What do you love about teaching others the most? Without a doubt, it’s when they land that trick they’ve been trying for weeks, months, maybe even years. When you see that trick landed after so much hard work and teaching, you get an instant ear to ear grin with a huge high five! We’ve seen you wakeboarding here at New Forest Water Park, and we can see you are good! Have you ever competed? I’ve not competed yet. This is my first season on a cable, whereas before I was riding behind a boat. Over the next couple of seasons, I really hope to be at a standard where I could compete. There is so much talent out there at the moment though; it’s scary to think of what tricks will develop over the coming years! What is it about wakeboarding that makes it your chosen sport? Besides it being on my doorstep, I just can’t get enough of the freedom you have out there on a cable. Hitting whatever feature you like, lap after lap. I relate it to a never-ending mountain on a snowboard. On top of this, the sport is still growing massively and the boundaries for new tricks is so far away it makes it unbearably exciting to keep riding to reach that high standard. Do you take part in any land based board sports? Snowboarding, but that’s about it! I guess I’ve been so lucky to have wakeboarding so close to my home, I’ve never really strayed away to anything else! Do you have a preference over inland water or sea? Inland water all the way. No salt, no waves and a lot warmer! What’s your best or favourite trick? I really enjoy those massive double grab backside 180’s over a kicker. They’re such fun to do and can look so different every time with different grabs.
Thanks for talking to us, Ben... Can you tell us how you got into wakeboarding? I was lucky enough to be born into the business. I was introduced to the lake at 4 years old and haven’t looked back since! I started off with skiing; this led into wakeboarding as it became progressively more popular.
Have you ever had any bad accidents? Touch wood, no. I’ve never broken a bone and not intending to! Obviously, from time to time, like every sport, you have wipe outs. Some wipe outs can feel like you’ve broken every bone in your body but its part and parcel of learning that new trick!
It’s a really good, new set up here at New Forest Water Park. How is it all going? We’ve had a great first season with the cable. Plenty of positive feedback from beginners, intermediates and the pros. The atmosphere this season has been incredible, and we’ve established a great community of riders surrounding the park. We have big plans to improve further for the 2014 season with the addition of a walkway surrounding the cable and another feature.
What would you say to people who may be thinking about giving it a go and what are the benefits of learning on a cable? Do it. You’ll love it. Our straight line cable benefits beginners hugely compared to learning behind a boat. The pull from the cable is a lot higher up, pulling the rider up and out of the water as opposed to through it. 1-on-1 tuition is absolutely key to nailing the early stages of wakeboarding, without picking up any bad habits. Just come on up to New Forest Water Park and we’ll get you out on the water!
Tell us about your involvement / role at New Forest Water Park? I have the role of Watersports Manager. This involves being outside everyday and getting to know a lot of new faces. Interaction with customers is a massive thing for me, I love to make people feel welcome and get to know the riders from different walks of life that visit us.
What’s your favourite hot spot in the surrounding area that you enjoy visiting? Given the nature of the job, I don’t get out much during the day in the summer months. But, a summers evening, listening to live music at the Lost Garden in Bournemouth goes down a treat. Thank you for talking to us, Ben. We wish you all the best with your future here at New Forest Water Park.
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