End of the Rope:
Justin Dietrich
Photo courtesy of Nikki Crockett
A few years back, I saw a guy on foilforum that was progressing extremely fast. He was a video guy, liked to put his stuff out there, to get feedback and to provide assistance to people. I found his videos interesting, he took time to add in comments, do slow-motion, explain things. He was searching for answers but he was looking to help too. I privately asked him lots of questions. He always answered and provided encouragement. We've never met face to face, yet I've learned so much from this foiler. One of the good guys, please take a moment and jump into the world of Justin Dietrich:
Your Big Jay nickname changed to just Jay, was there a story behind Big Jay name? I decided to changed the screen name because I felt it didn't match my old attitude. An attitude that never was seen by the foiling community. Not that I don't still do things big. I just approach it differently.
And…your name is Justin, so is Jay short for Justin? It is. My best friend when I first moved to Tucson in 1984 was also named Justin. His family called me Jay. My family called him Jay. So it got to the point that most my friends called me Jay.
And…your name is Justin, so is Jay short for Justin? It is. My best friend when I first moved to Tucson in 1984 was also named Justin. His family called me Jay. My family called him Jay. So it got to the point that most my friends called me Jay.
Photo courtesy of Justin Dietrich
Can you tell me about the first time you saw a foil in use? I was riding my old Seadoo on Apache Lake in 2005 or so. I saw one behind a boat and the rider was just riding directly behind the boat. Just flying, nothing else. It looked boring. Caught my attention for about 10 seconds. The following year I went to Page, Az for a vacation when my brother, Adam, graduated from marine mechanics school. I knew he was riding a hydrofoil but I had never seen him do it. Then I saw him flip, spin and crash. THAT caught my attention.
First time you rode one? That same trip to Page I gave it a shot. I was able to get up and taxi my first set. I couldn't steer it but I was able to ride for short distances in the Superman position. Then during one of my crashes I sat up and the ski flipped me onto my head. I laughed out loud at myself.
Hooked immediately? Yeah! After I was ceremoniously dumped on my head I knew I had to get one.
First time you rode one? That same trip to Page I gave it a shot. I was able to get up and taxi my first set. I couldn't steer it but I was able to ride for short distances in the Superman position. Then during one of my crashes I sat up and the ski flipped me onto my head. I laughed out loud at myself.
Hooked immediately? Yeah! After I was ceremoniously dumped on my head I knew I had to get one.
Photo courtesy of Justin Dietrich
What other sports did you do growing up or as an adult? When I was tiny I played baseball. Then in '84 I was signed up for soccer. I was faster than most and I learned quickly so I was chosen for the all-star team from then on. I played baseball as well but in high school I joined the swim team to be a diver. All other sports stopped. Best I ever did was 5th in the State at diving. I played a little soccer here and there in my twenties and thirties until an opposing player folded my ankle over like a taco shell. No longer able to run for fitness and fun I gained some weight so a friend persuaded me to try mountain biking. I hated it in the beginning. But after I got past the suck I found the adrenaline pump I desire in the descents. It's been a great cross training tool. Lots of core strength and cardio that transfers over. Hydrofoiling is more of a power lift on hard cuts so the cardio really helps recover my breath.
Mentors, you mention Masta Lee quite a bit, how did you meet? I first met Mark at the 2007 USHA National's. I was a super newb and Chad Sutherland brought Adam and I up to the Narans house in Evergreen. There I met quite a few people. Mark was one of them. The following spring was the first Havasu fly-in. I rode in Mark's boat and was blown away. The dude went big and his swoop rolls were intense. That same year during the summer a large group of foiler's stayed at Darrin Dinkel's house for the 2008 National's. That is where Mark and I really had a chance to chill and talk. We have been great friends ever since. We have howled at the moon quite a few times and having an 8th degree black belt around is never a bad thing. We share similar tastes in music and we push each other to progress and move outside the comfort zone.
Personal Goals for the future in foiling? Man that's a loaded one. My goals are constantly changing. One thing remains the same though. I want to go bigger. Not just in the roll category but in all my tricks. Now that's been said I also don't have a huge desire to go super huge with a few tricks. Front side rolls for example. It's impossible to go massive on one so I don't do many. Even though huge spins isn't really possible it is a technically difficult trick that gets harder the higher you go. That's the stuff I feed off of. Right now I've been focused on 55f front flip and just getting the Flowbee more consistent. The Flowbee is by far the most sensitive trick I have ever played with. You can't just muscle that one around.
What is your current favorite trick you do on the foil? The Flowbee without a doubt. Every time I land one it's super satisfying. I don't land them often because it really goes against the take off technique that I have worked so hard to perfect. The Darkside. The Flowb is super easy to over rotate the invert. And because it's a gainer invert and not a roll there is less line to slow that invert down. Sensitive.
