Hayley Smith

December 28th, 2008 | Profiles

Name: Hayley Smith

Birthday: Oct 25th 1986

Seasons Competing: 4

Cable or Boat or Both? boat

Sponsor shout out: Liquid Force

Hometown: Sutherland Shire, Australia

Current residence: Clermont FL, Sylvania Australia

Board set up: 36 Jett, Ltd Melissa bindings

Where is your riding crew based out of? The Hacko Aust, The Wakeboard Camp FL

What is your favourite thing about wakeboarding? Good times & good friends in the boat.

Whats something unique about wakeboarding in your country? Its all about the simplicities, a tweaked grab, surfing the wake, and good times.

Where is your absolute favourite place to ride? The Hacko on a quiet butter day, the rivers of northern NSW Australia, Lake Minneola Clermont.

Places you have traveled to for wakeboarding: Brazil, Paris, Singapore, China, New Zealand, Canada and all over the USA.

Favourite Rider: Leslie Kent, Keith Lyman

Favourite Animal: Horse

Favourite Trick: Bat Wing and ts bs 180 . Also TS BS 360 and backmobes, though I cant do those yet.

Favourite Music: Depends what mood I am, everything from classics, hip hop, rock, punk.

What are some of your best results?

2nd 2006 WWA Worlds Texas, 3rd 2006 Tige Pro AM, 4th 2007 WWA Worlds Reno, 6th 2008 WWA Worlds Oklahoma.

What are some of your thoughts on female wakeboarding at the pro level? The level of riding has defiantly stepped up over the past two years, with Nicola forcing the girls to progress really. Women have a better identity in the sport now which is credit to all the girls who are believe women’s wakeboarding can be more than un-grabbed 360s and backrolls.

What needs to be done to help female athletes in wakeboarding? Every girl who wants to be apart of the sport at pro level or wants to be seen as a “wakeboarder” can’t be scared to get hurt. Putting a honest effort into driving the sport past the comfort zones and to take contest tricks to a higher level, also driving ourselves to get quality photos published. This is what I believe is going to make a difference and bring more companies into the sport financially, helping keep professional women’s wakeboarding a reality for the rippers of the future, the girls who we are teaching at events like maven sessions and the girls who may get inspired by flick through their brothers magazine and see a picture of a girl killing. RANT OVER.

Props to anyone? Amber Wing has always tried to help me as much as possible without physically getting on my board and competing for me. My brother Dean who is the reason I love wakeboarding, my dad who is the reason I am able to keep doing what I do and from day one spent countless hours taking me out in the boat.

Author: Ally

Ally Boothroyd created TID back in 2007 to help girls get some much deserved media presence on the web. She coaches several TID All Girls Clinics across Ontario, Canada. If you'd like to contribute content, photos, video or rider profiles please get in touch with her!