Interview by Travis Putman

I've known Gabe for a few years now. He was actually the first bonified pro wakeboarder I met. I was, at first, under the sad misconception that all pro riders would be as laid back, and tolerable to listening how I just learned a 360 over the fun box as he was. Since then, Gabe has solidified his position as one of the most innovative/original riders in our sport and now I can do a 540 over the fun box...he's still kind of guy who will listen to my b.s. and tell me it's cool. He's gone from playing baseball for the University of Houston to producing wake films to making finals in a pro tour stop, and now has his own pro model and owns a skate shop....here's your peek into his brain

1. State all typical generic information.
gabe lucas, i like blondes and brunettes

2. You once had French braids on each side of your head that made you look like a fierce ram...any plans for letting the hair grow out again?
i dont know, maybe. it takes a long time to grow it out, and i have thick curly hair so it takes some maintenance. these days im more about simplicity.

3. Would you rather be tied down in a bed of fire ants for one hour, or walk through a one mile long cactus patch? Both naked.
weird question...when you say fire ants do you mean hot red headed bombshells?? that one sounds better

4. I don't know a single person that loves boardsports like you do. You wakeboard, wakeskate, snowboard, surf, skate, etc. What's with the freakish passion, and how do the other sports influence your riding?
i love riding. its exciting. im kinda addicted. at a young age i was around a lot of that stuff. my uncle was a tx gulf coast surfer and he would give me his boards, the older kids on my block would skateboard all the time so i would hang with them, my family would go on snowboard vacations to new mexico when i got a little older, and i eventually started wakeboarding in high school. and i still shred them all, and i will till i die. All of it influences my wakeboarding. it helps me to know whats possible, strengthens my overall board control, and also allows me to look at wakeboarding from many different angles. plus each one (even though they look very similar on the surface) has very different aspects, so that constant change is fresh and never stale.

5. You've done well in contests, but most of your coverage came from hitting crazy natural terrain (trees, gaps), and jibbing stuff (bridges, docks, rocks, dams, concrete walls). It's a very fresh/original take on wakeboarding. Where do you come up with this stuff? My last answer has a little to do with it, plus im all about progression. my riding had to go somewhere, and thats where i took it. i didnt try to make it happen. it just did. that stuff is real fun and challenging to me. but im also a product of my environment. texas has a lot of unique waterways and terrain.
 

6. What's the scariest gap or obstacle you've ever hit?
martindale gap. its huge. maybe 12-15 ft drop with a 20 ft concrete slab at the bottom. if the winch bogs after the "point of no return" you are history. i tried it once. i made the gap but i crumbled on impact. fooshee did it...nuts also the concrete wall ride (to step up) at the rick stone gap (featured in wakeboarding mag) was pretty intimidating.

7. I've seen your new pro model all over the place. Tell us about it, and why are people jocking your board so hard?
its the best board i have ever ridden. its a simple concept (like a surfboard/skateboard/snowboard) its easy to ride and its very durable. perfect for cable, or if your a winch addict. most people dont really think i ride it behind the boat, but i am riding better than ever...seriously. its fun.
 

8. Do flex boards really "pop" as well when riding boat?
mine does. seriously the vibe has the perfect flex pattern. it has enough flex to press out on rails, yet has enough stiffness to hold strong and pop hard off the wake. most flex boards have too much flex so they dont pop well off wake. we got it right

9. You've been known to ride behind a boat, jet ski, winch, truck, four wheeler....maybe a pair of oxen? What do you get from riding cable?
freedom. you dont need anyone. you can ride all by yourself. plus its a social environment, where you can meet new friends, and get motivated to progress. and its also pretty eco-friendly.
 

10. You've got a production company, Throw A Rock. What significance does the name have? Should we be on the look-out for anything new to drop?
throw a rock represents a lot of things. travis, if you want the deeper meanings you need to ask my another time. i will just say that throwing a rock represents putting life into action....going for it. dropping the hammer and swinging for the fences. everyone is given life. what will you do with it??? and yes, there will most likely be a tar3. after a brief hiatus....the powers that be have decided there is just too much energy around here to not put out a third project. word to your momma

11. What should we look for in 2010? Attending any contests, rail jams? Goals?
now that cable stock, corpus boat show, and the world series are all over with i dont know if i will be doing any more contests....oh i got invited to brostock for the double-up contest. pumped about that. never been before. and im sure there will be a few more rail jams that will need to be sleighed. but i will also be traveling around to cable parks all over the u.s. doing demo's and letting people check out my new board. GOOD VIBES TOUR COMING YOUR WAY SOON.
 

12. What would you most like to accomplish in your wakeboarding career that you haven't already?
i got a few ideas and goals, but having the number one all time best selling board would be sick!

13. Plug your shop.
RUKUS board shop in san marcos. the real deal (rukustx.com)
 

14. Is there anyone you would like to thank?
too many people to list. but my parents probably deserve it more than anyone else. and mother nature for not swallowing me yet.

Gabe Progressing the sport back at TSR in 2003! (Notice the UH Baseball helmet!)
 

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Jul 19th, 2010

Josh Rice

Ha! I was there when everyone was hitting that gap in 2003.  There were some gnarly falls on that one.  Gabe is a living legend!

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