Daniel Martin is one of the hottest names in freestyle Jet Skiing right now, he was the one to land the first double-backflip in competition and has some even bigger plans for this year. Motor Action Media is the first to interview this guy on his upcoming season.
Motor Action Media: Daniel, you’ve been a big name in the Jet Ski industry for a while now. Could you tell me how you got involved in the sport, and how you got to this point?
All started basically after i quit racing motocross hardcore, and basically wanted to do something different with my Dad. I’ve never seen videos, never had a friend that had a stand up… nothing… So we started looking around at skis, and saw a SXR in the showroom, we were sold. So in mid 2009, I saw my first standup jet ski, and drove home with it.
MAM: You have had tons of amazing tricks, but I have to say the double backflip in Pensacola last year was insane. Could you tell me what it took to pull that off?
Well, honestly, it took every nerve in my body to sack up and go for it, it was approximately 4 foot deep where I was on the second break, so deep down I knew if I didn’t land it, I probably wouldn’t make it back to shore in one piece. So I said to myself “you only live once” and went for it.
MAM: I noticed you have been talking a lot about Nine Mile Motorsports, could you tell me a little bit about your involvement, and what exactly that is?
9MM is my logo I’ve had since 2005, when it at first was “9 Mile Minis” back in the pit bike days, since then I just recently made it “9 Mile Motorsports” and so I’ve become a dealer with companies such as Xscream, Jetpilot and Jet Lift, and wanted to see where it went in the industry, at the same time offering discounts to the customer delivered to their doorstep, also help out the jet ski community as much as I can while doing it.
MAM: You were recently featured on Amazing Acts of Science, awesome! How did you get involved with that?
I don’t have satellite TV, so I have all of 8 channels, so i never get to see this stuff on TV that everyone else sees. So next thing I know my buddy posted a video on FB of me in a commercial for it, didn’t think much about it, and then about a couple weeks later it aired…. pretty weird to sit on the couch watching yourself on TV.MAM: Okay, big rumor is that you will not only be on Ridiculousness this year, but Americas Got Talent as well, can you confirm any of this? Everyone wants to know!
Well, I’ll officially be on Ridiculousness this year, not sure when it will be aired yet, but already signed the contract for it. American’s Got Talent, isn’t set in stone, but so far I had a great time auditioning! Stay tuned there.
MAM: What other plans do you have in store for this season?
Honestly I’ll be focusing on 9MM and many shows lined up this year already, I’d like to spend more time with my son this year riding moto, getting him active on riding at a young age.
MAM: You are so close to that Pro Freestyle World title, what do you think it will take for you to be on top of the podium this year?
Lots of time off work and riding skis constantly [Laughs].
MAM: Lee Stone brought out the heel clicker flip last year, are you going to have a new trick of your own to challenge the champ?
Lee is a machine and on another level at the same time being a good friend of mine. I on the other hand, just wanna have fun, don’t get hurt, work hard, make a living, achieve my goals and be happy with what I’ve already achieved, if I died tomorrow I’d have no regrets. Being the first to do a Double Flip in competition, I’ll let Lee have the heel clicker flip.
MAM: Most important question, what is it that you love most about Freestyle Jetskiing?
The people in the industry, I’ve made HUNDREDS of friends while doing it these past few years and got to travel the country, even the world doing it!
MAM: Anyone you need to thank?
Huge thanks goes out to Xscream, 9 Mile Motorsports, Jetpilot, Jet Lift, Hydro Turf, Braap Graphix, Black Sock Mafia, Granbury Motorsports, Ronny Mac Photos. Also Mom, Dad, my beautiful girlfriend Amy and my son Talon!
