Date: 9/24/02
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Cheryl Newton Photo/Video Gallery
Cheryl Newton
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I think it's safe to say that most pro wakeboarders make their home in Florida, most likely near the Orlando area. It seems like once they start getting serious about wakeboarding, they leave the home state behind and head for gator country to realize the pro wakeboarder's dream of a lake for every rider and enough butter to top all the biscuits in Kentucky (I'm not sure where Kentucky came from, but I know Kentucky Fried Chicken has a lot of biscuits).
Well, here in Southern California, there lives a wakeboarder that has made the decision to stay put and continue to rack up miles on her truck in her search for a decent day's riding on the limited liquid resources available. I don't know what keeps her here. It could be local riding spots like Canyon Lake and the Colorado River. It could be the tight-knit wakeboarding community that supports her. It might even be the fact that WakeWorld's world headquarters are here and she's just looking for some exposure. Whatever it is, we're glad to have Cheryl Newton as a part of the scene.
I was recently invited out to casa Newton on the Colorado River (I'd be more specific, but I'd have to kill you) for a couple of days of riding and all-around good times as a guest of Cheryl's gracious family. I was treated to hospitality the likes of which I've never seen and plenty of good riding behind a boat with a wake that can make a grown man cry. It was here that I whipped out my tape recorder and sat down with Cheryl to find out a little more about her.
WW: Cheryl, how did you get into wakeboarding?
CN: Basically just coming to the [Colorado] river on the weekends, and growing up waterskiing.
WW: Were you a good waterskier?
CN: No. I mean, I never did the whole tournament competitive water skiing. I basically could go back and forth.
WW: So how long ago was that when you were waterskiing?
CN: I learned at five and also kneeboarded when I was younger. Then I stopped skiing for a long time because it got boring. Then wakeboarding came out, so I started doing that. I think it was the summer of 97'.
WW: How did you hook up with Hyperlite?
CN: I just started riding the local tournaments and got to meet the rep. He's like, "Start riding Hyperlite," and I had to work my way up through the rep and eventually through the company.
WW: Local tournaments like the Canyon Lake Tournaments? I know you're from Torrance and I doubt there are many local tournaments there.
CN: There are none in Torrance. The closest lake is Canyon Lake, which takes an hour and fifteen minutes, so we drive a lot.
WW: After first learning to wakeboard, how long did it take before you were competing?
CN: Pretty much right away. It was only about five or six months.
WW: And then how long until you went pro?
CN: Two years.
WW: Was your first pro tournament the Phoenix Pro Am in 1999? Didn't you win that?
CN: Yes and Yes.
WW: So you won your first pro tournament?
CN: Yeah, it was cool.
WW: That is great. Okay, so at Worlds and Nationals that year, which took place before the Phoenix Pro Am, didn't you win?
CN: Yeah, I won Amateur Women's, both Nationals and Worlds.
WW: Who else were you competing with back then?
CN: Back then, Evelyn [Zerr]. I think she was the only one who'd gone on to the next level from our group.
WW: Then how did you do in 2000?
CN: I did real good. I got third at Worlds.
WW: So that was your first full year?
CN: Yeah. I got two podiums. I got third in Portland too. Fifth at Gravity Games?
WW: And how about 2001?
CN: I didn't do as good, but I still finished in the top ten. And I had a couple fourths, so…
WW: How do you spend your time in the off-season to ready yourself for the season, if anything?
CN: I now work out because I realize you won't hurt your body as bad. So I try every day during the off-season to work out. It makes it a little easier because I'm at home, so I can. During the season it's hard because I'm not home and don't have the equipment.
WW: Say you weren't a wakeboarder. What do you think you'd be doing?
CN: Probably working, doing something in sales. I have a degree in Business Marketing so I would like to
do something in that area.
WW: But you'd like to stay in the water sports industry?
CN: Water sports, surfing, clothing.
WW: So is that what you're looking for now?
CN: Yeah.
WW: How are you going to find a job that allows you to ride as much as you need to stay competitive?
CN: I don't know. I'm still debating. I know the perfect job is out there. I have been really picky. I have had a few offers, but wakeboarding for a living is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you can't pass up.
WW: What year was that when you were on the Pro Tour and still going to school?
CN: 2000.
WW: So you did pretty well.
CN: Yes, maybe I need more stress in my life and I will end up doing better.
WW: Here's one for ya. Who is Cheryl Newton?
CN: (Laughing) What kind of question is that?
WW: How's that for putting you on the spot. Describe yourself? For somebody who doesn't know you, tell them what you are like?
CN: What am I like? I think I'm a pretty easygoing person. Easy to entertain. I don't really expect a lot. I just like to have fun.
WW: What do you do with all the money you make being a professional wakeboarder? You must be rolling in it (laughing).
CN: Oh so much (laughing)! I just bought a brand new truck. Basically it goes back into some of my travel expenses.
WW: What goals do you have for your wakeboarding career?
CN: I really want to get a podium, either second or first. I want to break past that third place. I just want to ride good at every tournament. Sometimes I don't and that's what frustrates me.
WW: Do you get nervous at tournaments?
CN: Sometimes. It's because I can go out here and stick my run constantly. Then it seems at the tournaments I'll fall on something stupid. That's what's frustrating.
WW: Why do you think that is?
CN: I don't know. Haven't figured that one out yet. I don't know how you can do a trick so many times and then go to a tournament and fall.
WW: Nerves maybe?
CN: I don't think so. Sometimes I don't think I'm nervous, but, hey, maybe I am. But I've been doing it long enough now that I don't think I am.
WW: I've been on the dock with the women riders and they seem all psyched up. It's a scary place to be when the women are getting ready, but you're pretty laid back. Does that bother the other women?
CN: I don't know. Actually, it's a pretty good atmosphere on the dock. All the girls are cheering for each other, so that makes it a little bit easier.
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