Chris Woodhead

Chris Woodhead

Co-owner and Head Coach

Style master, Live2Ride and Uk professional tour rider with masses of coaching experience over the last 6 years. Including head coach at the Ski Shack since 2002/03 season and an instructor at Pine Lake 2001/2002. Chris's unique and laid back attitude is rarely matched and it shows through in his riding, look out for him stamping his authority within the Northern Monkeys in the Live to Ride stops and professionally on the Uk Tour. Chris can be found in one of many local bars when not out on the water and is a genuine nice guy, so watch out for him this year.

Interview

Profile

Name: Chris Woodhead
DOB: 11/06/82
Hometown: Blackpool
Background: Skating, skiing, snowboarding
Current Residence: The North
Home Lake: Windermere
Years Wakeboarding: 10

How long have you been involved?

Well it seems like forever now, I've been waterskiing since I was six so I've had a lot of time on the water. Just messing around and then jumped on a wakeboard when they arrived on Windermere, since then I've rarely looked back. I guess I am one of those single generation people caught between skiing and wakeboarding. I would love to have started wakeboarding at a young age like the kids of today.

What do you like about wakeboarding that differs from other sports?

Its just cool, its unique it's the most satisfying feeling in the world when you have a good set it's just such a buzz. Being out there on your own pushing yourself but having a boat loaded with good friends all pushing you too. Its just ace!

What part of learning how to wakeboard is the most important to progressing?

Technique all the way, getting the right basics, loads of time on the water and having big balls, that's the secret. I was self taught which was cool but I could have learnt what I've got now in a quarter of the time if I'd got the basics right with a good coach. Secondly you've got to go out there to have fun or you will get no where. If you are having fun the progression will come naturally.

Best session you ever had:

Way too many to remember!, no I think it would have to be a Windermere session, just being out on the boat all day with calm water and boatful of mates. The most memorable being when I stuck my first Tantrum. I always had a fear of going backwards over my head and when I finally had the courage to try one I just remember the buzz around the boat and then I stuck it three tries later. It was a top day and I think the night that followed was pretty awesome too.

Accomplishments:

Future Goals:

To just ride as hard as I can so in another five years I can look back and say "wow" I never thought I could get that good. I also want to expand the shack to a new location where we can rear some little rippers into future champions and put some Northern riders on the tour that are second to none!!

Has being a coach helped you progress and how?

Massively in loads of ways, firstly it has given me the ability to see new tricks much easier and I can analyse my own riding to the point where I know what I did wrong and what I need to correct. Secondly it can be a great pushing factor for e.g. if I see someone trying something new or someone with loads of courage I use it to spur me on to try harder greater things.