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Bonnie Kline, Wakesurfer (GA)

by Joanna Brashear on May 26, 2017

Bonnie Kline - Wakesurfer (GA)

 

Your Age: 29 

Your Location (where do you ride mostly): Woodstock GA

Weapon(s) of choice: Phase Five Diamond LUV (2016 Model), Victoria Pixie Pro Model (2014 Model)

What’s an average day for you like? I'm the Office Manager at Glade Marina on Lake Allatoona... Get up, go to work. After work I either hit the gym, catch up on school work with my 8 year old (soon to be shredder) daughter, or enjoy time with my family and friends.

What is the most difficult part of your activity/sports for a beginner? Finding that sweet spot, finding your balance, being able to listen to instruction and apply it as your doing it. On the water you can't just stop and adjust or you'll get a face full of lake water.

What is the best and worst thing about being female in your sport? Best - All the cute boards and vests we have to choose from. Worst - Can't really think of any negatives... maybe guys thinking we can't keep up sometimes.

What would you like to see change in your sport to make it better for you and other female athletes? A little more unity would be nice. I see other girls in our sport getting picked on for wearing bikinis, taking lots of pics, or other things and it drives me crazy. That's what I love about SheShreds - the mission is to pull us together and be supportive for other women in sports - I love that!

Besides your ability and style factor as an athlete, how would you describe your personal style? My personal style is a combo of country chic and lake bum/skater. You can find cowboy boots, Vans, and wedges in my shoe collection. I have entirely too many t-shirts and tanks. Too many cut off shorts and yoga pants. I have recently found a new love for unique boutique clothes. I love all the fun patterns and colors.

What are your favorite brands/designers for your sports apparel and for stepping out? I love Vans, anything on Tilly's. Phase 5 has really stepped up their fashion game this last year with crop top sweaters and racer back tanks that are the CUTEST! I wouldn't trade my Von Zipper glasses for anything. Really digging Glide Soul right now. I'm making plans to buy one of their new comp vests asap! Can not live without my Nixon watches.

Let’s hear your thoughts on how important looking good is to feeling good. “Being” your personal best? I really think it's important to try and look your best. That doesn't necessarily mean you should be dolled up at all times but if you put the energy into at least doing something cute with your hair, throwing on some mascara and a cute outfit you just feel better! I think being active is important too. I can def tell a difference in how I feel and look if I sit on the couch for a few days versus getting out and walking or going to the gym.

How dangerous do you really think it is compared to what people do in their regular activities? Wake surfing is very low impact. That's one of the biggest selling points I use when trying to get people over a certain age to try it for the first time. Any residual sports or health injuries are 9 times out of 10 unaffected by it. Back problems, knee replacements, shoulder surgeries, etc. are usually acceptable when surfing. The speed is much lower when compared to other water sports so the aftermath of a wipe out is way less. You aren't being pulled around by a rope at a high speed, (other than to initially pull yourself up), so there's a lot less strain on the shoulders and back.

I bet in your experience you have seen some crazy crashes. Describe one. I think the worst thing I've ever witnessed, that didn't have a bad ending thankfully, was a group of jet skis following entirely too closely behind a surfer. Trying to jump the wake behind the boat. It's so dangerous because you can hardly see a surfer as it is, much less if they fall. Boat safety is extremely important to us on Lake Allatoona.

What usually gets people hooked on your activity/sport? I think there are several factors that make surfing so much different from other sports that rally pulls people in. Most conversations start with "How do you surf on a lake???" "You aren't being pulled by the boat?" "How do you stay behind the boat?" "You aren't attached to your board!?" The freedom of all those things combined is what makes it so awesome.

What is your favorite trick? I really want to get more consistent with my 3's. I always land them when no one is watching, it doesn't count. etc. I'd really like to get a shuv down. I will probably have to branch out into skateboarding to widen my variety of tricks.

Do you own any other toys? Not at this time. We used to have a bunch of dirt bikes, four wheeler's and jet skis but with a little one it just didn't make sense. She's getting bigger now and inherited our need to go fast and keep her feet off the ground so I have a feeling we will be getting more soon.

What gets you pumped up for the day? Any day I know I'm going to be on a boat I'm ecstatic the whole day.

What are three things you could not live without? 1. Wake surfing
2. Candy
3. Tacos


What are your expectations for this activity/sport? Thanks to the CWSA.org and other groups we have really started to become more organized and fair in competitions. I'm really impressed with the work they've done even since last season. I just want everyone to remember it's all about having fun. The sport is growing so fast I think it's easy to lose sight that we are all after the same thing- the betterment of wakesurfing.

