Baker, the son of Jon and Susan Baker, demonstrated his talent in the sport last week in Minneapolis, finishing third in the amateur division of the World Wakesurfing Championships. His performance also earned him a sponsorship from Grindwater Sports.

While he learned the basics on Lake Gaston through a family friend three years ago, five time world champion Drew Danielo “helped me step it up,” Baker said Wednesday. “He helped me with my 360s and airs.”

He met Danielo through his uncle, Jay, who has a wakesurfing school — wakesurfnc.com — on Lake Gaston.

His uncle took him to Florida and the techniques he would need to compete were honed there. “We stayed there the whole day. We were surfing during a storm,” Baker recalled.

When he first learned, Baker said he didn’t have the massive boat needed to make the wake. He enjoyed it, however, and knew he was addicted. “I knew the first day when I threw in the rope. I surf at the beach. That feeling is awesome.”

To know he can now surf anywhere, including his home water, makes surfing more addictive.

The waves created by the boat can be as big as ocean waves, and provides the same opportunity for tricks.

When Baker first heard about the championships in Minnesota, he wanted to go to watch. He signed up for the competition, however, and joined 20 others in his division and 75 total wakesurfers wanting to show their techniques.

To earn his third place trophy, Baker had to compete in a preliminary round. He believes the preliminary run was his best. “In the preliminaries I hit three 360s and did a couple of big airs with grabs.”

In the finals he fell twice — three falls and you’re done — although he landed two 360s. “The second time I fell over I thought this is not a good run.”

Baker, along with some of the other competitors, believed the race for the title holders could be a tossup. The 16-year-old, however, walked away with a third place trophy, a sponsorship from Grindwater and other possible deals.

Pursuing a possible professional title, Baker left for Seattle today to compete in the Northwest Open. “It’s going to be more local competition,” he said.

After Seattle there are nationals in Florida and a photo shoot with Grindwater, which is introducing a new line of boards.

In between those competitions is practice and the possibility of turning pro by next year.

“I can see it, but it’s intimidating,” he said of going against the top names in the sport.

“I’m as proud as I can be,” his father said. “I think it’s an awesome opportunity. It’s an awesome unexpected opportunity. I want him to have fun and get better at it.”

Baker credits his uncle for getting him started in the sport. “It wouldn’t have been possible without him.”

His father agrees. “It’s just another example of what a valuable resource Lake Gaston is.”

If he does turn pro, both Baker and his family agree he won’t be a surf bum. He will still have to go to college, his father says.

His father sees the opportunity, however. “He’s got some doors opening up for him.”