Bonifay Banter Podcast
Two wakeboard brothers Parks and Shane Bonifay have on epic guest and talk about the wild stories that have happen along the way. Stories never die !! Let’s banter
46 - DON WALLACE - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 46 | Don Wallace — 30 Years of Liquid Force, Brostock & the Future of Wakeboarding
This week, Parks and Shane finally get someone they've been wanting in the Banter Studio for a long time — Don Wallace, a guy who has spent the last 30 years helping shape wakeboarding from behind the scenes at Liquid Force.
Don started out as a team manager at Liquid Force and has been working with Shane since the very beginning of Shane's relationship with the brand. Over the years, he's been a part of some of the bi...
45 - TODD WEATHERILL - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 45 | Todd Weatherill — The Birth of Wakeboarding, WWA, X Games & the Glory Days
This week, Parks and Shane welcome a true piece of wakeboarding history to the Banter Studio, Todd Weatherill, the original president of the WWA, former O'Brien team manager, legendary contest announcer, and someone who has been part of the sport since the very beginning.
Todd was there when wakeboarding was just getting started, hanging out with the pioneers who helped create the sport we all love today. From his friendship with legendary board shaper Jimmy Redmon to w...
44.5 - YARDSALE 8 ON THE ROAD EPISODE - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, we're taking Bonifay Banter ON THE ROAD! Parks and Shane packed up the microphones and headed to Valdosta Wake Compound for Yard Sale 8, one of the wildest gatherings in wakeboarding!
No studio, just catching up with friends, checking out the action, and getting the inside scoop on everything going down at Yard Sale 8.
With some of the best riders and personalities in wakeboarding all in one place, you know there's no shortage of people to talk to or stories to tell.<...
44 - JIMMY LARICHE - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane welcome one of their closest friends, Jimmy LaRiche, to the Banter Studio for an episode packed with hilarious stories, old memories, and plenty of classic Bonifay chaos.
Jimmy goes way back with the Bonifay brothers, and their friendship goes way beyond wakeboarding. He was there when Shane met his wife, actually introduced Parks to his wife, and has been part of some of the biggest moments in both of their lives.
Over the years, Jimmy and Shane shared a bunch of the same sponsors, which meant traveling the...
43 - RODRIGO DONOSO - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 43 | Rodrigo Donoso
This week, Parks and Shane sit down with longtime friend and legendary photographer Rodrigo Donoso.
Rod has been around wakeboarding for a long time and has captured countless iconic moments along the way — including plenty of photos of the Bonifay brothers. He’s traveled, shot, and hung out with some of the biggest names in the sport, so you already know he came to the Banter Studio with some great stories.
The boys talk about how Rod first found wakeboarding, how he got started behind...
42 - BRUCE CLEM - BONIFAY BANTER
Bruce Clem and longtime friend Scott Byerly hop in the studio for an episode that feels like opening up a time capsule from one of the best eras in wakeboarding.
Bruce was the mastermind behind the legendary wakeboard film For What It’s Worth, one of the early digital wakeboard videos and still one of the best snapshots of what it was actually like to be a pro wakeboarder back then. Bruce wasn’t just behind the camera — he was close friends with many of the biggest names in the sport, which...
41 - HANK AMOS - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane sit down with Hank Amos, a guy whose career has taken him from the early days of waterskiing and wakeboarding all the way to some of the biggest movie sets in Hollywood.
Hank goes way back with the Bonifay family. He worked alongside Parks and Shane’s parents, Pete and Betty Bonifay, at Cypress Gardens, and Pete was even the one who taught Hank how to hang glide — which, as you can imagine, led to some pretty wild stories.
Hank was one of the orig...
40 - FYNN BULLOCK - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane sit down with Fynn Bullock, a guy doing something not many athletes can say they do — competing professionally in two completely different board sports.
Fynn is a pro wakeboarder AND a pro snowboarder, spending half the year chasing summer on the water and the other half chasing winter in the mountains. And he's not just competing in both — he's winning.
Fresh off a massive contest win and a $50,000 payday at Wakefest, Fynn joins the boys to talk about what it takes to travel the worl...
39 - ZAHRA KELL & EUGE DE ARMAS - BONIFAY BANTER
Parks and Shane are joined by some of the best female wakeboarders in the world, Zahra Kell and Euge De Armas, just before Stop 2 of the Pro Wakeboard Tour. (This episode was recorded before the event and released afterward.) Since then, Euge has gone on to win the stop and now sits at the top of the Pro Tour points standings!
