KW: Do you consider yourself a competitor or more of a freerider?
JJ: I started competing this last summer, and Im gonna try to ride as many of the local
tourny’s that I can once again. I have an internal drive to push myself as far as I can
with most anything, and competing has helped me focus that drive in wakeboarding.
Don’t get me wrong though, I wouldn’t ride at all if it weren’t for the long sunny
summer days on Ft. Nasty kickin it with friends and learning new things. That’s what its
really about.
KW: Do you plan on riding in any competitions this year?
JJ: Yea definitely, I started competing last season and Im looking forward to riding all
the local tourny’s I can this season. Im kinda bummed bout the INT hiatus, but there
will be plenty of fun competition to be had this summer
KW: So what tricks are you working on now?
JJ: Getting HS fives and TS blind 180’s consistent. My goal is to learn at least 3 mobes
this summer. Id like to add a whirly (maybe Charlie F. can teach me…), crow mobe
(before Jordan), and pete rose…But we’ll see how that works out
KW: Would you ever consider taking your riding to the next step or are you just doing
it to have fun for now?
JJ: I ride cause I love it, it’s my hobby, it’s my stress-reliever, its my motivation to get
other things done…So I am happy where I am now. I think everyone has asked
themselves “What If…” at some point, but I just don’t know. Im not ready to try to
make a career out of wakeboarding, but I don’t know, perhaps one day I will be.
JJ: I started competing this last summer, and Im gonna try to ride as many of the local
tourny’s that I can once again. I have an internal drive to push myself as far as I can
with most anything, and competing has helped me focus that drive in wakeboarding.
Don’t get me wrong though, I wouldn’t ride at all if it weren’t for the long sunny
summer days on Ft. Nasty kickin it with friends and learning new things. That’s what its
really about.
KW: Do you plan on riding in any competitions this year?
JJ: Yea definitely, I started competing last season and Im looking forward to riding all
the local tourny’s I can this season. Im kinda bummed bout the INT hiatus, but there
will be plenty of fun competition to be had this summer
KW: So what tricks are you working on now?
JJ: Getting HS fives and TS blind 180’s consistent. My goal is to learn at least 3 mobes
this summer. Id like to add a whirly (maybe Charlie F. can teach me…), crow mobe
(before Jordan), and pete rose…But we’ll see how that works out
KW: Would you ever consider taking your riding to the next step or are you just doing
it to have fun for now?
JJ: I ride cause I love it, it’s my hobby, it’s my stress-reliever, its my motivation to get
other things done…So I am happy where I am now. I think everyone has asked
themselves “What If…” at some point, but I just don’t know. Im not ready to try to
make a career out of wakeboarding, but I don’t know, perhaps one day I will be.
 |
KW: How long have you been riding?
JJ: Since the days of 7th grade and my
Fulltilt SX420…so maybe like 8 seasons
total…
KW: How did you get into wakeboarding?
JJ: I learned to waterski and kneeboard
when I was young, but eventually my bro
and I found wakeboarding…or maybe it
found us...hmmm. Anyways, Jordan actually
taught me to ride, which is funny, but Im
glad to have stuck with it. Absolutely worth
every faceplant, ER visit, and other
catastrophe that has occurred along the
way. After getting the basics, I could not
ever go back to waterskiing, I mean you go
left or right…..that’s it. I just think
Wakeboarding has so much more freedom
and potential.
JJ: Since the days of 7th grade and my
Fulltilt SX420…so maybe like 8 seasons
total…
KW: How did you get into wakeboarding?
JJ: I learned to waterski and kneeboard
when I was young, but eventually my bro
and I found wakeboarding…or maybe it
found us...hmmm. Anyways, Jordan actually
taught me to ride, which is funny, but Im
glad to have stuck with it. Absolutely worth
every faceplant, ER visit, and other
catastrophe that has occurred along the
way. After getting the basics, I could not
ever go back to waterskiing, I mean you go
left or right…..that’s it. I just think
Wakeboarding has so much more freedom
and potential.
KW: Are there any tips, suggestions or words of encouragement that you could give to
those riders just starting out or even those that have been riding for a while?