Mentors, you mention Masta Lee quite a bit, how did you meet? I first met Mark at the 2007 USHA National's. I was a super newb and Chad Sutherland brought Adam and I up to the Narans house in Evergreen. There I met quite a few people. Mark was one of them. The following spring was the first Havasu fly-in. I rode in Mark's boat and was blown away. The dude went big and his swoop rolls were intense. That same year during the summer a large group of foiler's stayed at Darrin Dinkel's house for the 2008 National's. That is where Mark and I really had a chance to chill and talk. We have been great friends ever since. We have howled at the moon quite a few times and having an 8th degree black belt around is never a bad thing. We share similar tastes in music and we push each other to progress and move outside the comfort zone.
Personal Goals for the future in foiling? Man that's a loaded one. My goals are constantly changing. One thing remains the same though. I want to go bigger. Not just in the roll category but in all my tricks. Now that's been said I also don't have a huge desire to go super huge with a few tricks. Front side rolls for example. It's impossible to go massive on one so I don't do many. Even though huge spins isn't really possible it is a technically difficult trick that gets harder the higher you go. That's the stuff I feed off of. Right now I've been focused on 55f front flip and just getting the Flowbee more consistent. The Flowbee is by far the most sensitive trick I have ever played with. You can't just muscle that one around.
What is your current favorite trick you do on the foil? The Flowbee without a doubt. Every time I land one it's super satisfying. I don't land them often because it really goes against the take off technique that I have worked so hard to perfect. The Darkside. The Flowb is super easy to over rotate the invert. And because it's a gainer invert and not a roll there is less line to slow that invert down. Sensitive.
Photo courtesy of MJ Green
Scariest moment on a foil? My heart has skipped a beat a many occasions but I was doing a Kicker session and took off in the wrong place. I didn't know any better at the time but it caused me to over rotate the invert bad and try as I might there was no stopping it. I ended up with the handle in my right hand fully extended away from the boat trying to slow the roll. This put the braid across my chest. As I rotated my left arm went over the rope. It's amazing how time slows in a panic. I felt the rope as I neared the water and lifted my left arm up. I dodged a bullet and came out of it with just a bruise across my bicep. I thought for sure I was going to be seriously injured in the middle of that one.
Biggest thrill moment on a foil? Landing the advanced tricks for the first time. No doubt. Hitting the 58 air roll was super gratifying but there is a delay between the ride and the frame count. Nothing makes my adrenal gland squeeze as hard that the first time I landed a front, BNC, and especially the Flowbee.
What is your current setup you ride? I ride a full X Air ski. It's the current Tower with their carbon plate. The DD40 t-bar with a self tuned Super Hawk and the Viper rear wing. The board is the X Air Onyx. That is their fiberglass/Kevlar board. Every part of my ski I chose because it's the parts I need to go extra big. Stiffness and reasonable durability (nothing lasts forever, especially when pushing 60f) is way more important than weight.
If you had a base model sky ski or air chair, what would be the first upgrade to make? Wings? Lightweight board? Seat tower? I'm going to contradict myself a bit but the board would be first to go. The 6-8 pound board is a game changer. While counting grams isn't really that important a few pounds make a big difference. Master Lee used to ride an old SkySki LE board that weighed 14 pounds. I kid you not. And while he never broke it his riding changed immensely with a lightweight board. The next would be a new longer t-bar. Even with the tiny wings it gives you a bigger ramp to work with.
You’ve shared lots of videos where you have taken some beatings on crashes. You and others share a motto of “charge”. How do you motivate yourself to overcome the pain of the crashes as you progress? I think of crashing and pain as a byproduct of progression. There are many sayings for this. I used to have a powder jacket when I was little and snow skied in Colorado. The jacket had a patch with a black diamond on it with the words "No Guts No Glory". I think of myself as a person with a lot of contrast. I don't see blurred lines. I'm a left brainer. So I see my progression as a journey with calculated risks to reduce injury. Pain is just temporary. Injuries last for months or even a lifetime. My rope is built to help me progress and reduce the chance of injury. My journey through the Flowbee was done in a way where I had a lot of safe landing zones. Learning to crash has also made the pain minimal if a crash happens. And when pain does happen, and it does, I just grit my teeth and grimace until it goes away. 30 seconds is usually all it takes. Unless the wind gets knocked out of me. Then it takes a bit longer.
You’ve offered lots of advice and help to other riders over the years on the forum. I for one thank you. Does it ever get tiring repeating some of the same advice to new riders, over and over? Not really. It's become easier to point people in the right direction. Sometimes it might take 3 or even 6 different people to make the right change for a particular person. So the more advice given the better. One of my favorite things I love about coaching people is seeing their face when they try something outside their comfort zone or a tiny tweak to their take off and it clicks.
