Matt Manzari is alive, and that sentence alone is incredible. Having survived not one, but two life altering accidents Matt is truly an amazing human. But before these accidents lies a full professional career in wakeskating, one which holds NBD tricks and incredible video parts. Matt has made a proufound impact on the sport of wakeskating, even riding for Nike in his teen years. But tricks, video parts, or contest results don't define a person, and Matt is a perfect example of this. NBD's, video parts, thousands of pairs of shoes, team trips, pedicures, cracking your skull in 17 places, getting electrocuted, and over $500k in medical bills. Hear all that and much more in Episode 44 of the Grab Matters Podcast!

Where is the wakeboard movie Citrus? Cole Vanthof is a videographer in the watersports industry and currently works at Alliance Wakeboard Mag. Getting his start wakeboarding in Georgia, Cole fell in love with being on the water, eventually moving to Tampa shortly after highschool to ride at McCormicks. After several years of riding and being in the industry Cole eventually took a job at Alliance, helping them to create wakeboarding related content, as well as other projects that help pay the bills. Getting your butt cheek sliced open on a boat cleat, working at Ambush and BuyWake, filming the best pro riders, a full length film, filming tips, and being a semi-pro paintball player. Hear all that and much more in Episode 43 of the Grab Matters Podcast!

How hard is it to be "Pro"? Kyle Alberts is a former professional wakeboarder from Nebraska, and has had a unique journey throughout his career in the sport. Getting his start riding in Nebraska, Kyle fell in love with wakeboarding as a kid, and found a solid community of riders in his local area. After choosing to pursue wakeboarding over basketball, Kyle moved to Florida and continued to chase his dream of being a pro rider, but it never quite panned out financially the way many picture it. Growing up in Nebraska, losing his father at a young age, wakeboarding at boat shows, driving the opening scene in Relentless, doctoring pink slips, jumping over a bus in Orlando, being on the news, JD Webb money, Four Lokos, and his last time wakeboarding. Hear all that and much more in Episode 42 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!

Riley Dillon is a professional wakeboarder from Canada, and just came off a heck of a season. Riley has been around the cable scene for years, and has traveled the world both doing contests and filming full parts. We talk about how he got into snowboarding at a young age, and eventually making the decision to pursue wakeboarding instead of snowboarding, and the reasoning behind that. Action sports upbringing, two tower vs. full size cables, getting stuanched up and daunched up, injuries, air tricks, videos vs. contests, getting sponsored, Free Agent, Canadian struggles, and the Outhouse Crew. Hear all that and much more in Episode 41 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms and available to watch on YouTube!

WMJ is one of the most influential riders the sport of wakeboarding has seen in the past decade, and that hasn't happened without hard work and dedication to the sport. Wes didn't fully get into wakeboarding until he went to college, where he discovered the two tower cable system, and that changed everything. After spending some time at CWC in the Philippines, and then at Jibtopia wake park, Wes eventually found his home at Valdosta Wake Compound, where he resided to this day. Skinny stance, a tractor accident, the coalition edits, almost getting a felony for building a rail, the start of space mob, becoming a pro rider, designing board graphics, filming full length movies, having a baby, and space tapes. Hear all that and much more in Episode 40 of the Grab Matters Podcast, no streaming on all major platforms and available to watch on YouTube!

In the second installment of Shop Talk we sit down with pro riders Trent Stuckey and Riley Dillon and talk the Aussie Triple Crown w/John Dreiling, ROTY, the edits Gone West and Grounded, snowboarding vs. wakeboarding w/Liam Brearley, manufactured vs. homemade features, how to get more “pro” riders in wakeboarding, events, Puka Nacua catching a pass while wakeboarding, and much more! The goal with the Shop Talk episodes is to serve as a hub for watersports discussion, taking questions and comments from our Patreon members to help spark conversation.

Has anyone driven a towboat more than Travis Moye? No. Travis is the owner and operator of one of the best watersports schools in the world, and has been around the industry for decades. Initially getting his start waterskiing, Travis pursued 3-event for years, and even competed professionally. Although, he admittedly made more money from waterskiing when he was 12 than when he was 25. After abruptly stopping his professional skiing career Travis continued to put his focus towards coaching. Travis is an outspoken and passionate member of the watersports community, and has contributed to the progression of countless skiers and riders throughout storied career. First in the family to not be a doctor, quitting skiing, being sponsored by Toyota boats, $500 salary at 12 years old, The Boarding School, hot takes, what a progressive edge really is, and snobby skiers. Hear all that and more in Episode 39 of the Grab Matters Podcast!

