Louise Moore
Professional Wakeboarder

The Edge Magazine - Jun. 2000

Whilst getting ready for this years summer season, we cornered Louise Moore and forced her to reveal all. Join us as Louise talks us through her kitbag, gives us her thoughts on Windermere and says she Wakeboards' to relax - is this girl ever off the water!

EM: So, Louise, let's start with the basics, tell us about when you first started watersports.

Louise: I was about 9 years old when my Dad took us up to Windermere to ski behind my uncle's Bayliner, I was given a huge pair of skis and a handle and the only instructions I got were 'shut up and hold on!' - I hated it! Then a few years later we bought a boat and I learnt to slalom, barefoot & kneeboard. I just skied recreationally up until about two years ago when I discovered wakeboarding!

EM: Where have you been riding and where is your favourite place to ride?

Louise: Florida is definitely the best place to wakeboard. Over winter, I trained at O'Town Watersports in Orlando, I trained with some great riders out there, and they really helped me improve - thanks guys! However, over here in sunny England, I ride at the 'Ski Shack' on Windermere and also at Pine Lake.

EM: So, what do you do when you're not on the water in Florida or Windermere riding?

Louise: At the moment, I work part time at a ski shop, the rest of the time I wakeboard and also coach at the Ski Shack in Windermere, I even do a bit of slalom to keep in shape - it's much better than going to the gym.

EM: When the pressure builds up work-wise or wakeboard-wise, what do you like to do to relax?

Louise: If I've had a hectic day at work, I always find that going for a wakeboard helps me relax. As for wakeboarding, the only time I feel under pressure is at competitions, I get so nervous, but I think that will go away with more experience of competitions.

EM: Who has been the biggest influence to you in wakeboarding?

Louise: There is not really one particular person that has influenced me, I am influenced by different riders all the time. Everybody has their own style, every time I watch a good rider, I always see a new trick, for example just a different variation of a grab or a 180.

EM: ...and what would you say is your favourite trick?

Louise: Out of the tricks I can perform myself: I'd have to say my blind 3 because there are not many women in the world who can do the trick.

EM: Pretty impressive! So what is your most memorable professional achievement?

Louise: Landing my first invert has got to be one of them. I used to show jump when I was younger, I once won a major competition and beat the best junior rider in England, I remember being pretty chuffed about that.

EM: Is there any other rider around at the moment that you admire?

Louise: Probably my little brother Oliver, although I wouldn't say that I actually admire him, he's a little s***! However he's not a bad wakeboarder, I taught him to get up on a wakeboard last season, by October he had 8 inverts including a raley - not bad going for an 11 year old!

EM: Now, down to your training regime, how many hours do you train per week?

Louise: I try to ride at least three times a week and I'll usually take a twenty-minute set, however, the week leading up to a competition, I'll ride everyday.

EM: Phew! Exhausting! What training tips would you give to anyone starting out?

Louise: Buy a Hyperlite Wakeboard! Use a Neil Pride Wetsuit! And wear White Stuff Clothing! (Nothing like a little product promotion!)- Once you look the part, you're half way there. Then get down to your nearest wakeboard club and learn the right way from a good coach. I wish I had received coaching when I first started out, I spent six months doing nothing but backside wake jumps just to see how big I could go.

EM: What essential items do you keep in your kitbag that you can't live without?

Louise: Hyperlite High Back Bindings, I wouldn't ride in anything else, every time I use a different pair of bindings I always end up tweaking my ankle.

EM: Ouch!, and what music do you like to a) chill out to, and b) train to?

Louise: I like to chill out to Bob Marley, The Doors, REM. If I'm working out, I listen to House music.

EM: Now then, let's get personal, If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be?

Louise: Jennifer Aniston - only because I wouldn't mind spending a day with Brad Pitt.

EM: Good choice! We wouldn't mind a bit of Pitt ourselves! If you could treat one special person for a day, who would you choose and what would you treat them to?

Louise: At this moment in time, it would probably have to be that Chris Mullin MP guy who has banned the water skiing on Windermere. I 'd like to take him skiing on Windermere, let him watch my little brother wakeboard & barefoot, then go back to the caravan for a BBQ overlooking the Lake, basically let him experience Windermere, and hopefully he would think twice about his decision to ban power boats from Windermere.

EM: Let's hope he takes you up on that! Now, can you think of one single object that would improve your quality of life?

Louise: At the moment I'm quite happy with life in general - although, I could do with a few extra inches on my legs so I could see over the bar when I order a drink!!!

EM: Who sponsors you?

Louise: White Stuff Clothing, Hyperlite Wakeboards, Neil Pryde Wetsuits, The Ski Shack Wakeboard Training Centre - Windermere

EM: What are you most looking forward to this season?

Louise: I'm looking forward to all the tour stops, my 21st birthday and going back to the States in September.

EM: What are your future goals?

Louise: At the moment my goal is to ride well on the UK tour this season and maybe some of the Euro tour. I'd like to compete in the Worlds amateur women, and then I'll train in the states over winter and hopefully learn enough to compete on the pro tour next season.

EM: Ambitious girl! Finally, Louise, is there anything else you'd like to say?

Louise: Just a big thank you to all my sponsors, especially White Stuff for their continuing support.

EM: Well, thanks Louise, and from all of us at Edgeville, Good luck for the forthcoming season!