Name: Cory Teunissen
Birth date: 09/29/1997
Wakeboarding since: the age of 5
Stance: Both
Preferred pull: Supra SA 550
Hometown: Gold Coast, Australia

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Already living the endless summers… Cory in his Orlando backyard   Photo: Cortese

Alliance: How were you first introduced to wakeboarding?
CT: It was a mixture of my dad, brother and one of our mates that lived next door to us at our lake house back in Australia. I was that stubborn little kid who wouldn’t get off the double skis. Finally gave it a crack and guess I loved it.

A: How has it been spending the season in the States the last couple years? You still go home for the offseason?
CT: Progression and wakeboarding-wise it’s been great. Wakeboarding is so much more accessible and easier here in Orlando compared to back home. But as easy as it is to wakeboard over here, I will definitely be going home for the offseason. I am not a fan of the cold weather at all, plus my mum would not be that impressed (laughs).

A: What’s the wake scene currently like in Australia?
CT: Australia is killing it. We have a crazy amount of up-and-comers looking to make it over to Orlando more and compete and ride. So talent-wise Australian wakeboarding is looking very bright. But on the other hand, we are lacking contests and have very few “pro” level events.

A: Last year, you became the youngest rider to ever land a 1080 at age 15. How long did you work on that and how did it feel when you finally made it happen? Have you ever landed a more gratifying trick?
CT: Honestly, not that long. I know that sounds funny, but I would throw the occasional one at the end of my runs just for fun. I probably did that off and on for about a couple weeks just messing around. Then one set I just dedicated myself to it and ended up landing it about fourth or fifth try. It was a complete surprise to be honest. It’s definitely been my biggest achievement, but this season I’m hoping to change that and land some other cool tricks.

A: What keeps you busy when you’re not riding?
CT: Honestly there is not that much to do when you’re not wakeboarding. So pretty much it’s just trampoline skate, mall hangs, OWC hangs, skate, and wakesurf. I’m game for anything that sounds like a good idea and kills time.

A: Who do you typically ride with when you’re living in Orlando?
CT: Lately I’ve been riding a lot with Massi Piffaretti, Gunner Daft, Max Van Helvoort, Raimi Merritt, Marc Kroon and my brother. It’s been great to be able to ride with so many riders that are pushing it and wanting to ride just as much as you do. Plus Aaron Gunn will be getting here in the next couple of days so I’m looking forward to riding boat and getting him to teach me some things at the cable.

A: Who is your favorite boat rider and cable rider to watch?
CT: I look at every rider and admire the way they do tricks differently or the way they hit rails in different ways. But if I had to pinpoint some names I would definitely say Aaron Rathy and JD Webb for riding boat and Daniel Grant and Dom Hernler for rails. These guys all kill it and I definitely admire everything they do.

A: Do you ride much cable?
CT: I honestly love it! I feel like in the next couple of years to be really successful, it will help to be good at both cable and boat. Rather than being a “cable rider” or a “boat rider” we will just be wakeboarders.

A: In terms of your riding, what are your goals for the next couple years? When do you think you’ll start riding pro?
CT: I just want to keep improving my riding on both boat and cable, winning contests and landing new tricks. But while saying that I want to keep my own flair and make things look a little different if possible. But this will be my last season in Jr Pro Men and I’m looking to competing in the Pro ranks next year.

A: How do you hope to impact the sport as you continue to progress/grow as an athlete?
CT: I want to progress the sport by making my tricks look good and different to most other riders. I also want to improve my cable riding over the next couple of years and hopefully be able to be competitive in both aspects of the sport.

A: Any thanks you’d like to send out?
CT: I would obviously like to thank my sponsors O’Brien, Red Bull, Jet Pilot, Supra, Boardco and Dragon for all the support they give. But just to everyone that has helped me get to the point that I am at. There are way too many people to thank. Most importantly my mum and dad.

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Poke it, don’t smoke it…   Photo: Cortese