The girls stop by the Banter Studio for an awesome conversation covering everything from career-defining moments to life growing up on opposite sides of the world.
In this episode, the...
38 - LA FAMILIA - BONIFAY BANTER
This week is a special one as the Banter Studio is packed with the crew behind one of wakeboarding's most talked-about films, La Familia The Movie.
The episode is split into two parts, starting with Argentine twin brothers Ulf Ditsch and Kai Ditsch. These two have become known around the world for taking some of the most technical tricks imaginable and doing them bigger than anyone else, sending everything way out into the flats.
Parks and the boys dive into:
37 - BONIFAY BANTER - MIKE FERRARO
This week, Parks is joined by one of the hardest-working people in wakeboarding, Mike Ferraro.
Known by many as the hardest working man in wakeboarding, Mike has spent decades helping shape the careers of some of the biggest names in the sport. From coaching legends like Darin Shapiro to world champions like Meagan Ethell, Mike has quietly become one of the most respected coaches and mentors in wakeboarding.
Parks and Ruck have worked alongside Mike for years through Ronix, so this episode is packed with s...
36 - BONIFAY BANTER - AARON KATEN
Bonifay Banter — Episode 36 | Aaron Katen
This week, the tables get turned in the Banter Studio as Aaron Katen steps in and practically takes over the show. Instead of Parks and Shane asking all the questions, Katen puts the Bonifay brothers in the hot seat and takes the conversation in every direction imaginable.
Aaron has been part of the wakeboard industry since the early '90s and has been friends with the Bonifays for just about as long. For more than 30 years, he's been behind the camera capturing some of...
35 - SETH ENSLOW - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 35 | Seth Enslow… & Scott Byerly
The Banter Studio welcomes a true legend. Seth Enslow joins Parks and Shane, alongside longtime friend Scott Byerly, for one of the wildest conversations we've had yet.
Seth literally drove thousands of miles from California to Florida to make this episode happen, and the boys couldn't have been more stoked. Growing up, Parks and Shane watched Seth do things on a motorcycle that most people wouldn't even attempt in their dreams. From setting distance records and launching jumps over 300 feet...
34 - JOEL POLAND - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Joel Poland joins Parks and Erik Ruck in the studio while Shane is off in Germany.
Joel is widely considered one of the best water skiers on the planet and holds multiple world records, so the boys were fired up to sit down and pick his brain about everything from the current state of waterskiing to where he thinks the sport could go in the future.
The episode dives into:
🌍 Joel’s perspective on the evolution of waterskiing🚤 What it’s really like doing ski flying📏 How changing a slalom course setup even slightly could complet...
33 - CAMBELL SCARBOROUGH - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane are joined by one of the gnarliest young riders in the game — Cambell Scarborough.
Cambell pulls up to the studio straight off the water, still soaking wet, and brings that same energy into the conversation. Known for doing gnarly bigger gaps than just about anyone — male or female — she’s built a reputation on winching, massive gaps, and fearless riding, all fueled by a straight-up love for wakeboarding.
🌊 Rolling into the studio fresh off a session
💥 Her infamous crash
<...
32 - SCOTT BYERLY (4/20 BIRTHDAY EPISODE) - BONIFAY BANTER
The Godfather of wake is BACK.
Scott Byerly returns to Bonifay Banter for round two—and this time, we’re dropping it on his birthday… 4/20 🎂
If you thought the first episode covered it all, You'd be wrong. This one dives into everything we didn’t get to the first time, and it goes deep.
We also get a surprise call from Down South Dave, who taps in to tell firsthand stories from the legendary 1994 Worlds—giving a raw look at celeabrating with he winners (Scott and Gator) and what things were really like back then
By...
31- SHANNON GALLAGHTER w/ YESSENIA BOLANO - BONIFAY BANTER
This week on Bonifay Banter, Parks and Shane switch it up in a BIG way…
Joined by wildlife rehabilitator Shannon Gallagher (Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Rescue of Dade County) and her partner in rescue Yessenia Bolano, this episode is ALL ABOUT THE BIRDS. And trust us—these stories are wild. (The work they do is done under proper licensing with fwc and usfws)
From rescuing toucans and climbing trees to help bald eagles, to getting bitten in the process, Shannon and Yessenia break down what it really takes to dedicate your life to wildlife rescue. This isn’t just fe...
