We catch up with Harley Clifford as he continues to dominate the wake boarding world.
Harley Clifford is on top of the world as he continues to win just about every wake board event around the globe. We catch up with him about all things wake boarding.
Liquid Circus: Tell us about the Australian Pro Am (as an event)?
Harley Clifford: The event was sick, it was organized well, they had FMX there which was awesome to watch while there was breaks from wakeboarding and there was some of the best wakeboarders in the world there i.e Jeff Weatherall, Dean Smith, Chris Oshea, Sam Thomson, Ryleigh Pfitsner etc.
LC: Give a brief run down of your day?
HC: Woke up in the morning, had like a 40 min shower probably because thats what i always do before a contest for some reason? i think it relax's me, then went down stairs and had the tastey all you can eat buffet at the Rydges, afterwards i got in the car and headed out to the site with My Mum, Dad and my girlfriend Victoria. We arrived at the site at about 8 45am just in time for the early morning riders briefing, so they could breif us on the contest format and rules for the final day, then i think i just hung out for a little bit and relaxed before my semi finals ride, I had a pretty good ride in the semi's i didn't have a fall but i was still looking to step it up for the final round. It was about 2 30pm when we started the final's, it had started to get a little rough but that defenitly did not effect the level of riding and since i was last of the dock i got to watch Dean and Jeff throw down before me, they both rode sick unfortunately they fell, but they for sure had some bangers in there pass, but i took of the dock confident and rode up and back with no falls, and stuck my Melon crow 5, T/S 900, Switch H/S 720, Front Mobe 540, big indy B/S 180 to the flats and i slid the rails good to so i was super pumped on my ride. Afterwards we did the presentation and then we went back to the hotel and had mexican for dinner then went to sleep and got some rest for the contest the next day which is the Wake Life Team Challenge at Grafton.
LC: Are you happy with your riding at the moment?
HC: Yeah i am for sure really stoked on my riding at the moment, i have been riding super consistent and have been grabbing pretty much all my tricks, i just recently learnt how to grab my switch KGB 5 melon after the handle pass :) and i have been working on a couple other little secrets that i have in store for the US tour this year.
LC: Despite having an incredible run in contests, do you feel you will be able to push the sport much harder in the future?
HC: Yes that is something i have started working on, not only pushing the sport in being able to do new tricks and stuff but i have been working on new technology for boards, bindings to help improve the levels of riding in the future and the comfort of people while they ride
LC: Do you have a pre-contest ritual? i.e listen to music, stretch?
HC: Not really, i guess i always have the long showers but thats about it
LC: You used to get nervous when going up against the big names. do you still get nervous?
HC: Umm not really, the only time i really get nervous is when im in the finals of the US pro tour and Rusty Malinoski goes out and sticks a perfect TS 1080 of the double up, but apart from that not really i just relax and go out and ride like i do free riding.
LC: Did you party the night before the finals?
HC: haha nope, i just went and had a good lil dinner at hogs breath, then went and chilled in the Hotels spa for a bit with Victoria and afterwads went up to my room, dried off and got some sleep
LC: How often do you train?
HC: I usually take the boat out 4-5 times a week, but lately i have been doing off water training to try and get stronger so i can start trying to do all my stuff way bigger into the flats.
LC: How important was the Australian Pro Am considering there was no Aussie Pro Tour this year?
HC: Yeah the Pro Am was really important being one of the only chances to try and make my australian season this year a good one, so i was for sure training hard before the event
LC: Do you know what is being done in preparation for next year to bring back the Aussie Pro Tour?
HC: Im not sure what everyone else has been doing but i have been talking to a couple of my sponsors and getting them in contact with Dalai and Damo to try and gather up some support and money for the events
LC: Do you have any hobbies or do anything interesting apart from wake boarding?
HC: I use to but ever since i broke my arm on the skateboard i have been a bit tenative about doing other sports, i am really just mainly focusing on my wakeboarding at the moment, i am having alot of fun with it right now and i have been riding super well and i just only want to try and get better and better every set.
LC: During contests, do you change your rope length or boat speed from when you free-ride?
HC: I dont usually change my rope length but im sure my boat speed changes everytime i ride in a contest i usually don't take notice of it.
LC: What does the future hold for Australian Wake Boarding
HC: The future right now for Australian wakeboarding is looking super bright there are so many kids out there killing it, that for sure have the skills to be up in the pro's in the coming years i.e Ryliegh Pfitzner, Jacob Hore, Brad and Cory Teunisseun, Jamie Neville, Tony Iacconni and there are just so many more.
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