I first met Tyler Killingsworth through a mutual friend, who is also sponsored by slingshot wakeboards, in the summer of ’09 during a nice winch session at a friends pond. Tyler also became my co-worker a few months back, and I knew I needed to get him on TheForestLab.com. Some discussion took place, we finalized everything over 20 some odd yards of vinyl, a cutter buzzing in the background, standing in his garage while making a fresh run of TFL#! stickers.
As you’re about to find out, Tyler Killingsworth is a down to earth, easy going, likeable kind of guy. Big things are in store this upcoming summer season in the wakeboard world from this 23 year old riverside native reppin’ TFL#! tees with a unique riding style a swag that only a Killingsworth can dish out.
The Forest Lab: How did you first start wake’n?
Tyler Killingsworth: When I was 15 my dad rented a wakeboard and a houseboat on Lake Mohave and it took me 12 tries to get up. Ha, but I was the most determined out of 5 brothers and haven’t stopped since.
TFL: What pros did you look up to as a kid?
TK: I have always looked up to and respected Ricky Gonzalez and Randall Harris… The two westside OG’s, you know.. haha.
TFL: How old were you at your first competition?
TK: I was 15 yrs old in Lake Arrowhead. Old schoool
TFL: How have you kept an edge on other riders in the industry?
TK: Haha, I just try and keep to myself and have my own style. I am heavily influenced by snowboarding and skateboarding. I love that $hit
TFL: Where is your favorite place to wake?
TK: I like to ride in canyon lake but the dopest lake I’ve ever ridden on was in Minnesota. Can’t tell you what lake though, haha… It’s a secret
TFL: Who are your sponsers?
TK: I ride for Slingshot Wakeboards, Fresh-Tip Designs out of Minnesota and now y’all.. The Forest Lab!
TFL: What’s the toughest trick you’ve thrown down?
TK: Next, haha
TFL: If you could call another pro rider your best friend, who would it be?
TK: Ricky G has brought me up since I was 17 yrs old so he has been a big help and has taught me a lot. On the water and with the ladies. Haha, but nobody gets more chicks than that homie right there. He’s engaged with a kid now but trust, back in the day… Haha, I’ll stop right there.
TFL: Where would you like to see wakeboarding go?
TK: I would like for it to be more accessible to people that can’t afford a boat. Like the cable parks, or the winch. Those two have helped the sport grow to places the boating industry can’t even touch. We need a cable park in Cali. It would be over, haha!
TFL: How has the sport changed since you’ve started?
TK: Well the economy hasn’t helped at all, but what’s new. Wakeboarding is just an expensive sport, so it’s tough for people to get into. It’s not like a skateboard where you can just go in the street and be satisfied, it takes a lot. Everyone used to have boats and you could just ride whenever you wanted. Now days you have to take what you can get, whether it’s a small wake or a windy a$$ lake. Beggars can’t be choosers.
Written By: Josh Mezin