How many people have you taught or introduced to the sport directly (not via the forums or email)? Not many unfortunately. I live 2 hours away from the nearest lake. So my ride time is spent with my crew or my family. And they either ride or don't. But I do have my two sons that are growing fast and fearless so my littles are starting to walk in my footprints. My oldest son Jaxon(5) said to me one night after getting home from the lake, "One day I'm going to be gooder than you dada." That's my boy!
What do you do in real life? Job? I'm a stay at home dad that works 2 days a week. When I'm not being dad I am a self employed paintless dent repair technician. I fix dents in automobiles by pushing and massaging the metal back into shape from the backside of the sheet metal. No 2 dents are the same so it's never repetitive. When my boys go to school full time I might go learn a new trade or maybe go back to school but I haven't decided yet. I like being self employed.
How much do you look forward to your two sons foiling and catching up to you some day (like Shuey is experiencing)? I hope my passion for the sport lasts that long. And I can only dream of the outcome if they keep at it. I'm an older dad. I had my first child at 35 so I will be well past my prime when they get strong enough to keep up with me. But I set some lofty goals for my boys if they want to beat me and you bet your ass I will do everything I can to fuel their passion no matter what it is. Except video games. I would have a hard time getting behind a hardcore gamer.
Will the sport ever make it in something like the Xgames? I don't think so. It's too expensive and looks too dangerous to take off. It doesn't look cool enough for the millennials. I'll use wake surfing as an example. Boards are cheap and it's pretty easy to do. Very low risk of injury and it's a board sport. But I'm ok with that. We will always have new people learning but we will always have people that lose the passion too.
Would you want it to? It would be cool to have the spotlight shine on us but the reality of it makes me not care too much either way.
Where would you like the sport to evolve to in 5 years? I think we are nearing the end of the progression of the sport. Meaning that I don't see the equipment getting a whole lot better and I don't see the tricks going much further. But, if someone made a super light weight carbon ski for the more technical rider there might be a surge. 720s and maybe even 720mobes and double fronts could be a possibility. But the ski would still need to be near 50 frame possible to make that stuff happen. The 60 frame ski has got a LOT of weight to swing around.
You mentioned in a post recently that you have some ailments you are dealing with. What is your current physical state? I went out and tried to ride once every weekend for the the 4 weeks before Apache. I wanted to land a series of tricks in the competition and keep the rust off. The weekend before Apache I put a little too much shoulder into an air front flip and fell away from the boat. I popped a rib or two out of socket. The injury was on the left lowest side of my sternum. Because it's on the left side and my right side is my strong side every time I would cut hard to the right the muscles on the left side would relax. So if I breathed while cutting the rib just popped in and out. So I just held my breath while I cut and initiated the trick. Sounds fun huh?
Do you ski year round or take a physical break when the weather is the coolest and water temps are the lowest? I do ski year round. The water in the Phoenix area only gets down to about 55°. I have a Body Glove Vapor 4/3 that I wear in the winter. My crew and I usually try to ride at least once a month in the winter.
Have you been pulled over by water police? If yes, why? 2 times. Both times were because of the skier flag. In Arizona you need a driver and a spotter. The spotter has to be 13 or older. The first time he said he didn't see the flag when I crashed. He made me go through the safety dance and I was legal. The second time I had my skier flag in the holder on the tower. It's technically a "skier down" flag to warn other boaters that there is a rope in the water. So you are not supposed to fly it when under power. I danced again and all was good.
You help host the Apache fly-in. How much work and effort goes into it? Do you enjoy it? What about it? I'm a part of a small board of volunteers to make that event happen. Wendy is by far the driving force. She does most the coordinating. I advise and run the competition. This year I did all the awards and the competition and it was a huge success. The competition is tough because the biggest complaint is length. It is a fly-in first so I just need to be a little more prepared to get it kicked off sooner. I think that would fix most of it. I like competition and nothing gets the butterflies a fluttering more than going at it 100% in front of a crowd.
You’ve hosted a fly in, you go to other fly ins and competitions, where are some favorite places you’ve skied? People make the Fly-In. I have never NOT had a good time. There are a few events I wish I could have made before they stopped. Florida and Georgia Mountain are 2 of them. The best thing about gatherings is meeting like minded people from all walks of life. I have made many friends through events and the forums. To the point that I have been given a place to stay while on the road during the recession and even just driving through cites and getting a quick pull. I have been lucky enough to join in on a few Lake Powell house boat trips and I must say that is where it's at. Bucket List material. And the Pine Lake Hydrofoloosa is a must as well. Outstanding hospitality by all the Pine Lake Riders. Here take this boat... Here use my golf cart... Here drink my beer, just not on a boat... Heyooo!
