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Mike McMillen Photo Gallery

Mike McMillen (pic: Jason Buffalow, click to enlarge)

WW: What's your name, age and where are you from?
MM: Michael Raja Saade-McMillen if you want to get technical. I am 22 and I am from Discovery Bay, California.

WW: You were living up in Seattle, Washington. What were you doing up there? What made you move home?
MM: I moved there to go to school and be around my family that lives up there and ended up staying longer than expected. It was cool though. I got to work at the Hyperlite factory and I definitely learned a lot about relationships as well.

Mike McMillen (pic: Bryon Graves, click to enlarge)

WW: What have you been doing since you've been back home other than sitting on the couch playing video games and eating twinkies?
MM: (laughing) Yeah, I can be a bit lazy sometimes. I actually have been going to school at California State University in Hayward, but I am transferring somewhere that I can live close to school.

WW: I understand that you used to barefoot and ski growing up. When and how did you start wakeboarding?
MM: Well, yeah, I waterskied my whole life and all that good stuff and when I was like a freshman in high school, I started hanging out with Josh Storrer and started wakeboarding with him. It just kind of went from there.

Bryon Graves (pic: Bryon Graves, click to enlarge)

WW: What setup are you on these days?
MM: I really like the Parks 143, but I use center fins on it rather than outside fins. Binding wise, I am between Byerly's and Highbacks.

WW: Do you have a boat?
MM: Unfortunately, I don't have my own boat. My parents have a 1990 prostar 190, but I am working on a few things right now.

WW: Wakeboarding seems to be a sport that is rather addicting. What is it that keeps you coming back for more?
MM: You know I am not really sure. To be honest, other people motivate me more than anything. Seeing others so motivated about it and definitely learning new tricks.

Mike McMillen (pic: Bryon Graves, click to enlarge)

WW: Do you compete at all or do you consider yourself more of a free rider?
MM: I haven't competed in a year or two, but it can be fun. For me, it is hard because I am so big. I have a hard time on private lakes with smaller wakes, but I like being around the people and having a good time, just as much as I like to be in the boat with a rad crew of friends.

WW: (laughing) Rad? I haven't heard that word in a while. What "rad" friends do you usually ride with?
MM: You know, I ride with so many random people. Obviously Josh Storrer, Thomas Vinyard, Arun Frances, Chris Fletcher, [Jason] Buffalow, my buddies at CIE, Evan and Billy, The Pimpstress, Lil' D and the list goes on. Sorry whoever I missed!

Mike McMillen (pic: Jason Buffalow, click to enlarge)

WW: How do you like living and riding out in Discovery Bay (Delta)? What's the scene like out there?
MM: I love it! Everyone out here has so much style and are so much fun. Most people are always down for an extra head in the boat, which is great in my case! Everyone just loves to have fun.

WW: What else do you do outside of wakeboarding (play with Barbie dolls, ice skate, etc.)?
MM: I teach lessons here and there. I have been getting into riding my bike a lot since I hurt my knee. I surf a little - definitely love to wakesurf. I snowboard in the winter. In the summer, it is fun to go cruise the skateboard when it is windy. Anything that makes me want to get back in the boat.

Mike McMillen (pic: Jason Buffalow, click to enlarge)

WW: What advice would you give to individuals that are starting out?
MM: I would have to say, most of all, have fun and not to worry about other people or their riding. Just focus on your own and have fun with it, because if you can't have fun with it, it isn't worth it.

WW: Who would you'd like to thank?
MM: Joe Sassenrath and Rich Silva at Hyperlite and Accurate, Nick Knieriem at Newt Juice, Mike Furhman at Bertworks, Shawd D at Rainbow, Ron Depp at Spy, Charlie at JetPilot, Mike Seipel at Fly High, Tim Baggs at Rockstar Energy Drinks. . . and also add Mom, Dad, Baba and the WBC. Of course, thanks to WakeWorld. I think that is it, but definitely thanks to anyone who has ever given and will continue to give me pulls.

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