over the summer, for his division. I was like “Dude, you’ve gotta go try to win the World Championships in the last year you can compete in your age division.”
Rallying Support
I also needed to raise funds for the trip. Thankfully, Dierbergs, a local store just up the street from where we do lessons in Osage Beach, stepped up. As a retailer for 1st Phorm products, they supported my journey and allowed me to promote their offerings. The Dierbergs kitchen, with its fresh produce and unique products, became a haven for me between lessons. It was a fantastic spot to grab lunch and relax, while enjoying a beautiful lake view. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Dierberg family. Without them, making the leap to compete in Australia wouldn’t have been possible.
Stateamind Watersports and Iguana Marine Group also continue to provide us with the best boats in the industry, to ride. Training behind a brand new Axis A245 was a game changer. The wake was phenomenal, giving me ample time in the air for my tricks and boosting my confidence tremendously.
Diving into Training
Once I committed to training for the contest, I dove in headfirst. From late July through September, we hit the water as much as possible. During this intense training period, I relied on various 1st Phorm products to fuel my efforts. Their energy drinks, often low in calories and sugar-free, were essential for keeping my energy levels up. Whenever I felt run down, those drinks provided an extra boost, lifting my mood and motivation.
I also incorporated Phormula-1 into my routine—a fast-acting protein, combined with Ignition for carbohydrates. These shakes became my go-to while on the boat, making it easy to mix cold water from my Hydro Flask directly into my shaker. Having those delicious shakes right after riding kicked off my recovery process, allowing me to ride 2-3, sometimes even 6 days in a row, without feeling worn out.
To further support my health, I started using Opti-Reds and Opti-Greens. As I continued coaching and juggling various responsibilities, I knew I needed to keep my immune system strong, especially leading up to the contest. The last thing I wanted was to embark on a 20-hour journey feeling under the weather.
The Journey to Australia
When it came time to travel, I had planned various projects to tackle during the flight, things I had put off while busy with lessons over the summer. The travel itself was relatively smooth, though we felt a bit jet-lagged upon arrival. The time change was significant, making us feel a little wacky the first day when we should have been sleeping in the United States, but in Australia it was daytime. We took a day to rest and acclimate before heading out for a practice ride.
Traveling with Brody Spriggs, his mom, and my student Spencer Trice and his dad made the experience even better. It was cool to be there with people I’m really familiar with. We shared a huge penthouse suite with an incredible ocean view—an awesome vibe to kick off our trip.
Competition Day
The next day was the event, and I was excited. In the semi-finals of the Men’s Over-30 division, known as Masters, the competition was fierce, with riders from around the world, including some familiar faces. Competing against legends like Dean Smith, who is from Australia, was surreal; he was an inspiration during my prime in wakeboarding. It was heartening to see such accomplished riders still passionate about the sport, and to get to compete alongside them.
The quarter finals were intense. I could tell the course was long, and I was able to stack 14 tricks in my run—7 tricks on the way out and 7 on the way back. Riding on pure salt water felt different; the buoyancy and speed suited my style perfectly. I ride the Ronix 1, which tends to be looser on the turns and is really fast, so I felt right at home as soon as I got to riding. Some of the riders were a little shaken up or thrown off by riding on salt water, but I loved every bit of it. The contest venue was super cool too, riding in the back bay on the Gold Coast of Australia – it was such a unique place to ride.
A Break in the Competition
Our group decided to seek out some unique adventures, while we had a day’s break in the competition. We explored a nearby nature preserve, where we encountered wildlife that you just don’t see in the U.S.—like kangaroos and a massive snake lounging in a tree. This unexpected excursion not only allowed us to bond but also inspired us to create a funny video capturing our nature walk. It was a fantastic reminder of the camaraderie we share as riders and friends, especially when we’re not focused on the competition.
Time for Finals
The following day was supposed to be my semi-final round. I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Unfortunately, the weather kind of got bad. There were storms in the forecast and the winds were intense, resulting in some quick changes to the contest format. Organizers decided to turn semi-finals into a six-man final round.
As I waited for my turn, I watched the first five competitors tackle the course under relatively decent conditions. As the number one seeded rider, I had the chance to see my competitors’ impressive tricks. I watched Dean Smith throw down some incredible moves, including a backside 180 to flats, followed by a front mobe and some corked spins. I knew I had my work cut out for me.
Just as I was gearing up, ominous storm clouds rolled in, and the winds picked up ferociously. Since the competition had already started, they had to finish it, and I knew I was facing a real challenge.
When it was finally my turn, the wind was so intense that I literally could not even get my rope out to the boat. Every time I would throw it, it would blow right back at me. I paddled out into some of the roughest water I’ve ever encountered. I thought to myself, “Oh shoot, I am in trouble.” The wind howled behind me, and I struggled to even see the boat. I knew this was in God’s hands and only He could help me through this challenge. I’ve never ridden in such wavy and windy conditions. With every pull, I prayed, “God, please lift me up and help me through this.” I made it through my first five tricks, but then the wind caught me off guard, I was a little too far kicked off axis, and I fell hard on my sixth.
With the boat turned around, I was now riding directly into a fierce headwind, which made things even trickier. I pushed through my second pass, starting with a risky Indie glide, which I somehow landed. However, my next trick, a toe-side roll to revert, was supposed to just be a filler trick, but it didn’t go as planned. The wind hung me up in the air, and I cased it, ending my run with just one trick completed into my second pass. At that point, I knew I wouldn’t be taking home the top prize.