Where would you like to ski that you haven’t yet? I am shooting for West Texas this year. It's early enough in the season that it shouldn't interfere with the National's and Apache. Plus it's drivable for me. I also want to hit an Oconee event out in Georgia sometime in the near future.
When you progressed to over 40 frames, then 45 frames and over 50 frames did you ever have a feeling of "Oh crap, I'm gaining on the legends of the sport" ?
Back in the early days I didn't really think too much about going big. I was focused more on the front flip and the 360. But in the back of my mind was the 56frame air back roll. Jake Bradley won the Big Air at the 2007 National's with that trick. That was something that imprinted big air in the flats upon my soul. In 2009 and 2010 I was on the road chasing hail storms so my ride time was severely limited. Well, except my first storm in Austin. I rode with the great Al Lewin and good ol' Bobby Earl more times than I can count. It was a great 10 weeks. I really enjoyed Austin and would move there if I had to go to Texas for some reason. I was riding a new wing and the new FT38 t-bar. I was soaking in as much good stuff from my amigo Al and trying to go bigger. Because of money and the lack of landing a good storm to work I decided to save the cash and not compete in the 2009 National's. That one hurt. I decided I would not miss the next one. In 2010 my goal was to win Big Air at the National's in my division and I did. With a 46 or 47 frame air back roll. I was super stoked to win but bummed it was so short of my personal best of 49 at the time. But the water at the National's that year was super heavy and counts were down across the board. It wasn't until 2013 when I had a eureka moment. Ya know when the light bulb lights up over head? I had finally figured out the DarkSide. I managed to hit a 55.5 frame air roll on that very illuminating moment. And that was when I knew it was go time. I went 56.5 to win the first Apache Big Air just a month or so later. I hit 57 to tie the record about 50 times on the Stache. Then a new prototype was made and was sent out to a select few for feedback. It worked great at the wake but it was horrible in the flats. It just so happens that the same wing with the traditional foil design was sitting in Ben Ferney's shop. Brian(Gorilla) and I stopped by Ferney's house on our way to Pine Lake and picked it up. It was great. I managed a 56f air roll on that wing on Pine Lake. And the Mighty Pine is a heavy ol' girl that doesn't like going big. Back in Arizona the water was prime for big air. I clicked off a 58framer to take the overall record for a trick in the flats. No wake. I was super stoked! I called it a "world record" and there was a bit of controversy about it being a "world record". Talk about a buzz kill.
As you progressed did you realize you would ultimately catch them from a frames perspective and hold the recorded record for frame count for a while? When did you realize you would get there? As the lead spot has changed a few times now, what are your thoughts about regaining the lead?
I never dreamed of ever catching Ben for the overall record. Never even crossed my mind as something that I was capable of doing. But when the controversy about my air roll record came about it stoked a fire. I had never spent a huge amount of time dialing in my wake rolls. I did manage a one off 60 framer in 2014 to tie Shannon Pope for 2nd all time but my passion was still hot for the air roll record. After I hit the 58 and the fire was stoked up I set to work. I used everything I could think of to give myself an advantage. I built a new rope. 125 feet long with no poly-e section. I sped the boat up to 30mph and gave it a test. 60 framer and it was easy. That's when I knew I had a chance to take the lead. But the rope was too long so I took 15 feet off it. The next time to try it happened to be Apache. I gave it 110% at the right time. Even though the wake was small at 30mph I clicked off the 63 to take the overall record. That was different kind of stoke. Because I was not just competing against myself but against one of my big air mentors, DARTHFERN. My 63 was done at 30mph with 110' of line. As we all know Ben recaptured the record with a 64 in the spring of 2016 in Austin. He used what he needed to fulfill a goal of his. 29mph, 97' of rope and, I'm going to say it, a MASSIVE wake. I actually thought about going for 65. Sometimes the fire inside is white hot. I have hit a 59 at 25mph and 90' of rope. So I think there is a chance it can be done at 30mph/100'. But I popped my ribs and the window has passed. Maybe I will give her hell next season. But my body is starting to protest my mind and while my fire is still burning, as Ben would say, I'm starting to smoke a bit.
Biggest thrill moment on a foil? Landing the advanced tricks for the first time. No doubt. Hitting the 58 air roll was super gratifying but there is a delay between the ride and the frame count. Nothing makes my adrenal gland squeeze as hard that the first time I landed a front, BNC, and especially the Flowbee.
What is your current setup you ride? I ride a full X Air ski. It's the current Tower with their carbon plate. The DD40 t-bar with a self tuned Super Hawk and the Viper rear wing. The board is the X Air Onyx. That is their fiberglass/Kevlar board. Every part of my ski I chose because it's the parts I need to go extra big. Stiffness and reasonable durability (nothing lasts forever, especially when pushing 60f) is way more important than weight.
