Do you have an idol? Who? Why? Or Who is your favorite rider? Favorite rider is Parks Bonifay. Bonifay is my favorite rider due to his style and contribution to the sport of wakeboarding. He really has a style all of his own. He takes the sport to the limit. Vote for Bonifay for President!
Personal Goals: To enjoy wakeboarding
To let the world know that this sport exists in Kuwait. And to get Kuwait to open their eyes to this sport.
I personally would like to gain enough skills to get invitations to regional events, tournaments, World Cup events and other related events.
What is your current wakeboard and why? Watson by Liquid Force, “2008,” 138 cm
Watson’s board seems to provide me with more of a “pop.” This board matches my moves and style. Watson’s boards also fit my artistic choice.
What was your first wakeboard (if different from the one now)? Substance by Liquid Force, “2007,” 134
My first board was a board I shared with friends. After gaining the basic skills of wakeboarding, I realized that the length of the board was not appropriate and to some extent the board held me back from progressing. I then bought my current “Watson.” I also purchased a P.S.3 by Liquid Force to begin developing my skills on a “rail.” Hopefully soon a spot in the Kuwait Gulf will be reserved for Wakeboarding to explore this skill.
Favorite time of day (week and year) to board: Summer, all day, any day!
How often do you practice (when, where and how)? During the summer time I practice roughly 5 times a week usually in the morning lasting till dark. During the winter I practice by doing tricks on a trampoline and going to a gym usually 7 days a week.
Current tricks:
Grabs: Melon, Roast Beef, Nose, Tail, Indy Back roll
180’ Toeside / heelside jump Back roll with Indy grab
180’ Toeside / heelside grab Back roll with tail grab
360 Heelside grab 540’
Hardest trick thus far: Back roll Backside 180’ Blind
Difficult because the trick involves combinations of other tricks which are difficult to execute landing blind.
What is the best method of wakeboarding for you? Calm weather, complete sunshine, a little bit of heat and behind a boat which was designed for ultimate wakeboarding performance.
Current titles:
- “Best Team Award” at the 2008 Annual Arab Slalom and Wakeboard Championship Score: 20.91
- 2009 “UAE Wakeboard Tour Stop #1, 2nd Place,” “UAE Wakeboard Tour Stop #2, 7th Place,” “UAE Wakeboard Tour Stop #3, 5th Place”
Current support team: Friends and of course my teammates Bader and Saleh, Kuwait Wakeboarding Team.
Other interested activities: playing video-games, hanging-out, listening to music, working out, swimming
Greatest Challenge: Executing combination tricks which up your level (basically just improving my level)
