Name: Matt Manzari AKA (gonzo himself)

Hometown: Schroon Lake, NY

Current Residence: Eustis, FL

Years Wakeskating: 2 1/2

Years Pro: 2

Did you start out wakeboarding first or jump right into wakeskating? Yeah, I have been wakeboarding since I was like six, so I kind of grew up in it.

First wakeskate you ever rode? Hyperlite Scape

First tech trick you ever landed? I kinda learned it backwards: I landed a backside big spin before a three shuv.

First Competition you competed in and standing? The first comp would be a Gator Boards tournament a few years back at the projects.

Do you think you are looked at more as a comp rider or a freerider (compared to how some guys do the same exact competition pass and others do something different each time). Well, I like to freeride a lot more, but in the competition season I work on my pass every time I ride. But I change it as I land tricks.

Being one of the youngest guys out there, you must have some guys who you look up to in the wakeskate industry. Scott Byerly. He's such an awesome guy and has helped build and push the sport and without him I don't think it would be where it is today.

You just switched and started riding for Gator Boards. How does that feel, to be on a team like that? I love it. Everyone on the team is real cool and supportive people to ride with, we all getting along really good and it's been a lot of fun.

Compared to the wakeboard industry it seems like there a lot of wakeskaters jumping from team to team. Well, I can't speak for anyone else but I like to stick with a team. I rode for Cassette for like a year and now I switched to Gator and I plan on being with them for years to come.

Boat, cable or PWC and why? If you asked me this two months ago Danny I would've definitely said jet ski, but now I've been riding a lot of boat. But I would say jet [is] where my heart's at.

If you had a stand-up pass and you were coming back into the dock at an event and everyone was watching what trick you would bust? Triple varial mCnine.

You ride with Reed Hansen a lot. How has it been watching him and riding with him these last two summers? It seems like both of you just popped up out of nowhere. I mean, I remember when Reed was trying to show me the biggest raley and whirly he could do and I had only met you once. Yeah, it's been fun. I remember when we first started wakeskating we would be riding doubles trying to land shuvits at the same time with my brother pulling us saying "you guys have been out there for an hour and a half can I please ride? Ha-ha, thanks Darren. Yeah, it's been a lot of fun and good to have someone so you can help push each other.

Go back three years from today. Did you ever think you would be where you are right now? I mean in a short period time you've ridden for Cassette and Gator. You compete and have podiumed in the Pro Wakeskate Tour. You work with some of the biggest film companies and you now ride for Nike. No, it's so crazy. I mean I feel like yesterday I was out riding for fun not even thinking about all this and the next thing you no it's your whole life and career. It's insane. But it's what I love to do and if I was getting anything to do it I would still ride everyday and push the same.

Take us through a typical day of yours. I'm sorry Danny, that's classified! But let's say they include skeet shooting, skateboarding, fishing, guitar playing, drivin the V8, lots of trampoline sets, ext., and wakeskating, obviously.

What's one trick that most think of as an easy trick to do that you can't do: I don't know, those tindies get me every time.

When you get pulled up out of the water what's the first thing you do? I know when I wakeskate I edge hs and do a fs 180: slash.

Two summers ago you had a couple injuries. I think one was how I gave you the name "Pirate." Well, if you're talking about me riding with my arm in a sling in my vest and an eye patch, then yes. Ha-ha.

You live in Florida. A state where the bugs rule the people and gators will eat you when you're not looking. How do you put up with the intense amount of deadly wildlife: Come on Danny, you know that's not a problem and we like the gators, we catch 'em I even had some pet ones for a while.

If you could start your own company/team: Let's say you guys made charm bracelets, I hear those are in this season. Which four riders would you choose and why? Definitely Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and David Hasselholf. Why you ask? Why not!

It seems like in the wakeskate industry compared to the wakeboard industry the wakeskaters could almost be called hippies and the wakeboarders prima donnas. Would you agree with that and why do you think the wakeskaters are so much different? It's almost like there's an underground wakeskating scene. With all due respect, and I mean with all due respect, that idea ain't worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin getting it on. Can't we all be friends?

List off the craziest line you've ever done: Hmm... 3shuv, kickflip, backbig, toeside inside out varial, frontside flip, 360 flip, back big flip then fell on an ollie 3.