If you had a base model sky ski or air chair, what would be the first upgrade to make? Wings? Lightweight board? Seat tower? I'm going to contradict myself a bit but the board would be first to go. The 6-8 pound board is a game changer. While counting grams isn't really that important a few pounds make a big difference. Master Lee used to ride an old SkySki LE board that weighed 14 pounds. I kid you not. And while he never broke it his riding changed immensely with a lightweight board. The next would be a new longer t-bar. Even with the tiny wings it gives you a bigger ramp to work with.
You’ve shared lots of videos where you have taken some beatings on crashes. You and others share a motto of “charge”. How do you motivate yourself to overcome the pain of the crashes as you progress? I think of crashing and pain as a byproduct of progression. There are many sayings for this. I used to have a powder jacket when I was little and snow skied in Colorado. The jacket had a patch with a black diamond on it with the words "No Guts No Glory". I think of myself as a person with a lot of contrast. I don't see blurred lines. I'm a left brainer. So I see my progression as a journey with calculated risks to reduce injury. Pain is just temporary. Injuries last for months or even a lifetime. My rope is built to help me progress and reduce the chance of injury. My journey through the Flowbee was done in a way where I had a lot of safe landing zones. Learning to crash has also made the pain minimal if a crash happens. And when pain does happen, and it does, I just grit my teeth and grimace until it goes away. 30 seconds is usually all it takes. Unless the wind gets knocked out of me. Then it takes a bit longer.
You’ve offered lots of advice and help to other riders over the years on the forum. I for one thank you. Does it ever get tiring repeating some of the same advice to new riders, over and over? Not really. It's become easier to point people in the right direction. Sometimes it might take 3 or even 6 different people to make the right change for a particular person. So the more advice given the better. One of my favorite things I love about coaching people is seeing their face when they try something outside their comfort zone or a tiny tweak to their take off and it clicks.
How many people have you taught or introduced to the sport directly (not via the forums or email)? Not many unfortunately. I live 2 hours away from the nearest lake. So my ride time is spent with my crew or my family. And they either ride or don't. But I do have my two sons that are growing fast and fearless so my littles are starting to walk in my footprints. My oldest son Jaxon(5) said to me one night after getting home from the lake, "One day I'm going to be gooder than you dada." That's my boy!
What do you do in real life? Job? I'm a stay at home dad that works 2 days a week. When I'm not being dad I am a self employed paintless dent repair technician. I fix dents in automobiles by pushing and massaging the metal back into shape from the backside of the sheet metal. No 2 dents are the same so it's never repetitive. When my boys go to school full time I might go learn a new trade or maybe go back to school but I haven't decided yet. I like being self employed.
How much do you look forward to your two sons foiling and catching up to you some day (like Shuey is experiencing)? I hope my passion for the sport lasts that long. And I can only dream of the outcome if they keep at it. I'm an older dad. I had my first child at 35 so I will be well past my prime when they get strong enough to keep up with me. But I set some lofty goals for my boys if they want to beat me and you bet your ass I will do everything I can to fuel their passion no matter what it is. Except video games. I would have a hard time getting behind a hardcore gamer.
Will the sport ever make it in something like the Xgames? I don't think so. It's too expensive and looks too dangerous to take off. It doesn't look cool enough for the millennials. I'll use wake surfing as an example. Boards are cheap and it's pretty easy to do. Very low risk of injury and it's a board sport. But I'm ok with that. We will always have new people learning but we will always have people that lose the passion too.
Would you want it to? It would be cool to have the spotlight shine on us but the reality of it makes me not care too much either way.
Where would you like the sport to evolve to in 5 years? I think we are nearing the end of the progression of the sport. Meaning that I don't see the equipment getting a whole lot better and I don't see the tricks going much further. But, if someone made a super light weight carbon ski for the more technical rider there might be a surge. 720s and maybe even 720mobes and double fronts could be a possibility. But the ski would still need to be near 50 frame possible to make that stuff happen. The 60 frame ski has got a LOT of weight to swing around.
You mentioned in a post recently that you have some ailments you are dealing with. What is your current physical state? I went out and tried to ride once every weekend for the the 4 weeks before Apache. I wanted to land a series of tricks in the competition and keep the rust off. The weekend before Apache I put a little too much shoulder into an air front flip and fell away from the boat. I popped a rib or two out of socket. The injury was on the left lowest side of my sternum. Because it's on the left side and my right side is my strong side every time I would cut hard to the right the muscles on the left side would relax. So if I breathed while cutting the rib just popped in and out. So I just held my breath while I cut and initiated the trick. Sounds fun huh?
