Australia has produced some excellent wakeboarders. We meet two of the best – Harley Clifford and Cory Teunissen.
You see it everywhere on social media. Athletes twisting and turning behind a boat and using the wake as a springboard. The tricks get more and more difficult, the athletes do more dynamic turns, and the boats continually improve.
The rise of wakeboarding over the past three decades is a story of innovation, accessibility and a generation’s hunger for adrenaline on water. Born in the late 1980s as a hybrid of water skiing, surfing and snowboarding, the sport quickly evolved from a niche pastime into a global lifestyle. Early riders experimented behind boats with rudimentary boards, but rapid advances in design – wider shapes, continuous rockers and specialised bindings – transformed what was possible on the water.
A pivotal moment came with the introduction of purpose-built wake boats. Heavier hulls, ballast systems, and wake-shaping technology created clean, powerful wakes, allowing riders to launch higher and perform increasingly complex aerial tricks. At the same time, cable parks emerged across Europe, Asia and Australia, democratising the sport. Wakeboarding became accessible to urban riders and younger audiences, fuelling grassroots growth. Professional tours and events cemented wakeboarding’s credibility, while inclusion in multi-sport festivals and X Games-style competitions broadened its reach. Yet its enduring appeal lies in its versatility.
Wakeboarding can be high-performance and technical, or social and playful – an afternoon on the water with friends, music playing, and chasing progression at your own pace. Today, wakeboarding continues to evolve. What began as an experimental offshoot has matured into a global community united by creativity, freedom and the simple thrill of skimming across water, suspended for a moment between gravity and glide.
Harley Clifford
Harley’s earliest moments on the water were when he was just four years old. “I’d be out with my family on our little Lewis ski boat learning to kneeboard with my two brothers Ty and Ethan,” says Harley. “Both of my parents loved waterskiing, with my dad being a professional water ski racer, so we spent a lot of time on the boat. My dad’s best mate owned a waterski store, and when wakeboards started coming over from the States and being sold in stores, my parents borrowed one for us all to try. We all fell in love with the sport.”
Harley started competing at around six years old, and the writing was on the wall when he landed a flip in his first competition. He then started competing in state- and national-ranked competitions, and at the young age of nine, he and his family ventured over to the USA for the junior world championships. By 13, he was doing more and more events, winning his first Australian pro event, and at 14, stepped up to the pro division in the US. By the end of that year, Harley had won the world title, and the overall pro tour – absolutely incredible at such a young age.
Since then, Harley has a laundry list of wins, grabbing eight world titles, an X Games gold medal, and over 50 individual pro wins. Now a father of two, Harley has stepped back from competing, but continues to be involved in the sport, supporting grass roots and working on product development with his sponsors.
“I absolutely love being able to involve my two kids, Ellidy (5) and Koa (2) in the boating and wakeboarding lifestyle,” says Harley. “It has reinvigorated my love for the sport, and I look forward to an awesome life on the water with them and my beautiful wife Georgina.”
THE BOAT AND GEAR
What boat do you like to wakeboard behind?
Mastercraft XStar. I’ve had the privilege of working with Mastercraft and the amazing naval architect/engineering team on this boat. The goal was always “let’s make the best wakeboard boat with the biggest and cleanest wake possible”. That’s exactly what we did, and I’m so proud of this boat.
What are some of your favourite features of the boat?
The wake will always be number 1. The ergonomics of the seating, every angle is perfect. This boat is so comfortable to sit in. The disappearing stadium seating which folds straight down into the floor.
What is your go-to board?
My signature Liquid Force Remedy size 138cm, paired up with my signature Liquid Force Aero 6X bindings.
What are some of your favourite tricks?
Two of my favourite tricks are a tail grab KGB, which I love to cut as hard, and take as big, as I possibly can. For you guys who have no idea what that is, it is a heel side backroll with a tail grab into a late backside 360 rotation. My other favourite would just have to be a big tweaked out backside indy grab. So fun to charge and take as large as I possibly can!
Any advice for handling stress and staying cool under pressure in a competitive environment?
Yes, try and tackle these moments head on. Life does get stressful and hard but there is always a route to get to the other side. You just have to tackle these moments head on, and stay present.
You are based on the Gold Coast. Where are some of your favourite local places to get out on the water?
I lived on the Coomera River for the last 13 years, and have spent countless hours on this river, so I’m going to have to dedicate this as my favourite spot to ride. Apart from this, Somerset Dam is amazing, as well as getting some sessions in at the local Gold Coast wake park.
Visit mastercraft.com and liquidforce.com
Interviews by Helen Hayes.
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