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Official Name:
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Jeanne Al-Failakawi
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Team Position:
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Team Manager
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Date of Birth:
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August 31
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Place of Birth:
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Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
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Height:
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164 cm
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Weight:
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55 Kilos
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Al-Failakawi started wakeboarding in the summer of 2008. Her main purpose was to explore the sport of wakeboarding after watching local riders in Kuwait. She Decided since she could kneeboard, surf, skim-board, water-ski and scuba-dive that wakeboarding would be the best new sport to try in 2008.
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Do you have an idol? Who? Why? Or Who is your favorite rider? I don't have an Idol. I think all the wakeboarders whom I have met such as Elke Venken, Shelby Kantar, Dallas Friday, Dean smith, Jeff Weatherall, Andrew Adkison, and Nick Davies, have made the entire sport worth Idolizing. All the riders have made such an impact on me. After the 2008 World Cup Championship in Doha Qatar I found that these riders each with a style of their own are just like me, boarding has just become a way of life. For this I idolize the sport.
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Personal Goals: I would love to see this sport get recognition in the Arab world. I would love for women to be able to explore their talent with wakeboarding. I hope to establish a team of girls which will represent our country in future competitions and assist in getting Kuwait recognized as a country of skilled wakeboarders.
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What is your current wakeboard and why? My current board is a Hyperlite, 134cms, 2007 model. I purchased this board because I liked the way the board looked and the design of the board. Plus it was very light and since I had to transport it from the states; weight was a factor in making a purchase.
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What was your first wakeboard (if different from the one now)? My first wakeboard was a complete disaster for my heath and weight. I picked it solely based on the color and the logo which was "Chics Rule." The board was made by Nash it was completely the wrong size and width. I have since given it to my daughter as a gift, after having all the 2008 World Wakeboard Cup riders sign the board. Needless to say my daughter will not ride the board but it looks great hanging on her wall.
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Favorite time of day (week and year) to board: My favorite time of the day is actually the night. I love to ride after sunset during the summer
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How often do you practice (when, where and how)? Since wakeboarding is new to me, I have not established a consistent practice schedule. I was however fortunate to wakeboard daily during the 2008 summer. During the winter I have begun trampoline training.
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Current tricks:
- Basic tricks like switching, jumps, jumps from wake to wake
- I have executed a few grabs but have a long way to go in that field.
- Heelside 180’ from wake to wake
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Hardest trick thus far: Heelside 180' from wake to wake. This trick has been difficult for me because it is un-natural.
I have to force my body to turn and land opposite of what comes naturally.
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What is the best method of wakeboarding? Calm waters, weather, any board, behind any boat, using any rope
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Other interested activities: Scuba-diving, jet-skiing, knee-boarding, running, painting, reading, horse-back-riding
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Greatest Challenge: Greatest challenge so far is letting go of the fear of falling.
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