By Molly Cerreta Smith
Connor Burns only started wakesurfing four short years ago and he’s already racking up the accolades. His latest win was snagged right in his own backyard — at the World Wake Surfing Competition which took place November 2 at Lake Pleasant.
Burns, who serves as a wakesurf coach and teaches lessons at Scorpion Bay Marina, began competing in the World Series of Wake Surfing in 2016, where he became the World Champion in the Amateur Men’s Wakesurf Division. Just a year later, he opted out of the Outlaw division and chose to surf in the Men’s Professional Wakesurf division, a move that earned him the title of World Champion.
His passion took him all over the world in 2017 and 2018, including to multiple locations throughout the U.S. as well as France, Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong. During his travels, he placed among the top three at most events. Due to his quick rise to fame, and his signature trick moves which have earned him the title of Trick of the Year Winner in 2018 and 2019, Burns designed and engineered the “Burnsy Pro” board which Kanuk Board Company crafts out of Canada. His specific board design allows for users to achieve the most difficult tricks and maneuvers — making them seem effortless. Burns also designed his board to provide the momentum to allow speed, pop, and stability with control, to give users every opportunity to land the most sought after wakesurf tricks. The Burnsy Pro Board by Kanuk is the number one requested board for two years.
In addition to his own board, Burns created Usurf, to represent the focus and lifestyle of lake life and personify his own brand. According to his website, “His entrepreneurship and leadership is shown in everything he does.”
Born in Arizona, Burns names Lake Pleasant as his favorite lake and admits that he fell in love with wakesurfing the first time he ever tried it. The “Burnsy Pro” can be ordered by contacting Connor Burns, @connorburns on Instagram or email [email protected].
