Spend a day on the lake with Gunner Daft, as I once had the privilege of doing, and you realize this pro wakeboarder is as passionate and thoughtful about the sport as they come. 

In this video, hear Gunner Daft describe how wakeboarding inspires him and how he uses it as a means of personal expression. Watch Gunner ride behind his own Montara Boats Surf Boss as he philosophizes on the physics, and the metaphysics, of the sport we all love. 

Watch this video, and you’ll get to see Gunner airborne, executing a number of tricks. You’ll also get to hear why he loves wakeboarding and what makes it so special to him. I know those words will resonate with wakeboarders, other watersports enthusiasts, and, in my view, anyone who pursues excellence in any endeavor, on or off the water.

The post Gunner Daft on the Meaning of Wakeboarding appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this video, Montara Boats rider Gunner Daft displays his awesome skill. Watch as Daft wakeboards behind his own Montara Boats Surf Boss 2.0…a Boating Boat of the Year. 

Excellent riding is captured as this long-time pro exhibits the style, precision and ability that only a world-class wakeboarder such as Gunner Daft can perform. Enjoy this montage of Gunner Daft riding and check out our other videos featuring Gunner Daft, and other pro riders, who share their tips and advice for you.

The post Gunner Daft Montage appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this video, pro rider Gunner Daft shares his tips and techniques for performing a toeside backroll. Gunner rides behind his own Montara Boats Surf Boss 2.0 to break down this wakeboarding trick so that you can learn it.

Advance your wakeboarding skills! Watch this video to learn about your approach, your edge, how to hold your chest, the handle, when to open-up and more.

See more of Gunner Daft on Instagram at: @gunner_daft.

Read Next: More Pro How-To Advice!

The post How to Do a Toeside Backroll appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

What do these pros have to say about the collaboration? Read on!

On Instagram, Scott Byerly, quoted from among numerous posts about Montara and his 25 Surf Boss 2.0, “Happy to be a part of the @montaraboats family.”

Byerly is credited with the invention of tricks including the classic “Pete Rose”. He developed his own line of progressive products from Wakeboards, Bindings, Wakesurfers, and Wakeskates, which have become universally admired and sought after within the wakeboarding community. Over the years, Scott has amassed a long list of accomplishments from competition, free riding, and several iconic wakeboard movies. Scott is also recognized for his role as a mentor and teacher for younger riders. He continually seeks new ways to push himself and the sport forward, and is praised for his dedication to his craft.

We caught up to Gunner Daft, and he shared his thoughts with us about Montara.

“Super stoked to have signed with Montara boats! The vision this company has is something I truly believe in. Combining the luxuries and comfortability of a high-end pontoon boat with the performance and capabilities of a top-of-the-line wakeboard boat truly is the best of both worlds. Excited to be apart of the Montara Boats family and looking forward to what the future holds!“

At a young age, Daft began to enter local and regional competitions and quickly made a name for himself in the wakeboarding world. He has competed in numerous prestigious events such as Wake Games, the Pro Wakeboard Tour, and Wakeboard World Championships, gaining recognition not only for his thrilling maneuvers but also for his poise and sportsmanship.

Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg is truly enthusiastic of his collaboration with Montara Boats, if his Instagram is any indication. “Checking out the new boat. Pumped to be working with @montaraboats ?? can’t wait to get out on the water with the family.”

Stenberg is a legendary freestyle motocross rider who has revolutionized the sport with his incredible talent and intense style. Born and raised in California, Twitch got his start in motocross at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the discipline.

Stenberg is widely recognized as one of freestyle motocross’s most dynamic and innovative riders. With numerous championships and accolades to his name, Twitch has cemented his place as a trailblazer and leader in the sport. He is renowned for his uncanny ability to execute impossible-looking tricks and aerial maneuvers.

For more information, visit montaraboats.com.

The post Montara Boats Partners With Three Watersports Pros appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The post 2018 O’Brien Format appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee is important, obviously, but if you miss one of the weak links in the chain, all the work you do to strengthen your knees may not pay off.