Do you ski year round or take a physical break when the weather is the coolest and water temps are the lowest? I do ski year round. The water in the Phoenix area only gets down to about 55°. I have a Body Glove Vapor 4/3 that I wear in the winter. My crew and I usually try to ride at least once a month in the winter.
Have you been pulled over by water police? If yes, why? 2 times. Both times were because of the skier flag. In Arizona you need a driver and a spotter. The spotter has to be 13 or older. The first time he said he didn't see the flag when I crashed. He made me go through the safety dance and I was legal. The second time I had my skier flag in the holder on the tower. It's technically a "skier down" flag to warn other boaters that there is a rope in the water. So you are not supposed to fly it when under power. I danced again and all was good.
You help host the Apache fly-in. How much work and effort goes into it? Do you enjoy it? What about it? I'm a part of a small board of volunteers to make that event happen. Wendy is by far the driving force. She does most the coordinating. I advise and run the competition. This year I did all the awards and the competition and it was a huge success. The competition is tough because the biggest complaint is length. It is a fly-in first so I just need to be a little more prepared to get it kicked off sooner. I think that would fix most of it. I like competition and nothing gets the butterflies a fluttering more than going at it 100% in front of a crowd.
You’ve hosted a fly in, you go to other fly ins and competitions, where are some favorite places you’ve skied? People make the Fly-In. I have never NOT had a good time. There are a few events I wish I could have made before they stopped. Florida and Georgia Mountain are 2 of them. The best thing about gatherings is meeting like minded people from all walks of life. I have made many friends through events and the forums. To the point that I have been given a place to stay while on the road during the recession and even just driving through cites and getting a quick pull. I have been lucky enough to join in on a few Lake Powell house boat trips and I must say that is where it's at. Bucket List material. And the Pine Lake Hydrofoloosa is a must as well. Outstanding hospitality by all the Pine Lake Riders. Here take this boat... Here use my golf cart... Here drink my beer, just not on a boat... Heyooo!
Where would you like to ski that you haven’t yet? I am shooting for West Texas this year. It's early enough in the season that it shouldn't interfere with the National's and Apache. Plus it's drivable for me. I also want to hit an Oconee event out in Georgia sometime in the near future.
When you progressed to over 40 frames, then 45 frames and over 50 frames did you ever have a feeling of "Oh crap, I'm gaining on the legends of the sport" ?
Back in the early days I didn't really think too much about going big. I was focused more on the front flip and the 360. But in the back of my mind was the 56frame air back roll. Jake Bradley won the Big Air at the 2007 National's with that trick. That was something that imprinted big air in the flats upon my soul. In 2009 and 2010 I was on the road chasing hail storms so my ride time was severely limited. Well, except my first storm in Austin. I rode with the great Al Lewin and good ol' Bobby Earl more times than I can count. It was a great 10 weeks. I really enjoyed Austin and would move there if I had to go to Texas for some reason. I was riding a new wing and the new FT38 t-bar. I was soaking in as much good stuff from my amigo Al and trying to go bigger. Because of money and the lack of landing a good storm to work I decided to save the cash and not compete in the 2009 National's. That one hurt. I decided I would not miss the next one. In 2010 my goal was to win Big Air at the National's in my division and I did. With a 46 or 47 frame air back roll. I was super stoked to win but bummed it was so short of my personal best of 49 at the time. But the water at the National's that year was super heavy and counts were down across the board. It wasn't until 2013 when I had a eureka moment. Ya know when the light bulb lights up over head? I had finally figured out the DarkSide. I managed to hit a 55.5 frame air roll on that very illuminating moment. And that was when I knew it was go time. I went 56.5 to win the first Apache Big Air just a month or so later. I hit 57 to tie the record about 50 times on the Stache. Then a new prototype was made and was sent out to a select few for feedback. It worked great at the wake but it was horrible in the flats. It just so happens that the same wing with the traditional foil design was sitting in Ben Ferney's shop. Brian(Gorilla) and I stopped by Ferney's house on our way to Pine Lake and picked it up. It was great. I managed a 56f air roll on that wing on Pine Lake. And the Mighty Pine is a heavy ol' girl that doesn't like going big. Back in Arizona the water was prime for big air. I clicked off a 58framer to take the overall record for a trick in the flats. No wake. I was super stoked! I called it a "world record" and there was a bit of controversy about it being a "world record". Talk about a buzz kill.
As you progressed did you realize you would ultimately catch them from a frames perspective and hold the recorded record for frame count for a while? When did you realize you would get there? As the lead spot has changed a few times now, what are your thoughts about regaining the lead?
