Local wakeboarder shreds back to pro circuit

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) —  A local wakeboarder will soon be heading back to the pro circuit, but her passion for the sport goes far beyond just the board.

Kara Davis started wakeboarding when she was just 8 years old on Lake Gaston. She moved to Wrightsville Beach about 5 years ago to start a wakeboard school called “Shred the Gnar“.

Davis and Corbin Minor teach kids of all ages and skill levels.

“It’s easy to build confidence because every time a kid comes out there is always something they can learn, if it’s surface 180s, getting up for the first time, going over the wake for the first time, or catching air for the first time,” Davis said.

The goal is to educate students about the sport in a fun atmosphere and also promote positive attitudes.

“The best part of my job is seeing a kid land a trick or get up for the first time and the smile on their face,” Davis said.

She was once the best woman wakeboarder in the country but took a few years off. Now she’s ready to get back to competing in the pro division and being one of few women in the sport Davis says everyone is supportive.

“It’s definitely a male dominated sport so all the girls kind of get together and really push each other and all ride together and all really good friends,” Davis said.

She says the training is exhausting though.

“Right now I’m two weeks out from the first pro event of the season and pretty much have a contest pass set in mind and I just go out and do it over and over again until you just do all the tricks in a row, the same tricks every time and you don’t fall,” Davis said.

Shred the Gnar Wakeboard School will be hosting a contest at Boiling Spring Lakes on July 22. It’s open for all ages and divisions.