Want to hear from the brains behind a massive movement in women’s wakeboarding? Sina Jacobsen is not only a wakeboarder herself, but has also led the charge to create a space for women in the sport of wakeboarding, all while balancing her own love for progression and riding. From Germany all the way over to Valdosta Wake Compound, Sina has been an integral part of the wakeboarding community for the past several years, and also might be one of the nicest people in the world. Getting her cat stolen, broken arm, getting kicked out of a cable park, starting CopyCatsClub, creating a print magazine, and being a mother. Hear all that and much more in Episode 38 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!

From being a pro rider to being behind the scenes of one of the industry's biggest publications, Ben Greenwood has seen just about everything when it comes to wakeboarding. Getting his start riding on the water during the beautiful summers or the northeastern United States, Ben quickly found a passion for the feeling that wakeboarding gave him. Never one for contests or competition, Ben's drive gave from his desire to make wakeboarding look and feel good. After moving to Florida, Ben began picking up sponsors and even a professional podium. However, getting photos and filming for videos was where we saw the most from his riding, and earned him 2005 ROTY. Unique grabs, clean landings, Ben embodied what good style looks like behind the boat. Getting his first cover, Aaron Reed not remembering his name, the pete rose, chugging milk, almost getting hit by a plane, winning ROTY, working at Wakeboarding Magazine, the decline of print, TOTY, and the Wake Awards. Hear all that and much more in Episode 37 of the Grab Matters Podcast!

Are you ready for some wakeskate convo? Well, Bobby is about to provide it. Bobby Sutherland is a wakeskater, live-stream god, business owner, and is known by many as being the commissioner of the Professional Wakeskate League. Growing up Bobby had a fascination with wakeboarding, and once he saw he could ditch the bindings, Bob picked up a wakeskate and hasn't put it down since. Bobby is an incredibly important behind the scenes piece of wakeboarding and wakeskating, putting on high quality livestreams like Valdosta’s annual Yardsale event, as well as every PWL stop each year. Equal pay, awkward stances, backyard 2.0's, streaming events for OnlyFans models, starting the PWL, and getting punched at a winch spot. Hear all that and much more in Episode 36 of the Grab Matters Podcast!

Massimiliano Piffaretti just might be every wakeboarders favorite wakeboarder, and for good reason. Coming from Italy Massi grew up both snowboarding and wakeboarding, which might attribute to his unique style on a board. Currently Massi is one of few riders in the sport to be considered a true ATV, killing it behind the boat, at the park, and in the streets. Between contest results and video projects, Massi is constantly pushing his riding in a unique way. Growing up on Lake Como, moving to Florida, balancing boat and cable, La Familia, full parts, Citrus, dipping pizza in ranch, Portnoy putting pizza boy on blast, and injuries. Hear all that and much more in Episode 35 of The Grab Matters Podcast!

Andy Oke is a Canadian wake park owner, rider, and has been referred to as one of the "fathers" of the current Canadian wakeboard scene. Raised near Lake Huron, Andy didn't grow up with countless days filled with sunshine, calm water, and perfect wakes. But the passion for wakeboarding still was strong, and as he rode more he continued to pursue the sport. From his humble beginnings running a surf shop and being a bouncer, to owning and operating a cable park with three 2-tower systems, Andy has been active in the wake community to say the least. Naked wakeboarding, getting punched in the face, losing a wakepark, starting another wakepark, driving 21 hours straight, Jay Brearley, friends getting thrown through glass, countless tacos, a fascination for operating 2 tower cables, and being allergic to water. Hear all that and much more in Episode 34 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!

Today we sit down with professional wakeboarders Guenther Oka and John Dreiling to talk all things wakeboarding. We chat about the current state of Liquid Leisure, Guenther's injury and his recovery process, X-Games Real Wake, what it means to be a "pro", how to get sponsors, the best time for edits and movies to come out, and watch new videos from Rien van der Pas as well as Riley Dillon, as well as take calls from Alex Figgins and Jacob Simmons.

