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, see Noah Flegel, pro rider for Team Nautique, reveal how he sets up his boat. Watch Noah Flegel ride as he narrates the settings that help him achieve greatness while wakeboarding, wakesurfing and foiling. All of this takes place aboard Flegel’s own Nautique Boats G23 Paragon. Noah Flegel is known as a waterman, and this video showcases his expertise and versatility. Learn pro set up tricks from Flegel!

The post How to Set Up Your Boat for Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing and Foiling with Noah Flegel appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this video, watch professional wakeboarder and Centurion Boats team rider, Taylor McCullough, in action. She is a Wakeboard World Series champion. The footage shows McCullough performing at top level, executing grabs, 180s and inverts behind a Centurion Ri230.

Read Next: Learn More About Centurion’s Ri230, Like the One McCullough Rides Behind

According to the Centurion Boats website: “Taylor McCullough started wakeboarding at 3 1/2 years old in Centralia, IL. Her favorite place to ride is on the Murray River in Yarrawonga, Victoria, AUS. Taylor’s favorite trick is an indy tantrum or indy backroll. Prior to competing, Taylor employs the power of music, embracing diverse genres to find solace and calm her nerves, ensuring she performs at her absolute best.”

The post Taylor McCullough in Action! 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.

Brian Grubb is a force of nature, thrilling audiences, and especially watersports enthusiasts, worldwide. 

In this video, Brian Grubb takes you on his own @malibuboats  Wakesetter 23 LSV to show you how to set your boat up for wake foiling, wakesurfing and wakeskating. Learn Grubb’s speed and ballast settings. Learn how this world-class athlete uses the Malibu Power Wedge to advantage when setting up for these sports. See Grubb ride on his own @LiftFoils.

Read Next: More Pro How-To Tips

Look for more videos featuring Brian Grubb, coming soon!

The post How to Set Up Your Boat for Wake Foiling, Wakeboarding and Wakeskating With Brian Grubb appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Dylan Miler (@dylanmiller) has been riding professionally for 12 years.

In this video, this veteran pro rider shares his tips for learning to perform a Backside 180 while wakeboarding. Topics Miller covers include how to initiate the trick using the start-up roller of the wake, edging out, controlling your speed and where you should be looking while doing a Backside 180. Learn about the importance of your shoulders, where your weight is, timing the rotation, incorporating a grab,  and more. All footage shot using Dylan Miller’s Heyday Wake Boats H22.

Enjoy learning this trick.

Read Next: Get More Pro Tips

Watch Now: Check out the Heyday Wake Boats H22, the Boat Dylan Miller Rides Behind

The post How to Perform a Backside 180 Wakeboarding With Dylan Miller appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Gunner Daft is a long-time professional rider with loads of experience and wisdom to share. In this video, Daft, describes some of the settings he uses to wring top performance from his Montara Boats Surf Boss 2.0, which our sister media outlet, Boating, named Boat of the Year for 2023.

In the vid, Daft describes the use of profiles, tab percentages, speed and more. Shot aboard Daft’s own Montara, you will also see him riding in this video. Enjoy and learn!

Read Next: How to Set Up Your Boat for Wakeboarding With Taylor McCullough

The post How to Set Up Your Boat for Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing With Gunner Daft appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this video, world champion wakesurfer and @MasterCraftBoats pro rider, Jett Lambert (Instagram: @jettshreds) breaks down how to perform a backside Alley Oop. In the vid, shot aboard Jett’s own Mastercraft XT 24, the pro speaks about your position on the wave, the desirable speed, when to turn your head, and more. 

With advice from from a pro like Jett, you get insights such as how this trick is similar to a stalled 360 and why you may find this trick easier to learn if you are comfortable riding switch. 

Check out Jett Lambert’s advice, hit the water and learn this trick!

The post How to Do a Backside Alley Oop appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Claiming back to back victories in any event is impressive. When all four wakeboard divisions replicate the success from the year before, it is even more of a rarity. Drop that feat in the majestic waters of Robin Lake,  at the 64th Nautique Masters Presented by GM Marine,  in an event that attracts the most elite boat riders in the game, you can only be more in awe. Finally, sprinkle in the fact that the Men’s Pro winner has only been invited a few times, is more than a boat only rider, and isn’t always one of the favorites to win, you get a result that will likely never happen again.

