New Wave: Nanou Lenaers

Name:

Nanou

Age:

17

Instagram:

nanou.lenaers

Hometown:

Antwerp, Belgium

Home spot:

Lakeside Paradise, Knokke-Heist, Belgium

Sponsors:

Liquid Force, Révvi

Stance:

Regular

Setup:

Liquid Force Holiday 2026 - TAO boots 2026  (white version)

How long have you been riding?

Well this is my 6th year, I started on my birthday, August 3rd, 2020, during the summer holidays. I got a 2.0 session at Lakeside, which is still my home cable. A year later I tried the big cable, and was hooked. 

Boat or Cable?

Cable! I tried boat twice when I was little, but I hope I could do it again someday!

Morning or evening set?

I am a morning person, so the most logical thing would be a morning session. But of course I like sunsets as well. 

Do you stretch before you ride?

Yes i do, but not always as intensive. During competition and intensive training I am stretching and warming up more intense as muscles need to be ready, but when i am just riding and having fun with my friends, it’s like just 5 minutes on the dock. 

Music or no music while riding?

I think I would choose music. Definitely music when I am warming up and stretching. But I’m born deaf, so when I go on the water, I take off my Implants, and I don’t hear anything anymore, so I can’t listen to music.

Vest over or under shirt?

I don’t wear often shirts when I ride, but if i do it is: Oversized t-shirt over vest

Favorite trick?

During Munich Mash I did a tanny b with a long crail grab, I loved doing that one, so it’s currently my favorite trick

“Go to” grab?

Crail grab, it is in my opinion the most stylish grab.

Dream trick?

I don’t have a specific dream trick, I would just love do every wakeboard trick possible on rails, kickers and airtricks.

Most overrated trick?

Tantrum on the kicker without any grabs

Most illegal trick?

Nose press on a rail but you start pressing when you’re already halfway there. I don’t really like pre-spin and zeach.

Who is a rider you wish got more attention?

There is not one specific person, but I think woman’s wakeboarding is progressing really fast, both cable and boat. So I hope more people will give the attention to women’s wakeboarding both in watching the competitions as following on social media.

Who is your favorite person to ride with?

I like to ride with everybody! But if you really ask me one name, than I would say Vic (Mini Man) Drooghmans, when we ride together, we push each other for doing tricks. On top he knows fingerspelling, so he can talk to me on the water, hahaha.

Shout out 3 riders people should keep an eye out for.

I would like to shout out to the next generation, girls like Eva Rivierre, Nike Hauser, Sonja Sjöström, and so many others, I think we all inspire each other to keep progressing.

Favorite contest/event?

I like every contest/event, eventough competition day is always more stress for everybody, I like meeting all the riders from around the world and hanging out together.  

Dream park/spot?

Somewhere in the world: a park with nice weather, good cable tension, some landers, space for airtricks, big kickers but also good vibes and nice people! 

Best and worst place to ride?

The best place to ride is the place where your favorite people are. 

Favorite kit?

Liquid Force gear and a wetsuit (long or short) (its a lot of the time pretty cold in Belgium hahaha)

What gets you fired up to ride?

Flat water, no wind, friends at the cable and a new park setup

What makes a clip worth posting?

When it feels real. It can be a nice trick, a clean moment, or just something I want to keep and remember.

What is one thing you'd like to see more in wakeboarding?

I’d love for wakeboarding to reach more people, it deserves a bigger audience. It’s such an exciting sport but still not many people know it.

Favourite post-ride meal?

Big entrecote with a sweet potato and some veggies 

Favorite thing to do other than riding?

I study sport science, so outside of wakeboarding I do 15hours of different sports in school. I like all kinds of sports!

Goals for your riding career?

My big dream is to get a pro contract, design my own board, maybe even my own obstacle and hopefully compete in the Olympics if wakeboarding ever becomes part of it.

Thank you’s?

Thank you to mom and dad for supporting me and believing in me.  
Thank you to my coaches and homies for pushing me. 
Thank you to Liquid Force and Revvi for giving me the best gear! 
Thank you to everyone who makes this sport so unique!