www.davidocaoimh.com/


Date of birth:
1993.02.12
Hometown:
Dublin, Ireland
Sponsors:
O’Brien Wakeboards, Wake Fury Clothing, Thongs Flips Flops, Xtreme Gene Wakeboard Camp,
Hobbies:
Wakeboarding, Filming, Cars, and lately I’ve been enjoying crashing drones!
Favourite athletes:
That’s honestly a hard question to answer. I’d have to say Conor McGregor, because I’m Irish, and also I admire his work ethic.
Gear:
O’Brien Valhalla (138) with Nomad Bidnings

BIO

I’m a 23 year old Professional Wakeboarder from Ireland. I also make lots of YouTube videos documenting my travels in a fun lighthearted way, and doing instructional videos.

I grew up wakeboarding in the cold in Ireland. Then when I was 19 I decided to leave university to become a full time professional wakeboarder. It’s been a crazy few years travelling, competing and wakeboarding nearly every day!!


INTERVIEW

What are you looking for to accomplish?

My main goals are to keep enjoying myself, and keeping the smile on my face. This definitely comes through achieving mini goals, whether that’s reaching social media targets, landing a new trick or winning a contest.

For 2017, I really want to try to encourage and help others to enjoy wakeboarding, and to grow the sport. I know a lot of people say that, but I mean it and if my actions can represent that, then that would be a big accomplishment!

What would be your greatest achievement?

In terms of tricks on my wakeboard, for sure landing a 1080, or a double flip. These were things I dreamt of doing one day, so landing them felt absolutely amazing! Then if we’re to look at competitions, I think last year defending my European Title in Ireland, against the current World Champion (Massi Piffaretti) was a great sense of achievement! :)

What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?

Not too many, thankfully when you fall, it’s usually just into water!! But it still can hurt haha! Knees and shoulders are common injuries in the sport, thankfully I’ve not hurt my shoulder. I’ve had a few small niggles with my knees, but no full reconstructions so I’m happy as this is a major setback for most athletes.

What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?

Learning new tricks for sure!! When you land a new trick it literally feels like the best thing in the whole world!! Like amazing!! So definitely that!

Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?

So unfortunately wakeboarding you need minimum 2 people as you need a driver and then yourself. But you can practice a lot on the trampoline which is really fun, and also in the gym too.

"David O'Caoimh"

What do you do during your training which is key to your success?

Enjoy it!! I think when you do a sport full time professionally it can take the fun out of it and then if you’re not enjoying it, then you’re not going to get better at it. I find cause I’m from a cold country, when I’m wakeboarding in good conditions I’m just super stoked, so it makes a massive difference!!

What are you most nervous about when competing?

Falling!! hahaha It’s the truth though. I don’t get nervous about what others are doing or anything like that, because it’s out of my control, just about me and my performance.

Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?

Haha, well I had a stalker, so I’m going to say that person is my biggest fan!!

"David O'Caoimh"

What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?

I think like 4 years ago, someone told me start a Facebook page. I hated social media and all that, but in the end gave in. Then I started Instagram, and then YouTube. My channels aren’t massive, but they’re hugely engaged and without that I’d have no brand and so I probably wouldn’t be wakeboarding for a job. So yeah, setting up a Facebook page was good advice!

"David O'Caoimh"

What are your future plans?

Terribly I have no plans, haha, just to wakeboard in good conditions as much as I can and to see cool places doing it!

What are your tips for those who begin now?

To just try it, cause people get scared to try it, but once they give it a go, they always love it and get really addicted, so 100% give it a go!!.