Liam Whaley
/
Spain
FOLLOW ME
Date of birth:
1995.10.20
Hometown:
Sunshine Coast, Australia
Sponsors:
Antix,
Slingshot USA International Team Rider,
LKI - Loose Kid Industries,
Gowake Mackay Australia,
Republic Wake Wake Philippines,
Sesitec Team Rider,
Sooruz Wetsuits,
Anytime Fitness Mackay,
Hobbies:
Surfing, Motocross
Favourite athletes:
Raph and Oli Derome Shredtown
BIO
I am 21 years old and live on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Having secured three World Titles in Cable Wakeboarding, one in Junior Men’s and the other two in Professional Men’s, I was signed to ride on the Slingshot USA International Wakeboard Team at 16.
To fill you in a bit on my background, I come from a background in Motocross. I got my first Yamaha when I was 3 years old and started competing when I was 5. I rode and competed just about every week-end until I was 13. I just happened to visit my local cablepark on a school excursion, and fell in love with the sport.
I spent the next 2 years putting in as many hours as I could on the water. At 15, I had just finished grade 10, and with pretty much zero travel experience, I set off overseas to compete in the WWA Wakepark World Series. The series took me to 6 different countries around the world for 6 months.
The plan was pretty simple, I was just going to ride my absolute best and hopefully get enough money to buy a plane ticket to the next event. Getting used to the different cable systems and layouts was a bit of a challenge, and working out the competition formats, and actually just getting my way to the cable parks were a bit of a challenge.
The first couple of events I did pretty well finishing in the top 10 and got just enough prize money to get me to the next round. By the third event I’d worked my way through all the heats and started winning. By the last round in Abu Dhabi which was also the World Titles, I won the major two Pro Men’s events, came second overall in the 6 round Pro Men’s World Series, and became one of the youngest riders on record to win a double at the World Titles.
I knew I was only ever going to get one shot at making it professionally. So being signed by Slingshot shortly after was pretty much a dream come true for me. Travelling 10 months of the year to all the major events on the International wakeboarding calendar, and just being able to focus full-time on my riding has been an amazing opportunity to keep progressing in the sport I love.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
I definitely want to win a world series in Wakeboarding. I have placed 2nd in the World Series twice now, so that is my next goal.
I also spend quite a bit of time coaching the 2 months I’m home in Australia, so with more and more cableparks opening in Australia and wakeboarding being one of the fastest growing sports, I want to ensure the sports heading in the right direction by introducing as many people to the sport as I can.
What would be your greatest achievement?
Winning the double world title in Abu Dhabi was an amazing moment that I will remember forever, and want to achieve again.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
Injuries are also very common in our sport, so keeping fit and knowing the correct exercises to do make a huge difference to how we perform both physically and mentally.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
I really like the feeling of standing on the podium. I have been competing in sport from a very young age, and knowing you have given your best on the day makes it all worthwhile for me.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
I get bored easily, so I like to mix my training up each day. I combine the gym, cycling, yoga, running, surfing, motocross, anything I enjoy that keeps me fit and outdoors.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
I think it’s a combination all the little things you do that are vital to making the big things happen. Knowing what exercises help you achieve each trick you are learning, and paying attention to every little detail.
You need to break it down, then put it all together, and practice it until it’s perfect. Going back to the basics at the start of each season and relearning everything helps with my training.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Usually if I think about the competition too much I get nervous. Like how big the competition is, or how many people are watching, or if my sponsors are there. So I just try and keep myself busy and distracted before an event, and focusing on the moment when it happens.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
Definitely my family, they have been my biggest support since day one. They believe in me 100% and have been there through all the good times and the down times with injuries.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
When I first started wakeboarding I would spend countless hours on the water, and the manager at my cable park reminded me how important it is to keep your life balanced with sport, family, friends and fun, it’s something I have never forgotten and try and live by.
What are your future plans?
Well this is my third year riding on the Slingshot USA International team, and it just keeps getting better. I’ve got an awesome line up of events and filming at amazing locations around the world this year.
I’m working on my 3rd Pro Model Slingshot Wakeboard and LKI life vest. I just want to keep my riding progressing, and keep the sport growing to new levels.
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Learn the basics well, be patient, pay attention to every little detail, practice, practice, practice and just have fun.
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