University of Florida Wakeboard Club & Team
The UF Wake Club went from being an unranked, unnoticed, and underwhelming group of a few people, to an army of enthusiasts in a matter of months. The club, community, and competitive team exploded in size and skill, and it was an incredible experience to work with a team to spark this change and keep the fire burning.
- Club President and Lake Wauburg Wakeboard Program Manager for 3 years
- Increased club participation 250%, school funding 220%, UF club status from 3rd tier to 1st tier
- Improved team from nationally unranked to #1, winning 5 consecutive national titles 2013-2017
Wakefest:
- Increased spectator attendance 1600%
- Increased corporate sponsorships 660%
- Increased competitor participation 300%
- Hosted 3 USA Wakeboard sanctioned events, partnering with Gainesville Tourism Commission
Publications:
http://www.alliancewake.com/wake/bt/university-of-florida-wake-club/
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=C4FyYCmhaZQ
My Story:
At the time when wakeboarding was heavily integrated into my life and personality, a lot of people assumed I grew up involved in the sport. On the contrary, I actually learned how to wakeboard in college at UF's annual event, Wakefest. I showed up with no anticipation of competing, but someone insisted that I give it a shot. What did I have to lose? "James Ort, are you here?! You're up!" I frantically strapped on a random wakeboard with a size 13 boot, slid into a cold wet lifejacket, and gave it a shot. I couldn't even get up and out of the water. First try, failure. Second try, failure. Man was it embarrassing. Third try, I was up! I was flying across the water with a huge smile on my face... but not for long. My body naturally rotated towards the boat, opening up my posture in the worst possible way. The toe-side edge of board dug into the surface of the water, and I immediately went from 23 miles per hour to 0, ejecting myself out of the board onto my face. It was the best moment of my life. I got last place in the lowest skill level division, but I got 1st place in the happiness division. My life changed in that moment in ways I couldn't have possibly imagined. I became obsessed with the progression associated with wakeboarding, and began dedicating a significant amount of time to training myself and my soon-to-be friends to become as competitive as possible, while having a blast in the process. I changed my major and my career path to be more sports focused, because it was evident that this was my purpose. I got a job at a kids summer camp teaching wakeboarding to kids to improve my resume for the wakeboard boat captain at Lake Wauburg, UF's student-run recreational lake. I got the job, and quickly rose among the leadership ranks in the Wakeboard Club, volunteering for every possible responsibility. I fully immersed myself into the community, lifestyle. and regimen of the pursuit of competitive wakeboarding. I began traveling with the wake team, and encouraged others to do the same. Fast forward to my senior year, and I got first place in the USA Wakeboard Collegiate National Wakeboard Championships! I still consider that achievement to be one of my life's greatest accomplishments. We also won the overall Championship as a team, and haven't lost ever since! I decided to make wakeboarding a career at that point. I took on several jobs in the industry, one where I commuted 2 hours to Orlando Watersports Complex twice a week for an entire semester. I also created my own study abroad program in the Cayman Islands where I helped launch Wakeboard Cayman, an eco-tourism and watersports business for 6 months. I even worked for the Professional Wakeboard Tour helping setup and teardown the world's most prestigious wakeboard contests. I moved to Orlando, the global hub of watersports, to try and make the dream a reality. I didn't know anyone there, but I knew it was my best shot at living the dream. That eventually led me to my current role with Red Bull, and the rest is history. Of the infinite hobbies I've picked up throughout my life, wakeboarding has had the most substantial positive impact on my experiences and career, and for that I am forever grateful to the University of Florida Wakeboard Club. Go Gata, Go UF Wake!