Who have been your biggest supporters in getting you to where you are now? My daughter, Alexis is my biggest cheerleader without a doubt. I'm sure the kids at school are sick of hearing about wake surfing! My boyfriend/equipment manager/alarm clock/supply orderer/chauffeur, Jacob, has encouraged me SO much to go after my goals. Danny Biebricher, (and his wife Brenda) who has been with me since the beginning. Being a part of Allatoona Adventures with them has made a HUGE impact on my life. And of course Drew Danielo... I wouldn't be surfing at all if it weren't for him.

Who’s your favorite rider/shooter? I am a huge fan of Stacia Bank.. I don't think she knows that HAHA! She makes everything look so effortless and she's always so positive and fun loving. I have huge respect for Angie Viland, as well. She's got incredible energy that she brings with her wherever she goes!

What do you do in your spare time when you’re not riding/shooting/competing? Work Work Work Work (Rihanna style)

How about in the off season to stay in shape? I try to stay in the gym and eat healthy. I'm not always successful at that though. Kettle Ball swings and yoga are my favorites right now. I get crazy looks doing kettle swing on the bosu ball but it works so well at keeping me up on my balance. The eating part for me is just consuming as little processed foods as possible. So hard because pizza/tacos are my kryptonite.

What is your biggest goal to accomplish this/next season? I would really love to get a first place podium placement this year. I've been second and third in mulitple grass roots (INT) events and just placed 3rd at my first national event this year- the Supreme Wake Surfing Championship in Florida in April.

What do you do to prep for a competition? I go over my routine over and over in my head. I get the smaller things like grabs and smaller tricks out of the way in the very beginning so I can focus on other bigger tricks. I stretch and listen to music sometimes right before my run.

What competitions and other awards have you won? I've been competing for a few years but most recently I took 3rd in Florida at the Supreme Wake Surf Championship.
2nd INT Lake Lanier Event 2015
2nd Ambush Wake Comp 2014
3rd INT Lanier 2014


What’s your favorite “way” to ride? Boat- behind our Centurion FX22. I'm a huge fan of the Nautique G23/G25 wave though.

Favorite conditions? Glass. Early mornings first ones to the lake are the best.

Where would be your biggest dream place to ride and why? I'd love to ride up north... I've seen some videos and the water just looks so blue. I'd love to ride in the keys as well for the same reason.

What song(s) do you listen to while riding that puts you in the zone? I'm into Sia - Cheap Thrills, Rebulution, Iration, Skrillex, Chainsmokers. Anything with a good beat and bass. Fun sons with a lot of energy.

What turned you on to your sport? We had a demo day at the marina where I was working and Drew Danielo came into to host the event. We all went out after work that day and Drew made us all try it. It just stuck and it's been my passion ever since.

Any new moves you’re working on? I'm still working on those 3's, I'd like to master a 180, a shuv and riding switch to backside.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done in your sport? I'm not that risky, I like to learn one thing and get it down. Riding backside on a goofy wave was by far the hardest thing I've ever done because my brain is wired to ride regular and then when you change it completely your brain has a hard time adjusting. I felt so backwards!

What other extreme/action sports are you into? I rode motor cross for a long time but got tired of getting hurt.

If extreme/action sports didn’t exist, what would you be doing with all the free time you’d have? Probably something artsy. I like painting and drawing. I have several "adult" coloring books. They're awesome.

What’s your favorite board/bike/sled to ride and why? My new Diamond LUV is my favorite board by far. The graphics are super girly.

What’s the trick to doing martial arts and not hurting yourself? Just have fun. Don't wrap the rope around your arm or hand. I see many people do this and then nose dive the board. Super dangerous to still be attached to the rope if you fall.

How would you describe your style? I'm working on not playing it so safe with my tricks. I get nervous that I'm going to fall so I don't go as big as I should. Hoping to change that this season.

What would you say is your signature move? I've gotten much better at my "fire hydrant". Knee down with a board grab is something I do often during comps. Drifters are pretty fun, too.

Favorite drink of choice to refresh yourself after a long day of riding? I love green tea but I recently found out about boba teas. They're so delicious. My favorite is the passion fruit green boba tea.

What do you want to be when you "grow up"? Well, since I'm 28 already.... I should probably have this figured out already. I've been in the marine industry most of my life. Ventured into the corporate world for a while and it's just not for me. I need to be on the water. I'm also pursuing my real estate license right now. Wouldn't it be great to just surf all day for a living??

Any of your own web pages or social media buttons you want links to? Instagram: @BKline87 / Facebook

 

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