Erika Langman: How She Found Her Groove As A World Class Wakeboarder & Why She Believes In Having A Backup Plan

Drown the Noise

Not everyone needs to be like Tiger Woods and start a sport at the age of two. Sure, that might give you an advantage, or leg up on your future opponents; but sometimes, all it takes to make it to the top in your sport, is talent and an obscene amount of dedication.

My next guest is a pro wakeboarder on the women's circuit and she's a prime example of what dedication, resilience and focus can get you. Erika Langman picked up the sport at the age of 15. She spent her childhood on the lake at her cottage in Northern Ontario, water-skiing, tubing and taking part in the typical water sports that existed at the time. Until one day her friends introduced her to the world of wakeboarding and that was it, she was hooked.

From a young age, her parents taught her the value of not quitting after committing to something. She needed to see things through to the end. If you want something badly enough, then you need to give it your all, even when the going gets tough.

In this candid interview, we discuss everything from discrimination in women's sports; creating her own style; the first trick she ever landed; the tight knit community that exists within the world of wake boarding; how a big personal loss pushed her in gear and motivated her to live each day to the fullest; and why she believes in the value of having a back up plan.