Read Next: More 64^th Masters Coverage

One year ago, on Memorial Day weekend, Meagan Ethell claimed her 7th Masters title after a tough battle back from an injury that had the potential to sunset her legendary competitive career. In her 15th year being invited to the prestigious event, she secured her 8th winner’s ring with her classic switch and regular spin combos, composed and smooth riding style, with grabbed technical tricks like her indy roll to blind on her way back to the dock. All of this as a “veteran” competitor at the young age of 27, Ethell continues to exhibit the gameface and the dedication to fend off the Zahra Kell’s of the world, who seems to win most events she enters as of late.

If Massi Piffaretti’s victory in 2023 wasn’t one for the ages, his repeat in 2024 makes his accomplishment that much sweeter. A few years ago the question was posed, “can you win a pro event without multiple double flips and 1080s?” While more than capable, Piffaretti chooses to let his personal touch on wakeboarding shine through and separate his runs from the field. 3 impressive rewind tricks, solid spins and some relatively stock mobe 5’s stomped in some challenging conditions all totalled up for a winning run against some of the best boat riders in the world who failed to stand up their runs. A toe-side frontside 540, rewind 360 off of a hefty double-up was just….”chef’s kiss” as his fellow countrymen and women might say.

Jr. Riders Shion Takaiwa and Giulia Castelli showed how they are following in the Pro winners’ footsteps. Japan’s Takaiwa executed flawless Massi-type tricks, adding late grabs to technical spins and making rewind tricks flow in a contest run. On the Jr. Women’s side, you would be hard pressed to find a competitor that hasn’t looked up to Ethell and her gracious, winning ways over the years. She also just happens to add another Italian flag to the top of the podium, which undoubtedly added an extra smile to Piffaretti’s face.

The post Winning Back-To-Back: The Spirit of Wakeboarding Champions appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

A former competitive wakeboarder, Alexa Score is one of the busiest people you’ll ever meet. From her work as a producer and on-camera talent for three outdoor shows as well as working for the Minnesota Vikings and appearing in Zac Brown Band videos, she is living her best life—especially when you consider she has been battling chronic myeloid leukemia since the age of 16. We caught up with her about her life on the water and her efforts to help other childhood cancer victims through the Surf to Save Lives event benefitting St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital.

You grew up on Green Lake in Minnesota. How did you get involved in watersports and wakeboarding?

My family wasn’t really involved in watersports, but I got involved in the Little Crow Ski Team when I was nine. I was a swivel skier and even stood on the top of a 42-person pyramid. I have the bumps and bruises to prove it.

I got started wakeboarding when my older sister came home from college and started doing it on the lake with her friends. I started realizing I could be competitive when I won the women’s amateur national title at the WWA Nationals in 2011 when I’d really only competed a couple of times.

You were first diagnosed with leukemia at age 16. How did that change your life in general and your passion for wakeboarding?

There was a period of nine months where I struggled to get out of bed or do basic things like just walk down the stairs. Then when I turned 17, when I started feeling better, I graduated early from high school and said, “I’m moving to Orlando and nobody can stop me.” I found healing and passion in competitive wakeboarding and being on the water. I didn’t know how long I had to live and with my prognosis. I was literally riding the wave.

Are you now in remission?

I’m not in remission. I still take an oral chemo medication every day and see an oncologist every three months. I’m very fortunate—there are a lot of people under the same circumstances who can’t work and struggle on a daily basis.

What is your involvement with Surf to Save Lives?

I’ve been partnered with MasterCraft for three years now and this our second year doing the Surf to Save Lives event. From May 22 to October 1, all you have to do to participate is download the MasterCraft Connect app—it doesn’t matter what kind of boat you have. When you’re on the water participating in any kind of towed watersport—tubing, kneeboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing—for every minute you log on the app, MasterCraft will donate $1 to St. Jude’s [up to $75,000.] All you have to do is log in while doing something you love.

I attribute a lot of my success to the first pediatric doctor I had. The drug I’ve been taking since I was 17 to stay alive was new back then. Now, thanks to research, there are five drugs to help people like me. St. Jude’s is on the cutting edge of care and research to help kids who have cancer.

You no longer compete, but do you still get out on the water?

Watersports was my first passion and still is my number one passion. When I’m home in Minnesota during the season, I spend every free minute on the water (I just got my new MasterCraft XT24 yesterday) taking friends and family wakeboarding and wakesurfing. I also still swivel ski and foil. It’s all about having fun on the water and creating memories.

The post On Board With: Alexa Score appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.