About
By riders, for riders, How-To-Wakeboard.com was created to help the beginner and intermediate rider improve their skills. Whether you have yet to get up on a wakeboard, or are learning your first inverts, we have all the tools you need to accomplish your goals.
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I have been on the lakes and rivers since I was 4 years old. I rode my first scurf board in 1986. On a boat and at the lake is my 2nd home. Over the 26 years spent on the lake, my dad and I have taught countless people to waterski, wakeboard, and even barefoot! I started competitive barefooting at the age of 15 and took 1st in state in the Jr Mens Tricks division when I was 16. My love shifted from barefooting to wakeboarding soon after. While there is nothing in the world like skimming across the water on your bare feet at 35 mph, it just doesn’t compare to the rush of a massive tantrum or air railey.
Barefooting at Lake Mead
After moving to Arizona in 2001, I was quickly introduced to the Arizona Wakeboard Association (AWA) which holds 5-6 competitions every year at various lakes around the Phoenix Valley. My first year I started out in the advanced division, which limits a rider to 4 inverts on their 2 pass, 3 fall run. Although I did not take 1st in every event, I accumulated enough points to secure 1st place for the year.
My 2nd year of competition, I entered into the Outlaw division and surprisingly took 2nd place overall 2003.
2004 was a different story. After putting together a few connections with the local Malibu Boat shop, Zumiez Sports, and Red Bull for possible sponsorships, my life was changed in an instant.
While goofing around at a gymnastics facility in Mesa, AZ, I tried a ganner from a trampoline into a foam pit. I had the height, but lacked rotation. I plunged into the foam pit head first, slicing my way to the bottom. My forehead was the first thing to hit the concrete below which slammed my chin into my chest crushing my C5 and C6 vertebrae, in other words, I had broken my neck and was immediately and completely paralyzed from the neck down.
After an amazing surgery, 3 months in the hospital, 2.5 years outpatient physical therapy, and a whole lot o prayers being answered, I am able to ride my wakeboard again. While I’ll never be able to do the same spins and inverts as I once could, just getting up and cruising behind a boat once again is the best therapy I could ever receive.
My passion for wakeboarding runs deep. I have had many influences over the years that have fueled my drive to progress and shred. Most notably, my father for always doing whatever it took for me to be able to get out on the water. For driving me countless hours to competitions, paying for airfare, dropping hundreds of dollars on equipment, providing me training with some of the worlds best, and always being my number 1 fan. I hope I can provide the same opportunities for my kids when they are old enough.
And then of course there are the pro riders. I’m a bit old school and my favorite rider will always be Shaun Murray. His style and attitude is like no other. I’m featuring his Detention training series on my site because not only is it the best video I have seen for teaching someone to wakeboard, it’s freakin hilarious.
I sincerely hope that the information provided on this website will give you the information you need to take your riding to the next level! Feel free to sign up, comment, and ask questions on any of the topics. Best of luck to you!
-Danny