30 - JAMES BALZER - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane are joined by longtime friend, former teammate, and all-around legend James Balzer.
Balzer and Shane go way back — from being sponsored together by Liquid Force and Monster Energy, to traveling the world on Brostocks, Monster trips, and countless photo shoots. This episode is packed with stories from those wild times and everything that’s happened since.
The boys get into:
🏆 Podiuming at Brostock and the madness that came with it
🎢 The legendary SPR (Single Person Rollercoaster) — dreamed up by...
29 - DANIEL JOHNSON & STEFANO COMOLLO - BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane sit down with two of the freshest faces in wakeboarding — Daniel Johnson and Stefano Comollo — representing the next generation coming up out of Clermont.
Part of the crew known as the Outliners, these two have gone from local groms to riding in the pro division and making their presence known. Daniel (DJ) hails from North Carolina, while Stefano is originally from Italy, but their shared drive and time riding together has pushed both of them to a whole new level.
The boys get...
28 - CHAD SHARPE - BONIFAY BANTER
This week the boys welcome longtime friend Chad Sharpe to the studio — along with the always entertaining Erik Ruck. Known as the “Crazy Canuck/ marbles/chowda/cha,” Chad has been a friend of Parks and Shane since they teenagers and was a core member of the legendary Pointless crew.
The episode turns into a full throwback session as the guys talk about growing up together on tour, building rails, traveling the world, and creating some of the wildest moments in wakeboarding
The conversation dives into:
27 - PARKS AND SHANE - BONIFAY BANTER
No guest this week — just the brothers back in the studio doing what they do best… pure banter.
Parks and Shane catch up on what they’ve been getting into lately, dive into Patreon questions, and bring back a fan-favorite segment with a call to their buddy Danny Hampson for a classic “How’s the Fish Biting?” check-in.
Things get competitive when Parks puts Shane on the spot with a ridiculous challenge — guessing how many digits are in the number he’s thinking of — with pride officially on the line.
The episode also...
26 - THOMAS HERMAN -BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 26 THOMAS HERMAN KING OF DOUBLE UPS
This week, Parks and Shane are joined by Thomas Herman, the wakeboarder who made history as the first person to land a triple flip behind the boat — and went on to win Red Bull Double or Nothing.
The boys sit down with Thomas to talk about how life has changed since landing the trick that shook the sport, what it’s like suddenly becoming one of the most followed wakeboarders on social media, and how that attention has tur...
25 - RIVERS HEDRICK - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 25 (Rivers Hedrick)
This week, Parks and Shane are joined by Rivers Hedrick, one of the most dominant wakeboarders in the world right now — male or female. Rivers has a lot happening, and this episode dives straight into everything that comes with being at the top of the game.
The crew talks about her brand-new video project Domain, what went into filming and editing it, and the reality of juggling riding, traveling, competing, and creating at the highest level. Rivers also opens up about the closure of her h...
24 - UNCLE RUSTY NAPIER - THE BONIFAY BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 24
This episode is a little different — and one you don’t want to miss.
Uncle Rusty Napier joins his nephews Parks and Shane in the Banter Studio, and from the moment he sits down… he pretty much takes over. And honestly, the boys weren’t about to interrupt — because Rusty came loaded with stories.
Rusty dives deep into his life, including his time serving in Vietnam as a Lieutenant in the Air Force, where he shares firsthand stories about being drafted, following in his father’s...
23 - CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - GRAB MATTERS X BONIFAY BANTER - PART 2 WITH HUNTER THANE AND ERIK RUCK
This episode is Part 2 of the Christmas Special, teaming up with the Grab Matters Podcast and wrapping up an epic two-part hang with Hunter Thane and Erik Ruck.
In Part 1, the boys were over at the Grab Matters studio talking all things wakeboarding. Now the roles are reversed — everyone’s back in the Bonifay Banter studio, cracking some beers, handing out stockings, and putting Hunter Thane in the hot seat.
The crew dives into:
🎄 What it was really like starting Grab Matters
🎙️ How the podcast has grown and where it’s headed
🍻 Beers, s...
