As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This network will help accomplish our vision of an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example if you live the United States, Oregon region, and are trying to get into Wake Surfing then Dino Wilson is our recommended point of contact. He is an all around incredible human being and is passionate about sharing the stoke he finds out on the water.
If you are looking to get into wake surfing in Oregon, need insight on different lakes/equipment, or just want some pointers, reach Dino via his Instagram account: @dino_time
Let’s get to know Dino, your Oregon wake surf connection!
Q: Give us some background, who is Dino Wilson?
Dino: I’m a teenager who just turned 16 on July 2nd from West Linn, Oregon. I have always been around the rivers and lakes in Oregon and Washington. My GP (Grand Pa) would take me out to boat on Lake Washington and the San Juan Islands and my Dad would also take me out on the Willamette river. I have always seemed to like or do hobbies that were not what other kids were doing. After being introduced to wake surfing 4 years ago it has turned into one of my favorite things to do.
Q: How and when did you get into Wake Surfing in Oregon?
Dino: I was introduced to wake surfing in 2013 at a Tige Endless Wave Tour event at Camp Farwest in Wheatland, CA. I remember showing up there with my dad and GP thinking we were just going to check out boats. None of us really knew much about wake surfing. I had only been tubing and wakeboarding a little behind our 1990 Supra boat at that point. Apparently my dad had signed me up for a clinic with Sean Cummings and it was right when we arrived. At that point I had no idea what was coming next. We got into this huge Tige boat and Sean handed me a board and rope. They pretty much tossed me in the water and the rest is history. I met so many great friends that weekend and fell in love with the sport.
Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in Oregon, what are you doing to help it grow?
Dino: I know there is great ocean surfing on the Oregon coast and that’s something I want to try some day. Even though I have only been ocean surfing a few times in Hawaii, I have come to love surfing behind a boat. I know there is some amazing river surfing in Bend, OR and hope to do that soon as well. I want to bring more exposure to wake surfing for those who only think of ocean surfing in Oregon. I think @land_locked_surfing is a great way to spread the word and hope to explore and share my other surfing experiences here in Oregon. I have wanted to create some kind of school clubs based around wake surfing. It would also be cool to organize a wake surf event here on the Willamette river.
Q: What drives you to get better everyday and move up the ranks?
Dino: What drives me to get better everyday is to think back over the last year after I broke my leg snow skiing on Mt. Hood. The long recovery time has made me appreciate being healthier and able to just get out on the water. Having to take last season off due to the injury now makes me appreciate every time I can be on the boat with friends and family and enjoy the sheer fun of landing something new. I’m excited for the upcoming competitions I’m signed up for.
Q: What Are your goals as a wake surfer for 2017?
Dino: Besides finally being able to see old friends and meeting new ones this season, I hope to qualify for Worlds in Kelowna, BC this September. My passport expired over the winter and I didn’t just get it renewed for nothing!
Q: In the world of wake surfing who do you look up to most and why?
Dino: I met Parker Payne at some comps when I just started wake surfing. I have always looked up to him because I know he was young when he started and throws the craziest tricks on both surf and skim. He’s always posting something new and has been fun to watch being on podium at the pro level. My first custom board was the Payne Killer and get reminded of the insane tricks he can do on it and I hope to do someday.
Q: As a Land Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?
Dino: Wake surfing is something that not many people have tried because they don’t have access to the right kind of boat or know how to get a good wake. I love introducing wake surfing to people who have never done it or heard of it before. I can let riders know where good spots are and also how to weight their boats properly. Also there a lot of different resources out there I can point them to.
Q: Outside of Wake surfing what are your other passions?
Dino: I like to fly drones and especially my FPV (first person view) quads. Riding my Onewheel everywhere is one of my favorite things to do because people just stare and give you a very puzzled look. Another passion I have is making videos. I’ve always been interested in photography and videography and work on using these interests in my edits. When I’m not doing these things you can find me in the garage with something I took apart or putting back together. There is always something I’m working on or want to do next and never enough time.
Q: What is something funny very few people may know about you?
Dino: Something funny not many people know about me is that once I got my mom in trouble from a middle school teacher. She put one of those Jumbo Hershey Chocolate bars in my lunchbox. I decided to eat it during computer lab with a friend and we got chocolate all over the keyboards and carpet. She got an email from my my teacher scolding her on sending me to school with a Jumbo Chocolate bar and would appreciate if she would not do that again!
If you are looking to get into wake surfing in OR, insight on different lakes, or just want some pointers, you can reach Dino via his Instagram account: @dino_time
Keep an eye out as we will be introducing more Community Leaders from more regions and across more disciplines. In the meantime, head on over to @land_locked_surfing to see what other inland surfers are doing all over the world to get their fix! Keep the stoke alive!
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