Vintage Wakeboard Podcast: Recent Episodes
Robert Absher
Our mission is to honor the pioneers of wakeboarding and catalog it’s history. Join us as we discuss the roots of wakeboarding.
1995 World Wakeboard champ Mike Weddington is in the house! This guy lived it up in the 90s during the height of the wakeboard revolution. We talk all about it on the latest episode of the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
Canada is known for producing wakeboard legends. It must be in the water. Today we get the opportunity to talk to one. Jeff Heer! Jeff had 4 pro models with Hyperlite in the 90s and is still involved in wakeboarding today. Join us as we dive deeper into Jeff's story.
Parks Bonifay is one of those guys you consider a lifer in wakeboarding. From waterskiing baby, to winning XGames to barefooting behind a formula 1 car. Parks has done it all. Lots of good stories on this episode.
Aaron Stumpf has been working at Hyperlite Wakeboards for over 30 years and has been shaping boards for over 20. If you're riding a Hyperlite, there's a good chance he's had a part in it. Listen to Aaron's stories on the latest episode of the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
World champion Cobe Mikacich is a legend in wakeboard history. He's had over 10 pro models in just the 90s, been a hug influence in O'Brien Wakeboards for over 20 years and invented several practical boat products that help make your life easier. Stoked to have Cobe on the podcast.
Bill Porter is the owner of Performance Ski and Surf out of Orlando, FL. He's been selling wakeboards since they were invented. So much history and great stories coming from Bill. Bill has also influenced the sport by sponsoring some of the best riders, to starting legendary wake contests, to even coming out with limited edition wakeboards sold exclusively in his shop. Join us to learn more about Bill Porter.
Shaun Murray is a 4-time world wakeboard champ, Xgames champ, has his own video game, probably has more pro models or boards with his name on it than anyone, and the list goes on while doing it on a Hyerlite Wakeboard. Join us in the Shaun Murray interview.
Originally recorded September 14, 2022
Part 1 - From riding for Skurfer, to competing in the first Worlds, to having one of the first pro models, to inventing new ways to ride without bindings, to starting his own wakeboard company; Erich Schmaltz has done so much in the sport of wakeboarding. Join us as we discuss his incredible journey.
Part 2 - From riding for Skurfer, to competing in the first Worlds, to having one of the first pro models, to inventing new ways to ride without bindings, to starting his own wakeboard company; Erich Schmaltz has done so much in the sport of wakeboarding. Join us as we discuss his incredible journey.
Pat McElhinney used to be O'Brien Wakeboards' team manager and board shaper in the 90s. He has the best O'Brien collection in the world hands down. He also owns McElhinney Wakeboard School which has teaching wake for over 30 years. Join us as we discuss Pat's impressive wake career.
From one of the most stylish riders in the 90s, to starting up Double Up Wakeboards, to having his own action figure, to now being the VP of Marketing for Hyperlite Wakeboards. Greg Nelson is one of the most recognizable legends in wakeboarding and has made it a career. Join us as we discuss his journey.
Part 1 - To winning 1996 Worlds, to having 6 Hyperlite pro models, to creating and inventing wake related products, to be one of the most versatile watersports athletes ever; Dean Lavelle is a legend. Join us as we discuss this hall of famer's impressive wake journey on the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
Part 2 - To winning 1996 Worlds, to having 6 Hyperlite pro models, to creating and inventing wake related products, to be one of the most versatile watersports athletes ever; Dean Lavelle is a legend. Join us as we discuss this hall of famer's impressive wake journey on the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
Rich Nolan is a wakeboard shaping guru from the 80s and 90s. He's made boards for HO, Jobe, Kidder, Fulltilt, Blindside, Surf Alley, Rusty, Epoch, Wake Tech, Straight Line, Lunatic, K2 and Nolan Designs. His footprint is huge. Join us as we discuss his journey on the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
Some of the best wakeboard art in the 90s was coming from Hyperlite. Scott Cook, Tony Teske and Mike Anderson was the guys making the magic from behind the scenes. From the oringinal Hyperlite, to the Shapiro's flame board, to Murray's bug board.
In the early 90s, the king of style and grabs was no other than Josh Smith. Josh has his hand in many firsts, wake companies and his share of pro models. Join us as we discuss Josh's wake career.
PART 2 - There's a lot of history behind Rich Goforth. Not only was Rich the team manager for Wake Tech, Liquid Force and Thruster, he has never ending stories of the past that makes him a wakeboard treasure. Join us as this unforgettable legend tells how things used to be.
Had the opportunity to talk to Harley Clifford while he was in quarantine in Australia. Join us as we discuss Harley's impressive wakeboard career and the 25th anniversary Liquid Force heritage collection.
There's a lot of history behind Rich Goforth. Not only was Rich the team manager for Wake Tech, Liquid Force and Thruster, he has never ending stories of the past that makes him a wakeboard treasure. Join us as this unforgettable legend tells how things used to be.
Join us as we reminisce the early Hyperlite days and go through Herb O'Brien and Ken Bernard's personal wakeboard collection. Ken also talks about holding the world record for Skiboard Slalom and his involvement with HO and Hyperlite.
The first episode of the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast is out! We kick it off with Chris Durham, the owner of Wake Tech Wakeboards. Let's get it.
