Loke Shi YingLife’s a ride for 20-year-old Benjamin Say, defending champion of the Mens Wakeboard Freeride in the West Side Jam. Benjamin shares with us his tips and tricks and how he’ll be preparing for the upcoming West Side Jam 2010!
Name: Benjamin Say
Age: 20
Occupation: Student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Hi Benjamin! Tell us what is your training like?
Well, there’s actually no fixed schedule. I work at Maxout so I probably wake about 2-3 times a week, each time about an hour or two. Usually I do it after school on most days, or when I have no classes… Closer to competition days I train every day
Do you have to watch your diet? If yes, what do you do to watch your diet?
On season I have to try to keep within healthy weight, so I try to eat healthy food. Off-season, I just eat everything.
Why do you like wakeboarding?
There’s just a certain stoke that comes when you ride. When you’re moving on the water, it’s a feeling you can’t explain! There’s adrenaline, and it’s so crazy it just gets you hooked. And also when your friends are pushing you, and when you learn more tricks… It’s a social thing.
What is the wakeboarding community in Singapore like? Is it small and close or is it competitive and political?
The wakeboarding scene in Singapore is definitely growing. I’d say it started in the 90s with varsity people and expats who bring it here. It’s competitive, yet still friendly at the same time. Everybody seems to be pushing each other to do better.
Would you say that seeing beach babes are an added motivation for you to go for training sessions?
For sure! It’s never a bad thing. Guys and girls on the boat, by the sides, and it’s fun to watch people having fun. I’d say there are about a balanced number of guys and girls in the scene though.
How are you preparing for the competition? Are you keeping any secret moves to wow the judges?
Well, on competition day, it really depends on the water conditions and the mood, and whether I have the ability to perform then. Sure, I do have new tricks but there are also more restrictions, so go there to find out about it. West Side Jam is a pretty friendly competition where people push each other to their limits and mostly it’s to encourage local riders to participate.
What was it like winning the title in the Men’s Wakeboard Freeride category?
It was my first win, so it was a surprise win for me. I’ve previously had placings in other competitions but Maxout is my home ground so it was a great feeling to win a title at the West Side Jam! I hope to do better this year.
Other than winning the title, what did you win last year?
Ah. Products, a life jacket… things that wake boarders use.
Was it a close fight with the other competitors?
It was, it was a pretty close fight! It was pretty tough competing with all the ‘ang moh’ kids… haha!
At what age did you start wakeboarding? How many years have you been in competitive wakeboarding?
I started wakeboarding when I was 17, and I’ve been in competitive wakeboarding for about 3 years now. I started competitive wakeboarding about 3 months after I picked it up
Could you imagine a day without wakeboarding?
Yes, I could. But it’ll be super different! Wakeboarding is really a lifestyle…
Other than wakeboarding, what do you like to do in your free time?
I really like music and I play the piano, guitar and drums. And like any other student, I study in my free time too.
What is your dream job?
I have no idea right now, and maybe it won’t be related to wakeboarding at all, but I’ll still be wakeboarding for sure.
Catch Benjamin in action on 5 and 6 March at the West Side Jam 2010!
The West Side Jam will feature more than 30 regional and international pro-riders, free-to-watch competitions over both days and fringe activities such as a Roxy Beach Babe Contest, festival-exclusive sponsor booths, banana boat rides, discover wakeboard introductory riding sets, party yachts available for private charter, a fiesta party on the docks, as well as music throughout the day featuring local and international DJs.
For more details, visit West Side Jam 2010’s official website and their facebook event page!