Get a quick catch up with John Akerman as he answers some random questions below!
PHASE 5: Yo John, I’m gonna rapid fire you some random questions. Sounds good?
John: Yo P5! Fire away.
PHASE 5: Which do you prefer, surf or skim?
John: I’m most known for my skim riding. However, I’ve been hyping surf style riding the last few years. I started riding surf a lot more since the waves have gotten bigger and more powerful. I started playing around with the surfboard foam, shaping, designing, and testing what I created. This has sparked a flame within my surf riding.
PHASE 5: Which surf are you feeling right now? Your Ahi or Sensei?
John: I’m really stoked on my Sensei right now. It’s a fresh release which is exciting, and it’s designed for a new purpose which has brought my riding to a higher level. But, all I did was build my quiver with the Sensei. I like to have both boards with me at all times depending on what boat I’m riding. If I’m riding a medium size wave, my AHI is going to perform best. If I’m riding boats that have a bigger wave, the Sensei is going to provide a ride most wakesurf boards can’t provide due to how much control you have while riding this board.
PHASE 5: What are some of the major differences between the two?
John: The Ahi is a wider shape in the mid section and the tail. This feature allows it to carry so much speed And allow you to surf super far back on any Wakesurf wave out there. The Sensei is a progressive Surf Style shape with a narrow straight mid section and a wing near the tail that makes it super narrow on the tail. This feature is a game changer for control on any maneuver or if you are a rider who nose dives a lot of “pearls”.
PHASE 5: If you weren’t a professional athlete, what do you think you’d be doing?
John: If I wasn't a professional athlete, I would've chased the boat captain dream. Learning to operate some of the most expensive boats, and making a living island hopping, and hosting people on the best trips of their lives.
PHASE 5: What has been your coolest experience over the last 365 days? It doesn't have to be surf related.
John: My coolest experience this season was getting the invite to the Revel Ruckus Winch Big Air Contest at Revel Surf Parks. It was a Tow-at style contest format with the MotoWinch with some of the best aerial surfers in the world. A memorable moment for me was my board transfer from skim to surf!
PHASE 5: Do you draw inspiration from other sports/athletes for your riding?
John: I definitely pull inspiration from skateboarding, ocean surfing, and skimming at the beach. I try to bring a different approach to how I ride behind the boat from the other sports I do when I'm not wakesurfing. Brad Domke inspired me by watching him ride when I was coming up. That dude is so consistent, super technical, charges, and makes every trick look easy when you know it's not.
PHASE 5: Where do you think foiling is headed? Is it still climbing or is it starting to level off?
John: I think foiling is definitely climbing and will continue to do so for a long time. The fact that you can surf rollers and ride with all of your friends at once is an absolute cheat code! So imagine when foiling is as common as knowing how to wakesurf. Aside from that, the air time and tricks guys are pulling today is insane! I can't wait to see what the future holds for foiling.
PHASE 5: What are you looking forward to most in the next 365 days?
John: I'm looking forward to marrying my fiancée in the Bahamas in April!
PHASE 5: If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only have one movie to watch, what would it be?
John: I would watch Chief Of War. Then, I'd turn into Jason Momoa and wait for the "Pale skins" to come rescue me.
Check out John’s full line of boards & accessoriesHERE!
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