22 - TYLER BEREMAN - THE BONIFAY BANTER
Parks and Shane are joined by Tyler Bereman, one of the most creative and fearless riders in motocross. The boys sit down with Tyler to break down the insane Island Hopper project he just completed with Red Bull and Apple — a one-of-a-kind mission where Tyler motocrossed across multiple islands, sending massive gaps and pulling off unreal riding in one of the wildest locations imaginable.
Parks and Tyler back from years of crossing paths on Red Bull projects, and Parks even played a small role in helping with the Island Hopper, making this episode extra special. Together, they dive de...
21 - BOMBARGO - NATHAN AND ANTHONY THOEN - THE BONIFAY BANTER
This week, Parks and Shane welcome their first-ever band to the podcast: Bombargo. Joining the boys are brothers Nathan and Anthony Thoen, the vibrant energy behind one of the most positive, high-vibe bands out there.
Parks has been close with the Bombargo crew for years — they even played at his wedding and crash at his place whenever they’re touring through Orlando — so this episode hits that perfect mix of friendship, stories, and laughs.
The crew dives into:
🎸 Life on the road and what touring is really like
🎤 ...
20 - TREVOR AND REED HANSEN - THE BONIFAY BANTER
Welcome back to Bonifay Banter — Episode 20!
This week, Parks and Shane sit down with two of the most iconic brothers in wake: Trevor and Reed Hansen. The Hansen brothers have a story that very similar the Bonifays in so many ways — growing up at a ski school, turning pro at a young age, pushing wakeboarding and wakeskating for decades, and collecting more legendary stories than they can count.
This episode is loaded with every kind of chaos, history, and wild Florida adventure:
🟢 Gator trapping stories — including the massive gator sku...
19 - CLAY FLETCHER & MARC ROSSITER - THE BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter — Episode 19 (Clay Fletcher and Marc Rossiter)
This week, Parks is away on honeymoon so Shane is joined by Clay Fletcher and Marc Rossiter, two of Shane’s longtime friends and old roommates. The crew takes a trip down memory lane, swapping stories from their early days living together at 2612, all the chaos and good times that came with it, and how those moments helped shape their lives both on and off the water.
It’s a fun, raw, and hilarious episode full of behind-the-scenes memories, wakeboarding stories, and old-sc...
018 - WES BRISCO - THE BONIFAY BANTER
In Episode 18 of Bonifay Banter, the brothers catch up with longtime friend and wakeboarder / wrestler Wes Brisco. Wes has been part of the scene since the late ’90s — riding, traveling, and living the dream alongside icons like Gator Lutgert and later Scott Byerly. His career is full of wild stories from wakeboarding, traveling on the bus, and riding for some of the coolest brands in the sport.
But what happened after wakeboarding might be the best part of his story. Following in his father’s footsteps — a WWE Hall of Famer — Wes took up the family business and became a p...
17 CRUZE E-BOI & BLAZE REID - THE BONIFAY BANTER
In Episode 17 of Bonifay Banter, Parks and Shane are joined by two of the best groms in wakeboarding today — Cruze E-Boi and Blaze Reid. These young riders have blown up on social media, going viral time and time again for pushing the limits and showing the world why they’re the next big thing in wake.
This one’s a true brothers banter episode as the Bonifays sit down with the grom duo (the Reid brothers) to talk about everything from the tricks they’d name, to trying Tootsie Rolls (the candy) for the first time. It’s raw, fun...
016 TYLER HIGHAM - THE BONIFAY BANTER
Tyler has been on an absolute heater this year, winning two major events and cashing in a cool $75,000. Parks and Shane pick his brain on what it takes to pull that off, how you plan for big wins, and of course—what you do with the money.
Tyler’s not just a competitor; he’s also a close friend of the crew. From being at Parks’ wedding, to logging countless hours at Lake Ronix / Radar, he shares his take on the infamous “Radar vortex,” what it’s like being the landlord for the La Familia crew, and the balance of gro...
015 GARRETT CORTESE - THE BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter Episode 015 with Garrett Cortese: The Documenter, Photographer/Writer of wakeboarding
In Episode 15 of Bonifay Banter, the brothers sit down with legendary photographer and writer Garrett Cortese. Garrett has been capturing the world of wakeboarding for over 20 years, contributing to both Alliance and Wakeboarding Magazine, and now running social media and shooting full-time for Liquid Force.
