Meet Julia Rick, the ‘Female Wakeboard Cable Rider Of The Decade’, as awarded by the IWWF this year. Julia is 3x IWWF World Champion and 4x the IWWF World Cup winner, as well as the first woman to land a number of moves, like the heelside backside 900, switch toeside Backside 900 and a mind-boggling 1080.

Currently traveling the world, Julia is trying to push the level of women’s wakeboarding, both via her results in international events and her YouTube videos/social media.

Julia first began wakeboarding in 2009, but was already also playing in the ‘Second German Football League’ in Cologne (talk about multi-talented!). She decided finally to leave her football career in 2012 to focus only on wakeboarding professionally – and we are so glad she did. Julia is truly shining a light on women’s wakeboarding, pushing the boundaries in competitions, smashing stereotypes and acting as an inspiration for women in the sport.

We were able to catch a few minutes with Julia to ask her about her recent win in the Moxie pro cable event, the benefits of being self-critical in a healthy way, and her thoughts on gender equality in watersports.

Hello Julia, thank you for joining us! You recently won the @moxieproseries cable event in July – Congratulations! Could you tell us about that?

Thank you!! For the Moxie pro cable event, every rider needed to send in a line consisting of five consecutive tricks. I filmed my line in Mexico and started my run with a Backside 900 which I’m kinda proud and stoked about! Really happy to have won this event!

What has been your favourite wakeboarding moment so far?

There are lots of amazing memories! Winning World Championship titles or landing new tricks are great moments! My latest new trick is the KGB 540 but landing a Backside 1080 as the first woman ever was definitely one of my favorite moments so far!

What motivational methods do you use to keep persisting and trying a new trick, even when you fail?

I don’t use any special motivational methods. If I feel like trying a new trick, I just go for it. If you really want to land any specific trick you just go for it again and again, even when you crash hard.

Have you ever suffered any injuries and how did you lose the fear to get back up?

Luckily I haven’t had any serious injuries yet. In 2015 I broke my hand, but kept riding and won the World Cup in Shanghai before I got back home and the doctor told me it was broken! I have already suffered many concussions, especially from crashing while doing air tricks. I think you need to be aware that you can get injured anytime, not only when you are on the water wakeboarding. If you don’t overestimate your skills and only trying tricks which are you capable of, it will be totally fine and the risk of getting injured shouldn’t be too high. It is okay to have respect for some tricks but don’t be scared and try to always have fun!

Mentally how would you beat imposter syndrome and not compare yourself to others?

I just had to google “imposter syndrome“… I don’t have this kind of syndrome so I don’t have to beat it I guess 🙂 I think it’s okay to be quite critical with oneself and it’s normal to compare yourself to others if you want to get better. I learned a lot because of critical self-reflection and I think this is a good thing! Of course, you shouldn’t be too hard with yourself, but I believe, as long as you work hard enough, you will eventually achieve your goals!

Do you do any other watersports too, and which skills do you cross over between them?

Yes, I also know how to Surf and how to Kite Surf! However, I don’t do it a lot, at the moment I rather go Skateboarding 🙂 Skateboarding definitely helps my balance and coordination!

How do you think water sports empower women?

I think it was a great decision when the World Surf league decided to put equal prize money in their competitions (I think it was in 2018). The WWA followed them and I think it is great for equality in water sports/wakeboarding.

I think, sports in general is a great way to empower women and to push for gender equality.

Have you had any experiences of discrimination because of your gender in the sport?

Unfortunately, there have been – and still are – some events which are only for men. Women don’t have any chance to enter them and to represent them. Furthermore, in most events, women still receive less prize money.

What would you say to anyone out there reading who is thinking of starting but feels nervous?

Just go to any wakeboard cable and try it out! Start with kneeboarding and waterski, to get a feeling for the pull of a cable park. Many cable parks also offer slow hours with slow speed and clinics for beginners! There will be lots of nice people helping you to have a great first experience on the water! Just try it out and don’t be anxious or nervous!

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