Related Items:
Dallas Friday Video by Jack Blodgett and Steve Hahn
Dallas Friday Photo/Video Gallery
2001 Dallas Friday Interview
Robin Friday Interview

Dallas Friday (pic: Steve Hahn)

Recently, while in Orlando for the WWA Wakeboarding Worlds, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dallas Friday and get some insight on this incredibly talented young ripper. I was immediately overwhelmed by this 17-year-old's mature demeanor and I could see why she has been so successful in her career. Dallas' personality and charm capture you right away.

Not only does Dallas rip on the water, but this real estate savvy investor is already planning for her future. How many teens do you know that plan, or even think about, things like IRA's and returns on their investments? At 17, my only concern was if the AM/PM clerk would sell me beer!

Having spent some time following the Pro Tour, I have had the opportunity to chat with many of the athletes. Some have been very receptive and some not. Dallas has a magnetic personality that immediately makes you feel comfortable. She enjoys meeting riders from all of her travels and especially influencing women to compete and push their skill level.

Dallas Friday (pic: Bill Jamison)

WW: How old are you and how long have you been riding?
DF: I just turned 17 . I began riding in June of 1999. I started competing on the tour in April of 2000

WW: What started you wakeboarding?
DF: I was a competitive gymnast for 5 years and got sort of burned out. My brother Robin was into wakeboarding and told me to give it a try and from that point forward I never looked back to gymnastics. I knew wakeboarding would be the sport I wanted to do.

WW: How many titles have you accumulated during the course of your career?
DF: To tell you the truth, I am not sure. Titles I have won include Pro Tour, America's Cup, Vans Triple Crown, Masters, Wakestock, Malibu Open, Worlds, World Cup, Nationals, Gravity Games and X Games.

Dallas Friday (pic: Bill Jamison)

WW: What riders influence your riding the most?
DF: Darin Shapiro for going huge, Shaun Murray for just having fun while riding and Gerry Nunn for being a good rider and being fun to hang out with.

WW: Who is your favorite rider and why?
DF: Gregory Necrasson for his style and attitude.

WW: Many people say that you are pushing the women to a new level of riding. Do you think they're right?
DF: I am trying to. This year I threw what some call "guy" tricks; roll to blind, Tootsie Roll, bat wing, whirlybird, krypt and KGB. I need to learn some new tricks for next season to keep pushing the sport for the women. I learn these things for myself though. I like to challenge myself and have goals to achieve to make myself a better athlete.

WW: I overheard a few male professionals say that if you competed in the men's division, you'd probably be a threat to many of the riders. How do you feel about that?
DF: I like to hear that because it means some guys respect my riding. But us girls are starting to push it, so I will stay in the women's division.

Dallas Friday (pic: Steve Hahn)

WW: Where do you train and who do you train with?
DF: I train with Glenn Fletcher out at O'town Watersports and I train at the Orlando Watersports Complex. I use the cable to improve my skills on the sliders and kickers. I like to also just ride in my backyard with my friends behind my Malibu VLX. The wake is huge and we have a lot of fun.

WW: Out of all the tour stops, which is your favorite and why?
DF: Probably the X-Games because they have other extreme events there and you get to meet the other athletes from the different extreme sports. Plus the prize money is good there.

WW: I understand that you've been dabbling in real estate. What made you so financially savvy at such a young age?
DF: I have saved all the money I earned thus far. Since I was 15 I was earning in the 6 digits. When I was 16, I bought myself a GMC Denali rollin on 20's and got the DVD player and the whole bit. A month later I found a 2,000 square foot house here on a lake in Orlando and invested in it and rented it out. Eight months later I sold it and made a little profit. I am currently looking for another lakefront home to invest in here in Orlando. The next one I buy is for me to live in when I turn 18.

Dallas Friday (pic: David Williams)

WW: What are your opinions on the riding formats for both the Pro Wakeboard Tour and the Vans Triple Crown series?
DF: It's tight. I like everything about the format and I really like the Sea Doo that you win when you win Vans Triple Crown.

WW: If you could change one thing about this industry, what would it be?
DF: That the women would have as many tournaments as the men.

WW: What advice would you give to other female riders looking to compete?
DF: Practice a lot, but most of all make sure you are having fun. Start out riding in local competitions to get used to competing. We need more girls in the sport!

WW: How do your parents feel about your career?
DF: My parents have always supported me from the beginning. The first year I was on tour I was 13. My parents took out a second mortgage on their home to be able to send me on the tour and for my training because it was such a big expense. Luckily, I picked up sponsors after that first year.

Dallas Friday (pic: Bill Jamison)

WW: Your brother competes as well. Are you both very competitive with each other?
DF: Not at all. He can do some tricks I can't do and I can do some tricks he can't do. My brother said he will respect my riding when I can do a 720...Ha!

WW: What type of other hobbies or interests do you have?
DF: I love to shop! It is my favorite thing to do. On one of my flights home I picked up the sky phone in the airplane and ordered myself a snow cone machine that I saw in the Sky Mall magazine. When I got home I bought a fog machine. I buy crazy stuff sometimes but I have fun with it. I also like going to the beach and movies and just hanging out with my friends. I enjoy skateboarding also. I also enjoy eating out a lot and trying new places. But my favorite thing to eat never changes...sushi! I could eat it every night of the week.

WW: What do you do during the off-season?
DF: I Just hang out and enjoy the life that I am having right now.

Dallas Friday (pic: Steve Hahn)

WW: Who are your sponsors?
DF: O'Brien (check out my new board, the Vixen 137), Fox Racing, Malibu Boats, Smith Optics, Bare Wetsuits, Boss Accessories, Performance Ski and Surf, OWC, Lead Headz and O'Town Watersports.

WW: Would you like to thank anyone?
DF: My Parents, my brothers, Perry Richmond, Bill Porter, Todd Hicks, Mike Ferraro, Glenn Fletcher, Pete Surrette, Rene Hoffman, Lani Farmer, Paul Singer, Cory Smith, Kyle Oberndorf, Rio Morales, my old gymnastics coach, Jeff Woods, and everyone connected with the Pro Tour, but most of all the fans out there...YOU ALL ROCK!

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