Photos: Mike Owens, Peter Chandler and Joe Umali

Video:
Reflection - Starring Christie Fisher (Windows Media, 7.8mb)

Christie Fisher

WW: What's your name and where are you from?
CF: I currently live in Pittsburg, California, but I am originally from San Diego, California.

WW: How old are you and how long have you been wakeboarding?
CF: I just turned 36. This summer will be two years since I first made an attempt at wakeboarding.

WW: Where are your local riding spots?
CF: I mostly ride the Delta, but also hit local lakes like Berryessa, Don Pedro and New Melones.

WW: Where are your favorite riding spots?
CF: The Delta because you can almost always find decent water and you usually run into someone you know!

WW: What's the scene like in your area?
CF: I have had so much fun in this area since I got to know some of the local riders! However, it can get pretty crazy during the summer and on holiday weekends.

WW: Who do you ride with?
CF: My son, Josh (of course), Mike Owens, Tammy Sauer, Cory Kopowski, Zack Kopowski, Henry Gonzales, Joe Umali, Arun Frances, Anne-Michelle Paris, Jason Buffalow, Marcus Shahen, John Morozumi, Elisa Donatoni, Chris Ramey, Leslie Patterson, Sean Branecki, Brian Strand, Peter Chandler, Wes Lazara, Susie Teixeira, Jason & Stefani Payne, Rod Rinnert and Cassandra Kalapous.

WW: How often do you get to ride?
CF: Well, since I'm not independently wealthy and have to maintain a source of income, I usually only get out on the weekends!

WW: What is it about wakeboarding that makes you spend so much time doing it?
CF: Several things. First of all, it's all about the camaraderie. I love spending time with different people out on the boat and watching riders from all levels encourage each other. The best thing is watching someone get up for the very first time or land a new trick and hearing the whole boat break into cheers!

Secondly, it's all about the challenge. I love a good challenge and wakeboarding provides a constant source for me. Every day is different, every run is different and every wake is different and, if that isn't enough, there is an endless list of tricks to try and tackle.

Lastly, it's all about being outdoors and out on the water. I'm cooped up indoors all week. The last thing I want to do is stay inside on the weekends!

WW: Do you ride throughout the winter?
CF: Well, I'm actually a big wimp in the cold, but I love riding in the winter. There are less boats on the water and the atmosphere is much more relaxed. No one is usually in a rush to get into the chilly waters so it's the best time to learn new tricks.

WW: What's your current setup - board, bindings, etc.
CF: I have a CWB Absolute 134 and Belmonts.

WW: What other hobbies do you have?
CF: Photography, video editing, snowboarding, golf, fishing, baseball, traveling, music, etc. However, there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to.

WW: How did you get into video editing?
CF: I started posting pictures on wakepics.com and then moved into posting short video clips. After a few editing tips from Chris Ramey, I started making mini-movies and Schleprockfisher Productions was born. I really enjoy it because I feel like I am giving everyone who rides with me a permanent memory from that day!

WW: Why the name Schleprockfisher?
CF: Well, that's kind of a long story. Schleprock is a character from The Flintstones, the one who walked around all of the time with a cloud hanging over his head. I have had a fairly long series of bad luck and that nickname kind of stuck. I am hoping that my luck is changing this year for the better, but I will probably hang onto the nickname for nostalgic reasons (laughing).

WW: Do you wakesurf? wakeskate? How much compared to straight wakeboarding?
CF: I started wakeskating last year and tried wakesurfing a couple of times.

Wakeskating is a nice change up on a summer day, especially if it is your third or fourth run of the day. Besides, those are some of my favorite crashes, to see the body flailing one way and the board shooting out the other way. Best of all, wakeskate crashes don't usually hurt!

WW: What do you do for a living?
CF: I'm a Project Manager for a consulting company.

WW: Do you have a boat?
CF: I have a 2001 Malibu Wakesetter VLX.

WW: What are your favorite tricks to do?
CF: Well, my bag of tricks is not very full right now, but I am working hard to change that. For now, my favorite trick is going huge on heelside.

WW: What are you working on that seems like you'll never pull it off?
CF: I have been working on a HS 180 for what seems like ages!

WW: Do you compete?
CF: I entered one competition last year, but only because my eight year old son, Joshua, said, "I'll do it if you do!" I was trying to encourage him and wanted to see him compete. The funniest part about the day was when they called my name to accept the third place trophy! What a shock!

WW: Will you compete this year?
CF: Tammy & Cory have been trying to talk me into doing INT this year. Their son, Zack, is going to compete, so my son wants to compete as well. That means that I might have to join too, but we will see about that in a couple of months.

WW: Who is one rider you envy or look up to?
CF: Arun Frances. He is so smooth, rides with such style and grace, makes it seem so effortless and is just about one of the most humble people I have ever met. I also envy all the young folks out there tearing it up. If only I had started this sport at a younger age!

WW: What do you think about the current state of wakeboarding? What do you think needs to be done to improve it?
CF: I would love to see the sport continue to grow, but as it does, I hope it maintains the "small sport" feel and that safety is still a priority.

WW: What do you think can be done to keep it safe?
CF: By spreading "respect" along with the "stoke." Little things like not getting too close to other riders, making slow, smooth turns to get back to your rider and not starting your rider too close in front of another boat can go a long way in keeping this sport fun and safe for everyone.

WW: Who would you like to thank?
CF: Everyone who has ever been a part of my crew or who has allowed me to be a part of theirs! Special thanks to Mike, Tammy and Cory for being great friends and always being there when I need them. Also to Joe, Cory, Buffalow, Arun and Henry for helping me to improve my riding and WakePics.com and WakeWorld.com for allowing me to share my stoke. Last, but definitely not least, I'd like to thank my son Josh for being the coolest son a Mom could have!

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