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Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert's name is synonymous with the likes of Scott Byerly, Randall Harris, Shaun Murray, Greg Nelson and Darin Shapiro. Like his colleagues, he is responsible for pioneering and shaping the sport we all share a passion for. With Gator Boards hitting the scene in 2002 and capturing more than their share of the marketplace in 2003, they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

Many of you may have had the opportunity to participate in last year's GB Fully Committed Tour. Look for the GB bus to be hitting the road again in 2004 and turning even more heads. While the bus hits the road, Gator will be focusing on the international marketing and promotion of the GB product line. After hitting the Asian X games in Singapore and Malaysia and the Aussie Pro Tour earlier this year, it's obvious that GB has "fully committed" on a global level.

With sales and distribution rapidly increasing both nationally and internationally, WakeWorld wanted to know a little more about the company and team Gator has put together. Recently, while in Seattle finalizing the recruitment of GB's new Chief Operations Officer, Rob Hyatt, Gator and Rob hit the slopes and invited WakeWorld to come along.

WW: Rob, how and when did you get started in this industry?

Rob Hyatt

RH: Back in the day, I was sponsored by Kemper snowboards from 88 to 91. In 1991, a good friend asked me to help him start a snowboard company that he was working on and that's how Spiral Snowboards was born. I met Tony Finn in 1992 when he was starting Wake Tech with Jimmy Redmon from Redline and Chris Durham from Kidder. They had just hired my brother to be the Northwest rep.

Shortly after that, Finn started to rep Spiral Snowboards in California for me and my partners. Durham also asked me to help out around the factory with some binding ideas they were working on. That led to helping out on boards and other gear as well. Then about three years later, Tony and Jimmy approached us with an investor to buy out our snowboard factory to start their own wakeboard brand. They had always wanted to try and start their own factory and the results ended up being the beginning of Liquid Force.

WW: Over the years, what board companies have you been involved with and who are your sponsors?
RH: Spiral Snowboards, Kemper Snowboards, Joyride Snow & Wake, Wake Tech, Liquid Force, Full Tilt, O'Brien and GB. I am sponsored by Malibu, GB, Red Bull, Reef, Inland Surfer and Smith.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: What happened with your last gig at Joyride?
RH: Nothing happened to them. They are still in Evansville, Indiana. Wow, they do get some crazy storms out that way. We shared a different view of where they needed to be in the marketplace. I realized that it was time for me to re-align myself with someone that shared the same vision and passion that I have. The Joyride crew is made up of good people and I wish them all the best.

WW: What made you decide to become a part of the GB Team?
RH: Gator is so focused and on top of things these days it's crazy! Currently, GB is the fastest growing company out there with the right products, team and attitude. Plus, Gator and the rest of the GB crew share the same passion and drive that I have for the sport. They are aggressive and innovative and that is a recipe for success. Demand for the GB products is amazing!

WW: What will you be doing for Gator Boards?
RH: The COO role. Daily operations, including product development, manufacturing, process control, etc.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: Gator, when did you start wakeboarding and how did you become a part of the industry?
EGL: I First started riding in '91, my freshman year of high school, when I moved in with my father. He owned a boat and lived on the water. I ended up getting my own board as a present for my birthday when I turned 15. A little over a year later at a challenge-the-pros contest at Cypress Gardens, I won my way into the finals with the big dogs. Rich Goforth approach me about riding for Wake Tech. Needless to say, I was very excited and jumped at the opportunity.

WW: Have you accomplished the goals you set for yourself as a pro rider?
EGL: You mean world champion, innovator and forefather of the sport directly responsible for progressing and pushing the sport of wakeboarding through its adolescence?

WW: Is there anything you wish you could do over in your wakeboarding career?
EGL: Pulled the handle in on that slob front to fakie in Mayday! I'm pretty happy with everything and would not like to change much. It has shaped me into the fearless leader I am today.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: You've been a long-time friend of Scott Byerly's. Why did you leave Wake Tech when Scott was still on board?
EGL: Let's just say I jumped ship when I realized the light at the end of the tunnel was a bit dim.

WW: Will GB be getting into wakeskating?
RH: We offer a concave and flat deck version currently. The '05 decks we are working on are sick! Unlike many others, we own our own CNC machine for making wakeskates, so R&D of materials and shapes is something we can do fast and easy. It's a great resource and advantage.

WW: Gator, what will you be focusing on in the international arena?
EGL: My commitment is to excel Gator Boards brand awareness through a global marketing regime. Rider operated and influenced, this movement is already in effect and I'm writing this to you on a flight to the Gold Coast of Australia for the last and final stop of the Gold Coast Wake tour, the 4th stop of the APTW, on our quest for global domination, illuminati and anti-conglomerate respect.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: Rob, do you still snowboard a lot?
RH: I try to hit up all the powder days if possible. Those ones are hard to pass up! But for the most part, I'm real busy and don't have as much free time. The day all of us went riding we kind of missed the big powder dump, but still found lots of good turns. I still snowboard on an old Spiral Shaun Farmer 162cm from 97...pretty pathetic. I made four boards for myself right before we shut down Spiral. And this is the last one left with any camber. Scott Jobe always reminds me how old and outdated my snow gear is.

