Brad Smailer is determined to make it big in pro-wakeboarding and has just gone back to the US for his sixth season to compete with the world's best.
The 22-year-old is a former national and junior world champion, and although he earns enough to compete in the pro division, he's yet to pick up a lucrative professional contract.
But Smailer's doing his best to turn heads, recently becoming the first rider to pull off a water-to-water step-up in Tokoroa earlier this month, and he was also one of the first to land the 1080.
Smailer represents a proud history of New Zealand wakeboarders, having produced numerous world champions but he still enjoys playing in his own backyard every chance he gets.
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