I never dreamed of ever catching Ben for the overall record. Never even crossed my mind as something that I was capable of doing. But when the controversy about my air roll record came about it stoked a fire. I had never spent a huge amount of time dialing in my wake rolls. I did manage a one off 60 framer in 2014 to tie Shannon Pope for 2nd all time but my passion was still hot for the air roll record. After I hit the 58 and the fire was stoked up I set to work. I used everything I could think of to give myself an advantage. I built a new rope. 125 feet long with no poly-e section. I sped the boat up to 30mph and gave it a test. 60 framer and it was easy. That's when I knew I had a chance to take the lead. But the rope was too long so I took 15 feet off it. The next time to try it happened to be Apache. I gave it 110% at the right time. Even though the wake was small at 30mph I clicked off the 63 to take the overall record. That was different kind of stoke. Because I was not just competing against myself but against one of my big air mentors, DARTHFERN. My 63 was done at 30mph with 110' of line. As we all know Ben recaptured the record with a 64 in the spring of 2016 in Austin. He used what he needed to fulfill a goal of his. 29mph, 97' of rope and, I'm going to say it, a MASSIVE wake. I actually thought about going for 65. Sometimes the fire inside is white hot. I have hit a 59 at 25mph and 90' of rope. So I think there is a chance it can be done at 30mph/100'. But I popped my ribs and the window has passed. Maybe I will give her hell next season. But my body is starting to protest my mind and while my fire is still burning, as Ben would say, I'm starting to smoke a bit.
Rapid Fire Time:
Favorite foiler to watch? My brother, Adam.
Foiler you are in awe of? Brett Speed. Kid is nuts. Brad Volman is a close second. No pain no gain.
Do you have a bag of stuff you take on the boat? What's in the bag? Video Camera, tool roll, spare belt and the magic towel.
<editor's note: magic towel is a long used towel, "it soaks up water like a sponge in the desert. Doesn't streak, doesn't leave lint, and dries quickly.">
$10m in cash or a super power, which super power? Time manipulation. Slow it down, speed it up, travel through it. Imagine the possibilities.
If you were instantly made commissioner of the newly founded World Organization of Hydrofoiling, what would be your first action as new commish? Find a way to bring Bryan Steele out of retirement to dial in a judging system that promotes progression, style and execution.
Rank in order of favorite to least favorite (Superman, chicken wings, July 4th , draft beer, Batman, The Beatles, Xbox, New Years Eve) 4th of July, Chicken Wings, Craft beer, Batman, Superman, Beatles, New Years Eve, XBOX
Type of boat currently? 2007 Malibu LSV Wakesetter
Best nickname you've been given? Dada
Is there an afterlife? Nope. Donate the organs and feed the plants and worms. The end.
Favorite all-time song that makes you happy? Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
Favorite all-time song that makes you sad or thoughtful. Not sad, Thoughtful. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
Best concert you've ever attended, why? I have been enjoying Clutch for awhile now. 2013 I enjoyed an epic set list with a few great people. Earth Rocker is still my favorite album.
Time travel exists, where/when do you travel, why? I would make sure the assassination attempt on Hitler was successful before WWII even began. Even it it cost me my existence. It would be worth it. But if I didn't exist how could I travel back to do it? Paradox.
Deserted on an island with a sweet home theater setup, only one dvd to watch over and over, What movie is it?
Forrest Gump
Best sitcom of all time? The Office
Ever get someone's autograph? Who? I was in Las Vegas in 1989. A friend of mine and I were headed back to the hotel room after a round of video games. We stepped in the elevator and inside was Donald Gibb, best known for playing 'Ogre' in Revenge of the Nerds. Bloodsport had just come out so we were star stuck. Lost for words. His wife was a tiny blonde and he was a hairy giant. At least to me, haha. I didn't get an autograph but he was really nice and told us to behave ourselves in Vegas. At the time I didn't really know what he meant. But I should have listened to him as my various trips to Vegas have some great stories to go with them.
Lennon or McCartney? Better together.
Where do you do your deep, introspective thinking? Climbing on my Mountain Bike, during a "bikers high", when the pain goes away.
Olympics or Xgames? Olympics
O.J. Simpson - murderer or accused and acquitted searcher for the murderer? The glove would have fit if it didn't get wet and shrink... murderer. But to be honest, I didn't follow it.
Did man ever walk on the moon? I believe so.
Top 3 websites you visit every day? GMail, Facebook, Wunderground
Lee Harvey Oswald - acted alone or a patsy? Patsy
You're out foiling, a boat approaches, you can't believe your eyes, this is amazing, ____________ wants to watch you foil! (fill in the blank with the person(s) that would be your ultimate, amazing show-off experience) Laird Hamilton. The Ultimate Waterman.
How many days a year do you get out on the water and ski yourself? Maybe 40.
Do you see yourself foiling 20 years from now? Without a doubt. I might not ride my snowboard every season but I'll do that in 20 years too.
