Benny G
Colling Harrington Indy Tantrum to Blind
I’ve traveled many places with you, been to many contests, seen many things and there are times when you seem bored. Does something have to stand out for you to get really excited, or is that just kind of how you are?
Collin: I guess I’m just quiet and stay to myself. Usually when I’m on the road I’m never bored, nor at home either, because I’m editing every second that I’m home now. I’m always busy.
You seem more focused and driven now than ever. Do you feel that staying at home and editing rather than going downtown and partying is where your head is at?
Collin: Absolutely. You know, I’ll be 30 this summer, and it’s time for our whole generation to start looking at the future. I never really did filming as a backup plan. I just did it because I loved it. It caught my interest and I wanted to get good at it. Now it has turned into a full career. I earn half of my living just from filming.
Is that a tough pill to swallow, or do you look at it like it’s a better investment of your time?
Collin: It’s definitely an absolute investment of my time. At first I wasn’t looking at it like that, but I saw myself making just as much money off filming as I was off wakeboarding, and was like holy cow. Just recently I realized that it’s kind of my future. I do it because I love it and it has turned into a career. So I’m going to continue to go with that path and keep wakeboarding for as long as possible. There are so many times that my break from editing is when I go on a trip. I literally go on a trip and relax and have fun and just film, but as soon as I get home it’s like I edit seven days a week. I can’t tell you the last time I haven’t sat at the computer seven days a week. A lot of times I’m working till 11 or 12 at night. It’s pretty insane. I can’t count the number of times friends have asked me, “Hey, let’s go ride.” And I’m going, “I’m on a deadline. I can’t.” I love it. It sucks sometimes, but I still love it.
Who is the best rail rider in the world right now? For many years people would have considered you to be the best rail rider in the world, and probably still do.
Collin: I always wanted that award so bad and never won it. That was the one thing in wakeboarding that I wanted forever. Never got it.
I know you were nominated for it like four or five years in a row.
Collin: Yeah. I was always number two. Like wakesurfing. [laughs] I was number two in the world in wakesurfing for like three years in a row.
Damn you, Drew Daniello! [laughs] So right now, who is the best?
Collin: Raph Derome. I think everybody will agree. Kevin Henshaw is very good. The stuff he does, and what he does for rail riding is awesome. He was a young kid and he moved in with me and Shane. He was looking up to us and we kind of helped him on his way. It was cool to see him go and take his path in what he loved to do.
I think I even heard Henshaw say Raph Derome.
Collin: Yeah. A lot of us can do the rail hits that he does, but he does them every time really easily. I just filmed him not too long ago, and he’s pretty damn good. It’s insane. It’s awesome to have a rail park in your backyard. It helps.
How many days a year are you home?
Collin: I think last year I was on the road right around 100 days.
Would you say that’s less or more or about the same as the average rider who does the Tour and goes to all the WWA and one-off events?
Collin: Pretty much the same. I don’t know, it’s tough. With all the filming now, I tag along on a lot of trips just because I’m filming as well. I spend a lot of time traveling. I guess it’s about normal.
Are you planning on trying not to travel as much? Or more? What’s next for Collin Harrington?
Collin: My problem is I absolutely love traveling. The second I get a call with an opportunity to go somewhere, especially out of the country to somewhere I haven’t been, I say yes without even asking details. I’ve told myself I’m never going to miss an opportunity. I love the road. You get burned out after a while, but still, you come home and you are ready to go on the next trip.
