Operation Wakesurf is an amazing organization that specializes in providing unforgettable and unique on-water experiences for first responder and military personnel. Hosting events all through the season, Operation Wakesurf gets hundreds of men and women who keep our communities safe on the water. We caught up with the Founder and President, Robby Maschhaupt, this Veteran’s Day to dig into Operation Wakesurf, how it got started, and what his plans are for the future. Check it out below!
To learn more about Operation Wakesurf, visit their site HERE!
PHASE 5: Hey Robby, thanks for chatting with us. How did you get into wakesurfing?
Robby: Hey! First, I’d like to say how stoked I am to be featured on Veteran’s Day! We live and breath surfing and helping out the first responder/veteran communities and couldn’t be more pumped to work with Phase 5! But anyway, I got into wakeboarding as a teenager and my passion grew from there!
PHASE 5: Where are you from originally?
Robby: I’m originally from Huntington Beach, CA.
PHASE 5: How did Operation Wakesurf get started?
Robby: OWS started in 2015 and since then, we’ve averaged over 350 heroes every year that we’ve gotten out on the water. And every one has been able to drop the rope riding a Phase 5!
PHASE 5: How many veterans have you taken out on the water? How many have gotten up on a board?
Robby: Like I said, we average over 350 heroes a year and every single one has gotten up and dropped the handle! It’s definitely a testament to their will and the quality of P5 boards!
PHASE 5: How long have you been working with Phase 5?
Robby: Oh wow, it’s been 10 years at least! But even before we started working together, our boards were always P5 because they’re the best!
PHASE 5: Is there ever a favorite board on the boat for the riders? If so, what is it and why do the riders love it?
Robby:The Phase 5 Trident (57” & 60”) are our go to boards from day one. It’s a fast, stable and consistent/forgiving board that riders can jump on and feel good about right out of the gate. We use the 2” fin as well so it stays nice and stable.
PHASE 5: How many events do you typically put on in a season?
Robby: We average around 23 events in 11 states and travel about 25k miles! It’s a lot, but we love it!
PHASE 5: Run us through a typical day on the boat with a group of veterans.
Robby: Of course! For an event, we start off with “circle time” at 8:30 am, before we load up the boats. ‘Circle Time” is where I start off telling my story of how I got here and we go around until everyone has told their story! It gets extremely personal most of the time because it’s much more intimate than just sharing names and a “fun fact” about each other. These men and women have been through some very challenging things and it gives everybody a good understanding of one another.
After that, we load up the boats and ride until about lunch time. Once we get to lunch, we have another circle about the morning session and then hit the water again from 2-6pm! It makes for an amazing day!
PHASE 5: Thanks for talking with us, Robby! Is there anything else you’d like the people to know?
Robby: Just thank you to Phase 5 for believing in OWS and helping us make it possible for everyone! 100% of all donations go directly towards our events across the country. If you’d like to donate to the cause, that can be done HERE on the site!
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