Joshua Gernetzky

WW: What's your name and where are you from?
JG: My name is Joshua Gernetzky. I live in East London, South Africa.

WW: How old are you and how long have you been wakeboarding?
JG: I am 15 years old and I've been wakeboarding for two years and I'm seriously enjoying it. I have no intention of retiring from this major sport!

WW: Where are your local riding spots?
JG: The locals are Port Alfred and the Nahoon Dam.

WW: Where are your favorite riding spots?
JG: I like to ride at Port Alfred-12 miles of water.

WW: Who are the other riders in your crew?
JG: I normally ride with my friends Donavan and Scot. They both live down the road and have their own unique style.

WW: What's the water like in your area?
JG: Well there aren't any sliders, but the water is normally smooth. There aren't too many boats in the off-season, but in the in-season you play dodge.

WW: What do you ride behind?
JG: A Scimitar 160 outboard and i recently got an extention pole for more height, but the wake lacks the height I need.

WW: Is it hard to find equipment and other riders in your area?
JG: Wakeboarding is picking up slowley. You can find wakeboards on the market, but accessories are hard to come by.

WW: How often do you get to ride?
JG: Normally in the holidays, which is every three months, I ride for two weeks flat.

WW: What is it about wakeboarding that makes you spend so much time doing it?
JG: Well, one day I hope to be pro and would really like to have sponsers. That is what motivates me, but mainly for the love of wakeboarding, the excitement, thrill, extremeness and that is me.

WW: Do you ride throughout the winter?
JG: Yes, whenever I get a chance to ride, I ride.

WW: Do you do any wakeboarding competitions?
JG: No, not yet, but I'm planning to start some time soon. There just aren't any in my area.

WW: What's your current setup - board, bindings, etc.
JG: I have an Obrien Freestyle and a pair of Iconn boots.

WW: What other hobbies do you have?
JG: I like to bodyboard and play the guitar.

WW: Do you do anything else behind the boat like wakesurfing or wakeskating?
JG: No.

WW: Do you have a job?
JG: I'm still a student, but intend to be pro and that will be my living.

WW: What is your next step towards becoming a pro wakeboarder?
JG: My first step is to go wakeboarding as often as I can and to get some bigger tricks going. Also, I'm going to look for some sponsors so i can get some better equipment.

WW: What are your favorite tricks to do?
JG: Back scratcher, grab 180 and my backside 360 heli hand pass layback.

WW: What are you working on that seems like you'll never pull it off?
JG: Well, I'm trying to do a back roll, but I think in time I will get it or as soon as I get my wake working for me.

WW: What do you think about the current state of wakeboarding?
What do you think needs to be done to improve it?
JG: Well, in south Africa it needs something, more comps and events, 'cause not too many people know about it here. To improve this here we need more wakeboarding on TV.

WW: Who would you like to thank?
JG: My dad for all his support and WakeWorld for this great opportunity and for their great trick tips and descriptions.

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