Recent Comments matthew47 says: "Nice pictures I'm more into snow boarding I like the thrill of putting my life in danger on snow and ice I prefer than water but dangerous is dangerous." letsgo19 says: "I know what you mean.My 3 boys love that same feeling when they board .I am very emotional when i watch them and the looks on their faces are priceless.With the music playing on the tower the sun on the water,forget it, not all people will ever know that emotion! Enjoy!!!!!" | Exclusive with Spencer Smith If you haven't heard of Spencer Smith, you should scold yourself. He's a talented photographer and has had his work featured on the cover of every wake magazine out there (wait, that's like, two, WakeboardingMag and Alliance). But nonetheless, his photos tell it all. Check out the interview below and make sure you clue yourself in with who he is and what he does at: http://blog.sgsphotography.com/ Well...let's begin with a little intro: Who are you? Spencer G. Smith Can I have your middle name please? Graham Where ya from? Loomis, CA (Just outside of Sacramento) Where ya living? I'm splitting the year between Orlando and Sacramento. It's the best way for me to work in this industry. Have you always been into photography? No, actually it hit me right after I graduated high school. What is your weapon of choice in the photography realm? Nikon 100%. Live by the Nikon, Die by the Nikon. How did you end up getting into wake photography? I had a couple of close friends who knew a few people in the industry (Al Gartamaker&Danny; Turner). I went out in the boat with them and a couple riders a few times just to see these guys ride. I brought my Mother's point and shoot camera out with me to take some photos of the action. I thought the photos were really cool and decided to dig a little deeper in photography. I purchased a semi-professional camera and just kept with it. That led me to new people; people who actually made seeing my photos in the magazines a reality. Now that you're recognized for your talent, it seems like you get to travel a bit. Where are some of the raddest places you've been? Yeah, this past summer was really my first summer traveling. I totaled up all of the miles and it turned out to be more than 120,000 miles. As weird as it may sound, I like the traveling part sometimes more than the destination, haha. The coolest place I have been is to the Philippines. I visited the Camsur Watersports Complex for a week. Absolute awesome set up and a great place to relax and experience a different way of life. What was your biggest accomplishment/payback in photography yet? Getting my first two covers in the same month with two different publications. It had been something I have been working towards for a while. To finally see something I had visualized in my head translated to a cover of a magazine was unreal. What would be your perfect/dream shot? Well, I guess I don't really have a dream shot in mind but there are certain conditions that would make a dream shot for me. Glassy water, clear skies, and an evening sun would make a shot look great. What rider do you think you have dialed to shoot well? Honestly, it's not just one rider, it's all. I pay a lot of attention to one's style. I basically study my subjects as weird as that sounds. That way when I shoot with them I know somewhat to expect. An example of this would be a rider grabbing a trick late or early. By knowing their riding style I can base my decisions off of them. What is your biggest issue/challenge in photography? Keeping up with all of this expensive equipment! Haha. Actually, it's always challenging for me, if it wasn't I probably wouldn't be doing it. I love the challenge of trying to make a shot look unique. Any advice for a weekend warrior that wants to snap some photos of their buds? Trial and error. In this digital era it's so easy to change settings and see instantly how it affects the shot. Mess around with your settings, see what does what. Eventually you'll get better and know more about the different variables that are present when shooting. Do you dabble in photography outside of wakeboarding? Not too much. I've been into aviation my whole life, so I have been shooting some air-to-air photos of other aircraft on the side. It presents a new challenge to me that I enjoy. Where can we look for you photos in 2009? Any special trips or events? I'll be doing a lot of work this summer with Wakeboard Mag, Alliance Wakeboard Magazine,&SBC; Wakeboard Magazine. I'll be all over covering some cool events and new areas. At the Acworth PWT stop you are basically a legend (and many other places as well). Do you believe your "legend" status can be attributed to your parking lot parties? Haha. The parking lot parties have been great, usually a high lite for me every year in Atlanta. I don't know if I've been doing them long enough to be a legend! Haha. To close it out, what would you like people to recognize your shots for? Everyone will perceive my shots in there own way, I'm just happy to be recognized! Haha. Any other points you need to tell that I didn't cover? Not really, but I would like to thank all of the people out there who buy/subscribe to any wakeboard related publication. It allows me to do what I love for a living. It's also an honor to be able to share my vision with all of the readers out there. Channels: More Gravel Tour Stop #1 Winner Johnny TobabenThis past weekend marked the beginning of the 2009 Performance Gravel Tour. Although Saturday was mad windy at OWC, the competition still went on. Amateur and progressing local pros threw down their best in the conditions and a Gravel Tour Stop 1 champion was found, up and coming Johnny Tobaben. Johnny "Stoke" is an Atlanta native that now resides part time in Orlando and part time back home. He's a 17 year old but seriously has his act together. He's on par not only with his riding but socially as well. This kid can talk about anything to anyone which is a quality that not many 17 year old boys posses. But don't get me wrong, he's still