From icebergs with Parks, to surf in Tahiti, to endless trips to Lake Powell with Shane, Garrett has been behind the lens for some of the sport’s most iconic moments. Beyond the photos, he’s also one of the b...
014 Brandon Parker - Bonifay Banter
🎙️ Episode 014 – Brandon Parker: Behind the Lens of Wakeboarding
In this episode of Bonifay Banter, Parks and Shane sit down with Brandon Parker. Since the early 2000s, Brandon has been everywhere in the world of wakeboarding and wakeskating—filming, editing, making DVDs, running websites, POINTLESS clothes —you name it, he’s done it. He shares stories from his days filming on the Pro Tour, the wild shenanigans that went down behind the scenes, and gives us an update on life in LA where he’s now creating music videos and running big productions. Tons of classic stories and a great look ba...
013 Meagan Ethell & Guenther Oka
Bonifay Banter Episode 013 – Meagan Ethell & Guenther Oka: Wakeboarding’s Power Couple
In this episode of Bonifay Banter, we sit down with the ultimate wakeboarding power couple — Meagan Ethell and Guenther Oka. These two have racked up some of the sport’s biggest wins, and they’re here to talk about what it’s like living, traveling, and competing side-by-side around the world. From how they push each other to be better every week, to finding the edge in competitions by working as a team, Meagan and Guenther share what makes their dynamic so unique.
We also dive into their e...
012 RUSTY MALINOSKI - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter Ep. 012 | Rusty Malinoski – The Bone Crusher
In this episode, we sit down with longtime friend, occasional neighbor, and certified powerhouse of wakeboarding — Rusty Malinoski. Known as The Bone Crusher, Rusty stormed onto the scene with massive tricks, nonstop wins, and a presence that redefined what strength looked like in the sport.
From traveling the world with the Bonifays to pushing the limits alongside the best to ever ride, Rusty’s journey is legendary. We dive into old Clermont stories, strategies for winning at blackjack, and what Rusty gets into when he’s not doing so...
011 SAM BROWN & LUCA KIDD - LA FAMILIA EDITION 2
Bonifay Banter Ep. 011 - Sam Brown and Luca Kidd - La Familia Edition 2
La Familia is back in the studio this time its Bro Stock Champ (Luca Kidd) and the Australian Wizard (Sam Brown). Luca just won Bro Stock a few weeks ago and its amazing to hear the boys talk about how it all when down, the feeling that comes from winning Brostock, and what it means to him to finally get a well deserved win. Sam Brown tells us about some good Aussie stories and what La familia means to him. There is also a little 15 mi...
DANNY HAMPSON EPISODE 10 - BONIFAY BANTER
Episode 10 with DANNY HAMPSON – From the Keys to Wakeskating pioneer
On this episode of The Bonifay Banter, we sit down with Hampson — a Florida Keys native and wakeskate pioneer who helped shape the sport from a young age. Signed to the legendary Cassette team early on and raised under the wings of icons like Thomas Horrell and Aaron Reed, Hampson shares wild stories through his wild ride through life !. Don’t miss this one.
🎧 Listen now — only on The Bonifay Banter
Watch Tide and Time - The Danny Hampson story
https://www.youtube.c...
09 - SCOTT BYERLY (KING OF STYLE) - THE BONIFAY BANTER
This one’s legendary. The king himself, Scott Byerly, is in the studio—and we’re beyond honored to sit down with the most influential wakeboarder of all time. From inventing iconic tricks like the Pete Rose, Fat Chance, and Tantrum to Blind, to the legendary trips and sessions with Parks Bonifay, we dive into it all.
We talk through:
• The stories behind his most iconic video parts
• What it took to hit that Volkswagen rail
• How the Spray Lake Powell section came together
• And that rock slide—how it was found and filmed
For us, Scott’s...
GAVIN & TRENT STUCKEY EPISODE 8 - BONIFAY BANTER
Bonifay Banter Ep. 08 — Trent & Gavin Stuckey | True Brothers Banter
In this epic episode of Bonifay Banter, we sit down with the back-to-back Riders of the Year — Trent (2023) and Gavin Stuckey (2024). This is a raw and honest brother-to-brother conversation, covering what it’s like to sit at the top of the cable wakeboarding world and how they’ve both carved out their own paths to get there.
From contest strategies and mental game prep, to growing up in a wake-focused family, the Stuckey brothers open up about how their upbringing shaped their riding and their mindset. The brot...
