Your Location (where do you ride mostly): Lower Fox river
Weapon(s) of choice: Wakeskate, HD Video Camera, Still Camera
VISIT FRANKIES WEBSITE AT FRANKIEPANNO.COM
What’s an average day for you like?
Get up in the Am do the regular job for a few hours them ride the rest of the day.
What is the most difficult part of wakeboarding/wakeskating for a beginner? The easiest?
After getting up the first time I think charging the wake can Freak someone out.
How dangerous do u really think wakeboarding is compared to what people do in their regular activities?
I think it’s a calculated risk just like anything. Take your time with the basics and get a feel for your board then take a little further each time you ride.
I bet in your experience you have seen some crazy accidents. Describe one.
I saw a board glide across the water after a one of our friends was riding as she came up it slide right into her mouth and took out 6 teeth. And for sure had plenty of my own but i try to move on from that.
What usually gets people hooked on wakeboarding/wakeskating?
I think the air factor. going big is what everyone wants to see. Go big impress and usually that gets people pretty pumped to ride.
What is your favorite trick?
Probably a whirly bird. It looks crazy on a kneeboard
Do you own any other toys?
If you can pull it behind a boat I have it.
What gets you pumped up for the day?
Sunny weather and knowing there is some riding on the horizon
What are three things you could not live without?
My family. Kneeboarding. music
What are your expectations for this sport?
to show people you can go just as big on a kneeboard and still do crazy boardsport stunts on them.
Who have been your biggest supporters in getting you to where you are now?
I would have to say Scott Byerly. He has always backed what I’m about. Matt Munson from Munson marine/Malibu. Greg Nelson and dave Wingerter from HO Sports.Two of my friends that shot me all summer last year that really pushed what I was doing to the public John Brankin and Alicia from Minx Chaos Photography and Matt Maloy. Kevco at WBM for seeing my vision and putting me in the mag.
Who’s your favorite rider?
For style and what he means to his sport or I should say both of his sports Byerly.
What do you do in your spare time when you’re not riding?
Play drums, hang with my pooches. spending time with my girl
How about in the off season to stay in shape?
At my age I have eat as little as possible and stay in the health club at least 4 days a week For real lol.
What is your biggest goal to accomplish this season?
Bringing kneeboarding back to the forefront of board sports and show everyone what can be done.
What do you do to practice for a competition? Or for Wake Wars, since you aren’t exactly on a large body of water?
Great for me I’m a freerider and dont have to compete anymore. But I would love to get involved in starting a kneeboard event that’s all big air, rails and double ups. A much more open format then what is left of kneeboarding comps.
What’s your favorite way to ride? Behind a boat, Cable, Winch?
I love them all and try to do them all as much as possible.
Favorite conditions?
warm sunny butter
Where would be your biggest dream to ride and why?
Tahiti
What song do you listen to while riding that puts you in the zone?
there isnt one song for me i love to much music it depends on my mood that day
What turned you on to wakeboarding?
Back in the day when I moved to Fla to ride i was riding with friends on Lake Howell And I saw Cobe and Weddington doing it and 2 days later met Scott filming for Spray. I knew I wanted to ride like that so I just did what they did on my kneeboard.
What’s the hardest thing about being a wakeboarder?
Any new tricks you’re working on?
Wake to Wake Double Back roll and a Front Flip Mobe
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done wakeboarding?
Raley
What other extreme sports are you into?
I watch them all but boat surfing keeps me in the water and not so beat up.
If extreme sports didn’t exist, what would you be doing with all the free time you’d have?
Creating one or Playing music
What’s your favorite board to ride and why?
My own lol. I have a new signature board coming out for 2011. Its called The Agent by HO Sports
What’s the trick to grinding rails and not killing yourself?
Staying on the rail. No really balance for me.
How would you describe your riding style?
Taking a wakeboard mentality of big air and stylie tricks to a kneeboard.
What would you say is your signature trick?
Back to Back Mobe
Favorite drink choice to refresh yourself after a long day of riding?
Low Carb Monster. Helps with the belly lol.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Well Im there so i’ll take what i got lol.
Any of your own web pages or social media buttons you want links to? Youtube, Vimeo, FB, Myspace, Twitter etc. etc.
Facebook
Any additional comments you have?
Thanks to Tony for taking the time to see what I’m doing and giving me a chance to help show the world.
