Welcome Deano!

Axis Wake Research (@AxisWake) in the USA and Australia are welcoming Dean Smith to their Factory Pro Team with this new little intro video.

Deano joined the Axis Wake Team back in April and just finished spending a few days with the Axis Factory Crew on the lake shreddin' behind the A22. Meet Dean Smith, his style of riding and his A22. He's good people and we're happy to have him on a board with Axis!

Tags: Axis Wake Research | A22 | Dean Smith | Team Axis | Australia | wakeboarder | pro | wakeboarding | Factory Pro Team | wakeboard boat

Axis USA & Australia Team Up to Sign Wakeboarder Dean Smith

Axis Wake Research (@AxisWake) welcomes the free-riding, massive air professional Australian wakeboarder Dean Smith (@DeanwSmith) to the team. Check out the video Alliance Wake Magazine put together of Dean shreddin behind the A22.

Axis Wake Research in the USA and Australia are welcoming Dean Smith to their Factory Pro Team because just like Axis wake boats, he is all about charging hard and doing it with style. Smith wanted a boat that would allow him to take his “go big or go home,” attitude into every riding session as well as every competition. It’s this approach that earned the Australian Pro the 2010 WWA Men’s Wakeboard World Championship title. A fun, unassuming guy, Smith has the heart of a lion and conducts himself with true professionalism. Together with his massive tricks and free-riding style, Smith’s character makes him a perfect fit for Axis Wake Research. Smith rides and lives each day to the fullest and that’s how these boats perform; like today is your best day on the water. Axis is proud to call Deano, as he is affectionately known, a member of the family.

When asked about his new team, this is how Smith responded, "I couldn't be happier on joining the Axis team! It is a company that shares that same passion about wakeboarding as I do, and is moving in a positive direction in the process.” Smith continued, “Having Randall and Keith as team mates is also a huge factor for me. Having 2 of the most innovative riders in world on the same team is a huge honor, and will only push me with my own riding. I'm looking forward to the 2011 season!”

On the pro wakeboard scene since 2004, Smith is no stranger to the podium. He has inflicted years of domination on the Australian Pro Wakeboard Tour. In 2010 he won the hearts of wake fans around the world by becoming the WWA Men’s Wakeboard World Champ. This underdog’s success is proof that if you want it bad enough and train hard enough victory is always within reach.

“I have so much respect for Dean’s riding, versatility and professionalism,” says David Thorpe, National Marketing Manager of Axis Wake Research Australia.

Smith is the first native Australian to earn the title of Wakeboard World Champ. He was born in Sydney in 1984 and still lives there for half of the year. He splits time between his birth place and Orlando, FL wakeboarding as much as he can on both sides of the globe. Together Axis Wake Research USA and Australia are keeping Smith in an Axis wakeboard boat whether he is Stateside or Down Under. This way Smith’s rigorous training schedule can remain just as intense no matter his location.

“Sticking to the Axis roots for pro athlete consideration, it is such a logical fit. Just like our boats, the rider’s attitude, style, and skill level must find balance. Deano has that,” explained Adam McCall, Managing Director for Axis Wake Research. “We at Axis look forward to working with Dean and seeing mutual benefit to the brand and to his riding career.”

Tags: Axis Wake Research | A22 | Dean Smith | Team Axis | Australia | wakeboarder | pro | wakeboarding | Factory Pro Team | wakeboard boat | Alliance Wake

Axis Style and Performance Attracts Another Free Riding Pro

Welcome, Keith Lyman | AXIS WAKE RESEARCH from JAOPRO on Vimeo.

Axis Wake Research (@AxisWake) is Keith Lyman's wake boat manufacturer of choice.

Wakeboarder Keith Lyman is going big behind an A22 as the newest member of the Axis Wake Research Pro Factory Team. Known for his unique riding style, his dedication to the sport and clean living, Lyman joins, Randall “The Vandall” Harris representing the industry’s fastest growing wakeboard boat brand. The Axis Wake Team now fuses the highest-flying, strongest style riders of the East and West Coasts into a team of professional athletes who are all about the ride and perfecting their craft. Lyman is a free riding legend and, like Harris, the embodiment of Axis Wake Research. The company is stoked to have him on board.

Check out the gallery of Keith Lyman's Axis Wake photos on the Axis Wake Research Flickr channel.

This is what Lyman had to say about the logic behind that choice. “I believe in the company, everything from the way their boats are built to their moral stance within our industry.” Lyman went on to say, “I’m stoked to see that Adam McCall [Managing Director for Axis] is an actual wakeboarder! He gets it! He is extremely switched on and has an understanding for keeping things simple! A quality that a lot of individuals and companies are seeming to stray from these days.”

Lyman believes the most important thing in life is, “staying positive and happy.” This guy may go huge behind his A22, but he is extremely grounded. Lyman prides himself on clean living and looks up to other riders who do the same.

Lyman’s list of respected, stylish, freeride mentors includes the “Who’s Who” of wakeboarding, with Ben Greenwood and Shaun Murray ranking right up there, but when we asked Lyman who has been most influential, he didn’t even blink before he answered, “Randall Harris.”

A motivating factor in Lyman’s decision to ride for Axis, his admiration of, Team Axis Pro Rider, Harris goes beyond wakeboarding. When we asked Lyman why he looks up to Vandall he responded, “Because he came from corruption to the light, as well as being unappreciated and black-balled, back in the day, to becoming one of the most respected and appreciated riders when he came back after taking a break for 2 plus years. He is the baddest rider on planet earth. He is wakeboarding.”

When Lyman had the opportunity to get behind the price-point wake boat rooted in style and performance, he was amped! Lyman said this after sessioning behind an Axis A22 for the first time, “…all I can say is WOW! It was awesome! It definitely opened my eyes and I can't wait to get one of my own!” He continued, “The wake is all around world class! It’s the way a wake should be! It’s huge, really clean, a good width and a perfect shape; great for ridin’ big or for just poppy wake to wake riding.”

Adam McCall, Managing Director of Axis Wake Research, had this to say about the newest member of the Axis Team. “The synergy with Lyman and Axis is clear. He’s a simple guy who rides because he loves it, takes every trick into the flats, and has a style all his own. His riding’s only rivaled by his positive attitude and work ethic.” McCall concluded, “He is an exciting addition to our team!”

Tags: Axis Wake Research | A22 | Keith Lyman | Axis Wake Team | Randall Harris | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | pro team