JJ: Stay open-minded and don’t limit the way you approach this sport. One of my favorite
rants is from some edition of WBM, “Put On Your Gnarly Boots: Learn something you never
thought you could, and take the falls to get there. Its only water after all. If you think you
can get pounded crashing into water you’re a ‘wussy’- A big one. People get hurt driving to
work – Don’t be afraid of being alive and doing the trick you’ve always dreamed of…”
Awww, isn’t that just the sweetest thing ever. Whatever you do, don’t forget the gnarly
boots.
KW: Any shout outs?
JJ: Rock on everyone that’s keeping the scene alive and doing good things. A shout to: The
Ft. Nasty Pirates, Mission Boardsports, Pirate Marine Electronics, Knox-Wake, Knoxville
Watersports, The Fam for the support, all the local shops and organizations, any/everyone
that has given me a set, C.Moon and R.Jones for hooking up the MC demo May 6th, TWRA
(safety 1st), the funk in ft. nasty and the resultant immunities…
those riders just starting out or even those that have been riding for a while?
JJ: Stay open-minded and don’t limit the way you approach this sport. One of my favorite
rants is from some edition of WBM, “Put On Your Gnarly Boots: Learn something you never
thought you could, and take the falls to get there. Its only water after all. If you think you
can get pounded crashing into water you’re a ‘wussy’- A big one. People get hurt driving to
work – Don’t be afraid of being alive and doing the trick you’ve always dreamed of…”
Awww, isn’t that just the sweetest thing ever. Whatever you do, don’t forget the gnarly
boots.
KW: Any shout outs?
JJ: Rock on everyone that’s keeping the scene alive and doing good things. A shout to: The
Ft. Nasty Pirates, Mission Boardsports, Pirate Marine Electronics, Knox-Wake, Knoxville
Watersports, The Fam for the support, all the local shops and organizations, any/everyone
that has given me a set, C.Moon and R.Jones for hooking up the MC demo May 6th, TWRA
(safety 1st), the funk in ft. nasty and the resultant immunities…
KW: What were the biggest reasons for starting the club?
JJ: Basically, the college scene seems to be blowing up on a national level and I
wanted to get my quiet little school on the map. We are so lucky around here to have
snowboarding (more or less) in the winter and wakeboarding during the summer so I
just wanted to exploit the summer goodness for the riders out here without the means.
KW: How many members do you have this year?
JJ: We have a pretty small but committed group of around 15. I think its better this
way because it consists of a variety of people who get along great and really want to
progress. We pretty much just ride on my boat, so the upside to having a smaller
group of people on the water at a given time is that everyone gets to ride.
JJ: Basically, the college scene seems to be blowing up on a national level and I
wanted to get my quiet little school on the map. We are so lucky around here to have
snowboarding (more or less) in the winter and wakeboarding during the summer so I
just wanted to exploit the summer goodness for the riders out here without the means.
KW: How many members do you have this year?
JJ: We have a pretty small but committed group of around 15. I think its better this
way because it consists of a variety of people who get along great and really want to
progress. We pretty much just ride on my boat, so the upside to having a smaller
group of people on the water at a given time is that everyone gets to ride.
KW: Where do you usually ride?
JJ: Ft. Nasty all the way. What doesn’t kill ya makes you stronger. You can normally
see us between the Pellissippi Bridge and Louisville Landing. Sometimes we’ll get
squirrelly and launch at the Marine Base off Alcoa and ride around the downtown area.
KW: What kind of boat do you ride behind?
JJ: Red ’06 Supra 24 SSV. I love it, its like an all-u-can-eat wake buffet every time I
ride, and Im always hungry…
JJ: Ft. Nasty all the way. What doesn’t kill ya makes you stronger. You can normally
see us between the Pellissippi Bridge and Louisville Landing. Sometimes we’ll get
squirrelly and launch at the Marine Base off Alcoa and ride around the downtown area.
KW: What kind of boat do you ride behind?
JJ: Red ’06 Supra 24 SSV. I love it, its like an all-u-can-eat wake buffet every time I
ride, and Im always hungry…
KW: What is it you
enjoy most about
wakeboarding?
JJ: That feeling; that
instant of chaos,
adrenaline, and
whatever you wanna
call it, its like a drug.
Most drugs are bad,
but this one is Great. I
love learning
something new, and
building/tweaking
what I already know. I
could make a never-
ending list, but
basically it’s ‘that
feeling’.
enjoy most about
wakeboarding?
JJ: That feeling; that
instant of chaos,
adrenaline, and
whatever you wanna
call it, its like a drug.
