When it comes to riding, nobody can look down on this guy.

WW: What kind of changes will we see in board construction throughout the industry in the near future?
SM: I see a lean back towards a semi directional board. Just like skate and snowboards are very seldom shaped and layed up symmetrically.

WW: The big news is that Scott Byerly signed with you guys (see "Scott Byerly Signs with Hyperlite") what are your thoughts on that?
SM: I think its pretty cool and just shows that you can't stereotype anybody and it gives Hyperlite a different edge. At the same time, hopefully it will give Byerly a different edge.

WW: You sort of stood in the shadow of Darin Shapiro while he was at Hyperlite, then you got out of that when he signed with O'Brien. Now you've got this legend coming in here. Do you feel like you're kind of stepping back into the shadow of another wakeboarding great?
SM: Well, a lot of people are saying Scott is a has-been. But, you know, I don't care if he isn't doing well in contests or whatever, I'll always look up to him just for being one of the most innovative riders. One of those stylish riders, because I just enjoy watching him ride. As far as feeling like I'm going to be overshadowed by him, you know, if that is what people want to look at it as, it doesn't bother me. But, you know, I think two different styles and two different riders. It doesn't bother me to not be considered as the top rider there.

Our subject, picking out a melan.

WW: Does it take some pressure off of you, or does it make things a lot tougher?
SM: I wouldn't say that it does really either. When Darin stepped away from Hyperlite they did start coming to me a little bit more about board ideas and team ideas and whatever, ya know, for just opinions, and I think it's gonna continue. They're gonna continue to ask me, which I really enjoy because I enjoy doing that stuff. But I don't think that…well it might alleviate some of that pressure.

WW: Paul O'Brien said Scott was just amazing when it comes to board design and stuff and how much he knows about all the different fiberglasses and everything.
SM: Yeah

WW: So you think they'll be going to him with a lot of that stuff?
SM: Yeah I think that would be great.

WW: So who are you training with right now?
SM: Well, I don't really consider it training, cuz we just kind of go out and ride. I've been doing a lot of filming with Sideways, the guys who do Switch and Switch 22. But Gerry Nunn lives with me and he is doing really well. He's gonna do well this year on tour. I've been riding a lot with Darin, cuz he just moved up around the corner from me.

WW: What Lake do you ride on there?
SM: I'm on Lake Whipperwill.

WW: Who are your favorite riders to watch, you mentioned Scott, who else?
SM: I really like watching Scott ride and I like watching Cobe ride.

Mid 720 with his head in the clouds (Russ Olsen).

WW: How much longer would you like to keep riding professionally and how much longer do you think you actually will?
SM: I would like to go four more years, only time will tell.

WW: Where can I go to find Shaun Murray in ten years? Will you still be in this industry?
SM: I have always planned on going back to school to finish my marketing degree, but I will give it more thought.

WW: Who would you like to thank?
SM: Jesus Christ, my family for genuine support (my dad is on TV all the time when I'm riding), my girlfriend Missy for putting up with my absence, all my sponsors: Hyperlite, Vans, Fox Racing (they have really cool clothes coming out), Ski Supreme, Jet Pilot, Spoon, Mantra, Gravity, and Performance Ski and Surf.

WW: You mentioned Fox Racing is one of your sponsors. Are they getting into the wakeboard business?
SM: They're doing stuff like board shorts, a lot of clothing, they just wanted to cross over to get a little bit of a different market. They're not looking to come in and kill the wakeboard market, but they just wanted to cross over. A lot of the motocross guys like to wakeboard. Jeff Emig was over here the other day after the motocross and we just had a little party. So a lot of those guys are into wakeboarding and it's kind of where it came from.

WW: Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
SM: We are just finishing touching up my instructional series, Detention Volumes 1 and 2, where you can learn something and see me make a fool of myself in less than an hour!

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