EPISODE 31: Olivier Derome
Olivier Derome is a former professional wakeboarder who hails from Quebec, Canada, and just might be the nicest guy to ever strap into a board. The Derome name has a rich history in watersports, with Oli's father competing in ski jumping, and his brother Raph is commonly referred to as the GOAT of wakeboarding. But Oli has his own unique story in wakeboarding, and has certainly cemented himself as an integral part of the history of the sport. With a resume that consists of pro contests wins, video parts, appearances on a certain MTV show, pro models, and much more, Oli has achieved what many dream of while remaining humble throughout his journey. Living at the projects, eating lots of Taco Bell, injuries, withholding self satisfaction, motivational quotes, wakelab, MTV's Wakebrothers, Wake The Line, and video parts. Hear all that and much more in Episode 31 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!
EPISODE 30: Mike Olson
Have you ever wondered what it's like to purchase, install, or run your own cable wake park? Well, Mike Olson has done all of those things and much more, and he's done them at several locations. Mike Olson was the founder and operator of Kansas City Watersports for several years, and has seen it all when it comes to wake parks. Mike got his start into wakeboarding later than most, but his passion for wakeboarding and the business side of cable parks is as strong as can be. Repairing sabotaged parks, taking down cables in a hurricane, fun installations, hosting pro riders at your park, figuring out the business of a cable, the future of wakeboarding, the cost of a cable park, and why cable parks were originally only built to spin in one direction. Hear all that and much more in Episode 30 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms! Find more at grabmatters.com
EPISODE 29: Trent Stuckey
Trent Stuckey is one of the best wakeboarders currently riding, and hails from Orlando, Florida. Trent got his start wakeboarding at a young age thanks to his parents, who were both into watersports, and helped instill a strong culture of riding within their family. Trent and his brother Gavin are currently on top of the cable scene with both contest results, and video parts. Growing up riding with the likes of Julian and Yonel Cohen, winning contests, what its like to compete against his brother, his video "Sincerely, Trent", landing plenty of NBD's, funny travel stories, late night waffle house journeys, his new pro model board, and possibly riding in the PWT...? Hear all that and much more in Episode 29 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!
EPISODE 28: Bec Gange
Bec Gange is a professional women's wakeboarder from Mildura, Australia. Bec first got her start in watersports on a river in a small town in Australia. With a supportive family and a fun loving brother, Bec discovered wakeboarding and continued to progress her riding and eventually found herself spending some time in Florida. Bec has had a successful career and continues to keep a positive outlook on wakeboarding. Winning TOTY, getting a pro model, her favorite place to ride, battling injuries, wakeboard movies, starring in a reality tv show, and the backyard wrestling federation. Hear that and much more in Episode 28 of the Grab Matters podcast!
EPISODE 27: Tony Iacconi
Tony Iacconi is a professional wakeboarder and coach from Newcastle, Australia. Hear that and much more in Episode 26 of the Grab Matters Podcast! Tony got his start on the water at a young age, and quickly found success competing. After a few trips to America, Tony picked up some sponsors and continued to progress his contest riding. During covid Tony found himself doing more coaching and private lessons, and has since shifted most of his time and energy into helping others progress on the water. Saltwater vs Freshwater, a private cable, early mornings, switching sponsors, riding with the best, and a controversial contest result. Hear that and much more in Episode 27 of the Grab Matters podcast!
EPISODE 26: Jake Pelot
Jake Pelot is a professional wakeboarder from Orlando, Florida. Jake first got his experience on the water behind a jet-ski, and hated it. It wasn't until he took a few laps at the cable that he got a hang of riding. He spent his teen years competing both at cable contests as well as behind the boat, progressing his riding. After high school Jake balanced getting a marketing degree at UCF with his wakeboarding career. Lessons with Murray, nightvision, picking up sponsors, losing sponsors, riding on the PWT, getting your boarding pass ripped in half, 25 hours of energy, and underwater basket-weaving. Hear that and much more in Episode 26 of the Grab Matters Podcast!
EPISODE 25: Shane Bonifay
Shane Bonifay is a wakeboarder and videographer from Lake Alfred, Florida. Shane grew up on the water, getting his start at an early age on waterskis and competed alongside his brother Parks in 3-event ski tournaments. After the introduction of wakeboarding, both Shane and Parks took a liking to the freedom and creativity offered in wakeboarding and quickly progressed their riding. With Parks being the biggest name in the sport, Shane began to distance himself from his brother and continued to make a name for himself both in contests and in his free riding. Shane had a long and fruitful career as a professional rider, and has now stepped behind the scenes in the industry to continue to influence the sports he loves. Wakepants, pro models, pointless posse, inventing tricks, 17 cavities, crazy rail setups, video parts, gaining and losing sponsors, and some advice Shane has for up and coming riders. Hear all that and much more in Episode 25 of the Grab Matters Podcast.
EPISODE 24: Davis Griffin
Davis Griffin was a professional wakeboarder from the great state of Texas. Davis got his start like most, waterskiing, then discovering wakeboarding behind the boat. He shortly met Chris Abadie and Andrew Adams, and the three began riding together frequently. As their riding progressed, so did their creativity. The Shredtown crew was created, and the video projects began to come one after another. Shredtown took the wakeboard world by storm, producing high quality park and winch content. Davis had his hand in inspiring a generation of park riders with his unique take on wakeboarding. The formation of Shredtown, video projects, world travels, Drop The Gun, Shredtown Jamboree, gnarly slams, and the eventual end of the Shredtown era. Hear about all that and much more in Episode 24 of the Grab Matters Podcast.
EPISODE 23: Reed Hansen
Reed Hansen is a professional wakeskater, dock builder, hunter, and all around dude. Born and raised in Groveland, Florida, Reed got his start wakeboarding with his family at a young age, progressing quickly. However, in his early teen years Reed discovered wakeskating, and after some pushback from his family finally made the switch permanently to wakeskating. NBD's, car chases, sponsor dollars, the wakeskate tour, viral videos, and a freediving close call. Hear all that and more in Episode 23 of the Grab Matters Podcast, available to watch on YouTube, as well as stream on all major platforms.
EPISODE 22: Tarah Mikacich
Tarah Mikacich is a professional wakeboarder from Groveland, Florida. Tarah got her start in watersports at a young age waterskiing, and pursued that for many years, becoming very good. With her favorite discipline being trick skiing, making the switch to wakeboarding came relatively easy and Tarah began learning tricks rather quickly. Knee injuries, coaching, entrepreneurship, trick of the year, working with brands, and keys to longevity in the watersports industry. Listen to all that and more in Episode 22 of the Grab Matters Podcast! Available to watch on YouTube, as well as stream on all major platforms.