Brad Gearhart is a classic Minnesota boy that I've known pretty much ever since I moved down to Florida. He's always been a stand up dude and I've always had respect for him. So, when I found out that he took on a pretty serious/rad position at Correct Craft (Nautiques) here in Orlando, I had to catch up with him to get the real story. Check out how this midwesterner has adjusted to life as a Florida resident.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Prior Lake, Minnesota.

When did you move down to Orlando?

I moved here for the first time in 2003.

Why did you move to Orlando?

Our contest and riding season in Minnesota was ending and I wasn't ready for summer to be over. If you love to wakeboard this is the place to be so I packed up all my stuff and headed south.

Did you come south with anyone or alone?

I came down here with Matt Riesgraf (AKA "Beaver"). We moved to an apartment complex on the infamous Lake Fredrica and were greeted by a group of other riders from all over who had moved to Orlando for the same reason. You probably could have made a reality TV show out of that place. There was a crew of about ten of us that rode and hung out together, built rails, and filmed each other. Although the crew has since split up, a lot of people from that group are now successfully working within the industry, riding, and still in Orlando doing this thing.

Have there been times where you wanted to head back to the Midwest?

I've started packing to move home quite a few times. I love it up there and I still try to make it back about every 4-5 weeks in the summer. Up until this year I've been pretty back and forth; I went back for about three months a couple years ago and had a blast. The lifestyle up there in the summertime is unbeatable.

What made you stay in Orlando when you missed the Midwest lifestyle?

I would have to say the people.Having so many people in one area that are passionate about the same thing is awesome. Everyone comes here to ride so you' (TM)re always meeting new people from all over the world; the wakeboarding community in Orlando keeps getting bigger and more fun. There is always something going on.

Now you work for Nautique, what does your job entail exactly?

I work in Marketing as Team Coordinator. I deal with all of our wakeboarders, wakeskaters and water skiers; I also work with the Marketing team at events and on other Marketing-related projects. I also write our Team blog. Check it out at Nautiques.com.

What's the most difficult part of your job?

skip.

What's the best part about your job?

The best part of my job is working within this industry and getting to be a part of something that I am passionate about. I grew up riding behind a Nautique and working for such an awesome company is a dream come true. The people at Nautique are really talented and it's inspiring to be able to work alongside people who helped make our industry what is today.

How is your summer looking with Nautique? Busy? Lots of travel? What?

My summer is going to be slammed. We have a lot of things we're working on that I am really excited about and I will be traveling to wakeboard and water ski events all over.

Any events you're looking forward to with Nautique?

We have the Air Nautique Wake Games coming up April 23-26 here in Orlando, the Masters Water Ski&Wakeboard; Tournament May 22-24 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA and the WWA Air Nautique Wakeboard National Championships July 8-12 in Oklahoma City. I am also looking forward to going to the AMA Air Nautique Amateur National motocross championships at Loretta Lynn's in TN. Nautique sent me to Loretta's for the first time last year and it was awesome. It was really cool to see how big motocross is at that level and how many of those guys are pumped on wakeboarding. Their sport is a lot like ours in the sense that it is all about going out with your friends and family and having a good time. I'm really happy that we are able to be a part of that event and can't wait to go again this year.

If someone is thinking about moving down to Orlando or going for a job in their favorite industry, what advice would you give them?

Put your time in. If you stay with it because you love it, it will pay off in the long run even if it sometimes seems like the crazy thing to do. Take risks and never forget your passion for the sport.