Being a professional wakeboard coach is not bad work, if you can get it. The travel will take you all over the globe.
That's the life of California resident Chad Lowe, who was in DeKalb County over the weekend to compete in Wakefest at Pates Ford Marina. Lowe was among hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators who converged on Center Hill Lake for the annual event.
"I get to travel all over the world training young riders," said Lowe. "I've been on the road for 50 days straight. I've been to Portland, Kentucky, and Mexico before making it to Tennessee. In Mexico, I coached the team training for the world games in Poland."
The fact Wakefest was able to attract a competitor like Lowe shows how its popularity has spread. Prizes were awarded in nine divisions, including a $3,000 prize for the top female and a $7,500 prize for the top male.
Lowe says wakeboarding is a combination of balance and strength. Most important, he says, is technique.
"You have to focus on technique, especially for the advanced tricks," said Lowe.
He said first-class competitors can turn two flips and pull off 1,080-degree spins. That's three 360s.
Lowe spent the better part of a week in Middle Tennessee before landing back on the West Coast on Tuesday. He's from Discovery Bay, Calif., which is about 40 minutes north of San Francisco.
"I fell in love with that area," said Lowe, who has been to places such as Australia. "That's one of the most picturesque lakes I have ever seen. I'd love to come back and spend a week there relaxing and wakeboarding. That would be great."
Wakefest got its start in 2005 on Old Hickory Lake. Since relocating to Pates Ford Marina in 2012, the event has experienced explosive growth and bills itself as one of the largest wakeboarding tournaments in the Southeast.