a young gun, consumed mostly with the simple but made overly complicated facts of riding and girls. Read on for a little insight into the latest Gravel Tour winner, Johnny Tobaben. You won the Outlaw division of the Gravel Tour stop #1, congrats! Did you think you could win this event before your run? I was competing against myself so it didn' (TM)t matter how I did as far as the other people. If I did well, great. Winning was a nice bonus though too. What was in your contest pass that sealed the deal? The Jt Poke ( a bat wing poke that' (TM)s semi-off axis), grab heel 5, crow 5 (fall), whirlybird (almost out the front but saved it), toe 5, tail glide (almost died), crow 5, back mobe. I was so excited after landing those that I forgot about the double up and caught my nose on the roller and fell like a beginner across the wake. Tell us about the event and the vibe of the day on Saturday? I think the Gravel tour is an awesome contest because it' (TM)s beyond the pro tour where all ages can get involved which is nice. I love seeing little kids, girls, older guys running around with their board and just excited to ride. It' (TM)s good for everybody. Who was your big competition on Saturday? Daniel Powers and Brad Spencer were all in the running. I honestly didn' (TM)t think I was going to win. Daniel rode really well and Nick G rode well too. Seriuosly, I rode against myself and did what I wanted to do. Coach Glenn Fletch sent me a text earlier in the week and told me I had to land a crow 5 and back mobe, so that' (TM)s what I was working for all week. Winning made all the hard work worth it. What have you been doing to train/ride well this season? This season I' (TM)ve been getting hurt more than ever before. I' (TM)ve been stretching, doing yoga, lifting weights, riding three shorter sets a day. New to this year is a full body ice bath for 30 minutes a day. It' (TM)s excruciating, but it works. What are you goals for 2009? My goal this year is to win the Pro Junior Men tour. I know that it won' (TM)t be easy and that I will have to work but that' (TM)s why it' (TM)s my goal and I' (TM)m very willing to work for it. I also want to focus on my freeriding and style behind that. It' (TM)d be great to get in the magazines this year and show off some of my unique style. Plan on dominating the 2nd stop of the Gravel Tour? How could I not ride in it. I would definitely like to do better than I did in the last contest and if that allows me to win, than perfect. Would you consider yourself more of a contest rider or a freerider? In the past, I would have said that I was more of a contest rider and that' (TM)s how I trained. But now, I' (TM)m trying to develop and progress at both. There are not many that are both and the people that can do both are the most successful. When you' (TM)re not riding, what are you up to? Chasing girls. Thinking about girls. And chasing girls. Maybe a little school work. Aren' (TM)t you lucky that your parents let you live in the hood of Clear Lake, ride, and live with friends. Are you behaving over there? Yes, I am. My parents and I both know who I belong to. I almost lost my life 4 years ago. I will not take my second opportunity at life for granted. How' (TM)s school? Tell me you' (TM)re getting straight A' (TM)s. It' (TM)s good, considering I do two hours of work a month. Haha, I teach myself so everything that I do, I definitely grasp. My school mentality is somewhat like a turtle, slow but consistent. Any last words? Quick little thank you to God for giving me life, Dad for teaching me what hard work is, and of course, the rest of my family, my best bud Brad makes it possible for me to be down here and coach Glen Fletcher. If you believe you will receive if you doubt, you will go without. Johnnytobaben.com Check it out. Channels: More Inside Fun Boots!Keith Lant and Dave Hanson have worked their ass off to caputure some of the bestwakeskaters on film. Their film, Fun Boots! premiered in Orlando in January and Austin in March. These boys are always pushing the limits and making things happen for wakeskaters. They know how to get a job done and party when it's over. Keith stopped by the other day to fill me in on what's been going down in his Fun Boots! First things first, the title, how did you come up with the name? Dave Hanson, Andy Pastura, and I were on way back from Lazy Moon grabbing pizza and texting each other random names for the film.Andy P sent me Fun Boots!, I didn' (TM)t believe him and then he actually spoke it to me' it was done.Fun Boots! it was. Is this your first project or have there been others?What were they? Esoteric was my first.Came out in about June 2007.All wakeskating, check it out. What made you go for an all wakeskate film? Wakeskaters work harder at the films they' (TM)re working on.It' (TM)s intense because it takes a ton of effort to get out to a gap, that you may or may not get kicked out of, get the winch out there, and not get paid a lot to do it.Wakeskaters are dedicated. How long have you been filming for it? A year and a half.Final product finished March 2009.Whawhat. Where were some of the locations you filmed? Throughout the entire state of Florida and Georgia and Texas.And a couple parties in Virginia (probably the most important aspect). What was your favorite part about the entire project? Hanging out with good friends and making things happen the entire time. What riders are featured in it? Ben Horan, Stu Shinn, Nick Taylor, Travis Duran, Clint Tompkins, Matt Hooker, Andy Pastura Where can we find Fun Boots to buy? We' (TM)re going through Sidewayz Distribution.They' (TM)re selling it around the World.Check out where they deal and grab it. How about those sweet Fun Boots tanks, can we buy those anywhere? We' (TM)re selling them all online.They' (TM)re the most amazing fashion statement EVER. The premiere was at Semoran Skate.How was it received by the crowd? All were stoked to rollerskate while watching a wakeskate video.What' (TM)s not to like about that.I had a blast with everyone there and