Ankle sprains lead to a permanent loosening of the ligaments that hold the foot and ­ankle together. When this happens, the integrity of the foot is not maintained and the arch falls, which leads to pronation. Pronation causes the tibia to internally rotate and the knee to buckle inward. With small forces, perhaps it is too slight to notice; however, with greater forces like in wakeboarding, this impact can create a much bigger problem, such as damage to the meniscus, MCL or the ACL.

To prevent this problem, work on ankle stability exercises like drawing the alphabet with your foot, standing on a stability board (like a Bosu ball), and calf raises. Secondly, you can create an inexpensive and disposable orthotic to wear while riding to support your arch and prevent it from collapsing if yours is not strong.

You will need two pieces of athletic tape about 6 to 8 inches long. Begin in front of the ankle, wrap all the way around the bottom of the foot, and anchor the tape back on itself. The second piece will begin ­directly under the big-toe joint and also continue under the foot and anchor back on itself. Tape with your foot in a neutral and nonweight-bearing position. Be careful not to wrap too tightly. When you put weight on your foot, the tape will become snug.

• If any discomfort is felt, discontinue use.

About the Wake Doctor: Abby Delgoffe is a chiropractor and clinic director at Orlando Sports Chiropractic and has been a competitive wakeboarder at the pro level for five years. She travels not only to compete but also to treat athletes for the WWA World Series.

The post Wake Doctor: Ankle Strengthening for Strong Knees appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

1. Squats.
Squats target the entire lower body. The quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves and peroneal muscles are worked to stabilize and balance as the torso lowers. Begin with toes pointed forward, shoulder width apart. Sit back with full body weight on the heels. Keep your core tight, and don’t let your knees go forward past your ankles.

2. Tuck Jump.
Tuck jumps also target the lower body but give an extra kick to the abdominals and increase cardiovascular endurance. This exercise also trains the muscles for explosiveness, which is helpful when taking off at the wake. To do this exercise, jump as high as you can and lift your knees to your chest.

3. Burpee.
The burpee is an all-purpose fat burner and muscle toner. Begin standing. Plant your hands on the ground, jump back into a push-up position, then jump your feet forward, between your hands. Jump up and return to standing. Repeat.

4. Tricep Dip.
This exercise targets the triceps but also works the ­muscles of the shoulders and forearms. Begin sitting on a sturdy chair. Place your hands on the edge of the seat, lift up on your hands and drop your buttocks down in front of the chair. Push up and lower back down.

5. Pull-up.
The classic pull-up is beneficial for entire upper-body strengthening. Changing the grip can alter which muscles are ­targeted the most. Change between an ­under grip for more bicep work, an over grip for the posterior shoulder muscles, and a wide grip for the lats.

6. Bicycle.
The bicycle strengthens the abdominals circumferentially, meaning all around. Lying on your back, support the head and neck with your hands. Crunch up and bring the left knee to the right elbow while the other leg is extended. Switch.

The post Wake Doctor: No Gym Required appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

If we were to judge the book of Gunner Daft by its cover, he’d be an airhead with a penchant for firearms. And while that might be a funny life to tune into for the rest of us, it’s probably not how Gunner wants to live his. Fortunately for him — and us — there is much more to the wakeboarder than his unique name. As a kid growing up in Oklahoma, Gunner took to wakeboarding like most that age take to Pokémon and Sour Patch Kids. He progressed quickly and couldn’t get enough of it (if you can find his old MySpace page, you’ll see what we’re talking about). By the time he was 16, he was good enough to realize he had a future in the sport and somehow convinced his parents to let him finish high school online and move to Orlando, Florida, in pursuit of a pro career. That, along with some rad parents, takes gumption. With Gunner’s laid-back demeanor, it’s not always easy to see the fire that fuels his passion to ride, but it’s there, and it burns as intensely in him as with any other pro in the sport. Since he made that move, Gunner’s mission has been to make his own unique mark on wakeboarding, and even with the setback of a blown knee — not to mention the chance of being labeled a trigger-happy doofus — he has done just that.

You just got off the water shooting photos for this interview. What’s it like trying to ride under the pressure of a deadline and making sure you’re getting the shots you want?

Gunner: It can get a little stressful [laughs]. Honestly, this is only the third time I’ve ridden in a month. I’ve been taking some time off and spending more time in the gym getting my body ready for the season, so I was a little rusty. I think we got the shots we were looking for; it helps when you and the photographer have a plan and know what you’re trying to get.

