Marc Gray's Interview

Marc Gray is the most aggressive athlete I've ever seen. Calling him crazy would be an understatement. In Georgia, the guy was doing a layout outside of a very fast moving vehicle.He's the first Australian to hit a double backroll, but I think its more impressive that he's the only rider I've seen do one in about 10 years. I had the pleasure to hangout with Marc over the week at Internationals. There were a lot of stories,plenty of craziness, some drinks by the pool and a good amount of riding.

Well, I've already met you and know some of these answers, but for the sake of our readers, I'm going to ask you some questions I already know the answer to. So I think the first and most important question... Can I ask you a personal question?

Hahahahaha I thought I told you what I would do if you asked me a personal question!

How old are you?

28

How long have you been riding?

Well I think I was 7 when I started riding a kneeboard, but did not do anymore then jump the wake until I was 18. Then I learned a 360 and a backroll. I thought I was the best around, but then I saw some guys in Renmark, South Australia when I was 22 and they were going massive and doing flips on the bounce. I set about trying this a couple of times and it hurt! I talked about going over to South Australia for years to have a go but when I turned 25 I decided it was time and some how learned lots of tricks in one season, made the trip to SA and now I'm hooked for life!

Who are your sponsors?

My sponsors are Mac's Waterski World and Master Line (O'Brien importers to Australia)




Who do you ride with?

I ride with anyone and everyone. I use to be a boat slut, getting a ride wherever I could until I got my boat this year.

Ninjas or Pirates?

I would have to be Pirates as they live by water, have guns, and drink lots. Hahahaha

I've heard about the annual Moomba Classic. Tell us what this event is like.

Last year Jeremy Heslop and myself were lucky enough to be invited to the Moomba Masters to put on a kneeboard demo in front of crowds around 30,000 (In the CBD of Melbourne). All I can say is WOW what an experience! At first every one was laughing at us out there on kneeboards until we hit the wake for the first time doing tricks over the top of each other and doing air backrolls and frontrolls. Then people were standing not being able to believe that you could do this on a kneeboard. Things went that well, that I asked to organize a comp for the 2011 Moomba Masters where the city of Melbourne will put up a cash prize.

It was awesome seeing you, Wardy and Dogga at Internationals.
What were some of the highlights of your stay in the United States?

To hard to say as there was so many great times had at the pool, at the bar, out at restaurants with new friends, down at the lake, at Tugg's house, then at Super Daves. Too much to list. But going to KFC and being asked "do you want some hot sauce" Hahaha. Oh yeah and Courtne telling us that a coke a cola gives you a head achne not all the alcohol we were drinking. Way to many great times and we all know that the Aussies did not win the Rider Cup, but we definitely won the drinking contest every night, had the most fun, and best uniforms for the Rider Cup!


What is a cruchy?

In one word, Marisa. Lol otherwise it is a honeycome bar with chocolate all over the outside. And I love to pick on people who have blonde moments. And you can't call a brunette a typical blonce so you call them a crunchie.

So this is a 2 part question, (credit to Alisa for coming up with the question).
Are you team Alisa or team John? and are you team Spencer or team Marissa?

That's easy team John and team Spencer. The girls are good to speak to, but in the end the boys are the ones that sat up late drinking with us. Plus Alisa Piper is a BAD ASS or the Aussies called her B.A. Lol.

Its great to see the double backroll is still alive. What new moves are you working on?

I have lots I am working on and most of it has to do with spins and flips together. That is where kneeboarding is heading.

What is your line length and boat speed?

If I'm out free riding its around the 80-85 foot mark at 25 mph, but in comps I ride at 75 foot 24 mph.

Whats your favorite move and your most difficult move?

I love the layout to air backroll as people just don't expect it. And the double backroll is definitely the most difficult move I have at the moment. Its just one of those tricks that if you muck up just a little bit, you're in a world of pain!

Who is your favorite rider to watch?

I love watching everyone as everyone has their own little style they put in to every trick. I also love watching riders that try new stuff, rather then do the same old all the time. And Dean Smith for his style is always bigger than everyone else.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Definitely dance music with a good beat helps pump me up for something stupid that I'll try next.

I've seen some of your acticles and photos. What magazine are those published to and do they always or frequently
feature kneeboarders? (Our US magazines rarely do)

They are all in Australian Waterski Magazine. I write for them and we get all our riders that can make it together once a year for a photo shoot. Normall the best day or 2 us riders have! Just relax, free ride, and try silly stuff as long as it looks good for the camera! And the other good thing is you don't have to land it.

How many boards have you broken? Is it anywhere near a bajillion?

Well it has been lots and lots I have to say I stopped counting. But I am working with O'Brien on a few things at the moment and hopefully the board breaking thing will be over soon!

Lets hear this story about the time you broke your nose kneeboarding.

Well I was up at the Wakeboard Nationals to do demos and went out once and landed all my tricks and was very happy and so was the crowd. Then I decided that I could go back out and do my double backroll for the crowd under the lights at 10 p.m. As we took off from the dock I realized that I would be coming in the wrong way for the crowd to get the best view of the trick. So some crazy idea came in to my head that said, lets try a double front flip for the crowd. All I remember is the crowd all pumped up, then I crashed hard, not sure how far I got around but I was definitely in the second flip when I landed in the water and came up with a sore nose. I grabbed my nose as it was sore and there was blood everywhere. When the boat came back they wanted me to get in the boat, but I didn't. I just told them to tow me out and bring me back in the other way. When I got out in the dark, I thought this nose won't stop bleeding, but I have to finish this show. Came back in to the light and there was blood all over my shorts and jacket, but that didn't stop me from cutting out and going for the double backroll. Unfortunately, I smashed myself again and decided to swim back and get cleaned up. Later that week I went to the doctors and they told me "Yes, you broke your nose".

What do you see in kneeboarding's future?

Well I see no reason that kneeboarding and wakeboarding can't work together and have kneeboarding move in the same way as wakeboarding has over the past few years. I have noticed crowds don't enjoy the 3 sport anymore as much as they used to, and now its all about wakeboarding and freestyle. So its time for kneeboarding to move with the times and follow the money tree to the top.

Congrats to you and Sarah on the arriving baby. When is the due date?

Thanks John, I can't wait to be a Dad at the start of March. Then I'll have a little kneeboarder to bring to the Rider CUp with me. I'm aiming for backrolls by the age of 7. Lol so pumped and just can't wait.

Who would you like to thank?

I would love to thank Troy and Tania McNeill at Mac's Waterski World as without them I never would of got sponsored by Masterline. Also Kim and Mick at Masterline. Without them, I would be broke because of all the boards, ropes, and other skiing equipment I go through. O'Brien for the best boards on Earth and my misses Sarah for putting up with me flying all over the place while she stays home.

Any last words you would like to say?

Thanks for the Interview and to all the kids out there that think there is no way they could ever land stuff we do. All you need to do is believe in yourself, practice, and take some hard falls, but don't ever give up! RIDE LOW FLY HIGH

Thanks for you time Marc, and thank you for answering all of these personal questions. It was awesome meeting you and I'm hoping to see you in Australia before the next Internationals.