Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Combating War Wounds with Wakeboarding

Horton's Heroes My Life My BoatFeatured as the Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) “My Life My Boat” January honoree, Attila Tassi, is an amazing boat owner. But his remarkable story has less to do with his boat and more to do with his compassion and his organization Horton’s Heroes. Tassi created this non-profit to support injured service personnel undergoing therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital. His goal is to bring some sense of normalcy to their lives and to show these men and women that people do care. Horton’s Heroes does this by giving wounded soldiers the opportunity to experience fun activities they otherwise might not have the ability to enjoy. Wakeboarding behind Tassi’s Hero Edition Malibu Wakesetter VLX, sky diving, visiting professional sporting events, going to dinner or seeing a movie are just some of the activities Horton’s Heroes is making possible for military men and women who sacrifice so much for our country.

Additional Links
Horton’s Heroes Facebook Fan Page
Horton’s Heroes on Flickr
Malibu’s My Life My Boat Movement
Horton’s Heroes Continuing Coverage on Del.icio.us

Horton's Heroes was launched in 2004 by a private citizen, Tassi, looking to make a difference in the lives of Marines, Soldiers, Navy Personnel and Airmen who have served and been wounded in combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Incorporated on October 11, 2007, Horton's Heroes mission is to support injured service personnel undergoing therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital; to try to bring some sense of normalcy to their lives; to show these men and women that people do care.

Horton’s Heroes was named for Tim Horton and represents all of the injured service men and women like him. Formerly a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corp, Tim’s left leg was amputated as a result of being injured during his tour of duty in Iraq. Tim was a resident of Walter Reed for some time under going surgeries and working through recovery. He met Attila at this baseball game and now according to Tim, “I consider him [Attila] one of my best friends.”

Horton’s response to questions about how Horton’s Heroes and Attila helped him was simple, “Attila helped me stop worrying and he made life feel normal again.” Tim continued, “He got me out doing the things again.”

Horton's Heroes provides a wide range of support. Currently, they provide tickets to sporting events such as the Washington Redskins and Capitals games. They also provide dinners as well as movie and concert tickets. They have funded trips to Las Vegas and skydiving trips to Ocean City, Maryland. And now they are taking service personnel wakeboarding and tubing on the Potomac River behind their 2009 Heroes Edition Wakesetter VLX.

Former United States Army Sergeant E5 Javier Torres met Tassi in 2006 at Walter Reed after being injured in Afghanistan a year earlier. Torres described Attila this way; "He's like the Disneyland for vets. He makes our dreams come true!"

Unfortunately, many Marines and Soldiers return from combat severely wounded. Providing these services helps them heal mentally and physically. As Horton’s Heroes obtains more funding and support, Tassi plans to expand the support he provides to include other services such as legal and financial counseling.

Former United States Army Sgt First Class, Jason Burr, summed-up the power of Horton’s Heroes with this statement, "Giving any wounded soldier the opportunity to get outdoors is rehabilitative in and of itself. We get to experience real things again. Even though we’re wounded we're not dead. With the help of organizations like Horton's Heroes and people like Attila, it shows us there's life on the other side of the challenges we face."

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Minneapolis Boat Show This Weekend


Longtime Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Dealer, Minnesota Inboard (@MNInboard) is a big attraction at the Minneapolis Boat Show (@MPLSBoatShow) January 20-24, 2010 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Check out this video and article recently posted on KARE11.com the NBC affiliate serving Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Selling expensive summer toys in the dead of winter can be difficult. Selling higher end luxury products in this economy can also be a bit of a challenge. Boat vendors packed into the Minneapolis Convention center say they're up to the task.

"I think we all need a taste of summer, as we say its 70 degrees and summer (in here)," Show Manager Jennifer Thompson said with a smile.

But according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, boat sales were down 30% last year. Even this year's boat show is smaller. In years past its boasted 400,000 square feet of boats on display; this year it is down to 300,000. "We're slightly smaller this year, kind of predicting that dealers would scale back a little given the past year's economy," Thompson explained.

"We get pretty fired up," Matt Mueller of Minnesota Inboard Water Sports said. Mueller is a Malibu vendor and he says starting late last fall, interest in buying started to pick up. This weekend's show is big for the family business. "We definitely use it as a gage. The leads we generate here give us a pretty good idea of what to expect for the rest of the season; how many boats to order. It really is kind of the kick off to the season for us,"


Read more on KARE11.com.

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Grunwald Family in Crystal Blue Waters


This Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) 2008 Malibu Wakesetter VLX is floating on Glen Lake in Maple City, Michigan.

Harrison Grunwald owner of the Wakesetter VLX tell us “Every summer my dad and I have traveled with family from Raleigh, NC up to Glen Lake, MI to visit with friends and in 2008 we decided to bring our new VLX along with us. The journey was worth it as the weather was fantastic for the week and the crystal blue water is absolutely beautiful"

This photo was submitted via the Malibu Boats iPhone App. Download this new iPhone application and send us shots of you and your Malibu Boat.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

My Life My Boat - Horton's Heroes

Horton's Heroes My Life My BoatAttila Tassi is the Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) My Life My Boat honoree for January. We are promoting his passion of helping injured United States Service Men and Women through an organization he created called Horton's Heroes.

