And Hungary happens to be one of cable wakeboarding’s superpowers, boasting more cable parks than the whole United States! No wonder this little country has produced many world and European champions over the last few years. FUNZINE had the chance to have a chat with one of them, the cheeky young Szebasztián Szóláth, 16, three-time Magyar junior champion, who has recently bagged the world champion title in the Junior Men category in the Philippines. And he has his sights set on more trophies...

So how did it all start?
My dad took me down to the waterskiing course in Siófok when I was eight. For two years, I couldn’t complete a single lap without falling... Then I gave wakeboarding a go. It was more up my alley, I guess, as in the same year, I came second in my first competition, which I entered on an impulse, only for fun.

How often do you train?
Well, that’s hard to say. Wakeboarding differs from other sports: nothing’s obligatory. When you feel like jumping on the board, you go down to one of the cable courses. Normally, wakeboarders do not even have a trainer; we learn from each other. I used to have one, though – Szergej has taught me everything I know.

Do you train all year round?
Unfortunately, no. Depending on the weather, the season starts at the beginning of April and runs until the end of September. In winter, you usually practice tricks on a trampoline, you do gymnastics and stretching, and run. Anyway, during the term, I can only spend one day out on the water per weekend because of school!

Plans for the future?
I’d like to qualify for next year’s world championships and retain my Hungarian Champion title, this time among adults. I also want to finish school and apply for college. I’m quite a realist. I know it would be near impossible to earn my living as a professional rider in Hungary, not to mention that injuries can come anytime.

Have you ever had one?
Luckily, nothing serious – touch wood. Learning a new trick always means loads of falls and it’s very common to suffer knee injuries.

When is your next contest?
Szeged is the first stop of the National Cup on May 30th. From then, there will be a competition almost every weekend. And at the end of July, I’m going to the European Championships in Ukkohalla, Finland.

How is the winner selected?
Composition and execution are the determining factors; the points are awarded by a panel.

What’s your advice for wakeboarder wannabes?

Come to Dunaharaszti, jump on a board and fall in love. Wetsuit, life jacket, helmet and the rest are provided; all you have to do is to hire a wakeboard. As my case shows, there is no age limit!

 

Interview by Gabriella Emszt