there were plenty of cheers throughout the night.FYI: Brian Soderlind (Bear) and Brian Reeder were breaking it down on the rollerskates all night I saw photos of the cake, it looked tasty, was it? Grandma Gill knows how to make some cake. Any other premieres planned for other locations? We already did our Austin, TX premiere, a complete failure and success at the same time. Let' (TM)s look into your future.Do you see any more films or productions? Yea, just playing around right now with some Super 8 stuff though. Any big plans for 2009?How about a Fun Boots tour? Just trying to finish the semester at Valencia.Keep the fun alive, I like to party? Anything else we need to know about you, your film, or life? Fun-boots.blogspot.com Channels: More Exclusive with Adam FieldsAdam Fields is a pretty well rounded rider.He has legitimate style (check out his spins), knows how to put together a contest pass, coaches, and is a collegiate wake judge.Sit down with him and he' (TM)s a mellow dude with insight on wake and things beyond.Read on for the exclusive with Adam. Where are ya living and what are ya up to these days?I'm living on Lake Brantley, in Longwood Florida right now. Spring break camp season has just picked up, so I've been mentoring to people a lot lately and working on my own riding as well. I'm doing a lot to help others as well as myself get into shape for the upcoming summer season. What's the best and worst part about living with Derek Cook?The best part about living with Derek is the wakeboarding companionship we have. We work together as a team to be more productive, and feed off each other's energy. We also learn well from each other. He offers style tips and motivates me to think more creatively, and I push him to be more technical. Where are you from originally?I'm originally from Lake Gaston NC, which is right on the border of NC and VA, just west of I 95. How'd you get into shredding?I grew up competitively waterskiing with my parents and was encouraged to wakeboard by my friend Stephen Smith. Little by little I rode more and skied less until, in 2000 I completely made the switch to wakeboarding. What board are you on these days? Now I'm riding a super tricked out, and by tricked out I mean spray painted, Liquid Force Witness 136 with Shane OT boots. With your riding, what have you been concentrating/working on lately? I've been working on adding grabs to the moves I don't grab, and to grab better long what moves I already grab. I've been working on switch a lot so I can be more comfortable from all directions. Overall I want to keep my riding looking cool, smooth, and really diverse so I can put on a nice show when I get out with a bunch of girls in the boat ;) I remember watching a rad YouTube video with "Riders of the Storm" playing, I want more.Anymore videos planned?I can't believe you've seen that! That's my first, and only, video that I edited. haha. I'm so pumped on that one. As soon as I get a camera I'll make some more. That one was from like 2002 so its time for a new one. Then maybe more people can see how I ride. Theres a lot of stuff I can do that I've just never shown because of a lack of video footage. Any trips or photos planned for 2009? 2009 will be a big year for sure. I'm going to be a little more grounded to my home lake and wakeboard school in North Carolina, but I'll also go to Sweden, probably Germany, California, Miami, maybe Wakestock in UK, and some other events in the US to meet new people, have fun, and promote my school. Are you planning on riding PWT or any contests this summer? I'm probably not doing the PWT but will definitely do at least 10-20 contests. I've been averaging around 15-20 contests a year since 2002..Just not PWT. Last year was my first year doing the tour. I know you run a camp out of NC in the summer, when are you heading back up there to pick up lessons? I'll be heading back up to NC around the middle of may to get things underway. How'd you get into the lesson aspect of riding? I grew up going to waterski camps and always had a nice time working with instructors to improve my skiing. As I got older I began to coach at the ski camps. When I started wakeboarding I soon began to ride with former World Champ Mike Weddington. He started a school that I helped with. I quickly realized how expensive it was to own a boat, so I started offering lessons to people. Each year more and more people came to me to learn, so I slowly started to put things together in a more professional way. If folks are looking for lessons, what can they expect from your camp? Each year we experience better results with our students. Our coaching style is based around positive reinforcement, strength and confidence building, incorporating a fun atmosphere for our students to learn the step by step, easy way towards their long term goals. We hope to show our riders how to progress in a safe, fun way, so they will enjoy wakeboarding for a long time. My camp setting is a very safe, family oriented environment. My students live with me, eat with me, ride with me, and are well taken care of so they feel safe and comfortable. This allows them to really see what the lifestyle is like and to concentrate on their wakeboarding 24-7. And Finally...Do you still think that spoons can be bent with your mind? Yes I do :) I've seen it done in person. If you can bend a spoon with your mind, just think what you can do with the rest of your life with your mind. Channels: More Catchin up with BradBrad 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.
I moved here for the first time in 2003. 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. 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.
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.
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. skip. 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. 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. 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.
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. Channels: More |
