"Iron" Mike Ketellapper – Netherlands

Name:
Mike "Iron Mike" Ketellapper

Height:
5 Feet 7 1/2 Inches

Weight:
150 lbs

Place of birth:
Almere

Home Town:
Almere, The Netherlands

Stance:
Left foot forward

Equipment Set up:
Board / Bindings / Vest / Boardshort

Refreshment of Choice:
All kinds off juices

Sponsors:
Nutcase Helmets, Mystic Boardwear, Hyperlite and Lido Almere

Favorite Ride Spot:
Camsur, Antalya and Almere

Favorite Film:
The Boundog Saints

Favorite Sounds:
Rhythm & Blues

Favorite Get Away:
Games

Favorite Tricks:
Sw Mobe 5 / Crow Mobe 5 / Sw FF Nose Tail TBL / TS 900

Websites:
Sports Team: Nutcase Europe, Hyperlite World Cable Team/Dutch National Wakeboard Cable Team

Cable or Boat:
Cable

About me:
I started wakeboarding in 2003 at the Lido Almere in the Netherlands. It was after a school sports project that took me to the Lido Almere. After a few times my interest for wakeboarding was growing and growing, so my parents bought me my first wakeboard.

That year I also took my first Dutch Cable title as a boy and now, almost six years later, I became the EAME World Champion in Anapa, Russia. In those six years I lost a few...but I won a lot! 2008 was, of course, a special year for me, becoming World Champion. Also, 2008 was my first year in which I took part in the WWA Worldcups and at the World Championships in Camsur. It was a great year for me, placing 2nd in the Overall

In 2009, I started again on the podium at the WWA Worlds in Camsur, so this is again a great start for the season. I hope I’ll stay as consistent as 2008, that would be cool. Also a highlight for me is being a rider on the Hyperlite World Cable Team, I mean with Nick, Donald and Lior, it couldn’t be better.

So this is one off the things which inspires me in wakeboarding: standing at the top of the World, surrounded by a great team. I’ll travel a lot and see a lot of the world. This year is my first visit to the United States. I've been dreaming for many years to go there and now it’s actually happening in June at the WWA Worldcup in Orlando.

At home in Almer, my family understands why I put so much time in wakeboarding and they support me any way they can. I think that’s one of the most important things for a rider...when he or she is supported by his/her family.

I finally want to thank my sponsors, who are taking care of me. So thank you, Nutcase Helmets, Hyperlite, Mystic Boardwear and Lido Almere.