World Championships 2022 · Thailand
The final run that won a second world title
This run earned Fetzy his second wakeboarding world title in Thailand in 2022. Watch the three decisive minutes from the start to first place.
About Fetzy
Daniel “Fetzy” Fetz
Family man, outdoor adventurer and inspiring coach. Fetzy is one of a kind.
Wakeboarding legend & cold-water guru
At public events, Daniel Fetz is usually introduced as a wakeboarding legend with multiple world and European titles, and as a “cold-water guru”. That is probably fair, but there is more to him: he is also a pioneer in breath training and ice bathing. Through his Atemfitness® nach Fetz instructor training, workshops and retreats, he has already taught more than 25,000 people.
What makes Fetzy special is the passion he brings to everything he does, while always staying authentic, warm and approachable.
Wakeboard
Fetzy’s career in numbers
26
years in professional sport
43
countries
200+
competitions
2×
world champion
2×
world runner-up
3×
European champion
7×
Austrian champion
"Ice bathing and breathwork changed my life."
I have never felt as alert, healthy and fit as I do now! In 20 years of elite sport, I tried all sorts of things, but nothing was as effective and simple for me as ice bathing and regular breath training. I love sharing my passion for ice bathing and Atemfitness, along with everything I have learnt, with anyone who is interested. I look forward to meeting you at one of my workshops or team-building events.
Over the past 10 years, I have guided more than 4,000 people into cold water and personally taught more than 25,000 people using my Atemfitness® nach Fetz method. Hearing how these experiences changed participants’ lives gave my own search for purpose a new direction. In 2024, I closed the wakeboarding and wakesurfing school I had built over 20 years, which had earned an excellent reputation across Europe.
The private lake I lease near Linz lives on. Even though the motorboat and water-ski lift are now idle, Lake Salmsee is a gem for beginners who want to learn ice bathing. You may know the name “Fetzy” from the media or the wakeboarding scene. My favourite adventures are challenges such as cliff jumping with my youngest son, David. Perhaps you have come across us in a viral Instagram video. Fetzysworld has reinvented itself and evolved time and again over the past 25 years.
Sharing knowledge
Born to teach
Even as a teenager, Fetzy loved teaching others to snowboard. He went on to become a pioneer in wakeboard coaching. More than 15 years ago, he produced “Raley in 10 Days”, a successful bilingual online wakeboarding course and probably one of the first of its kind worldwide. His coaching videos on the how2wake YouTube channel have attracted millions of views.
His particular strength is breaking complex movements and methods into clear steps and adapting them to each person. This ability earned him a reputation as a coach far beyond Austria.
Fifteen years ago, he took on the technical leadership of the national wakeboarding instructor training programme at Austria’s federal sports academy. At his own wakeboarding school, he also trained numerous coaches, passing his methods on to the next generation.
Today, Fetzy brings the same clarity to Atemfitness®, ice bathing and preventive health. He teaches everyone from kindergarten children to students in their final year of secondary school, as well as teams in businesses, clubs and organisations. His focus is on practical techniques to support everyday wellbeing, resilience and energy.
Contact & directions
Would you like to learn more about Atemfitness®, ice bathing or working together? Or find out where to meet Fetzy at Lake Salmsee? The contact page has all contact details, addresses and directions.