Josh Ledford just took the win in Open at Wheelscorcher, held June 27-28 at Fire Mountain Trails, the latest result in what has turned into a defining stretch for the Knoxville rider. It is the kind of finish that validates a riding style he has spent years refining: patient, technical, and built for courses that fight back.
But the story of how he got here starts somewhere a lot less competitive. He stood up at a restaurant table in Denver, pointed at something rolling past on the sidewalk, and refused to sit back down until he figured out what it was. That moment of pure, open-mouthed curiosity set Josh Ledford on a path that would take him from a marina dock in East Tennessee to race courses across the country, building a reputation as one of the most technically focused and genuinely community-minded riders in the float scene.
From the Houseboat to the Trail
Ledford grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, with a wide athletic background that included football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and eventually snowboarding and wake skating. That last one matters. Wake skating, with its demand for board feel, balance, and creative line reading, primed him perfectly for what was coming. When he spotted his first Onewheel rolling through Denver around 2019, it clicked immediately. "I was like, oh my gosh," he recalled. "So I went and started googling."
It took him just under a year to pull the trigger and order an XR. The very first ride ended with the board in the water off his marina dock. He dove in after it without hesitating, saved it, and kept riding that same board for years. That instinct, chase it, save it, keep going, tells you everything you need to know about Josh Ledford.
A Rider Built for the Technical Stuff
Ledford jumped into competitive riding within a year of his first session and came out swinging. "I started really strong, top five," he said. "I came on the scene and was like, oh, this is fun." Injuries interrupted that early momentum, including a significant setback at a Dirt Surfers event, but he kept returning to the start line. Five years of racing later, the Knoxville native has developed a clear and refined riding identity, one that now includes a Wheelscorcher win in Open.
He is at his best when the trail fights back. Technical, feature-heavy courses that reward precision and adaptability over raw speed are where Ledford thrives. Events like Dirt Surfers and Winman have been among his favorites, and the single-track Enduro format he experienced at Lemonade Float Fest 4 at Reveille Peak Ranch in Texas left a strong impression.
"The more technical and still able to push to go fast, learn how to really maneuver around the features, that's my favorite," Ledford said.
He also makes a point of telling newer riders: once you have about a year of experience under your feet, get up to the peak at Reveille. The view is worth it, and so is the ride to get there.
His background in wake skating and snowboarding gave him a board feel that translates directly when the terrain demands commitment. He recently made the move from the FM class to Open, embracing a new set of challenges rather than staying comfortable, a move that is already paying off. That willingness to keep testing himself, even after years in the sport, reflects how he approaches riding overall. He was also hoping to make it to Tulsa again this year, having loved that stop on last year's circuit, so learning it wasn't on the 2026 calendar stung a little. Lemonade, though, he keeps coming back to regardless. This was his third straight year, and it shows no signs of being his last.
Showing Up for the Scene
Ask Ledford what he loves about this community and he will talk for a while. The food in Austin. The trails at Reveille. The friendships built across years of shared races and shared crashes. He came to this year's Lemonade off the back of a Vegas road trip, barely paused at home, and pointed the truck toward Texas, which is about as on-brand as it gets. "I've known so many people from Texas and they were like, you need to come down here," he said. "And when I finally did, it was like all the things I said just clicked."
But what comes through most clearly is that he cares about the health of the community itself, not just his own results. He wants riders across board types and class divisions to stop drawing lines and start pulling together.
"Let's just, okay, who cares, let's go out there and race," he said. "Pick what makes most sense to you and have the most fun with it. That's why I started, just pure joy and fun, smiling every time."
That message carries weight coming from someone who has been around long enough to watch the scene evolve through multiple board generations, format shifts, and the occasional friction that comes with any growing sport. You can find him on Instagram at @iamjoshledford, usually somewhere between a trail and a story worth telling.
Wheelscorcher Results: Open
June 27-28 · Fire Mountain Trails Open Results
Josh Ledford
Sam Varner
Jimi Hedges
Wheelscorcher's Justyn Thompson put on another great event this year. This is exactly the kind of event that shows where Onewheel racing is headed. The USA FLT circuit is proud to be part of a scene with builders like Justyn in it.
What Comes Next
Off a Wheelscorcher win in Open, Ledford is enthusiastic about what the USA FLT National Circuit represents for riders looking to track their growth over a full season rather than race by race. He heard about the ranking structure for the first time at Lemonade and wanted to sign up on the spot.
"I love to see people's progression," he said. "Keep them focused on self-progression and don't worry about others. We're all where we're at in life and with riding."
For anyone on the fence about getting more involved, his ask is simple: show up, support the events, and give back to the community that made all of this possible. Ledford plans to be at as many events as he can this year, not just to compete but to be present for the culture he clearly loves. If you have not explored what the USA FLT community looks like up close, find Josh at the next race and ask him about that restaurant in Denver. He will stand right up and tell you the whole story.
FAQ
What division did Josh Ledford win at Wheelscorcher?
Josh Ledford won the Open division at Wheelscorcher.
Where is Josh Ledford from?
Ledford grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and currently rides out of East Tennessee.
What class did Josh Ledford race before moving to Open?
Ledford raced in the FM class before recently moving to Open.
What riding style is Josh Ledford known for?
Ledford is known for technical, feature-heavy course riding, drawing on a background in wake skating and snowboarding for board feel and line reading.
