When Lewis Robertson tried wakeboarding for the first time he never anticipated that four years later he would be competing in the sport internationally.
Robertson is in the Rock the Creek competition in North Carolina on Sept. 20.
Wakeboarders are towed behind a boat at speeds from 18-25 miles per hour depending on the type of boat, the rider’s size, weight, and ability level.
For Robertson, 18, it all started with a little family adventure on water.
“My brother Xander called my dad one day and announced that he had bought a boat,” Lewis said.
Having fun on the small boat with his brother was his first introduction to the sport.
Now, nearly every day, Robertson is out on a newer and faster boat wakeboarding with his dad, James, honing his skills and still having fun.
Those who know the youngster see how dedicated he is to pushing himself to the limit on his board.
His talent is unmistakable. While the average observer might not know what a ‘tantrum’ or ‘scarecrow’ is – examples of wakeboards tricks – Robertson can execute them with immense skill.
Always cheerful, Robertson gives credit to his support team, particularly his dad, who he says “always believes in me” and his sister Jade who has helped him gain exposure through social media.
His girlfriend Tess Theaker often supplies photographs she has taken of him boarding for his various social media sites.
With such encouragement, nearly every night Robertson is in the “Duck Pond,” a picturesque portion of the North Sound. Near sunset is his optimal time to board.
While he is happiest being towed there, this summer he had the opportunity to participate in a cable-course development camp in Slovakia run by Propaganda Wake.
The experience was an excellent opportunity to develop more skills and to network with wakeboarders on the European scene.
Bolstered by a summer of cable experience, Robertson is back home and engaging in extensive cross training at the gym, doing yoga and running to prepare for his first international competition next week.
Sponsored in part by Peripheral Sunglasses, Miami Ski Nautique, WakeBoard Cayman, and local residents Mark Williams and Mark Hindle, Robertson is raring to go.
His skills will require him to do two runs and complete 5-6 tricks per run in competition. He will be scored for the complexity and style of each run.
With the growth of the sport’s popularity, including being officially added as a trial event to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Robertson is keen to see the wakeboarding grow locally.
“Wakeboard Cayman just acquired a new boat which is fantastic,” he said.
Robertson notes that Wakeboard Cayman has helped him perfect his technique. While not everyone may go on to compete in the sport, Robertson encourages people to get out and try it for fun.
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