Each is entitled to their own opinion. Rarely do we all share the same view on things and if we did, the world would probably be a pretty boring place. Such is the nature of perception; it’s all in the eye of the beholder.

When it comes to Raph Derome, lots of opinions have been thrown around about him over the past year. Wild rumors that he doesn’t compete anymore, that he doesn’t care about wakeboarding. He’s lazy. He joined the slalom ski tour. And other such nonsense.

So while the wakeboard industry collectively wondered “where’s Raph?”, he was in fact getting busy on one of his most ambitious projects yet. Just because he couldn’t be seen didn’t mean he wasn’t there. He was in stealth mode, with only a handful of his closest crew on the inside, including filmmaker Jonathan Ferguson. Despite fewer contests and appearances in the public eye, it just may have been the busiest seasons Raph has ever had.

“There was some speculation that I took a year off, just missing in action and not really doing much. Truth is, I was working harder than any other year, focusing on progressing my riding and doing something that I had spent so much time talking about… it was something I needed to do”, says Raph

The hard work shows. To give the project the attention it deserved meant sacrificing things like contests, magazine coverage, web clips, signings and other such trappings of the pro-wakeboarding circuit. Everything was kept under heavy lock and key, only to be revealed in one final 10 minute cut. And what made the final cut is nothing short of mind blowing…

Over a year in the making, ‘Beyond Perception’ is truly a labor of love that captures Raph’s raw passion and dedication to the sport. Bringing a no bullsh*t attitude, the clip gets straight back to the core of wakeboarding by delivering pure action and a progressive style that is not just about adding an extra flip or rotation but using one’s creativity and imagination to take wakeboarding in new directions.

The film visits some of Raph’s favorite shred spots including Florida and Quebec. Featuring custom built rail setups that include wall-to-wall transitions, urban jib spots including Ontario Place in downtown Toronto and some classic boat riding, Beyond Perception definitely sets the tone for the future of wakeboarding. Breaking free of the mold, Raph’s progression is reflected through his creativity by seeking out new locations, unique rail setups and finding a different approach to the norm.

“This project re-inspired me. I think it is what I needed. If I’m competing again, there’s no doubt I‘ll be way more pumped for it and I’ll be ready to get back into the scene a little more. I have 110% of myself on this, and I’m already thinking about the next project.”

As a self-prescribed introvert, it’s sometimes tough for Raph to express himself and difficult for people to truly understand the passionate, dedicated rider that he is.

Naturally, Raph prefers lets his riding speak for him. See for yourself.

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Video from Red Bull



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