Elleven: Johnny Stieg
1) State your full name, where do you live?
Johnny Stieg, grew up in good o’l Templeton California, a small farm community half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles near the coast.
2) You’ve done contest, what are your plans ahead?
Yeah, I have done contests in the past before wakesurfing really took off. Just had a lot of fun doing them. As far as plans for the future? I would love to get back out and see where I match up against the best in the world. As well, focus on video parts bringing a new perspective on the sport.
3) When did you start wakesurfing?
I started wakesurfing in highschool when my neighbor owned wakesurfing magazine. He knew I was an ocean surfer thus asking me to try out his boards and took me to the lake. The rest is history.. 9 years later I ride for Malibu/Axis Wake Research, VS Marine, and feel really blessed!
4) How did you get into wakesurfing?
I have a crazy passion for the ocean and have been addicted to surfing since I stood up on a boogie board at Pismo Beach when I was 10. Naturally when wakesurfing happened it was just another way I could surf, detach myself from the rope, all the while sliding around on the water to have fun. 🙂
5) Does music play a factor with your riding?
Yeah, it’s funny you ask, I have an insane stereo on my A22 and we always forget to turn up the volume. When someone remembers, I definitely get pumped up! As it advances my feel & flow and it helps remind me to just have fun.
6) Tell us about your boards right now. Are you more of a custom guy or a production build wakesurfer?
Having my ocean roots I think i’ll always be a custom guy. I tend to like boards that look, feel, and ride like my ocean surfboards. Right now I’m just testing anything and everything I can get my hands on. I realize seeing what works best for my style of wakesurfing is really whats gonna progress my abilities. So for right now the boards I am testing that I keep on my boat are a J.Sleigh custom 5 fin, Chaos Custom, and a Ronix/Parks carbon thruster.
7) Do you have any new tricks you’re working on in 2014?
Who’s asking!? ha ha 🙂 of course! I’m working on some new moves that in the past I never actually been able to practice since I did not have my own boat. Now that I do have my own boat I am really enjoying focusing on the tricks the top guys are toying/stomping.
8) What boat do you ride behind?
Axis Wake Research A22. It came with the new SurfGate technology, the device that is changing the game and the way we ride behind boats!
9) What do you think about youth getting into the sport?
I think just like any sport the youth is the future. They learn faster, have better/broader imagination, and they are the ones who can continue to carry the torch forward. It’s also really cool too see a little grommet out there on a shoulder high wave doing real ocean tricks. That stuff gets me stoked!
10) Where is your local riding spot?
My local lake is Nacimiento in the hills of Paso Robles California. It’s an amazing lake with tons of nooks and crannies to ride in. From the air the lake looks like a medieval dragon! So us locals call it the Dragon lake.
11) Any shout outs to any one or thing in the sport of wakesurfing?
Yeah, definitely my parents for always being there for me. Malibu boats/Axis Wake Research and everyone who works for that company. The most amazing honest caring people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. My local dealership VS Marine in helping me out tremendously, and of course The Lord Jesus Christ. Without him none of us would be having a good time, yeeeewwee Cheers!
