The first stop of the @perfski Gravel Tour was one I won’t forget anytime soon.
Not just because of the riding, but because of who we brought with us and what this event represented for our crew.
Through our @wakethewildfl School of Wake sessions, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a group of riders who, up until now, had never experienced a competition setting. This event gave them the perfect chance to step into something new. We showed up with a full crew, and for many of them, it was their first time riding under pressure, hitting the course, and being part of something bigger than a normal practice set.
And they showed up.
Watching these riders push past nerves, support each other, and rise to the moment was easily the highlight of the weekend for me. It is one thing to coach progression during a session, but seeing that growth carry over into a contest environment is what it is all about. That is where confidence is built, and where the sport starts to mean even more.
At Kirby’s School of Wake and through Wake The Wild, I have always believed this is about more than just learning tricks. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping kids grow through real experiences. Events like the Gravel Tour provide an incredible platform for that kind of growth. The environment was welcoming, competitive in the best way, and gave new riders a chance to feel like they belonged in the scene from day one.
I could not just stay on the sidelines either. I ended up jumping into the outlaw division myself and had to give the homeschool crew what they had been asking for by sending a proper look back air raley. There is nothing quite like riding alongside your own crew and feeding off that kind of energy.
Weekends like this are a reminder of why I do what I do. It is not just about performance or podiums. It is about helping riders take that next step, believe in themselves, and experience the kind of growth that stays with them long after the event is over.
Huge thank you to Performance Ski and Surf for putting on an event that makes this possible. This is how you grow wakeboarding and wakesurfing.