slayshTank

For the Fall report the Tank is profiling Stixx/slaysh Rider Johnny Stieg who caught the latest cover of Wakesurfing Magazine.  The mag is hot off the press and you will soon see that Stieg is a man of many trades, including semi professional bass fishing.  The following article was taken from the Rider Profile from the Fall issue of Wakesurfing Magazine. All photos by Ryan Slack rSlack.com

WSM: Tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up and where you line and wakesurf now?

JS: What up everyone, my name is Johnny Stieg, I live in Templeton,CA, a small farm town here on the central coast.  I usually wakesurf at Lake Naciamento and in Austin, TX

WSM: What do you do for a living?

JS: I’m actually a commercial diver, our company does anything to do with marine construction from welding and demo to inspections and maintenance.

WSM: What other board sports do you actively enjoy:

JS: I grew up surfing here on the central coast and I try to do that on a regular basis, and there is an awesome little skate park here in town that I go to all the time and skate with the kids of town.  I love snowboarding and wakeboarding. Ride motocross and bicycles. I pretty much do it all.

Johnny airs it out for the camera (Hazen on video) photo rSlack (c)

WSM: What started your fasination with wakesurfing? What keeps that passion going today?

JS: Well, my passion for surfing is really what got me interested in wakesurfing. It was a trip for me to see that you could surf all day long on a perfect wave on a lake. My passion for wakesurfing will always exist because its so much like ocean surfing and that is what I love.

WSM: What do you think accounts for wakesurfing’s increasing popularity?

JS: I think people see how much fun it is. Ha Ha, that’s what’s making it popular.  Now people who do not live on the ocean can surf. Who would have thought?

WSM: What do you think accounts for the great appeal wakesurfing has for young and old alike?

JS: Just the fact that anyone can use it as an alternative to the dangers of wakeboarding, it can be used as a rehad for an injury, endurance training, and fine tuning your ocean skills for young and old.

Epic strobe shot from the jet ski photo rSlack (C)

WSM: Do you think wakesurfing is popular with girls?

JS: If not, it should be! I love seeing a chick get out behind a boat. Real girls wakesurf, Ha Ha.

WSM:  Where is your favorite place for a wakesurf session?

JS: Definitely going to say going out to Austin, TX on LATX with the Shred Stixx Team. BBQ at night, surf all day, party, relax, skate, photos, video, its an all around good time.

WSM: What is your favorite wakesurf boat?

JS: Enzo hands down. No boat surfs as well as well as a tuned Enzo.

WSM: What is the most difficult wakesurf manuveur you have ever pulled off?

JS: Ha ha. I dont think I have pulled off that many hard tricks, but I have been working on a few dangerous ones that may come out in the future sometime. At least in the bloopers section.

Wasting a little time on the ramp between shoot photo rSlack (c)

WSM: Do you ride surf or skim and why?

JS: I ride surf. Its so much more flow and style. I dont have anything against skim, I just grew up surfing so naturally, I go the surf style.

WSM: Which boards do you ride?

JS: I ride Shred Stixx boards. Mainly Chases Pro Model. Kid rides better than anyone in the world so wy ride anything else than what he rides.

WSM: Do you wakesurf during the winter months?

JS: Yeah, as long as I can find a ride Ill go anytime of the year. Im used to wearing a wetsuit that no biggie for me.

WSM: With 2 different styles, do you think a contest should have 2 divisions?

JS: Yeah, for sure, thats like trying to compete rollerblades against skateboarders. They are two different sports if you ask me. You cant realistically or fairly judge a skim vs surf, its just not possible.

The Man and His Stixx photo rSlack (c)

WSM: Giveus your thoughts on contests Have they improved at all in your opinion? Will you be entering the Worlds in 2010?

JS: I like going to contest and hanging out with everyone. Thats always fun, but riding in them…I always choke. Ha Ha, so I cant say that I necessarily enjoy riding in them. I would much rather free ride and try new tricks. Its hard to say if they are improving, because I dont go to them that much. If I go to Worlds is still in the air. I may show up for the festivities, keep your eyes out.

WSM: Who are your sponsors?

JS: Shred Stixx and slayshTank. My Boys

Backside ally photo rSlack (c)

WSM: Any shout outs?

JS: Yeah, my mom and dad and two wonderful sisters, all my friends, all my boys in Texas. Jerry Price, the man who made it all possible. Chase and his family, Jack, Alec. Thank you Josh Sleigh, Josh Buran, Charlie Stevens, Gavo, Adam Replogal and all the Santa Cruz Boys.  Mike from Wakesurf Mag for bringing us the latest and greatest, JL for the pics and vids, Ari, Tyler, DJ Jamsz, and Ash, you all helped me out and if it werent for you I wouldnt be where I’m at today. If I didnt say your name, I still love you…

Oh, PS All you ladies out there, hit me up on Facebook! Ha ha Im back on the market…JK, but seriously.

A break from the wave on the Paddle Stixx SUP photo rSlack