He is a two-time U.S. wakeboard national champion on the amateur level, but in his rookie year among the pros, Jimmy “Legit” LaRiche will look to capture his first professional national title, when the King of Wake series rides into Oklahoma City, Okla., July 8-12, for its fifth stop of the 2009 season – the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by ROCKSTAR.

Before the 19-year-old, Boca Raton, Fla. native heads off to Oklahoma City, “Legit” sits down with us to chat about Nationals and his rookie season.

Alli: How’s your rookie season going so far?
Jimmy: I’ve had a couple of tough breaks here and there, but overall I’m happy where I’m at. I’m trying to do better, be more consistent and just make it into the finals.

Is it a difficult transition going from the amateur level to the Pros?

The pro division is no joke, especially in those five-man semifinal heats. [The semifinals] are like a final in itself. You’re riding against the same guys you’ve looked up to and they’re consistently killing it. It can really be intimidating sometimes.

Who’s putting the pressure on you this season?

Everyone in the semifinals. Those two five-man heats are killers, for sure. You have guys like [Aaron] Rathy, Danny Harf, Adam [Errington] and Andrew Adkison in your heat; and in the other [semifinal] heat you have guys like Rusty [Malinoski], Phillip Soven and Harley Clifford to deal with if you make it into the finals. It’s ridiculous.

You and Harley Clifford were the top guys in Jr. Men last season and are the top rookies this season; are you two friends or rivals?

[Laughs!] I’m actually hanging out on a houseboat with Harley right now. We’re good friends, he’s a cool kid and it’s great to see him doing so well. In a contest, Harley is one of the top guys to beat, but otherwise we’re real good friends.

You’ve won nationals in the Jr. Men’s division for the past two years, how does that translate into this year’s pro nationals?

Well, Nationals is a Nautique event, so it’s cool to get pulled by the same boat that I ride behind everyday. It’s my home wake, I feel comfortable riding behind a Nautique and I’m stoked to ride at Nationals this year.

Fellow Nautique Team riders Danny Harf, Shawn Watson and Shaun Murray have each won at least one national title on the pro level; are you the next Nautique rider to win one?

All those guys have been huge influences on me and my riding. It’s great to be on the same team with those guys and learn from them. I want to win [Nationals], but at the same time those guys could easily win it as well.

What are you most looking forward to while you’re at the Nationals?

This year, the Nations are in Oklahoma City, so I want to go check out the OKC National Memorial, while I’m in town. Also for Nationals, all the riders usually get together and have a huge dodge ball or basketball tournament, so I’m looking forward to that. I think my dodge ball team won last year too.

Any sponsor shout-outs before you go?

For sure: Hyperlite, Nautiques, Spy, Fox and Monster.