Tina Bessinger - Photo: David Williams

Tina Bessinger has been one of wakeboarding's most influential woman riders. At 22, Tina has done more for wakeboarding in her four years than most people could hope to in a whole lifetime. Now, after being almost fully recovered from her knee surgery, she is ready to take to the water once again. Wakeworld gives you some insight as to what you can expect out of Tina in 2000.

WW: How old were you when you got into wakeboarding?
TB: I was 19 and a freshman at Seminole Community College in Florida.

WW: Who got you started?
TB: I was working at a local ski shop and knew nothing about the products I was selling. So I decided to go out with another guy who worked there to the lake on e day and watch. Charley Patterson was out there with us and he got me to get out here and try it. I loved it and have been hooked ever since.

Tina Bessinger - Photo: Joey Meddock

WW: So was that the end of your college career?
TB: For the time being. I mean, college will always be there. I plan to go back one day. I actually had to drop out because at the college I was attending you could only miss 3 days of school. When I started riding on the pro tour I was missing to many days. I went and talk to the dean and he said that it was ok if I missed more days, but I had to get a paper signed and I forgot so they kicked me out.

WW: Who got you into riding tournaments?
TB: Andrea (Gaytan). I met her a couple of months after I began riding and she convinced me to go to a tour stop in Highpoint, North Carolina. I ended up placing 3rd at the show.

Tina Bessinger - Photo: Joey Meddock

WW: So how did you end up meeting Greg Necrasson?
TB: I actually met him about two months after I began riding. We first got to talk in Seattle at the PWC tournament. The place where we first began to hook up was at the '96 Boardstock. Then about three weeks later we were dating and have been ever since.

WW: So what are some of the titles that you have won?
TB: Well, I won the '97 open and women pro Nationals, the Brendel Invitational and Boardstock '97.

WW: You're riding Liquid Force's first girl board, the Luscious. Rumor has it you designed it. Is that true?
TB: Yup, I actually designed it while I was injured. Jimmy Redmond helped me out. I told him that I wanted a board that was like the Super Squirt but a little softer on the landings. So he made it a little longer and wider than the Super Squirt. I really like the way it rides. It has a great edge and soft landings.

Tina Bessinger - Photo: Joey Meddock

WW: Where can we expect to find you this year?
TB: I have a fairly full season planned. I am running a series of clinics called the Bessinger Sessions. I will also be making some of the pro stops; Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Detroit. I will also be down south a lot in the spring doing different things.

WW: What new tricks are you working on?
TB: I am still working on getting a lot of my old ones back like a scarecrow, front roll and a 540, although I am trying new tricks every now and then.

WW: What ladies do you predict will be on top of the podium this year?
TB: I think now that Andrea has retired, we will see more stuff from Tara. I also expect a lot from Emily Copeland and Maeghan Major.

WW: Who are your sponsors for 2000?
TB: Liquid Force, Nautiques, Roxy, Velvet eyewear and Performance Ski and Surf. Stay tuned to WakeWorld to find out how you can meet Tina at the Liquid Force Bessinger Sessions.

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