What do you try to focus on when you’re doing photo shoots?

Gunner: I really try to make sure I get a solid grab in the right place and that you can see it where the photographer is shooting from. I also try to mix it up and be different, just so the photos don’t look the same as a bunch of others out there.

What was it like to get your first cover last year?

Gunner: Getting my first cover was amazing, especially after coming off an ACL injury and not planning on doing anything crazy like big contests. My riding felt good last year, but to get asked to shoot for the cover was huge. It really got things going again for me and got me pumped to get after it on my wakeboard.

How did being off the water with a major knee injury change your perspective on riding?

Gunner: My injury really made me appreciate riding a lot more. Riders can take riding for granted sometimes — just being able to get out and ride every day. When that gets taken away from you, it’s hard. You have to find other things to do to keep yourself occupied. I think my injury was actually good for me though. It made me realize I need to keep my s#&% together and stay healthier. I realized I couldn’t go out partying whenever I wanted and think that things would be fine. I’ve really gotten focused on staying in shape and staying healthy — I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. It’s definitely a negative thing to get injured, but I think overall it’s been a positive outcome for me.

Is there any hesitation still with your knee, or are you feeling good physically and mentally?

Gunner: Physically and mentally I’m feeling better than ever, even better than before I was injured. With all my training and rehab, I know my knee is stronger than ever. I trust my body more because I know I have the strength to absorb big landings. Everything feels really good. I’m pumped.

What’s the most nervous you’ve ever been with wakeboarding?

Gunner: The most nervous I’ve been was probably a few years ago when I broke my leg. I did it riding a dirt bike, but when I came back to wakeboarding, I still had a plate and screws in my leg. That whole year after coming back, my leg was constantly in pain, and it started messing with me mentally. If I ever felt myself going a little too big or overshooting the wake, I would bail. I knew I couldn’t keep riding if my mind was constantly going to be questioning things. Fortunately, after having the plate and screws taken out and doing some more rehab, I was good again, but for that summer I was pretty nervous every time I rode.

You got to move to Orlando at 16 to pursue wakeboarding, which is pretty crazy. What were your first impressions of it?

Gunner: My first impression was crazy because it was a bunch of 16- to 18-year-olds living together. We were all living away from our parents for the first time, and we were partying all the time [laughs]. But we were riding every day too, because that’s what we wanted to do, and we loved it. The coolest part was just being in the mix and meeting everybody. We’d go to OWC (Orlando Watersports Complex) a lot, and every time we’d meet somebody new. The more we rode, the more riders we started to meet, and then you start to meet photographers and stuff and do photo shoots, which was really cool.

What are your impressions now?

Gunner: It’s still the same in terms of just being able to go out and ride with everybody. I just get more annoyed with the traffic and tourists than when I was younger and stoked on everything [laughs]. It’s definitely home now though. I love it.

Does it feel more like home when your roommate, Massi, is back in town?

Gunner: Definitely. It gets louder when he’s back, that’s for sure [laughs]. You never really know what’s going to happen with him as your roommate. You plan on going out for a quick dinner, and before you know it, it’s 2 a.m. and you’re trying to find an Uber ride home.

How was the offseason for you?

Gunner: It’s been really nice and mellow. I’ve been trying to learn how to make some music with Ableton Live on my computer. I actually just started an online class about music production, which has been cool. Over the holidays, I got the chance to go to Colorado and visit my brother, who lives out there. It was my first time snowboarding in three years, which was really fun. I’ve also been going to the gym a bunch to stay in shape and get ready for the season. And I’ve driven to Alabama a few times to see my girlfriend and [gone to] some functions with her sorority.

Oh, Greek life? Does that also make you a Crimson Tide fan now?

Gunner: Not a chance! [laughing] I was so happy when they lost the National Championship! I’m an Oklahoma State fan.

Have you always been into music? What got you into the production thing?

Gunner: I’ve always been really into music, and I pretty much listen to anything, from country to rock to rap. I’m trying to learn how to produce more electronic-style music. I’ve always been really into that, and a couple months after my injury I got to go to EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) with Massi and Brandon Parker. Brandon was shooting video for one of the DJs, and we got to go backstage and see a lot of stuff. I was able to talk to some guys, and the whole experience got me into the idea of learning more and trying some myself.

