This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

In the winter, Jenacee Jackson is surrounded by basketball.

Her younger brother, West Jordan's Jaden Jackson, is one of the top high-school players in the state. Her husband, Aaron Hill, is a former high-school state MVP who played at the collegiate level. But when the weather heats up, Jackson gets her turn to be the star as she competes on the professional wakeboard circuit.

"I'm all about having a passion, and it's great to watch my brother play basketball and have my husband have that be such a big part of his life," said Jackson, who lives in American Fork. "But for me there is nothing like being out on the water. I try to be there as much as I can."

Jackson took up wakeboarding at age 12, and it wasn't until a few years later that the former Skyline High tennis standout realized she had a future behind a boat.

"When I was 17, people started to tell me I was good enough to compete locally, and after doing a few of those, I decided I wanted to compete more," said Jackson. "So I moved to Florida to get more time on the water."

In the summer of 2005, in just her second year on the pro tour, Jackson was ranked eighth in the world. Then came the downturn in the economy.

"Wakeboarding took a huge hit due to the economy, a few sponsors dropped out and they reduced the number of tour stops," she said.

Jackson decided to return to Utah.

"There really is no way to stay on top when you live in Utah," she said. "But I still ride as much as possible, have just as much passion and try to push the sport as much as I can."

Jackson promotes the sport by teaching clinics and by participating in local events, such as one July 23 at Pineview Reservoir.

With no sign of her passion for wakeboarding fading, Jackson plans to be involved with the sport indefinitely.

"I plan on wakeboarding until I'm in a wheelchair," she said. "And even then I would want to be a judge for an event." Jenacee Jackson

Jackson started wakeboarding at age 12 and joined the professional tour when she was 17.

On just her second year on the tour, Jackson was ranked eighth in the world.

Jackson will compete in the Monster WakeUp on July 23 at Pineview Reservoir.