Who do you consider to be your strongest competition on tour?
So right now the field is filled with a lot of high quality talent. But with the competitive scene quickly changing keeping things fresh and interesting it allowed for guys like Sam Brown to really shine. Also, even though Tyler Higham didn’t have his greatest showing on tour this year I think the new format in wake will really benefit him moving forward as well. It’s really been the first time I’ve finished a season on tour and have a lot of work to do moving towards next year.
Who inspires you?
I gain a lot of inspiration from a lot of different sources. I’ve never really been the type of person who fixates on one particular person or thing. That being said, as I get older I’ve noticed that my nephew, my niece and my whole family have become a really big driving force for my motivation. Moving away from home every year in theory sounds like the dream, and don’t get me wrong it definitely was when I was 16, 17. But being away from home is getting harder and harder every year so personally if I’m going to make that sacrifice and separate myself from the people that I love for a long period of time, I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make it worthwhile. I do definitely channel a lot of positive energy from my good friend Alex Chumpy Pullin and my PT Nam Baldwin as well.
How old were you when you first wakeboarded?
So I was introduced to wakeboarding and waterskiing pretty young as my old man was into it when he was younger. So when my brother and I came along we hopped in the water pretty quickly. I first waterskied when I was 3 years old and wakeboarded a year later when I was 4. It’s crazy to think that personally I don’t have my own memory of me getting up on a wakeboard for the first time like I know a lot of people do. But me growing up in the sport and being influenced by an industry like wakeboarding was all the more special. It’s weird to think I’ve been wakeboarding for 20 years already and I’m only 24 haha.
What are you going to do in the off-season?
So right now I am writing this stuck in my mandatory 2 week hotel quarantine which sucks. But I am so excited to get out and just hang out with my family and friends. Being away from home this year was pretty difficult as I was dealing with a lot of personal things. So just being home and with the people that I love will be a lot for me. But as for my plans while I’m home, I cannot wait to be able to surf everyday when there are waves. I think that is one of the things I look forward to the most, just being in one of the most beautiful places in the world and sitting in warm water and catching super fun waves. I can’t wait. As for wakeboarding plans, I’ll definitely still be in and around the industry. I’ll probably end up filming a little video part with Hyperlite, there are plans to do a project with Red Bull and I work closely with Nautique while I am here also. There are a lot of exciting things coming up for Cory.
Are you going to compete and film in Australia?
Moomba is looking like it’s going to be moving forward so I’m definitely planning on competing in that plus all the projects I have coming up too.
Do you surf?
I try to surf everyday when there is swell. I live on the beach here in Australia so I can surf everyday when there are waves. I’m definitely not sitting here saying I am a great surfer. But surfing for me is the perfect outlet to just let my mind and body flow and enjoy myself.
What is the scene like in Australia right now? Is it still on lockdown or will we see some wakeboarding action in the Australian summer?
I think it is no secret Australia is making things very difficult to get out and do things right now. I don’t want to come on here and talk about covid. I swear that’s the only conversation I’ve had over the last 18 months or whatever. I try to look at the positives in life and enjoy the little things like waking up in my favorite part of the world every day or being able to do what I love for a living. If you start to worry about the negatives in the world like covid then it’s a vicious cycle of negativity which leads into mental health issues. I am out here trying to promote positivity and just being a good person. Everything else in the world doesn’t matter. That being said, I have a good feeling about the world getting back to normal again soon.
Who are the Australian OG’s?
Yeah I’m real good mates with all the old boys. Josh, Daniel Ike, Deano. It’s funny when they all get together and catch up for a couple beers all the old stories of being on tour come back out.
