South Austin Marine Wakeshop Manager Jarrod Roy

Stone Slade: Where are you from?
Jarrod Roy: Port Neches / Port Arthur

SS: How long did you work at TSR and how was that?
JR: 3 years, and it was an overall good experience because of all the people I met that I still ride with.

SS: So before wakeboarding what were you into that led you to wake?
JR: I grew up on the rivers and bayous in southeast Texas, and when I was in high school my parents bought a boat and a private ski lake in Beaumont.

SS: How old were you when you started and how long have you been ridding?
JR: I’ve been on the water since I was in diapers, grew in trick-skiing, slaloming, and bare-footing, I got into wakeboarding my senior year of high school about 7 years ago.

SS: What is your current set-up you are riding right now?
JR: Absolute Platinum 135 w/ Zeus

SS: Besides the fact that you have turned the Wake Shop into the sick shop that it is. Where do you see yourself going in the industry in the next 5 yrs?
JR: I’m hoping to expand the shop as much as possible, hopefully putting in a shop at the South Austin Marine Lakeside location on 620. I want to get the word out so that when anybody and everybody in Austin wants a wakeboard they come to me.

SS: I know that you’re putting together a little event around Hula Hut. Can you give us a little sneak peak at what to expect?
JR: We are in the very early stages, but I want to put together an event where we have several different double-up comps right in front of Hula Hut. We’re trying to get some floating bleachers, and all the party barges on L.A. for V.I.P. style parties w/ D.J.s, bikini contests, and the whole 9 yards. We’re expecting it to be some time in the middle of August.

SS: Who are some of your favorite riders to watch local and worldwide?
JR: Local- I’ve always liked riding with and watching Gabe Lucas, he’s the only person I know that can go out and stick a Big Worm his second try. I miss riding with Chris Ramirez. Ram straight up kills it. He just goes huge on everything. Jack Scanio is also a badass rider with some sick style. He makes Crow Mobes and Roll-to-blinds look stupid. I’ve seen all three of these guys back-lip, front-board, spin, and gap some insane rails.

Worldwide- my favorite on the wake is Danny Harf, rails has to go to Shane, double-up Andrew Adkison, overall style Keith Lyman, and the coolest to party with is Parks
SS: What do you like about wakeboarding in general?
JR: Water, sun, and the giddy feeling I get when I stick something for the first time.

SS: What would you like to see change about wakeboarding?
JR: It would be nice if we had more events going year-round to keep everybody involved. I think once people see the benefits of the Winch a lot more of the general public will get an appreciation for the sport. I would also like to see the local T.V. and radio stations covering more of the Wake and Skate scene. Thanks to a local T.V. station I now know how properly shave a goat. I’m sure there’s more people around here that would rather watch a Wake film than goat herders.

SS: What do you think about the Austin scene?
JR: It’s definitely on the come-up. We need to keep moving forward with it, and taking advantage of our pristine waterways. The more events we hold, the more the word will get out to all those in Orlando that Austin is a legit place to ride, hence bringing in more sponsorship and overall progression.

When you’re looking for some fresh new gear give Jerrod a call @ 512-892-2432. Check him out online at http://www.southaustinmarine.com/wake.html they have a good selection of Gator Boards, Liquid Force, and Jet Pilot to name a few.

Stone Slade