Phil and Bob Soven are Liquid Force team riders, brothers, and stars of the newest hit show on MTV’s Wake Brothers. And that’s about where their similarities end. Their oil and water, fiercely competitive, rivalry, centered on their passion and wakeboarding skills, is making for reality TV gold.
Older brother Phil is on top of the Pro Wakeboard Tour, he has a real business mindset and is stone cold serious in his approach to wakeboarding and life in general. At 23 he has been a wakeboarding champion most of his life, earning his first title when he was just 13. Younger brother Bob, with his crazy red mop of a hairdo, is the goofball on the tour. He is a strong competitor but more interested in being number one in the hearts of fans, than number one on the podium. In a recent episode Bob aims to fuilfill his life-long dream of owning a pet llama (ask Phil and he’ll say Bob didn’t know what a llama was last week). As Bob moves two full size llamas into Phil’s million dollar mansion on a private lake, Phil struggles with Bob’s llama parties and llama in the shower fiascos until finally forcing him to get rid of the animals.
The show is a lot of fun and the producers do a good job focusing on the skills of the brothers during wakeboarding scenes, rather than the wild antics that dominate the great percentage of the shows 30 minute run-time. While the brothers couldn’t be more opposite, they are both very likable and the show carries the same best buds feeling as former MTV hit show “Rob and Big.”
NOTE TO PARENTS: Common Sense Media gives Wake Brothers a rating of 14+, meaning that the show may be unsuitable for viewers under age 14 due to language and content.
“I would expect to see an increase in the number of people wanting to learn more about wakeboarding,” says MBAC Lead Wakeboarding Instructor Scott Grant. “That’s typically what you can expect after a show based on the lives of 2 pro athletes like this hits pop culture.”
As evidence he points out the huge increase in interest in surfing after the release of the surfing centric movie Blue Crush.
If you are interested in learning to wakeboard , check out one of the many sections of semester-long classes enrolling now through September 12, where SDSU and USD students can earn class credit. Or please check out the MBAC wakeboarding page at http://www.mbaquaticcenter.com/wake.htm