Check out the Horton's Heroes Malibu Boats Flickr gallery.

Attila Tassi is an amazing man who leads an extraordinary life. We are proud that his Malibu boat allows him to further his passion of giving back to injured United States Service Men and Women. He is an inspiration and a man who plants the seeds of charity and compassion in everyone he comes in contact with. He leads by example. And although his boat is a tool to help him give back, Attila’s dedication to service personnel started long before he became a Malibu boat owner.

After September 11th Attila found himself looking for a way to give back to the men and women who protect and serve our country in the military. Living in Virginia, Attila had a front row seat to witness the steady stream of injured soldiers funneling into Walter Reed from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Interviews with many of these soldiers were broadcast regularly and seemed to strike a cord with Attila. He wanted to help these young men and women.

His first course of action was to find a charitable organization that was already involved in supporting combat wounded. Attila was willing to donate money, time, whatever they needed. He did this, but Attila wanted to be personally involved in helping as well as a monetary donor. He realized the money he did donate went largely toward administration expenses and very little actually benefited the soldiers directly. Attila felt there was a better way.

Attila’s close proximity to Walter Reed Medical Center gave him a unique opportunity. His location allowed him to personally visit wounded soldiers and he did. When he first started, some soldiers were a little standoffish, but once he met one they introduced him to others and he began visiting more and more. Attila explained to us, “Many of the Marines’ and Soldiers’ families live too far away to visit on a regular basis. So I would visit and bring them Gatorade, video games, magazines, etc.” There wasn’t much more he could do for the guys and girls in the hospital besides visit. Many of them still had multiple surgeries and lengthy rehabilitations ahead of them. He still wanted to do more.

Attila called Walter Reed and got the number for Occupational Therapy. It was during this call that Attila was referred to Karen, an occupational therapist working with the men and women in this area of the hospital.

“The Occupational Therapists at Walter Reed help amputee patients renegotiate all the simple and complex tasks that make us occupational and relational human beings.” Katie Ann Kozick, Army Occupational Therapist, described occupational therapy this way in an online video named “New Video Highlights Occupational Therapy At Walter Reed” posted on MetaCafe.com.

The soldiers in occupational therapy were working hard to restart their lives while, in most cases, missing a limb or worse. Attila wanted to help boost their confidence as well as give them a fun break from the difficult rehabilitation they were under going. So he called Occupational Therapy and spoke to Karen. He let her know that he had two tickets to the up coming NASCAR race in Richmond, VA. He asked if any of the soldiers in her care would like to go. Karen offered Attila’s invitation to her patients. Jason Burr was a United States Army Sgt First Class who took Attila up on the invitation. This is how Horton’s Heroes began.

When we spoke to Jason about Attila and Horton’s Heroes he said this, “Attila would bend over backwards to help any wounded soldier, but it's not just about that one moment or day of help. He keeps in touch with all of the soldiers he encounters. He prays for them and treats them as if they were family.”

Though the organization did not become official until 2007, the concept was put into action in 2004 when Attila offered up those NASCAR tickets. A couple of calls later Attila had the pleasure of meeting Tim Horton and Jamel Daniels for a baseball game with tickets shared in the same way. It was around this time Attila’s efforts took the name Horton’s Heroes.

Horton’s Heroes was named for Tim Horton and represents all of the injured service men and women like him. Formerly a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corp, Tim’s left leg was amputated as a result of being injured during his tour of duty in Iraq. Tim was a resident of Walter Reed for some time under going surgeries and working through recovery. He met Attila at this baseball game and now according to Tim, “I consider him [Attila] one of my best friends.”

Tim’s response to questions about how Horton’s Heroes and Attila helped him was simple, “Attila helped me stop worrying and he made life feel normal again.” Tim continued, “He got me out doing the things again.”

“Sports are my passion.” Tim told us. He runs, plays flag football and basketball, among other sports. Tim is extremely active, not for an amputee, but for any 25 year-old guy. “I focus on activity and nutrition,” Tim said. His injuries have not held him back and he attributes this to Horton’s Heroes.

Tim not only inspired the name and benefited from Attila’s efforts, but he also strives to help others through Horton’s Heroes. He donates money, passes out pamphlets, talks to veterans and tries to help Attila any way he can. He knows what this organization has done for him and he wants to help other veterans wounded in combat achieve the same level of success.

There are many others who have been helped since Jason, Tim and Jamel. We had the pleasure of speaking to another veteran about his experiences with Attila and Horton’s Heroes. United States Army Sergeant E5 Javier Torres met Attila in 2006 at Walter Reed after being injured in Afghanistan a year earlier.