Lessons Learned
It was a tough pill to swallow, especially when I reflected on how things might have gone differently if conditions had been calmer – if I could have just rode in the same conditions as everyone else, I feel like I could have won. Yet, despite the disappointment, I had to remind myself that competition is as much about resilience as it is about performance. I had hoped for the best but hadn’t prepared for the worst, and that was a lesson learned.
Making the Podium
In the end, I secured 2nd overall, which I was grateful for considering how rough the conditions were. I felt lucky not to have sustained any injuries that could have sidelined me for the rest of the competition.
Supporting Fellow Competitors
The highlight was still ahead, though. I was eager to support my fellow competitors, like Spencer Trice, who rode brilliantly in the Junior Boys Open Division, finishing fourth overall. Brody Spriggs, too, put in an impressive performance, nailing some tricks he’d never thrown in a contest before. One trick in particular, a wrap KGB, slammed him super hard during practice, but he threw it in the contest with style and ease. Brody finished 3rd in the Junior Men’s Division. I know he really wanted to win a World title this year, but I also know he would have been ecstatic to win 3rd in Portugal last year. It’s amazing how your expectations change as you progress. Body wanted a win so bad but I know he will learn from his experience and better himself for next year.
Even though Brody and Spencer did not finish where they wanted to, I am still so proud of both boys. Brody made the podium as one of the top 3 in the world for his division, and has grown tremendously as an athlete and young man. Spencer has made a leap from a novice rider to an advanced rider with a competitive skill set. Both boys have huge futures ahead in this sport and I can’t wait to see where they land.
My Work Was Not Done
As the event continued, I was thrilled to have been invited by Mark Hager to speak at the Wake Well church service at 11:00AM. The schedule had been all over the place due to weather changes, but on the final day, they decided to hold the service a bit earlier than planned. When I arrived at the event at 10:00AM, with donuts in hand, I just happened to be walking past the announcer’s tower and one of the event coordinators was like , “Hey, where are the people who are supposed to be doing Wake Well? We can do that now.” I was like, “Oh, I’m here!” God set that up perfectly.
They ended up taking a fuel break sooner than they thought, so they basically didn’t have time to gather those who wanted to attend the Wake Well service at a designated area in the venue. Instead, I was unexpectedly handed the microphone to address the entire event crowd. It was very nerve wracking, but I felt grateful for WWA and Wake Well’s trust in me to address a crowd of that size.
Nervous but honored, I shared a message about the power of God’s presence. Because I was speaking to the entire crowd, I decided to scale my message back a bit. The power of God’s presence is a topic that resonates deeply, and I encouraged everyone there to seek that presence in their lives. Following my message, a woman who was working at a booth not even associated with wakeboarding, approached me and said, “I loved your message and I’m going through some things in my life. I was moved by your words” and then asked for prayer. We ended up having a deep conversation about faith, and I was able to pray with her. Shortly after, the woman’s friend, who is not a believer, was curious about Christianity, approached me as well, leading to another meaningful discussion. I ended up praying with her and leading her through our Wake by Faith devotional chapter that walks you becoming a new believer and the decision to accept Jesus into your life. I pray and believe that she made that decision after that conversation.
Embracing New Opportunities
I was having an unforgettable experience Australia, where I not only got to compete and make the podium, but also found myself in the thrilling role of an announcer. It all began when I was unexpectedly asked to share my insights during the Pro Men’s Semi-Finals. Standing under the tent, engaging with the audience and discussing the tricks being performed was exhilarating. But the excitement didn’t end there; I was later invited to join the mic for the Pro Men’s Finals!
This was a pivotal moment for me. I was thrust into the announcer’s tower, alongside some of my wakeboarding heroes, including the legendary Brett Eisenhower. The view was incredible, but the responsibility felt immense. Here I was, calling out the names of the top riders in the world, and trying to keep the crowd hyped while ensuring I got every trick name right. It was intimidating but also a dream come true.
As I stood there, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity. I knew God was looking out for me during this whole process. I had my moments of doubt—wondering if I was good enough to be up there—but I focused on having fun and sharing quirky one-liners with the audience. I jokingly compared one rider’s style to a kangaroo, saying he had to be “hoppy” with his first pass. It was moments like these that made the experience unforgettable.
Capping Off Our Trip
After the competition, I enjoyed some well-deserved downtime in Australia, sharing great meals and laughter with friends. Being right on the beach and having access to local shops added to the magic of the trip. This journey had been on my bucket list for ages, and I was thrilled to check it off. I even learned that the event will return to Australia in 2026, which might just give me another shot for redemption! Until then, I’m just going to keep riding, having fun, and try to stay in good shape.
Moments of Thanksgiving
Ultimately, I’m super thankful for the Dierberg family and Dierbergs Markets. I’m thankful for the support they have shown me. This also wouldn’t have been possible without 1st Phorm’s support. God brought all the pieces together and I’m so glad He did. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity.
The WWA Season Comes to a Close and a New Opportunity Begins
After an unforgettable time in Australia, I returned home with a heart full of excitement. My time down under was a blend of adrenaline, camaraderie, and a few unexpected moments on the mic, which ignited a newfound passion for engaging with the audience during competitions. But as soon as I landed, it was straight into preparation mode for my next big event: The Pan American Games.
