Team O'Brien

Andy Nintzel

What's ur age?
-Ughhhh old, 29, that makes me a senior citizen in wakeboard years.

Hometown?
-White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Currently Lives in?
Same place, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

What's your current Set-up?
Player 143 and Xenon XL's

What's ur Sponsors?
O'brien Wakeboards of Course, The House Boardshop (www.the-house.com) , Cire Boardshorts, Utopia Optics, Pro Tec Helmets, Helium Wake, and FlyHigh.

Favorite Trick?
Is it cool if I have Two? A stand by Favorite is a Method to Blind off the Dub! This summer I have been addicted to Tail grab toeside backside 3s, they are so fun when you get a little poker on the grab!

What trick would you love to land that you haven't already?
Got a few here too. I cant get a grabbed Toeside Backside 5 to save my life. And a Switch pete, got it twice few but not enough to claim it yet. Watch out in 09 I will have them in the bag!

How many years have you been riding?
I have been riding a wakeboard just about since the whole thing started, I got my first skurfer in 1992. Did really take is seriously till 1994.

Favorite type of Riding? (comp/filming/freeride/rails/wake/cable/winch)
For me its all about the freeride, no pressure just good water and good friends. But there is something amazing about getting good solid moves on film that really makes you feel a great sense of accomplishment. And a good rail session is always a nice break from the wake.

How did you get into wakeboarding?
I grew up on a Lake in the "Land of 10,000 lakes" so water sports are in our blood here. In late 1992 my parents got me a Pink Skurfer Launch. They bought it to get us away from constantly having "Knee
board wars." That summer I learned how to get up on the board and that was about it. No one else in my crew could get up on the board, so we continued to kneeboard. The next summer I got a H.O. Pro wakeboard and it was on, the board made it way easier for people to get up on, and my whole crew started standing sideways.

Favorite music?
I am totally into Hip-Hop, Indie rock and Punk Rock!

Last Cd you bought?
Anti-Flag-The Bright Lights of America and MGMT-Onacular Spectacular at the same time.

If you could have any pet in the world what would it be?
That's a good Question, Probably a tiger or something crazy like that.

Do you have a favorite movie?
Oldschool and Super Bad Fo Sho!

Favorite place to Ride?
Bald Eagle Lake in Minnesota, we have a few other secret spots around the state too, but if I tell it won't be a secret will it.

Favorite place you've traveled? Any crazy stories?
I would have to say Germany as far as Global Travels are concerned. Man those people can drink beer! In North America I would have to go with Vancouver Canada, that place is amazing!

First job?
Tallys it was a Boat Rental place, so I got to wakeboard all the time.
Don't tell my old boss!

Favorite food?
I think that I could Live on Steak and Gummy worms!

First published photo?
Wakeboarding Mag in 03/01/2006 page 125. Nice Sequence shot of a Big Dub Melon Poke to Late Frontside 360. One of my signature tricks.

Have you ever been arrested?
Oh boy, yes I have. It was super embarrassing, believe it or not I got arrested at the Minnesota State Fair. Don't worry like they all say, "it wasn't my fault!" hahahaha Honestly though it wasn't they let me go with no charges filed.

What's ur worst injury?
From wakeboarding, I busted my Ankle in 2001. That was awful, nothing like a broken foot stuck in a boot. Right after the injury I went on Vacation to Alaska, a real outdoors adventure vacation. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time not going on adventures and a ton of time sitting around.

What would you be doing if you weren't Wakeboarding/skating?
I really dont know, I really like skateboarding a ton and snowboarding. I am sure what ever I would be doing it would be standing side was.

Boxers, briefs, or boxerbriefs?
BOXERS! Some things in life are just meant to hang!

What are you're hobbies aside riding?
Bought a house a few years ago so I spend a ton of time working to make it into a castle. I love bombing hills on my long board skate board that never gets old.

Chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?
Vanilla with Strawberry's Please!

Where do you see wakeboarding in the next 10 years?
I see progression continuing at a fast rate, we have so many riders right now that can throw down and so many young bucks ripping they are really going to push the sport. One thing about the current state of riding that I really love and hope to see continue is that push for style. Making every trick look effortless, grabbed forever, and blasted huge. I think that gas gets more and more expensive we are going to see a lot more progression with winch riding.

Do you have a favorite person/crew to ride with?
For sure, My Minnesota Crew is very tight-nit group of riders. A perfect day at the lake would consist of my Wife Mandy and out Dogs, my homies Sean Barret (the double up machine) and Colin Ryan (if you dont know his name you will soon!).

Favorite quote?
I got a few if that's okay. As far as wakeboarding is concerned, I have always believed in the cheesiness of "Spin to WIN." That is one of the truest statements there is. Quotes on Life, "Play to win, dont
just play to play." -Ryan Nintzel. And my all time favorite, "Some mornings its just not worth chewing through the leather straps." --Jim Morrison

What's the fastest you been in a car?
Viper, didn't get to drive it tho, we hit 145pmh-

What don't you like in wakeboarding and would like to see change?
I really wish that a boat company would step up and make a entry level boat to help more family's get into wakeboarding with a decent wake. It would be nice to see someone the Honda Accord of wakeboard boats.
Most average family's Cannot afford a $60 wakeboard boat.

Simpsons or Family Guy?
Family Guy all the Way!

If you could have any super power what would it be and why?
I think that I would have to go with the ability to defy gravity! You could really boost some giant Dubs with no Gravity!

What's something we don't know about you?
I have a 2 College Degrees and Licenses to sell Securities (that means I can sell stuff Like Stocks and Bonds).

Who inspires you to ride?
My Wife and Family. My dad never to this day complains about picking me up over and over again when I am trouble shooting something new. He always encourages me to give it one more try. Also, Watching some
of the O.G.'s of this wakeboard game really keeps me motivated to ride, seeing people Like Gerry Nunn, Cobe, Shapiro, Gator, Byerly still shreading really inspire me to keep taking and beating and let me know that progression never needs to stop!

Have you ever seen a ghost?
I don't think so-

Are you afraid of anything?
Not really, I guess my main fear would be injury at this point. A serious injury in Minnesota will steal your whole summer.

What do you want for christmas?
Xbox 360 and one of the Giant O'brien Party tubes come hook a brother up.