Worst movie you've ever seen? The Royal Tenenbaums
Collect baseball cards as a kid? No. Garbage Pail Kids.
Lets say you're on death row, what's your pick for last meal? My moms chimichangas.
Hammock or Adirondack chair? Adirondack. I need a place to set my beer.
Last time you were on a tube? 2 years ago my wife tried to kill a few of us guys on the couch tube. I think next time I'll be wearing a full face helmet.
___________ is coming to Tuscon for a concert, this person is on your bucket list to see live. Pearl Jam Acoustic and Quaint.
Do you play any musical instruments? No.
Most embarrassing moment of your life? Losing a street race after talking a massive amount of ****. It changed me.
Foiler you are in awe of? Brett Speed. Kid is nuts. Brad Volman is a close second. No pain no gain.
Do you have a bag of stuff you take on the boat? What's in the bag? Video Camera, tool roll, spare belt and the magic towel.
<editor's note: magic towel is a long used towel, "it soaks up water like a sponge in the desert. Doesn't streak, doesn't leave lint, and dries quickly.">
$10m in cash or a super power, which super power? Time manipulation. Slow it down, speed it up, travel through it. Imagine the possibilities.
If you were instantly made commissioner of the newly founded World Organization of Hydrofoiling, what would be your first action as new commish? Find a way to bring Bryan Steele out of retirement to dial in a judging system that promotes progression, style and execution.
Rank in order of favorite to least favorite (Superman, chicken wings, July 4th , draft beer, Batman, The Beatles, Xbox, New Years Eve) 4th of July, Chicken Wings, Craft beer, Batman, Superman, Beatles, New Years Eve, XBOX
Type of boat currently? 2007 Malibu LSV Wakesetter
Best nickname you've been given? Dada
Is there an afterlife? Nope. Donate the organs and feed the plants and worms. The end.
Favorite all-time song that makes you happy? Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
Favorite all-time song that makes you sad or thoughtful. Not sad, Thoughtful. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
Best concert you've ever attended, why? I have been enjoying Clutch for awhile now. 2013 I enjoyed an epic set list with a few great people. Earth Rocker is still my favorite album.
Time travel exists, where/when do you travel, why? I would make sure the assassination attempt on Hitler was successful before WWII even began. Even it it cost me my existence. It would be worth it. But if I didn't exist how could I travel back to do it? Paradox.
Deserted on an island with a sweet home theater setup, only one dvd to watch over and over, What movie is it?
Forrest Gump
Best sitcom of all time? The Office
Ever get someone's autograph? Who? I was in Las Vegas in 1989. A friend of mine and I were headed back to the hotel room after a round of video games. We stepped in the elevator and inside was Donald Gibb, best known for playing 'Ogre' in Revenge of the Nerds. Bloodsport had just come out so we were star stuck. Lost for words. His wife was a tiny blonde and he was a hairy giant. At least to me, haha. I didn't get an autograph but he was really nice and told us to behave ourselves in Vegas. At the time I didn't really know what he meant. But I should have listened to him as my various trips to Vegas have some great stories to go with them.
Lennon or McCartney? Better together.
Where do you do your deep, introspective thinking? Climbing on my Mountain Bike, during a "bikers high", when the pain goes away.
Olympics or Xgames? Olympics
O.J. Simpson - murderer or accused and acquitted searcher for the murderer? The glove would have fit if it didn't get wet and shrink... murderer. But to be honest, I didn't follow it.
Did man ever walk on the moon? I believe so.
Top 3 websites you visit every day? GMail, Facebook, Wunderground
Lee Harvey Oswald - acted alone or a patsy? Patsy
You're out foiling, a boat approaches, you can't believe your eyes, this is amazing, ____________ wants to watch you foil! (fill in the blank with the person(s) that would be your ultimate, amazing show-off experience) Laird Hamilton. The Ultimate Waterman.
How many days a year do you get out on the water and ski yourself? Maybe 40.
Do you see yourself foiling 20 years from now? Without a doubt. I might not ride my snowboard every season but I'll do that in 20 years too.
Worst movie you've ever seen? The Royal Tenenbaums
Collect baseball cards as a kid? No. Garbage Pail Kids.
Lets say you're on death row, what's your pick for last meal? My moms chimichangas.
Hammock or Adirondack chair? Adirondack. I need a place to set my beer.
Last time you were on a tube? 2 years ago my wife tried to kill a few of us guys on the couch tube. I think next time I'll be wearing a full face helmet.
___________ is coming to Tuscon for a concert, this person is on your bucket list to see live. Pearl Jam Acoustic and Quaint.
Do you play any musical instruments? No.
Most embarrassing moment of your life? Losing a street race after talking a massive amount of ****. It changed me.
Click on pictures below to enlarge