Brad Smeele is one of Wakeboarding New Zealand’s biggest heroes. He’s internationally recognised as one of the top professional wakeboarders in the world, and has coached and inspired many of our riders.
Our much loved champion had a horror training accident in July 2014, shattering his C4 vertebra after landing on his neck while attempting a double back flip. He describes himself as ‘Professional Wakeboarder turned quadriplegic’ and continues to inspire his thousands of supporters and followers around the world with his positive attitude, passion for life, and determination to walk again.
Here are some of Brad’s many achievements:
- 2004 IWSF Wakeboard World Championships – Sevilla, Spain (1st)
- 2005 WWA Wakeboard World Championships – Australia (Junior Men’s Champion)
- 2005 Mark Kenny Award (standout rider of the year)
- 2007 New Zealand National Champion
- 2007 Wakestock (UK) – Men’s Champion
- 2008 Trick of the Year (regular-stance 1080)
- 2009 – first ever wakeboarder to successfully land a water-to-water step-up with an elevation of 22ft
- 2012 – first wakeboarder from New Zealand to land a double flip
- 2013 – Wakefest (Tennessee) – 3rd
- 2014 – Trick of the Year (Double Indy Tantrum-to-Blind)
You can support Brad via The Brad Smeele Foundation and his social media pages:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bradsmeelesrecovery/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradsmeele/
Andrea Fountain
Andrea Fountain was a strong international competitor for many years, riding as a Liquid Force Maven team rider in the Pro Women’s Division.
Here are some of Andrea’s many achievements:
- 2005 WWA World Wakeboard Championships – Australia (3rd)
- 2005 IWSF Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup – Singapore (3rd)
- 2006 New Zealand Nationals (1st, Open Women’s)
- 2006 WWC World Wakeboard Cup – Enghien les Bains, Paris (2nd)
- 2006 Wakestock World Series – Canada (3rd)
- 2006 Gravity Games – Australia (5th)
- 2007 Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding (4th)
- 2007 Wake Games – Orlando, Florida (5th)
- 2009 New Zealand Nationals (1st, Open Women’s)
- 2010 New Zealand Nationals (1st, Open Women’s)
Jeff Weatherall
Jeff Weatherall was New Zealand’s first professional wakeboarder and world champion, winning a world title in 2003 at the age of 22.
He won his first New Zealand nationals title in 2001, and went on to win another seven times between then and 2014. He’s lived his dream of being a pro wakeboarder, spending his time between the USA, Australia and New Zealand, chasing the endless summer.
Here are some of Jeff’s many achievements:
- 2003 WWC Worlds – Sydney Australia (1st)
- 2005 WWC Worlds
- 2006 Winner of the Australian Pro Tour series