Interview: Ally Boothroyd 2009 Canadian Wakeskate Champ

This is your first time in the Wakeskate division at Canadian Nationals and you claimed gold. How does it feel?

It feels pretty good. The experience definitely was a positive one and made me want to push my wakeskating a bit more, not in a serious way though… it’s still just plain old good fun. But then again, what’s more fun then landing new tricks?  Probably nothing!

Were you happy with your run?

I didn’t land all of my tricks and I did take up all my falls, I did manage to get a lot of stuff under my belt in the first pass so that must have saved me. There’s always room for improvement so I think getting some more contests under my belt will hopefully make me a stronger contest rider… Im more a ride for the fun of it girl.

What was the competition like, were there a few more girls stomping tricks than you expected?

To be honest, I half expected to be the only girl out there, so I was thrilled about the competition! The more the merrier.

What do you hope to see at next years Canadian Nationals?

I hope we have an even bigger turn out then this year, the girls just aren’t at the same level of wakeskating as the guys are so I think there are a few girls that are intimidated or think they aren’t good enough to compete. However, I know that there are tons of girls out there wakeskating because I’ve met lots in Ontario alone…  you don’t have that same pressure to go really big like you do in wakeboarding… it’s more mellow and I think there are quite a few people that love that aspect of wakeskating. The point is… I know there are lots of girls out there shredding the wakeskate, it’s just about getting more girls out to events and everyone pushing each other to progress!

You wakeboard as well. What made you want to pick up the skate more often this season?

To be completely honest, I sprained my ankle in the spring time in Florida and it’s been bugging me this season. It just can’t seem to take the impact of the landings when I’m wakeboarding.  I still go wakeboard but my ankle needs a break from time to time… wakeskating is perfect for me because it’s just as fun and doesn’t hurt at all.  Once I started landing a few tricks and different shuv variations I was totally hooked… I’d go winch any day up until the water all freezes over

You are the wakeskate coach for the TID girls clinics. How did that go this season? Do you think you got a few more girls stoaked on wakeskating?

Definitely.  Every single girl that got out there and tried it absolutely loved it. Definitely got a few girls hooked, they are buying their first wakeskates.  Hopefully we’ll see a few of them at some of the events next summer!

Wakeskating had a slow start up in Canada in the female division, and its great to finally see some significant improvement in that area. Where do you think its headed?

Hopefully for some more significant improvements lol

Do you have any fun projects you are working on for next year in the wakeskate department?

YES!  Jen GilanFarr and I are planning a girls ride day at the Projects near Orlando at the end of November… It’s a grill and chill… pay ten bucks and come ride the 2.0 for the day and eat BBQ food… it’s going to be really fun. We want as many girls to come out as possible! We’re going to document the whole thing… should be really good   In terms of next year… Hopefully can come up with more fun riding days like the one we’re planning at the PJs…. maybe some fun winch adventures… i LOVE winching!

OK Quick answers:

Favourite Trick you do: re entry shuv

Favourite trick you have ever seen done: i really like 360 flips

Favourite Rider: ummm prolly a toss up between nick taylor and andy pastura

Jetski or winch? ummmmm winch!

Wake to Wake or flat tricks? flat tricks… i could definitely use some practice on the whole w2w thing.

Next trick on your list to stomp: i’d like to get switch shuvs and switch big spins…

Favourite Place to ride: hmmmmm prolly behind the X2 riding doubles with my boyfriend… we play H.O.R.S.E.  it’s really fun.

Grilled Cheese or blueberries? This is a really tough question for me!!!  man…. ummmm  blueberries!