When Neon Wave launched, we set forth on a mission to partner only with companies that not only produce top-tier products, but create things that set a higher standard in the industry. The same goes for the athletes and artists that are on our team. That's why Phase 5 was the first (and for a brief period between 2018 and 2020, only) wakesurf company on our inaugural roster of brands.

When Neon Wave launched, we set forth on a mission to partner only with companies that not only produce top-tier products, but create things that set a higher standard in the industry. The same goes for the athletes and artists that are on our team. That's why Phase 5 was the first and (for a brief period between 2018 and 2020) only wakesurf company on our inaugural roster of brands.

In 2019, we met a 12-year old kid at a local wakesurf comp whose stoke and charisma were the only things that overshadowed his extensive trick book. That kid was Sammuel Goncalves. We met him as Sammy G, a wakesurf prodigy from Connecticut who came into town to compete at the FLX Surf fest on Conesus Lake. After spending a weekend with Sammy, we instantly knew he met the criteria we look for in our team. A young, energetic kid with a contagiously positive attitude and a deep passion for wakesurfing. So, in 2019, he was the first athlete to join the Neon Wave Pro Team.

In 2019, we met a 12-year old kid at a local wakesurf comp whose stoke and charisma were the only things that overshadowed his extensive trick book. That kid was Sammuel Goncalves. We met him as Sammy G, a wakesurf prodigy from Connecticut who came into town to compete at the FLX Surf fest on Conesus Lake. After spending a weekend with Sammy, we instantly knew he met the criteria we look for in our team. A young, energetic kid with a contagiously positive attitude and a deep passion for wakesurfing. So, in 2019, he was the first athlete to join the Neon Wave Pro Team.

A lot happens in 6 years. As an athlete, it can be hard to find symbiotic relationships –especially in wakesurfing, where board companies seem to come and go like the seasons. One thing that's remained consistent is Sammy's passion and progression in the sport. Amidst that 6 year span, Sammy has developed into a key figure in men's wakesurfing. He continues to podium at competitions all over the world and he showcases his exemplary style while doing it.

A lot happens in 6 years. As an athlete, it can be hard to find symbiotic relationships – especially in wakesurfing, where board companies seem to come and go like the seasons. One thing that's remained consistent is Sammy's passion and progression in the sport. Amidst that 6 year span, Sammy has developed into a key figure in men's wakesurfing. He continues to podium at competitions all over the world and he showcases his exemplary style while doing it.

Sammy's lifelong dedication to the sport came to fruition when he took first place at the 2024 WSWS World Wake Surfing Championship; crowning himself as World Champion. Having been ping-ponged around by board sponsors throughout most of his career, winning World's finally opened the doors that we believe Sammy had been deserving of for a long time. It was after that win when Phase 5 became an option for Sammy–and the invite was not just to be a team rider, but to have a full blown Pro-Model wakesurf board - The Viper.

Sammy's lifelong dedication to the sport came to fruition when he took first place at the 2024 WSWS World Wake Surfing Championship; crowning himself as World Champion. Having been ping-ponged around by board sponsors throughout most of his career, winning World's finally opened the doors that we believe Sammy had been deserving of for a long time. It was after that win when Phase 5 became an option for Sammy–and the invite was not just to be a team rider, but to have a full blown Pro-Model wakesurf board - The Viper.

Watching Sammy's quiver of one-off, tailor-made boards evolve over the past 6 years makes it that much more exciting to see him end up with a pro-model from Phase 5. Having a signature board not only cements a rider in in the history of wakesurfing, it also allows fans to partake in the sport using the same gear that they see the pros using. Not only does this create more stoke, more excitement and more joy when surfing; it supports the athletes that are taking the sport to new heights. New shapes create more options for riders like us, allowing for more possibilities behind the boat which in turn, helps grow the sport of wakesurfing.

This year, Sammy continues to find himself on the podiums (first place at the Volunteer Wakesurf Classic and second place at ChattaWake) only now he's proudly posing with a Phase 5 board that has his name stamped on it.

Watching Sammy's quiver of one-off, tailor-made boards evolve over the past 6 years makes it that much more exciting to see him end up with a pro-model from Phase 5. Having a signature board not only cements a rider in in the history of wakesurfing, it also allows fans to partake in the sport using the same gear that they see the pros using. Not only does this create more stoke, more excitement and more joy when surfing; it supports the athletes that are taking the sport to new heights. New shapes create more options for riders like us, allowing for more possibilities behind the boat which in turn, helps grow the sport of wakesurfing.

This year, Sammy continues to find himself on the podiums (first place at the Volunteer Wakesurf Classic and second place at ChattaWake) only now he's proudly posing with a Phase 5 board that has his name stamped on it.

The Viper is a hard-charging, aggressive surf-style board with a moon-shaped nose, twin-fin configuration, sharp rails and a bunch of concave. Designed by Sammy G alongside fellow world champ and Phase 5 teammate John Ackerman; these two worked to dial in a shape that fit Sammy's aggressive approach to riding. The moon-nose helps stabilize the board when riding revert while the exaggerated bottom concave paired with the sharp rails allows for exceptional speed when turning on rail. The fin boxes are higher up on the board which makes slashes and 360's feel like butter. It's stable where you need it to be, and breaks free when you want it to. In our opinion, the quality and feel of a Phase 5 board is unmatched and we couldn't be more stoked to have that paired with the design and preference of Sammy G.

The Viper is a hard-charging, aggressive surf-style board, with a moon-shaped nose, twin-fin configuration, sharp rails and a bunch of concave. Designed by Sammy G alongside fellow world champ and Phase 5 teammate John Ackerman; these two worked to dial in a shape that fit Sammy's aggressive approach to riding. The moon-nose helps stabilize the board when riding revert while the exaggerated bottom concave paired with the sharp rails allows for exceptional speed when turning on rail. The fin boxes are higher up on the board which makes slashes and 360's feel like butter. It's stable where you need it to be, and breaks free when you want it to. In our opinion, the quality and feel of a Phase 5 board is unmatched and we couldn't be more stoked to have that paired with the design and preference of Sammy G.