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By: Mike Schwenne / West Coast Wakeboard Camps
Getting Sponsored is every kids dream (including myself); and even some big kids dreams (it's all right you're never too old!). Getting sponsored is basically a payment in product for helping to promote a company. For some this may be based strictly from natural talent and ability while for many others it is their ability to promote a company to many consumers. If you're serious about getting sponsored, start riding with as many people as you possibly can. To do this you can start making friends with people in discussion boards, local tournaments, demo days etc. The more people you meet the better. Just enjoy riding with others that share the same passion about wakeboarding as you do. I have two very strong opinions about being sponsored that I always share with young up and coming riders.
1) It's better to not be sponsored when you're starting out. This way you can ride every company’s boards and gear to find out which companies you have a preference for. I know it's cool to be known as the sponsored kid at school, but not being sponsored will help in keeping your head from swelling. Remember this also; just because you're a good rider (whether you're the best rider in your area, sponsored, or even the best rider in the world) doesn't mean you're better than anyone else (everyone's gifted in many different areas).
2) If you are at a point where you're ready to get sponsored I recommend that you only ride company's product that you truly do love to ride. This will make it easy for you to sell it you your friends, peers, family members, and general customers. It will also help you reach you potential faster; not having a product holding you back.
Below is a complete guide that I've formulated over the years to help you get sponsored reach your potential.
What is riding Style??? It is your entire time on the water that creates your style. From butterslides to slashing, to inverts and spins- everything counts. Guys like Shaun Murray and Scott Byerly have made their careers on riding smooth, but also being technical and innovative. Darin Shapiro and Parks have made a career of going big and creating new tricks that most riders wouldn’t have even dreamed of. New kids like Shawn Watson, Mikey Ennen, Keith Lyman, Andrew Adkinson are making names for themselves with a combination of big technical and stylish tricks. It is important to ride they way you want to ride and do tricks that you want to do. That will create your style. Your style will change year after year, but it is important to realize where your style fits in the industry.
- If you’re a stylie rider than it is important to focus on your grace and smoothness on the water. That does not mean you can’t learn a tootsie roll, but a grab 540 would probably better fit your riding style. It’s also important to grab and poke every trick differently than other riders. Lastly, you want to be in control most of the time. Don’t be jerky (cutting everywhere at different speeds really fast)!
- If you are a power or technical rider it is good to focus on your strengths and power by learning big flips and mobes.
- In the end it is important you create your own style with whatever tricks make you happy. When you have rode for many years you will drop certain tricks that do not fit your style or you just don’t enjoy doing them any more.
- Remember every movement and little trick defines your style as much as every big flip or spin.
- Enjoying your time on the water has to be the most critical factor. Riders that really enjoy themselves will learn faster and truly motivate other riders on the boat. This is one of the main reasons that Shaun Murray has become so successful in the sport- because he always having too much fun on the water. What’s the point of wakeboarding if it’s not for fun? If you say to be a pro and make money for doing nothing, you couldn’t be further from the truth. There are thousands if not millions of jobs out there that are easier and more profitable than wakeboarding. If you want to be a professional athlete for money go pick up a pair of golf clubs (Even if you’re the worst pro golfer you’ll still be making more than any of us wakeboarders).
Creating a Niche is where everything happens. If you look above, everyone on Team Hyperlite has created a niche for themselves in one area or another(ex. Parks is the overall best wakeboarder in the world, Byerly is a legend who paved the way in style and was one of the biggest influences in making wakeboarding legit, Murray the Tony Hawk of wakeboarding with his own video game...)
- Creating your niche is the most important part of this business. The best riders are not always sponsored and the most sponsored rider is not always the best rider. Take Randy Harris for example. Randy is the best wakeboarder out there alongside parks. Randy is THE BEST wake rider out there period. His riding is 10yrs+ ahead of its time. However, unless you've seen the video Natural Born Thillaz you may not even know who Randy is.
- In creating your niche it is critical to get involved with as many events, tournaments, sales, message boards, whatever. You need to get known and get involved. The more people you meet the more people that will support you in the future. As potential sponsors see your energies are being spent helping the sport, they will be stoked to take you on.
- Ride with as many different people and boats as possible. Your niche will be created by the energy and the fun you bring on other people’s boats. The more people that know and hear about you the more they will try to help you. (Note: Don't ever talk about your riding; if it's worth talking about other will do it for you.)
- When you go to get sponsored you will be able to point out all the different events you have attended and volunteered for. This will be a huge point with potential sponsors.
- There are tons of wakeboarding websites and information on the Internet. Get involved in the wakeboarding community – write to the boards... meet people!
- Study. Get your hands on as many old magazines and videos as possible. Really pay attention to the style of the riding as well as the general progression of the sport. You’ll see the guys that have been around for 10 years truly have a niche that others don’t have.
Anybody can get sponsored by just about any company. Getting sponsored at this level is much more about how good you can talk and sell the product than it is your riding.
