Name: Joseph Gradek
Age: 13
Where you're from: Ukiah, CA
Where you like to ride: Lake Pillsbury
Background info: I was born and raised in Ukiah, CA. I started wakeboarding when I was 6 years old. I have a camp at Lake Pillsbury with 3 cabins. I play football for Ukiah Lions. The summer of 2010 is the first time I went to West Coast camps and I plan to keep going for many years ahead.
What is your setup? I ride a 2007 Hyperlite B-side with Hyperlite Remix bindings.
What do you like most about wakeboarding? What I like about wakeboarding is the feeling when you’re soaring through the air doing what you do best.
It’s intimidating to learn new tricks. How do you conquer your fears, and push yourself to constantly improve your riding? I tell myself that I have one chance to do it and if I’m scared now I will be scared later anyways. As Mike Schweene said “If you’re not dedicated then I won’t teach you now, and we’ll move on to something else”.
Would you rather...be known for your style, amplitude (how big you go), or technicality? I would like to be known for my style.
What do you think would be the best thing about being a pro wakeboarder? Getting to live my dream as a career and spend everyday enjoying it.
If you could do any trick on a wakeboard, which would it be. KGB Wrap
Would you rather... Ride like Ben Greenwood, Randall Harris, Shawn Watson, Chris O'Shea, Collin Harrington, or Danny Harf. Chris O’Shea because he owns the wake.
Name one pro wakeboarder that you'd like to meet and why. I would like to meet Josh Smith because he rides for style.
Would you rather...Be pro for a year and never be allowed to wakeboard again...or be able to wakeboard for the rest of your life but be limited to only grabs and 180's. I would rather be limited to grabs and 180’s for the rest of my life just so I can keep doing what I love.
What are your goals for 2010? Get my hs backroll consistant and land a ts backroll and a ts frontroll. Attend competitions this year.
Would you rather...only be able to spin or only be able to flip? I would rather do a spin because it’s easier to do a flip then a spin.
Would you rather...Have to ride the Delta one time in January without a wetsuit or ride all summer with a 4/3 wetsuit? I would rather ride the delta one time in January.
What tricks did you learn last year? I learned to clear the wake do most of the grabs and almost half cab the wake.
What tricks would you like to learn this year? I would like to learn a hs 360, ts backroll, ts frontroll, and hs/ts tantrum.
Who would you like to thank? I would like to thank West Coast Camps, Mike and all the coaches, my family for supporting me and being there for me. I would mostly like to thank my dad for pulling me and putting confidence in me when I don’t land a trick.
Accomplishments: Attending my first INT and getting third place the first day. Landing the hs backroll twice In a row. Being added to “The Crew” |