Oh how the tables have turned! In this episode of the Grab Matters Podcast we have guest host Oli Derome jump on the other side of the mic and interview the usual host of the podcast, Hunter Thane. Hunter is a wakeboarder and "podcaster" from Michigan, who recently made the decision to move down to Florida to be amongst the industry and continue to grow the pod. Getting his start in wakeboarding later than most, Hunter began riding behind his parents pontoon boat, but it wasn't until he discovered cable riding that he really became obsessed with wakeboarding. Getting into riding, boat shows, working at cable parks, a plethora of Instagram pages, poison ivy, winching, full parts, milk reviews, and starting a podcast. Hear all that and much more in Episode 33 of the Grab Matters Podcast!

Dallas Friday is easily one of the best wakeboarders to ever do the sport. Starting young in gymnastics, Dallas pursued that sport until she discovered wakeboarding, and was instantly hooked. Getting coached early on by none other than Mike Ferraro, Dallas quickly progressed her riding, and gained attention from sponsors as well. According to Mike, Dallas could easily be the "first female wakeboarder to make $1 Million", and that she did. From being the only wakeboarder to win (or be nominated for) and ESPY award, to being on the show Kim Possible, Dallas has had a long and incredibly successful career. A broken femur, undefeated seasons, the ESPN body issue, 6 figure years, dropping out of school, video contests, getting dropped by sponsors, how pregnant impacts contracts, and the future of women’s riding. Hear about all that and much more in Episode 32 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!

Olivier Derome is a former professional wakeboarder who hails from Quebec, Canada, and just might be the nicest guy to ever strap into a board. The Derome name has a rich history in watersports, with Oli's father competing in ski jumping, and his brother Raph is commonly referred to as the GOAT of wakeboarding. But Oli has his own unique story in wakeboarding, and has certainly cemented himself as an integral part of the history of the sport. With a resume that consists of pro contests wins, video parts, appearances on a certain MTV show, pro models, and much more, Oli has achieved what many dream of while remaining humble throughout his journey. Living at the projects, eating lots of Taco Bell, injuries, withholding self satisfaction, motivational quotes, wakelab, MTV's Wakebrothers, Wake The Line, and video parts. Hear all that and much more in Episode 31 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to purchase, install, or run your own cable wake park? Well, Mike Olson has done all of those things and much more, and he's done them at several locations. Mike Olson was the founder and operator of Kansas City Watersports for several years, and has seen it all when it comes to wake parks. Mike got his start into wakeboarding later than most, but his passion for wakeboarding and the business side of cable parks is as strong as can be. Repairing sabotaged parks, taking down cables in a hurricane, fun installations, hosting pro riders at your park, figuring out the business of a cable, the future of wakeboarding, the cost of a cable park, and why cable parks were originally only built to spin in one direction. Hear all that and much more in Episode 30 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms! Find more at grabmatters.com

Trent Stuckey is one of the best wakeboarders currently riding, and hails from Orlando, Florida. Trent got his start wakeboarding at a young age thanks to his parents, who were both into watersports, and helped instill a strong culture of riding within their family. Trent and his brother Gavin are currently on top of the cable scene with both contest results, and video parts. Growing up riding with the likes of Julian and Yonel Cohen, winning contests, what its like to compete against his brother, his video "Sincerely, Trent", landing plenty of NBD's, funny travel stories, late night waffle house journeys, his new pro model board, and possibly riding in the PWT...? Hear all that and much more in Episode 29 of the Grab Matters Podcast, now streaming on all major platforms!

Bec Gange is a professional women's wakeboarder from Mildura, Australia. Bec first got her start in watersports on a river in a small town in Australia. With a supportive family and a fun loving brother, Bec discovered wakeboarding and continued to progress her riding and eventually found herself spending some time in Florida. Bec has had a successful career and continues to keep a positive outlook on wakeboarding. Winning TOTY, getting a pro model, her favorite place to ride, battling injuries, wakeboard movies, starring in a reality tv show, and the backyard wrestling federation. Hear that and much more in Episode 28 of the Grab Matters podcast!

Tony Iacconi is a professional wakeboarder and coach from Newcastle, Australia. Hear that and much more in Episode 26 of the Grab Matters Podcast! Tony got his start on the water at a young age, and quickly found success competing. After a few trips to America, Tony picked up some sponsors and continued to progress his contest riding. During covid Tony found himself doing more coaching and private lessons, and has since shifted most of his time and energy into helping others progress on the water. Saltwater vs Freshwater, a private cable, early mornings, switching sponsors, riding with the best, and a controversial contest result. Hear that and much more in Episode 27 of the Grab Matters podcast!