EPISODE 395: GUENTHER OKA

EPISODE 395: GUENTHER OKA

Guenther Oka was looked at as the best all-around wakeboarder in the world…and then he had a devastating knee injury.  While there was uncertainty, Guenther worked his ass off during physio, put out a Red Bull project and this year, he’s back to the competition scene.  With podiums in his first 3 events back, not only has Guenther not lost a step, but he’s stepped forward with a brand-new mindset, which could be scary for his competition. On the podcast, we talk about waterski bloodlines, coming up in Ohio, Wake Nation, touring, sponsors, money, and a lot more. Aaron Grace asks the Inappropriate Questions

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EPISODE 391: TOMMY CZESCHIN

EPISODE 391: TOMMY CZESCHIN

Tommy Czeschin was born into a life of mountains and lakes, so it’s no surprise that he loves snowboarding and water sports-but what’s shocking is that he was able to go pro in both. Not too bad for the quiet kid with talent who started ski racing and was the forerunner for the Jr Olympics before seeing snowboarding and making the switch. Within 5 years, he was traveling the world with the US Snowboard Team, standing on the top of World Cup podiums, winning X Games medals, and eventually making the 2002 Olympic Team.  After his snowboarding, he was an early adopter of wake surfing and these days, he gets paid to ride behind a boat among other things. It’s kind of like Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, or a Shaun White-type story, only different. Don Wallace asks the “Inappropriate Questions.”

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EPISODE 185: BOB SOVEN

EPISODE 185: BOB SOVEN

Bob Soven has been in the wakeboarding game since the sport was invented pretty much. His older brother Phil, aka Froggy, was one of the most dominant riders of the time and Bob, who was known as Robert or Tadpole, was the little brother that didn’t want to be anything like his older brother. Bob was always the more likable Soven and over his career, he won, not as much as his brother but while his brother is done with wakeboarding, Bob is still one of the more influential guys in the sport.

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EPISODE 125: RUSTY MALINOSKI

EPISODE 125: RUSTY MALINOSKI

Rusty Malinoski, aka The Bone Crusher, is a World Champion Wakeboarder living the Canadian/American dream.  He’s got the house, the truck, the family, the CrossFit business and life is in a good place.  But it hasn’t always been that way.  On the podcast, we talk about being forced to enter the working world earlier than expected, moving to Florida with nothing more than talent, work ethic and a belief that he would make it, his long pro career, and a crazy road rage incident. 

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S2 / EP76: AARON GRACE

S2 / EP76: AARON GRACE

Aaron Grace’s career in wakeboarding had an auspicious start, working as the janitor for Rusty.  One day after cleaning toilets, he was invited on the Rusty boat, they saw him ride and the rest is history.  Aaron ended up a sponsored rider and had a 24-month pro career before it was time to manage the athletes and eventually the marketing at Liquid Force.  I should also mention that he doesn’t hold back with his opinions on the podcast and the “Inappropriate Questions” are some of the best.

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S2 / EP75: DANIEL GRANT

S2 / EP75: DANIEL GRANT

Daniel Grant is a prodigy on a wakeboard.  He’s a 5 time ‘Cable Park Rider of the Year’ and he’s only 20 years old.  He moved to Thailand at a young age and was an 8-year-old kid at the skatepark when he found out about the local cable park.  One day on a kneeboard  hooked him and he has become the one of the greatest cable park riders of our time.  He's been traveling the world on his own since he was 11 and tells the tales on the podcast.

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S1 / EP20: DON WALLACE

S1 / EP20: DON WALLACE

The road to wakeboard industry that Don Wallace took was different than most. From humble beginnings in Grass Valley, CA where life revolved around street rods, skiing, and hanging out with his brother/crew.  From there it was on to college in the big city of Eugene where his Surfing Magazine subscription parlayed itself into and internship and eventually a career that is highlighted by the sinking of an $80,000 boat amongst other things.

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