Most drugs are bad,
but this one is Great. I
love learning
something new, and
building/tweaking
what I already know. I
could make a never-
ending list, but
basically it’s ‘that
feeling’.
KW: Who locally do you ride with and why?
JJ: My Bro (Jordan) is most always out with me…He has some learning to do so you
know…But I pretty much ride with any/every one that’s down. Matt Burkhart, Charlie
Fethe, Ryan Pate, Martin Wood make appearances often. Ive been riding with the guys
from Mission as well, trying to take notes. There are many others that come and go
occasionally. I really enjoy riding with new people and I looking forward to meeting
many more knox-wakeians this summer.
KW: How do you describe your riding style?
JJ: Ferocious but Classy
KW: Do you have anyone teaching you or are you self-taught?
JJ: Self taught for the most part. The local demos and clinics that go down each year
are probably the most inspiring for me because you can take something away from
watching anyone ride, so definitely check em out and support the local shops.
JJ: My Bro (Jordan) is most always out with me…He has some learning to do so you
know…But I pretty much ride with any/every one that’s down. Matt Burkhart, Charlie
Fethe, Ryan Pate, Martin Wood make appearances often. Ive been riding with the guys
from Mission as well, trying to take notes. There are many others that come and go
occasionally. I really enjoy riding with new people and I looking forward to meeting
many more knox-wakeians this summer.
KW: How do you describe your riding style?
JJ: Ferocious but Classy
KW: Do you have anyone teaching you or are you self-taught?
JJ: Self taught for the most part. The local demos and clinics that go down each year
are probably the most inspiring for me because you can take something away from
watching anyone ride, so definitely check em out and support the local shops.
KW: Do you participate
in any other board
sports?
JJ: Shaaaa. You name it, I’
ll shred it. I spend a
copious amount of time
on the mountain during
the winter. I love the
mini-park up at
Cataloochee, and
Appalachian Mtn. is just
amazing. In the between
seasons, I mostly just
skate/longboard though.
I also like to practice on
the trampoline with my
trusty homemade tramp-
board.
in any other board
sports?
JJ: Shaaaa. You name it, I’
ll shred it. I spend a
copious amount of time
on the mountain during
the winter. I love the
mini-park up at
Cataloochee, and
Appalachian Mtn. is just
amazing. In the between
seasons, I mostly just
skate/longboard though.
I also like to practice on
the trampoline with my
trusty homemade tramp-
board.
KW: So how did you get the
title of President of the
Maryville College wakeboard
club?
JJ: I got together with some
friends that liked to
wakeboard around MC and
started an official club, which
has opened a lot of doors for
lots of people out here that
would probably not get to
ride much or even at all
otherwise. It was an
obnoxious process to get
approval because not many
officials out here really
understood wakeboarding.
Definitely learned the
perseverance lesson from
that one…
title of President of the
Maryville College wakeboard
club?
JJ: I got together with some
friends that liked to
wakeboard around MC and
started an official club, which
has opened a lot of doors for
lots of people out here that
would probably not get to
ride much or even at all
otherwise. It was an
obnoxious process to get
approval because not many
officials out here really
understood wakeboarding.
Definitely learned the
perseverance lesson from
that one…
KW: Do you guys participate in any competitions as a club or do you just get together to ride?
JJ: Most of us really aren’t active in the local competitions yet, but it’s certainly not out of the question for the future because we have
some people that are starting to step it up. For now though it’s mostly hanging out, riding, and livin the dream…
KW: How much more school do you have?
JJ: I’m a Junior at Maryville College so one more year, then hopefully Med/Pharm School.
KW: Do you plan on passing the torch on to someone else after your graduate?
JJ: Of course! I know there will be MC students in the future that are interested in wakeboarding, but once Im gone, the club will
need a boat, so that’ll be the kicker….
JJ: Most of us really aren’t active in the local competitions yet, but it’s certainly not out of the question for the future because we have
some people that are starting to step it up. For now though it’s mostly hanging out, riding, and livin the dream…
KW: How much more school do you have?
JJ: I’m a Junior at Maryville College so one more year, then hopefully Med/Pharm School.
KW: Do you plan on passing the torch on to someone else after your graduate?
JJ: Of course! I know there will be MC students in the future that are interested in wakeboarding, but once Im gone, the club will
need a boat, so that’ll be the kicker….
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