Canada is known for producing wakeboard legends. It must be in the water. Today we get the opportunity to talk to one. Jeff Heer! Jeff had 4 pro model with Hyperlite in the 90s and is still involved in wakeboarding today. Join us as we dive deeper into Jeff's story.
Shaun Murray is a 4 time world wakeboard champ, Xgames champ, has his own video game, probably has more pro models or boards with his name on it than anyone, and the list goes on while doing it all on a Hyperlite Wakeboard. Join us in the Shaun Murray interview.
Bill Porter is the owner of Performance Ski & Surf out of Orlando, FL. He's been selling wakeboards since they were invented. So much history and great stories coming from Bill. Bill has also influenced the sport by sponsoring some of the best riders, to starting legendary wake contests, to even coming out with limited edition wakeboards sold exclusively in his shop. Join us to learn more about Bill Porter.
World champion Cobe Mikacich is a legend in wakeboard history. He's had over 10 pro models in just the 90s, been a huge influence in O'brien Wakeboards for over 20 years and invented several practical boat products that help make your life easier. Stoked to have Cobe on the podcast.
Aaron Stumpf has been working at Hyperlite Wakeboards for over 30 years and has been shaping boards for over 20. If you're riding a Hyperlite, there's a good chance he's had a part in it. Listen to Aaron's stories on the latest episode of the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
Parks Bonifay is one of those guys you consider a lifer in wakeboarding. From waterskiing baby to winning XGames to barefooting behind a Formula 1 car. Parks has done it all. Lots of good stories on this episode.
From riding for Skurfer, to competing in the first Worlds, to having one of the first pro models, to inventing new ways to ride without bindings, to starting his own wakeboard company; Erich Schmaltz has done so much in the sport of wakeboarding. Join us as we discuss his incredible journey.
From riding for Skurfer, to competing in the first Worlds, to having one of the first pro models, to inventing new ways to ride without bindings, to starting his own wakeboard company; Erich Schmaltz has done so much in the sport of wakeboarding. Join us as we discuss his incredible journey.
Some of the best wakeboard art in the 90s was coming from Hyperlite. Scott Cook, Tony Teske and Mike Anderson was the guys making the magic from behind the scenes. From the original Hyperlite, to the Shapiro's flame board, to Murray's bug board. These were the guys making them look good and creating the iconic boards we collect today. After all, art sells a wakeboard and these three were the masters at it.
Rich Nolan is a wakeboard shaping guru from the 80s and 90s. He's made boards for HO, Jobe, Kidder, Fulltilt, Blindside, Surf Alley, Rusty, Epoch, Wake Tech, Straight Line, Lunatic, K2 and Nolan Designs. His footprint is huge. Join us as we discuss his journey on the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
To winning 1996 Worlds, to having 6 Hyperlite pro models, to creating and inventing wake related products, to being one of the most versatile watersports athletes ever; Dean Lavelle is a legend. Join us as we discuss this hall of famer's impressive wake journey on the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
To winning 1996 Worlds, to having 6 Hyperlite pro models, to creating and inventing wake related products, to being one of the most versatile watersports athletes ever; Dean Lavelle is a legend. Join us as we discuss this hall of famer's impressive wake journey on the Vintage Wakeboard Podcast.
From one of the most stylish riders in the 90s, to starting up Double Up Wakeboards, to having his own action figure, to now being the VP of Marketing for Hyperlite Wakeboards. Greg Nelson is one of the most recognizable legends in wakeboarding and has made it a career. Join us as we discuss his journey.
Pat McElhinney used to be O'Brien Wakeboards' team manager and board shaper in the 90s. He has the best O'brien collection in the world hands down. He also owns McElhinney Wakeboard School that's been teaching wake for over 30 years. Join us as we discuss Pat's impressive wake career.
In the early 90s, the king of style and grabs was no other than Josh Smith. Josh had his hand in many firsts, wake companies and his share of pro models. Join us as we discuss Josh's wake career.
Having a conversation with Rich Goforth is always a treat and entertaining. You never know what epic story is going to come up next. If you guys enjoy listening to Rich's interview half as much as I did talking to him, that's a win in my book.
There's a lot of history behind Rich Goforth. Not only was Rich the team manager for Wake Tech, Liquid Force and Thruster, he has never ending stories of the past that makes him a wakeboard treasure. Join us as this unforgettable legend tells us how things used to be.
Had the opportunity to talk to Harley Clifford while he was in quarantine in Australia. Join us as we discuss Harley's impressive wakeboard career and the 25th anniversary Liquid Force heritage collection.
Join us as we reminisce the early Hyperlite days and go through Herb O'Brien and Ken Bernard's personal wakeboard collection. Ken also talks about holding the world record for Skiboard Slalom and his involvement with HO and Hyperlite.
Got a chance to meet up with Wake Tech Wakeboards owner, Chris Durham. Join us as we talk about the 90s and the progression of the wakeboarding.
Special Thanks
Elevated Wake Park- https://elevatedwakepark.com
Wakeboarding Hall of Fame- https://wakeboardinghalloffame.com
Ann's Angels Adaptive Waterski Foundation- https://annsangelsawf.org