What are your plans for 2017? Compete more? Film more?

Gunner: I’m looking to get back into the contest scene. The only one I did last year was Punta Cana, which was really cool. It will be fun to do a full year in the pro ranks and compete with all my friends. I’m also working on a video piece with Rathy. We started filming before my injury and got some pretty good stuff. He actually came to my surgery and shot some of that, and my recovery too. He’s pretty much shot stuff the whole way, so it’s going to be a video with a cool story.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve gotten to do because of wakeboarding?

Gunner: Probably when I went over to New Zealand a couple years ago. It was after Brad Smeele’s injury, and they had the Tairua Pipe Masters event for him. I got to ride in it, and it was such a fun, different experience. Hitting rails in salt water with tides going in and out and getting pulled by a PWC; it was just a fun time with a lot of really good people. And getting to visit for Brad and be part of the contest for him was really special.

What are your current thoughts on the state of wakeboarding?

Gunner: I think wakeboarding is going in the right direction. Everyone is starting to focus on style more and trying to do things their own way. I think that’s really cool and good for the sport. That’s always what I’ve tried to do because I wanted to set myself apart, and I see that more in younger kids now than I used to. Usually, they were just more interested in checking off the next trick or adding a 180, but now they’re trying to learn different grabs and variations of tricks. When you have more riders focused on making their riding unique, the sport becomes more interesting for everybody else to watch.

Your crew, the Conway Kids, have made some noise the last couple of years with magazine coverage, videos, and even Trick of the Year for Max Van Helvoort. Who’s gonna have the big breakout this year?

Gunner: Unfortunately, Max is still out with his ACL injury, but he’s looking strong and should be able to get back on the water by April. I don’t know who will have the breakout year. I think everybody is riding strong. Everybody is more focused than ever, myself included. Massi says he’s gonna win the PWT … [laughs]. (Massi in the background: “When did I say that?!”)

Who’s your favorite rider to watch right now?

Gunner: Jacob Valdez. He’s always been one of my favorite riders. Even though he doesn’t ride as much anymore, every time he goes out he kills it. He makes everything look so different; it’s really fun and inspiring to watch. His section in Dog Dayz was insane. Hopefully, we can link up again this summer and ride some more.

You’ve got a new lady in your life too. Who’s Charli?

Gunner: Oh yeah, Charli’s awesome! She’s my little French bulldog. I used to watch (videographer) Russell Spencer’s pug, Finch, all the time when he was traveling. When Russell told me he was going to move back to SoCal, I knew I had to get a dog. Russell and Finch actually came with me, and when Charli saw Finch, she loved him, so I knew she was the one. It’s awesome having her in the house now. She’s a ton of fun. Massi says he wants one now too, but there’s no way he can take care of one. (Massi in the background: “That’s because I’m focusing on winning the tour!”)

The post Gunner Daft: Pro Spotlight appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

A few quick rules to note:

• Rider gets one try to set the trick much like playing HORSE or a game of SKATE.
• The second rider then has two tries to land it (Gunnner got two attempts on the wrapped 3, we lost the other clip).
• The riders alternate who sets the trick.
• Rider let’s the other one know which trick they are trying before they attempt to set it.
• Boat crew makes the final call on any close decisions.

The post Games of WAKE – Gunner Daft vs. Gordon Harrison appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Toeside Inverts | Words: Brandon Judd | Photos: Bill Doster

Twist and Lean

It’s about time you learned some toeside tricks. We all know how easy it is to procrastinate and just focus on going big and sticking to the heelside tricks that we can do in our sleep — but those days are now behind us. To keep your riding from plateauing even further, you’ve got two options: You can either work on your switch riding, or you can get some more toeside tricks under your belt. Today, we’re going to help you with the latter — although you should also be continually looking at ways to chip away at your switch tricks, too.

