WW: Yo, what up Seth?
SM: Not a whole lot, just waiting for the water to warm up.

WW: Still too cold to ride?
SM: Yeah, the air is pretty nice lately, but the water is still a little chilly.

WW: So does that mean you're not riding?
SM: No. Last time I rode was on the cable at OWC over Christmas, and last time behind the boat was a week and a half before Christmas.

WW: Oh man, how do you cope? What do you do to stay "stoked" on the sport?
SM: Our off season is so short that it's nice to have a little break. Plus I hate the cold. I don't ride if you have to wear more than a heater shirt.

WW: Whereabouts are you from?
SM: Berwick, Louisiana.

WW: How old are you and how long have you been riding?
SM: I am 26 years old and have been riding for 2 1/2 years.

WW: What's your current set up?
SM: HL Belmont 144, with some pieced together Hyperlite boots.

WW: Pieced together? Can you explain what you mean and why you went that route?
SM: Belmont plates, Byerly heel/toe, and Highback overlays. I was just trying to make a better boot, and because I was breaking a lot of parts, I just pieced together some stuff and bought the other parts that I thought would work better.

WW: So what tricks are you stickin'?
SM: Hmmm... 180's, h/s 3's, h/s backroll, t/s backroll.

WW: Working on anything new?
SM: T/s 3's was the last thing I was trying. I would really like to take that farther.

WW: I interviewed Summer Galloway last year and understand you're part of the KrookedMinds team. Who started the team and why?
SM: Dave "Doughboy" Barousse officially started the team. It was started to get all of the LA wakeboarders together.

WW: KrookedMinds have been a part of events, such as LSF, right?
SM: Yes, we were sponsors of LSF '01 and will be sponsors of LSF '02. Also, many of the members were part of LA INT last year, either by competing or being part of the Tour Team, or both.

WW: Here in Central Cal, INT is still pretty small. What's it like there?
SM: Last year there were seven different competitions. I think we averaged about 70 riders each event. Don't know how that compares to other states, but it was a lot of work. Fun work, but it made for some long days.

WW: Does everyone in KrookedMinds compete?
SM: Yes. At one point during the summer, every LA member competed.

WW: Sweet! That must have been one big party!
SM: Yes, it was great. I made a lot of new friends and got to hang out with everyone all summer long.

WW: Billy Glenn...he's from Nor Cal. How the heck did he end up on your team?
SM: We met Billy at LSF. He was actually out in front of the Holiday Inn trying to get a ride to Moon Lake Marina. Dave and I talked to him a while and ended up meeting up with him later at the Marina. We pretty much hung out all weekend. Before he left, we decided that he already knew what KrookedMinds was about, so we asked him to join.

WW: Dave Barousse must be part of your regular crew.
SM: Yeah, I've known him for years and he works for the same company as I do. Hell, I got him his job. So we hang out a fair bit

WW: So who's better, you or him? Can you beat him up?
SM: He's a better rider than I am. He wants to do tricks that no one else is doing around here, like off-axis spins, and I respect that. But, in a knock-down-drag-out-no-ref cage match I think could take him...

WW: (laughs) Oh man, that's hilarious! I'm sure he won't agree with that.
SM: Probably not.

WW: What kind of work do you do?
SM: My job title is Supervisor, Vessel Information Systems. Basically, I oversee the installation, repair and use of all electronic systems on our vessels. I work for the 2nd largest boat company in the world. More boats than the Navy, so it keeps me pretty busy.

WW: Ever ride behind them?
SM: No, but I wish. I've ridden on some of our 135 foot crewboats. You wouldn't believe the wake! About six feet high and perfect transition!

WW: Sweet! Sneak one out and I'll ride with you!
SM: It ain't gonna happen. I've already tried.

WW: With the ever changing economy and everyone having second thoughts about their jobs, is this something you could do the rest of your life?
SM: Yes, definitely. I have a great job and work for a great company. Man, I hope my boss reads this!

WW: Okay, now apply the same question but with wakeboarding. Is it something you think you could do for the rest of your life?
SM: I think I could as long as my body holds up. I'm sure at some point I'll progress as far as I can go, but I will always want to be behind the boat.

WW: Ever thought about wakeboarding as a career or having a career in the industry?
SM: No, I've never really thought about that. I would think that once it would become a job, it wouldn't be as much fun. Wakeboarding is what I do when I'm not working, you know?

WW: What are your personal goals, riding or otherwise?
SM: My main goal in wakeboarding is to just enjoy it as much as possible. Sometimes that means going out and trying to learn a new trick and sometimes it means just relaxing and riding, doing what ever feels good. The same holds true for my life off the water, to enjoy it to the fullest.

WW: If there was one thing you could change about wakeboarding, what would it be?
SM: That boats wouldn't cost so much.

WW: No kidding!
SM: It's really ridiculous.

WW: Before we go, anyone you'd like to say thanks to?
SM: First, I would like to thank everyone who has ever given me a pull behind their boat. I appreciate each and every one. Big thanks out to the entire KrookedMinds Team and all Louisiana Riders. Also, Y2Kp Wakeboard Gear for their support and Joe Umali because he wrote an article about his thoughts on female wakeboarders as a way to pick up chicks! And lastly, to all the folks that chat at both Wakeboarder.com and WakeWorld.com for helping me waste the work day away!

WW: (laughs) Heck yeah, Chicks rule! Thanks for your time bro.
SM: Thanks Joe and thanks WakeWorld.

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