CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Flying through the air behind a boat is an adrenaline rush to say the least.
Wakeboarding and wakeskating are becoming more popular and three Lake Norman teenagers are doing their part to spread the word. They're featured in the August issue of Lake Norman Magazine, a publication of our news partners at the Charlotte Observer.
"I've been teaching at the Yacht Club all week," said 18-year-old Stephen Pierce, who recently graduated from Hopewell High School.
His family moved to Cornelius from California a few years back.
"We went out on a boat one day and wakeboarding was like an alternative to surfing," he remembered.
Stephen and his 17-year-old brother Ben were hooked.
Stephen wakeboards and Ben has moved in to what's called wakeskating.
"You're the same length behind the boat, but you're not attached to the board. It's like a skateboard on the water," Ben said.
"I've come in second and he's won a national competition," said Stephen.
With countless state and local wins under their belts, the brothers and their friend Lee Woods took us out on the water to show us their tricks.
"There's a bunch of different variations of flips," said Stephen.
The moves have names like a 540, a 720 and a back roll.
"When I'm up there, sometimes I'll just pause and be in the moment," he said.
Using two waterproof cameras, we were able to get incredible views of Stephen on the wakeboard, literally flying through the air and Ben and Lee on their wakeskates, riding the waves.
While Stephen's boots are part of his board, Ben and Lee wear regular shoes that, again, are not attached. It's a balancing act that the guys say takes concentration.
"I do more like, skateboard base tricks," said Ben. "A lot of people ask questions because they know about wakeboarding, but they don't really know about wakeskating."
Through Cornelius' IcyWaves Surf Shop, the teens compete on a local team. And when they win, there's quite a bit of money involved. Stephen's top prize so far was $2,000.
They know these extreme sports are not for everyone, but for them, they are a passion.
"It's awesome. I've always loved the adrenaline rush," Stephen said.
"I'm not surprised, because it is such a sick sport. How can it not be popular?" added Lee.
If you would like to learn how to wakeboard or wakeskate, there are camps and private lessons available. To read more, check out this month's Lake Norman Magazine at www.lakenormanmagazine.com.
