Lake of the Ozarks, renowned as one of the top spots for water sports in the country, has also produced some of the world's best wakeboarders. A 17-year-old local rider recently added to that legacy by clinching the gold medal at a national championship.
Brody Spriggs has been wakeboarding for 12 years — the majority of his short life.
“The first time I saw a wakeboard was at the air show when I was five years old,” Spriggs said. “I remember seeing it and immediately wanting to try it. I told my mom, ‘I need one of those.’”
His success in the World Wake Association’s Junior Men’s division is not only a testament to his dedication, but a stepping stone for a professional career.
Brody's parents Michael and Paulette own Point Randall Resort, a small resort and marina on Lake of the Ozarks. “His happy place has always been in the water,” Paulette said. “It’s exciting to know he’s chasing his dreams.”
Spriggs traveled to the 2024 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championship with his aunt and uncle, competing at Lake Tye in Monroe, Wash., from July 25-28. Equipped with a new sponsorship from Ronix and familiarity with the venue, Spriggs felt ready for the challenge.
“I was the last rider off the dock in my group, so I had the chance to watch the nine other riders go before me,” Spriggs said about the semi-finals. “All the riders were hyping each other up, like we all wanted everybody to do good.”
His first run started off rocky. During his initial trick, a backroll, he nearly fell due to an unusually high pop. “After that, I was kind of hesitant,” he admitted. He attempted a whirlybird to end his first pass but “completely over-rotated and ate it,” leading to a concussion check by the boat crew.
Despite pain from the fall, Spriggs refocused and adjusted his strategy for his second pass.
“In my mind, I knew I had to lock in and literally land everything right here just to make it to finals,” Spriggs said. “I switched up my second pass because my first half got messed up.”
--- Watch Highlights of Brody In Action ---
He revamped his second pass, featuring a backside 360, a toeside scarecrow, a heelside 540, and a half cab roll, culminating in a wrap KGB—a trick he had failed the previous year. That fall had bruised his sternum and pulled his lower abdomen.
“But this year, I brought it around and landed it,” Spriggs said. “I was so stoked at that point because that was a milestone in itself to land that trick in the comp. And at that point, I didn't even know if I made the final, but I was just super pumped to land that trick.”
In the finals, Spriggs faced colder weather, making the water feel more intense. He fell on the same trick from the previous day and faced a critical moment.
“I was a little bit mentally off after that fall,” Spriggs said. “And then I fell on my third trick in the second pass. You only get two falls. I kept thinking, ‘I never ever fall on a 540. I feel like I just threw away this amazing shot at taking home the gold for this national event.’”
Despite the setbacks, grabbing the board during flips and spins earned him the top spot, narrowly winning by 2.33 points.
“The four of us in the final were sitting in a circle to look at who won it together, but I had to go to the bathroom real quick,” Spriggs said. “All of a sudden I hear these guys going hype. I was like, ‘Oh no, what happened.’ Then one of the guys said, ‘Where have you been? You just won!’”
Spriggs was stunned, as was his mentor, Kirby, owner of Kirby’s School of Wake and a world champion wakeboarder. “He was like, ‘I watched the ride. Are you sure you won?’” Spriggs said. Spriggs showed him the scores and got a big congrats from his mentor.
And a week later, Spriggs placed third at the Southern Plains Festival in Oklahoma despite being ill.
His next goal is to podium at the World Wakeboard Championship in Australia in September. Then after finishing school this fall, Spriggs will move to Florida to coach with Kirby and continue pursuing his pro dreams.
“We are so proud of him,” Paulette said. “I encourage Brody's dream because his opportunity is now. He can’t go back, and I see the joy it brings him.”
"If it wasn't for my parents, Kirby, and even my girlfriend Nikki, I don't know if I would be wakeboarding right now," Spriggs reflected. "I would also like to thank Ronix for sending me my board and Stateamind Watersports for sponsoring me."
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