WSM: Let’s start with our typical interview questions. What’s your name, where are you from, and how long have you been wakesurfing?
Joey: Hi! My name is Joey Harris and I’m originally from Ventura, California, but I now call Kimberling City, MO home. The first time I tried wakesurfing, I was around 9 years old, but I really started to take it seriously about 3 years ago. When I first started wakesurfing, my dad would only let me ride my ocean surfboard, so I have only been riding a wakesurf board for about 3 years.
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WSM: To us, your style screams ocean surfing, and we love it! We assume you started at a young age?
Joey: Yes, you are correct, I started ocean surfing at the age of 4 and continued ‘til I was 15. I competed in various organizations, though I loved the idea of just being a free-surfer (a surfer who just travels to find good waves not worrying about competing). I’d say I have been riding a board on the water for 14 years. (Jeez! That’s crazy to think about haha.)
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WSM: Do you remember the first time you experienced wakesurfing? Were you hooked immediately? Did your ocean experience immediately kick in or did it take you a while to get used to the differences?
Joey: I vividly remember my first time experiencing wakesurfing and I definitely was hooked! It was an endless wave with so many possibilities. The whole reason my dad decided to get a wakesurf boat was so that I could train behind it when the waves weren’t good in the ocean. I wasn’t allowed to ride a normal wakesurf board as it would mess with my surfing when I got back on my ocean surfboard. It took me a little bit to get used to the principles of wakesurfing because they were different from the ocean. For example, with wakesurfing, you have to surf with a lot more front foot pressure and constantly be aware of staying in that sweet spot, whereas in the ocean, its a lot more back foot pressure and you don’t have to worry so much about losing the wave because there’s a lot more power.
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WSM: We couldn’t help but notice that we share another common interest with you, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. How long have you been training? Do you feel like any of the aspects or benefits of BJJ carry over into wakesurfing?
Joey: Jiu-Jitsu has been a part of my life since the age of 5 and I’m very thankful my dad introduced me to it. I do most of my Jiu-Jitsu training during the off-season just in case an injury were to occur. I 100% believe that Jiu-Jitsu has helped my surfing not only physically, but mentally as well. There are a lot of times when you want to give up during a tough training session, but you have to learn to control your thoughts and breathing and know that it will be over eventually. And when it is over, it’s a pretty rewarding feeling.
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WSM: What was the first trick you rode away from and how long did it take you to pull it off?
Joey: Hmm. Y’all are making me dig deep to remember haha! I wanna say my first big trick that I was super stoked to land was a simple air. Something about getting that perfect pop and then stomping the landing just felt so good. I don’t quite know how long it took me, but I do know that every trick I have learned or continue to learn takes consistency and perseverance. Also, when you pull off that trick you’ve been working on, the stoke is realllllll!
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WSM: What equipment are you riding this season?
Joey: This season I’m riding the Hyperlite Arc in the size 4’6” (I love this board). Vest-wise, I’m running the O’neill Hyperfreak Comp Vest and I must say it’s hands down the most comfortable and lightweight vest I’ve tried! As far as my boat goes, I ride behind a 2022 Malibu M220, courtesy of The Ski Shack (Sooo Pitted!!!). In the winter season, I use O’neill wetsuits, but in the Summer you can catch me in O’neill boardies all day.
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WSM: Going back to your style of riding. In our opinion, it’s somewhat rare to be able to identify a rider from a distance just by their style. Yours, however, is just so powerful. Your airs are huge. Your grabs are firm. Everything is explosive. Is that something you focus on? Or, does it just come naturally?
Joey: I appreciate it! Honestly, I think a lot of my style of riding is thanks to having a background in ocean surfing as well as skateboarding. I was so used to throwing around a bigger ocean surfboard that when I was finally allowed to ride a wakesurf board it felt like a skateboard. It felt super light and responsive and I was able to progress fairly quickly. I want every trick I throw to be big and powerful, but at the same time look effortless and not sketchy. Every time I go out to ride, I strive for perfection, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing all the same. I have to constantly remind myself to have fun because that’s what it’s all about and that’s when I surf the best.
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WSM: Where would you like to see wakesurfing go in the future?
Joey: Shoot, I’d love to get barreled behind a wakesurf boat one day haha! On a serious note, I think contests are a great way to introduce more people to our sport. Me, personally, I’m not the biggest fan of competing, though I love getting to hang out and ride with everyone. I just love to surf and share the stoke with people who have never experienced it before. I get way more satisfaction and joy out of helping someone get up on the board for the first time than I do winning a contest. I’m actually starting up a wakesurf school called JH3 Surf Academy and I’m really excited to start on this journey of teaching.
WSM: Do you have any sponsors, friends, or family you’d like to thank?
Joey: I owe everything to the Good Lord. I also wanna thank my parents for sacrificing so much for me as I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Shout out to my sponsors: Hyperlite, Oneill, Ski Shack, and Stone Market who continue to support me. I’m very grateful for all of y’all.
Man, if you would’ve told me 3 years ago that I’d be a pro wakesurfer living in Missouri I would have laughed in your face and called you crazy, but Jesus had a plan and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Yewww!🤙
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