Rocking ‘N' Rolling on the Wake

You've seen it on TV, heck you've even wanted to try it for yourself but don't know how or where to get started?

Well, if you roll on the daring side and don't mind getting wet, then wakeboarding may just be for you.

"This is a whole lifestyle. You dip your toe in the water with this and you will fall in. Cuz you are gonna have a blast. It's giving me goosebumps talking about it and I've been doing it now for 33 years," said Zane Schwenk, pro wakeboarder.

Recently the Pro Wakeboard Tour made a stop in Fort Worth at Lake Moser at Texas MasterCraft. That's where the professionals competed in pro tour qualifiers including veteran Schwenk.

"My first time on the water, I was 3 years old and I've done every aspect on the water behind a boat, and I had a great time with it," said Schwenk. "A couple of years ago I won the 'world's greatest skiier' award, and just two years ago I got the Wakeboard Magazine legend award."

Texas is a hot spot for wakeboarding mainly because it's full of lakes.

"I think it is popular in North Texas because, you know, there are a lot of people around here who have always been in boats their whole lives. There is a ton of lakes around and everybody likes to be on a boat with their friends." said Joey Bradley, pro wakeboarder.

Bradley grew up in Texas and has family in the Metroplex. And is already making a name for himself especially when it comes to those high-flying tricks. He credits the people around him with helping him master the sport.

"Just people pushing you -- whether it's people pushing you or teaching you or whether you are taking lesson," said Bradley. "Whatever you are doing, that's the best way to get better is by watching somebody else do it or watching a video or going and taking a lesson somewhere and learning that way."

Schwenk said this is a perfect day out for the family.

"The kids love it because it is a board sport. It's the fastest-growing board sport in this segment. We are growing at a faster rate than skate and everything out there," said Schwenk.

You can even take lessons at Lake Moser.

"What they do here is really cool. They do lessons and teach people how to wakeboard -- everybody from the beginner guy who is just getting up to the guys who are on the pro tour who come out and train," said Schwenk.

For Schwenk, it's been a great way of life.

"I never thought I would be able to make a living at this," said Schwenk. "My parents were like, 'I don't know what you are doing, but have a good time.'"

"About six months after I left home, after high school, I took off went to Dubi," said Schwenk. "And somebody paid me to hang out for a week, teach them how to do stuff and show off and I was like, 'This is what I'm doing. I'm gong to make this happen.'" 

To learn more about Last Call host James Chippendale and the Love, Hope, Strength foundation, click here.

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