WW: Charley Patterson says you are aspiring to become as good an official on the Pro Tour as he is. He says multitasking is your weakness. You need to learn to judge, talk on your cell phone and talk to chicks all at the same time. Is that possible?
RH: No one can master those skills all at the same time like CP can. He is the master! For now, I'll just keep judging the old fashion way.

WW: Rob, it has been said that you designed the first twin tip board. Is that true?
RH: One night at Chris Durham's house after dinner and some beers, Finn, Chris and I started talking about new products. It was my idea to cut two boards in half and put the tails together. Twin tips were big in snowboard back then. It actually took a while to get it from idea to prototype. Jimmy did the shaping.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: Gator, we understand that you recently attended the Asian X Games. How many Gator team members made the trip to the Far East and did any compete?
EGL: The Asian X Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. David Isaacson and myself were the only ambassadors from GB affiliated with this junction of the FCWT. We attended the Asian X Games strictly to support the Asian movement through a vigorous agenda of partying and picking up on their women. Team Singapore was in full effect as well as Thailand. Big ups to the boyz from Maxout, Lothar, DiDi, Ike and Unos holding it down for GB in the semifinals.

WW: Tell us a little about your company. Where do you press your boards?
RH: Triton Sports presses our boards using our molds, specs and qualifications. They are one of the best out there and we work together with them real well. Craig and Dennis, who run Triton's production, are both veterans. Dennis came from Wake Tech and Craig originally from HO Sports. I have worked with them both before and they are a great crew to have working with us.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: You both have been involved with the Pro Tour and Vans Triple Crown for years. After watching our sport grow and change both in equipment and format over the years, how do you feel about the future of wakeboarding?
RH: The contest format keeps evolving with each season and, as more riders become involved in this process, we will continue to head in the right direction. It is important that actual participants/riders play a role in the shaping of our future. Nobody is more in touch than the riders themselves. Since the tour brought on Chris Bischoff and Sean Dishman, we get closer every day.

WW: So Gator, with the 2004 pro season underway, what are your plans for the Fully Committed Tour this year?
EGL: This will be our second year on the road with the Fully Committed Tour. Much appreciation to everybody involved making last year such a success! We are looking forward to getting back on the road this summer and expanding our capabilities through the grassroots movement of the Fully Committed Tour. Our intentions are to give our shops, fans and dealers the best opportunities to come out, ride, check out the gear, hang with the crew and see what the GB epidemic is all about.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

WW: How involved are the riders in shaping new designs?
RH: All along the way. I just finished up a new board with Ricky G. He has worked with and approved all we have come up with. From top and bottom board shapes and graphics to fin design and locations. Having the riders work alongside someone who has shaping, molding and manufacturing experience is the best combination for success. I also did the Harris board design with Randall. How can you call it a pro model or ask someone to endorse it if they didn't have a part in its development?

WW: Give us a rundown of your current team.
RH: Ricky Gonzalez, Randall Harris, Gator, Leslie Kent, Rusty Malinoski, Wes Brisco, Jake Huso, Chad Morin, Dave Issacson, Brent Starr, Chris Ramirez, Billy North, Mark Whikle, Kristin "Buster" Cartwright, Brannon Meek and many other soldiers that we support.

WW: Will the Gator team be competing internationally?
EGL: We will be leading, setting standards for others to follow, single-handedly eliminating threats of worldwide terror, beating, rapping and pillaging any law known to man on a worldwide level. Our extensive team of lawyers is already hard at work in efforts to sweep up our path of destruction. It's a high stakes game of bribing authorities in foreign countries. This is a risk we are willing to take to get up close with our fellow man and share our experiences and worldwide love for this great sport of wakeboarding. A wise man once said, "The only competition we face is competition itself."

David Isaacson

WW: With so many talented riders out there, how do you go about choosing your team?
EGL: We all have our own unique style and attributes to Gator Boards. That's the beauty of it. We all learn from each other and continue to grow and develop together as a team.

WW: Are you currently recruiting any new riders for Team GB?
RH: Always looking for the right person to carry the flag, but who makes the cut? That is Gator's department.

WW: Gator, with so many small board companies failing, what made you decide to start a board company and why did you think you'd be different than the others?
EGL: Nothing is for certain in this life and I trusted my intuition. After being involved in the industry and working with several companies, I gained some knowledge and the confidence I needed to venture out on my own. I have a strong passion and love for wakeboarding and at a young age knew that I wanted to enhance my opportunities to be involved in its growth and development.

Erik 'Gator' Lutgert

Being a pro rider has its limitations and a time frame for the most part. Since I had already been through three knee surgeries, I took a look at promoting the longevity of the influence I would have on our sport. Creating a wakeboard company was a chance to be directly involved with wakeboarding, do what I love for a living and give back to the sport. I was approached by sponsors ten years ago. Now kids approach us for sponsorship. I've been full circle through the ranks of this industry and have the advantage of identifying on a level that others may not have the possibilities of seeing.

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