We’ve selected two achievable toeside inverts for you to work on this summer: a toeside back roll and a toeside front roll. Before you get too far ahead of yourself, make sure you have a good toeside foundation before you thoughtlessly go throwing yourself at the wake. Ideally, you should have your toeside wake-to-wake jumps, toeside frontside 180s and toeside frontside shifties dialed before attempting these inverts. These prerequisites are more than just a check in a box. Learning each of these tricks will carry a specific skill over to your toeside inverts: Your toeside straight air will teach you the twist and lean you’ll need to hold through the takeoff and again on the landing; toeside frontside 180s will familiarize you with the unintentional frontside rotation caused by the increased line tension during the flip; and the toeside frontside shifty will teach you how to cancel out that unintentional frontside rotation midair, and return to a proper toeside landing position.

Aside from those on-the-water prerequisites, it would be wise of you to practice the goal invert on the trampoline, both regular and switch, and with 180s in either direction. This will give you an advantage when it comes to air awareness. After all, traveling 22 mph down the lake while being towed by a boat shouldn’t be the environment where you learn how to go upside down for the first time. So practice it on the trampoline with a spotter first —

it’ll be less risky and shorten your learning curve.

Toeside Back Roll

First up, the toeside back roll. Since this is probably the simplest toeside invert, it’s a great place to start. We looped in up-and-comer Gunner Daft to walk you through this invert step by step and help you troubleshoot some common mistakes. Gunner says, “For my toeside back roll, I edge out to the end of my line, then start with a nice progressive edge into the wake — keeping my chest up while approaching the wake and up through the takeoff. I try to stay patient through the takeoff and keep the handle pinned to my front hip to keep the rotation in control. Then, once I spot my landing, I open up, keeping my chest over my toes to land on edge.”

Easier said than done, right? When you try this trick, make sure that you keep your board twisted enough that it’s accelerating through the wake with the nose pointed in the direction you’re traveling. Otherwise, you may slip up the wake, over-rotate, case the second wake, and miss your pop — a common issue when learning. So hold the twist, load it up, and don’t rush the flip. For this flip, you can actually under-rotate a bit on purpose to help you edge away on your toes.

Another common issue is unintentional frontside rotation. Gunner explains, “I had a lot of trouble with unintentionally adding a frontside 180 while learning this trick. But once I learned how to keep the handle pinned to my front hip, it took that problem away instantly. You should also make sure you are looking straight back instead of throwing your head over one of your shoulders.”

Once you get it consistent, try adding some style with an indy grab. Gunner points out, “If you want to grab it, you have to make sure and ride all the way up the wake, feel the pop, bring your knees to your chest, and then throw your head back. Make sure and get the grab before you throw your head back; otherwise you’ll either over-rotate or miss the grab altogether.”

Find the Pop

Now that you understand how each flip functions, let’s get you to feel what you need to feel in order to replicate the pop at the wake with a low-impact drill for each flip.

Toeside Back Roll

Speaking from personal experience, Gunner says, “When I started trying the toeside back roll, I didn’t really have anybody tell me how to do it, so I just went for it. It took me a few months to land it because I couldn’t stop myself from doing a frontside 180. It’s actually the first trick I got knocked out on! Learning it one-wake first is the best way to get comfortable with the takeoff and with going upside down in that direction, with less risk of injury.” For this drill, simply slow down to a comfortable speed and let your rope out as far as you can, where the face of the wake is clean. Then, starting at the bottom of the wake, with only your front hand on the handle, pump up and down the face of the wake a few times to get comfortable, and then load up a one-wake toeside back roll by edging all the way through the wake into the sky in a tall, hips-forward body position.

One-Wake Back Roll

Find the Pop

Now that you understand how each flip functions, let’s get you to feel what you need to feel in order to replicate the pop at the wake with a low-impact drill for each flip.

Toeside Front Roll

Jake points out, “In addition to learning a front flip on the trampoline, it’s best to learn frontside re-entry ollies before you try a toeside front roll. Doing these will help you practice the pop and get a feel for leaving the wake off of the tail of your board, like you would for the front roll.” If you’ve never done them before, simply start at the bottom of the wake, drift slowly up the face of the wake, and then, when you reach about three-fourths of the way up the transition, ollie hard off the balls of your feet toward the flats. Try to ollie as far away from the wake as possible. This is the pop feeling you’ll need to replicate during your front roll attempts. Once you’ve got them dialed, try a few with two hands on the handle, since that will better mimic the takeoff position for the front roll. Sounds easy enough, right? Give it a go!

Re-Entry Ollie

The post Toeside Inverts appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.