Name: Dylan Prideaux
Age: 17 (25 Sept 1994)
Lives: Gold Coast Australia
Rides: Nerang River
Favourite Tricks: Toe 9 and Crow 5
Goals for this season:
My Parents and I decided that 2010 was the year for me to focus on becoming a Professional Wakeboarder. Because I was only 15, we took a gap year for Year 11 to allow me to ride everyday, travel and focus on my goal of becoming a top international competitor. I attend the Australian Sports Academy where I study business, fitness, health and nutrition to support me in my goals. It is a college for elite athletes who are focussed on professional sport.
I achieved most of my goals for the summer of 2010/2011 by winning the Moomba Masters, the Monster Energy ProWake Show and the Australian Open Mens Titles and having a consistent debut season on the US Tour where I finished 3rd overall.
I need to maintain that focus and really consolidate my position as one of Australia’s elite riders.
History:
I grew up in Melbourne and we always had a boat and a holiday shack at Echuca on the Murray River. I used to love to ski and kneeboard with my mates and my family and always loved being in the water. I never got into wakeboarding until we moved to QLD. Dad took me to the Pro Tour at Southbank Brisbane in 07/08 where I met Daniel Watkins. That day my parents bought me an O’Brien Natural Board with Watsons which Daniel signed for me that day.
We lived on the waterfront at Coomera and used to ride a lot but I only really fell in love with Wakeboarding when I attended a DejaVu Grommie Camp in July 08 and started to learn some tricks. Then I was hooked! Daniel came and rode with me on our boat and gave me a lot of tips and a lot of confidence.
We bought a new fully optioned Tige Z1 and I started competing in Queensland Wakeboard Association Competitions. I now ride a Nautique 230 which in my opinion is the best boat your can buy. I came back from the US last year wanting one and was doubly thrilled Nautique offered my a factory ride.
Influences:
I guess I owe a lot to Daniel Watkins who along with Mum and Dad really encourged me to chase my dream. These days I am really influenced by Dean Smith, his character, his style and his passion. Shawn Watson my Billabong and Nautique team mate is my real role model on how to become a complete athlete/personality/businessmen in this sport.
Current Results:
Australia: I finished off the Australian fantastic summer as the newly crowned Australian Mens Champion, The Moomba Masters Champion, and the Monster Energy ProWake Show Junior Mens Champion.
USA:
I finished off the WWA Junior Pro Series with a 3rd at Wake Games, a 3rd overall on the Pro Tour and a 3rd place in the World Titles.
I have been supported up by Billabong, Von Zipper, Moskova and Nautique.
The Future:
I love this sport and I live and breathe wakeboarding. When I am not riding I am either on the tramp or watching clips learning how to do new tricks and improve my style. I have just turned Proand am now living my dream chasing the endless Summers between Orlando and the Gold Coast forever.
I am looking forward to an awesome US summer competing and free riding with some of the awesome friends I have made in this sport.