- I have made a career of being able to sell the products to the public that I am sponsored by. Only part of it has been how good I was on the water. The sponsors believe in me because I will sell their products and represent them professionally and energetically.
- When you are at the entry levels of sponsorship it is important that you learn all about the product you are representing and then use the product every chance you get. Once the sponsor hears from others that you are pushing the products and always are seen using it, they will know that you are a valuable commodity to them. It works both ways in a small industry. If you are irresponsible with a company the word will also get around. Have integrity independently of how big the sponsorship is, or how the companies treat you(Just because a company shafts you doesn’t mean that you have to get them back; be the better man or woman..
- It is Critical that the contact that you have for your sponsor knows what you are up to. Stay in contact with them on a very regular basis. Make sure they have whatever they need from you. Offer to do sales or promos or whatever to help promote their product.
- Loyalty is critical in this business. It is very important that when a company selects you, you stick with them until one or both parties wants to part. The grass is not always greener just because somebody offers you a little more. If the company believed in you, there is an obligation you need to fulfill. If at some time you need to leave the sponsor, it is critical to contact them and let them know why you are leaving and that you appreciate all of their support.
Get to every event you can. Offer to help the promoters/coordinators in any way you can. Meet as many of the riders as possible. Swap as many phone numbers as possible.
- The riders that are here are here for the same reason you are, to show your stuff and see where you fit. Meet these people and start riding with them.
- If you have sponsors make sure you are promoting their stuff and that announcers know whom your sponsors are. It may be a small
tournament, but professionalism always is important.
- No matter how well you do, regardless of driver or whatever – do not be a sore loser or winner. Accept your riding as is. Wakeboarding is not about being judged it needs to be about how much you love the water. Think of all tournaments as being practice for the big one 5 or 10 yrs down the road.
- One bad complaint or excuse at an event can haunt your for years after that amongst promoters, judges, and other riders.
- The tournament needs to be more about having fun and meeting people than the actual ride itself. If you go in with this attitude you will probably ride better anyway as you shouldn’t be nervous.
- Finally don’t sand bag. Sign up for the class you belong in! Nobody likes a cheater and worse off if you sand bag and than do not ride well to top it off, you will look like a fool amongst fellow riders.
The key to getting in the magazine and video is quite simply getting to the point that people want to shoot you and put you in videos. You have to have your own style/niche and marketability long before this happens.
- When you get that opportunity it is critical that you handle yourself professionally. Be on time, ready to ride, stickered up, and ready to have fun. Any complaining at this stage can mark you forever in this sport.
- Make sure if you have every sticker/clothing/product on that you are sponsored for. The quickest way to lose a sponsor is to finally get exposure and than not representing their product.
- Think about what you enjoy in other video sections. Remember just because the trick feels cool, does not mean it looks good on film. You need to focus on whatever your style is comes through on film as opposed to how good you really are.
- Don’t forget that the cameras usually roll before and after your set which means they get your reactions and relationship with others on film. Even if you did not ride well it is important to come back with a good attitude to the boat because it will probably be on film.
- Have fun with it. You deserved this time and these people want to be here to film you. Make the most of it!
To get into the industry weather it is working for a company, representing a product, or just helping is the next step after being sponsored. It is important to get to know other industry people from other companies. These is a very small industry so every person that is still in it has earned it and so treat them with respect and don’t try to sell yourself on the spot.
- The more these people see you working/helping the better. There is no reason a Hyperlite rider can’t talk with a Liquid Force rep. Get to know people.
- There are very few good riders that are always good sales people and are willing to spend their time in the industry.
- If you are at an event for a particular product than make sure you sell it and represent as best you can, Be honest and don’t make anything up to the customer because that will come back to haunt you. If you don’t know something than ask your rep.
So what is makes a pro wakeboarder?? I consider a pro a rider that is receiving a check to promote a product. Receiving a product does not count as being a pro in this sport.
- When you have created your niche, marketed yourself and are finally starting to make a little money, it is critical to get things in writing. If you are making an agreement that involves money, GET IT IN WRITING.
- You need to make sure you fulfill whatever that contract says. Do not be caught using a competitor’s product under any circumstance.
- You are being paid to promote that product – that means having stickers and clothes on, that means promoting any chance you get, and most importantly actually selling the product.
- Another thing that can be considered pro is if you join the pro wakeboard tour and make it through the qualifying round. There are many riders that are not sponsored and not pro that compete at this level. Tournaments are very important to many people, but it does not guarantee exposure or sponsors. There are many guys that have made it big in this sport without the pro tour
.
- If you choose to go and try out for the tournament and actually make it, it is critical that you meet as many people as possible. All of the things above apply 10 fold at a pro event as every rider and sponsor might be watching you.
- Remember that there are very few pro wakeboarders that make any kind of real living in this sport. It is not uncommon for a pro rider to make $12-30k a year from sponsors, but they have to pay for all of their expenses. This is a very small sport with not much money yet so there is very little to go around.
You can find out more about Mike Schwenne and his wakeboard camp by visiting his site at WestCoastCamps.com
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