Shop Talk Ep. #1 With Guenther Oka and John Dreiling
Today we sit down with professional wakeboarders Guenther Oka and John Dreiling to talk all things wakeboarding. We chat about the current state of Liquid Leisure, Guenther's injury and his recovery process, X-Games Real Wake, what it means to be a "pro", how to get sponsors, the best time for edits and movies to come out, and watch new videos from Rien van der Pas as well as Riley Dillon, as well as take calls from Alex Figgins and Jacob Simmons.
EPISODE 33: Hunter Thane
Oh how the tables have turned! In this episode of the Grab Matters Podcast we have guest host Oli Derome jump on the other side of the mic and interview the usual host of the podcast, Hunter Thane. Hunter is a wakeboarder and "podcaster" from Michigan, who recently made the decision to move down to Florida to be amongst the industry and continue to grow the pod. Getting his start in wakeboarding later than most, Hunter began riding behind his parents pontoon boat, but it wasn't until he discovered cable riding that he really became obsessed with wakeboarding. Getting into riding, boat shows, working at cable parks, a plethora of Instagram pages, poison ivy, winching, full parts, milk reviews, and starting a podcast. Hear all that and much more in Episode 33 of the Grab Matters Podcast!
EPISODE 32: Dallas Friday
Dallas Friday is easily one of the best wakeboarders to ever do the sport. Starting young in gymnastics, Dallas pursued that sport until she discovered wakeboarding, and was instantly hooked. Getting coached early on by none other than Mike Ferraro, Dallas quickly progressed her riding, and gained attention from sponsors as well. According to Mike, Dallas could easily be the "first female wakeboarder to make $1 Million", and that she did. From being the only wakeboarder to win (or be nominated for) and ESPY award, to being on the show Kim Possible, Dallas has had a long and incredibly successful career. A broken femur, undefeated seasons, the ESPN body issue, 6 figure years, dropping out of school, video contests, getting dropped by sponsors, how pregnant impacts contracts, and the future of women’s riding. Hear about all that and much more in Episode 32 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!
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.