Noah Flegel’s goal for next year on the pro wakeboard circuit is a Top-10 finish.
“My goal for next year is to break into the Top 5,” said Flegel, of Lighthouse Point, who recently turned 17.
“Right now, I am No. 11. Next year, I am hoping to get in the Top 5. The top guys make around $500,000 a year.”
The North Broward Prep School junior fell twice during his semifinal run of the Pro Men’s Division to finish second in his heat with a score of 75.67. Only the winners of each heat advanced to the finals of the recent Rockstar WWA Wakeboard World Championships, presented by Supra Boats, at Mills Pond Park in Ft. Lauderdale.
The invitation-only event attracted 200 competitors from 15 countries during a four-day span. An estimated 4,100 spectators turned out for the event.
It was a good season for Flegel, who made two finals and got fourth place in two Nautique events – Nationals in Waco, Texas and the Wake Open – during the year. He entered the Pro Men’s ranks just a few months ago.
“I think it is great to be able to do what I do and make a living at it,” Flegel said. “I would also like to start my own company, something within the sport. I have some invention ideas I am trying to pursue so we’ll see.”
Flegel has also won two consecutive National and World Titles in the Junior Pro ranks, as well as winning the overall Junior Pro Series in 2013. He’s also won a World WakeSurf championship.
Flegel said he didn’t really think about a future in the sport when he first started.
“When I was young, I didn’t think of the future that much,” Flegel said. “I was just thinking of having fun and going with the fl ow. Not much has changed. I just turned pro. I still live a pretty normal life.”
His brother Keenan recently moved up to Orlando and is a student at UCF. He is on the WakeSurf team. His older brother has won every Wake Surf and Skim Style competition he has entered.
Competing in the Worlds was a huge accomplishment for Flegel, including the fact that he was competing in his hometown.
“It is really putting all of your best tricks together, ” Flegel said. “If you miss one trick you won’t be at the podium. You get two tries and eight tricks — all the toughest tricks. It is insane to watch because everybody is throwing their top tricks.”
Flegel is happy to be where he is at right now.
“It’s awesome to see what I have been doing,” Flegel said. “To see how it has built up to me being a professional athlete. Now I am in the very beginning stages of being a pro and I am trying to work my way up.”