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Ricky Gonzalez Photo/Video Gallery
Ricky Gonzalez Video

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

Like any other enthusiastic wakeboarder, I spend my free time flipping through industry magazines. I check out new gear, surf the photos and read the cover articles. Ok, I admit it. I flip to the Reef ad first. Over the past season, like many other readers, I ran across the Ricky Gonzalez, Malibu advertisement. You know, the one with him on a Harley with some super hottie. What do Harleys and super hot chicks have to do with selling boats? Whatever it is, it works. Malibu outsold every other inboard boat manufacturer for the first three quarters of 2003. I'd like to believe it was because of Ricky and his entourage of beautiful women.

Which brings up the question, how did this ripper from Bakersfield, California develop the reputation that he has? My first introduction to Ricky was in April of 2002, the day after the Pro Tour opener in Orlando. He was living with Ryan Wolfe at the time on Lake Whippoorwill. By the looks of the house and the all the girls everywhere, it appears that I missed some party. I didn't get the chance to chat with Ricky much then because he was feeling a bit "under the weather."

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

Then in August of 2003 in Indianapolis, Indiana during the WWA Wakeboarding Nationals, I had the chance to chat with Ricky and get some insight into this incredibly talented rider. We had been checking out a few local clubs on the Indy scene and it was last call. When we left the bar, I noticed a limo pulling up. To everyone's surprise, out pops Mr. Gonzalez himself with his entourage of local talent. Where do these girls come from? True to his form, he offers us all a ride back to the hotel. During our ride home, I asked him for an interview. I wanted to know how he got this reputation and how he maintains it?

WW: How old are you now and how long have you been riding?
RG: I'm am now 28 years old and I have been riding about seven or eight years.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

WW: What got you into wakeboarding?
RG: I had been snowboarding and teaching classes for six or seven years. Some friends were wakeboarding and it seemed similar to snowboarding so I started hitting the lake. I fell in love with the sport and, besides, the ladies wear much less while on the boat! The rest is history!

WW: I hear you're a pretty good snowboarder? What type of tricks can you pull on the snow?
RG: Just about all the tricks I can do on a wakeboard I can transfer to the snow. Snowboarding is a great way to cross train in the off-season. If I could have done things differently, I would have gone pro as a snowboarder.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

WW: I understand you've moved back to Bakersfield, California. Who are you riding and training with?
RG: There is no one really to ride with in Bakersfield, but I train with my homeboy Chuck. But he works way too much and getting out on the lake can be difficult.

WW: Why did you move to Orlando and then move back? Was living with Ryan Wolfe really that bad?
RG: Ryan is way to sloppy for me! No, not really. His mom cleaned up for him. Plus, the sleeper was stealing my left over girls. The reason I moved back home is because there is no place like Cali. Plus my family and friends are here. I spend a lot of time with my family and being close to them means a lot to me.

WW: Do you have a favorite rider or riders?
RG: P.B. Parks Bonifay because he's by far the funnest rider to watch. Watching him, you'll never see the same trick twice. He has so many tricks in his arsenal. Scott Byerly because all the tricks we do were in some way developed by him and he's just a cool person to be around. Gator, because Byerly and him were the biggest influences in my wakeboarding career as well as being my mentor.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

WW: In the wakeboarding community you've been labeled "The Bad Boy of Wakeboarding" along with the likes of Randall Harris. Others talk about your charm with the ladies and I'd like to know how this all got started?
RG: A lot of people have labeled me the bad boy of wakeboarding obviously because of my tattoos, attitude and the charm with the ladies. It's in the Gonzalez blood. My father's a PIMP! People's first impression of me is my tattoos. That gives them the impression I'm rough around the edges. Being on the road I meet a lot of young ladies and the tattoos as well as the Gonzalez game seems to draw them to me.

WW: Rumor has it you have a girlfriend? How does she feel about your career and reputation?
RG: Yes, and we don't talk about it because it is the past. She knows it's an image thing and our relationship is very strong.

WW: Does she get mad when you go on the road?
RG: Being on the road can be difficult in any relationship. I try and get home as much as possible because our time together is important to me.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

WW: Have you been filming and can we expect to see you in any new DVD's next season?
RG: Yes. One of the videos coming out for '04 is Reflections by Backyard Films, a Jack Blodgett production. Also, look for Spun with most of the GB team in '04. My friend and I are starting a production company making wakeboarding and other videos. Company name to be announced.

WW: I don't want to dredge up the past, but leaving Hyperlite was a big career change. What happened?
RG: Well, where do I start? Paul O'Brien is full of it. His reason for letting me out of my contract was because he felt I wasn't good with people, which couldn't be further from the truth. If anyone is bad with people, it's him. Have you ever tried to talk to that guy? I would still have respect for him if he had just been honest with me.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

I really don't care anymore because things couldn't be any better with GB. After Hyperlite released me from my contract, I was finished with pro wakeboarding. Then, just when I thought I was done, Brian Allred, GB Team Manager, called me up and got me involved with Gator Boards. Gator and the whole crew understand how I am and how I operate. Unlike Hyperlite, I can design my own board based on how I think they should ride. I also choose the graphics based on my tastes, rather than just putting my name on a board so people will buy it.

WW: Gator boards has been lucky enough to have you on their team. Tell us about your new board.
RG: My new board is by far the best board out there. It tracks super well and has huge pop off the wake. I'm making two more sizes after the first of the year, so go out and get one. Everyone on the team is stoked and this is by far the funnest team to be on.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

WW: Now that you're back on the tour and competing, what do you think of the '03 format?
RG: Competitions aren't my favorite thing to do. I prefer to freeride and just hang out on the lake with my friends. I really enjoyed being a part of the Fully Committed Tour last season and would like to pursue instructing in the future. It brings me back to the days of teaching snowboarding.

WW: What advice would you give to our aspiring readers who want to compete?
RG: Just have as much fun as you can with whatever happens. Getting judged on your pass in competition can be disappointing. You may think you had an awesome stand-up pass, but the judges may not like the tricks you threw. My advice is to compete in local competitions and get used to their format. But having fun is what it's all about.

WW: Who are your current sponsors and what type of gear do they supply you with?
RG: Gator Boards, No Fear, Black Flys, Malibu Boats, Joystick, Nice Bindings, Jet Pilot, Liquid Trends, Audiobahn and Lexani. Let's just say they take care of me.

Ricky Gonzalez (pic: Bill Jamison) ...click to enlarge

WW: Would you like to thank anyone?
RG: I would first like to thank my family and I would also like to thank Gator, Brian Allred, Braden, Britt, Artie, Paul Singer, Ron, Charley, Jason, Danny and Cindy, Jeff, Jack, Ricky and Eric, Kimery, Wake Boarding mag, Alliance mag and all other mags that have hooked me up and all the other people I forgot.

And just one more thing. To all the people that pissed me off, it just made me stronger, so thank you. Oh, and I almost forgot I would like to give a big shout out to Steven Hahn for giving us riders a voice and allowing us to share our opinions with the riders and all who support us.

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