Brad Smeele is a former world champion wakeboarder whose career was defined by fearlessness, innovation, and a relentless drive to push boundaries.
A two-time Junior World Champion, Brad quickly rose to prominence as one of the sport’s most daring athletes, becoming one of the first riders in the world to land a 1080 and pioneer tricks that had never been attempted. His boundary-pushing style saw him feature in the acclaimed film Prime, and in 2014, he took home Wakeboarding Magazine’s Trick of the Year for landing the world’s first double tantrum to blind over a mega ramp.
Just weeks later, in a devastating attempt to repeat that same trick, Brad sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left him quadriplegic. What followed was a journey not only of physical rehabilitation, but of deep personal transformation.
Brad’s story of resilience has since resonated far beyond the world of wakeboarding. With a commitment to finding purpose in adversity, he has become a powerful voice in conversations around disability, identity, and mental wellbeing. His 2022 memoir Owning It shared his journey with raw honesty and quickly became a beacon of hope for others facing life-altering challenges.
Now, Brad shares his experiences through storytelling, writing, and mentorship, reaching audiences worldwide with his message of courage, acceptance, and self-ownership. His continued involvement in the wakeboarding community as a commentator, along with his advocacy for spinal cord injury research, reflect a life still lived with passion and purpose—even if on new terms.
