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The People Behind the Boat

Captain
& Crew

Elena Welch Elena on the water
Your Captain
Elena
Welch
Owner & Head Instructor

Elena grew up right here in Steiner Ranch with Lake Austin practically in her backyard — and three younger siblings who made sure life was never boring. She got on her first board at 8 years old and never looked back — wakesurfing quickly became a passion, then a lifestyle, and eventually a calling.

What started as teaching friends for fun turned into something bigger when Elena realized how much she loved watching people light up the moment they get up for the first time. After four years of teaching riders from age 6 to 62, she's never once failed to get someone up — and that streak means everything to her.

Off the water, Elena is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alabama, where she also competes on the club soccer team. She played varsity soccer at Vandegrift High School and brings that same competitive drive and team-first mentality to every session on the lake. She also served as the Head Soccer Coach and Cross Country Coach at International School of Texas, where her passion for coaching and working with young athletes only grew stronger. Her energy is contagious, her patience is endless, and her love for this sport is the real deal.

When she's not coaching wakesurf or wakeboard, you'll likely find her kiteboarding or wing foiling — two more water sports she's deeply passionate about and loves sharing with anyone curious enough to try.

4 Years Teaching Ages 6–62 Wakesurfing Wakeboarding Foiling Kiteboarding Wing Foiling Head Soccer Coach — IST Cross Country Coach — IST Steiner Ranch Local
The Team

Meet the Crew

Every session is better with the right people on the boat. Our crew brings skill, good energy, and a whole lot of fun to every single day on the lake.

Colby Carreira on the water
Colby Carreira
Instructor & Camp Photographer
Colby is the kind of person who makes everyone on the boat feel like they've known him for years. Originally from Austin, he's been instructing with Purple Wake for two years and has a natural gift for connecting with riders of every age and experience level — his humor and easy-going energy make even the toughest wipeouts fun.

Beyond the water, Colby is studying Pre-Med at the University of Alabama, where he is also part of the ROTC program — a commitment that reflects the discipline and leadership he brings to everything he does. He's also a talented photographer, and during camps he often captures drone footage and photos of riders on the water — some of the best memories families take home from the week.

A proud Vandegrift alum, Colby was also part of the FFA program in high school, which shaped a work ethic and community spirit that shows up in everything he does on and off the lake. When he's not on the water instructing or behind a camera, you'll find him deep sea fishing — another passion he and Jackson share and take just as seriously as anything else they do.
2 Years Teaching Photographer Drone Videography ROTC Pre-Med @ Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Vandegrift HS
Jackson Welch on the water
Jackson Welch
Instructor & Kite Specialist
Jackson is one of those rare people who makes everything look effortless — on the water and off it. Sharp, funny, and genuinely passionate about water sports, he's been instructing with Purple Wake for two years and has built a reputation for being the kind of coach riders actually want to spend all day on a boat with.

His kiteboarding is something else entirely. Jackson is an exceptional kite athlete and a highly skilled kiteboarding instructor — one of the best you'll find in the Austin area. Whether he's coaching someone on a wakeboard or sending it on a kite, he brings that same focus, creativity, and love for the sport to everything he does.

When he's not on the water, Jackson is a competitive tennis player and an avid deep sea fisherman — a passion he shares with Colby. Whether he's coaching someone on a wakeboard or out on the open water chasing a catch, Jackson is most alive when he's surrounded by water.
2 Years Teaching Kiteboarding Wakeboarding Tennis Deep Sea Fishing Kite Instructor
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on the Lake

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