Javier’s HUMVEE was ambushed and he received 3 Gun Shot Wounds. One threw his left ankle, another threw his right foot and the third hit his right shin. He went through many surgeries and wasn’t able to walk for over 9 months. He severe nerve damage in his left leg and a drop foot. He also has nerve and muscle damage in his right foot. Plates, pins and screws hold his 3rd, 4th and 5th metatarsals together. After 2 1/2 years of rehab and other treatment at Walter Reed Javier was medically discharged on May 28, 2008. He received 2 Purple Hearts, a Combat Infantrymen Badge, an Army Commendation Medal and an Army Achievement Medal.

Javier is an amazingly up-beat individual and he believes his positive outlook resurfaced with Attila and Horton‘s Heroes. Javier described to us the difficulties injured soldiers face. Depression and withdrawal are just a couple hardships he mentioned. He also said it was difficult just to venture out of the hospital. Horton’s Heroes helped Javier with all of these issues.

Javier recalls the turning point in his recovery during a sky diving trip with Attila and 7 other Horton’s Heroes. Javier loved jumping out of planes in the military, but was told his injuries would most likely prevent such activities in the future. Attila made it possible for Javier to jump again and according to Javier, “It really helped my confidence. The jump made me realize I could do anything I put my mind to.”

Javier described Attila this way; "He's like the Disneyland for vets. He makes our dreams come true!"

Attila has continued to include Javier in other outings like a trip to UFC fights, but when talking to Javier he is most appreciative of Attila’s friendship. Attila has provided Javier transportation and helped him visit family. Attila helped Javier get to know his wife. They now have a baby girl. Attila has been available by phone to offer diapering advice and even traveled to California to visit Javier and his family.

Javier concluded our conversation with this thought about Attila. “Just a hello and thank you is enough to show a soldier or a vet appreciation, but Attila takes it further and communicates with us as a friend. He is a shoulder to lean on.”

Aside from being a great friend to these soldiers Attila is always expanding Horton’s Heroes support. Currently, they provide tickets to sporting events featuring the Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, and the Ultimate Warrior Challenge. Horton’s Heroes also provides dinners, movie and concert tickets as well as funds trips to Las Vegas and skydiving. With their 2009 Hero Edition Wakesetter VLX Horton’s Heroes also offers wakeboarding and tubing trips on the Potomac River. Soon Attila plans to add other services to Horton’s Heroes including legal and financial counseling.

Jason summed-up the power of Horton’s Heroes with this statement, "Giving any wounded soldier the opportunity to get outdoors is rehabilitative in and of itself. We get to experience real things again. Even though we’re wounded we're not dead. With the help of organizations like Horton's Heroes and people like Attila, it shows us there's life on the other side of the challenges we face."

The Horton’s Heroes brochure states, “Horton’s Heroes mission is to support injured service personnel undergoing therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital; to try to bring some sense of normalcy to their lives; to show these men and women that people do care.”

When we asked Attila why he chose to go this route to give back to our military, he answered, “Unfortunately, many of our soldiers return from combat severely wounded. We provide these services to help them heal mentally and physically.”

Horton’s Heroes was recently incorporated as a non-profit organization. With this certification, donations to Horton’s Heroes are tax deductible. According to Attila, “You can make a difference, so please give what you can. Our military men and women deserve our help.” For more information on Horton’s Heroes, please contact Attila Tassi, Founder and Chairman at 703-928-5516 or email ahortonsheroes@aol.com.

Attila asked that we tell the individual stories of Horton’s Heroes. His efforts are all about them. So if you would like to read more about the men and women Attila considers Horton’s Heroes please visit the Horton’s Heroes Fan Page on Facebook.

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My Life My Boat - Building-up Owners

My Life My Boat MovementInstead of spending 2010 simply promoting themselves, the crew at Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) is promoting their customers with the “My Life My Boat” movement. Malibu Boats wants to give back to boat owners who further the Malibu Difference. The My Life My Boat Movement was born from this goal. These owners promote Malibu Boats and water sports by exhibiting truth on the water. Many of them also selflessly support their communities and their country. This is why Malibu wants to reward them with some well-deserved exposure. Malibu will shine a light on the passions that make up these dedicated owners’ lives on and off the water in an effort to give back to them. Malibu Boats is committing to publicize charities, businesses, events and people dear to the hearts of select Malibu boat owners through digital media as a way of saying thank you.

Additional Links
My Life My Boat Images on Flickr
Malibu My Life My Boat Continuing Coverage on Del.icio.us

Just like the words “My Life” come first in the My Life My Boat movement title, Malibu Boats is putting the lives of their family of boat owners first. The World’s No. 1 selling water sports boat manufacturer is dimming the spotlight on Malibu Boats and shinning it on the customers that have helped elevate this boat brand to the top. But the focus of this attention will not be restricted to water sports or Malibu Boats related subjects. Malibu Boats wants to give back to these ambassadors of the Malibu Difference by bringing some exposure and promotion to the passions in their lives, water-related or not.

2009 Malibu Wakesetter VLX owner, Attila Tassi loves to boat and is an amazing mouthpiece for Malibu Boats, but his true passion lies with helping others. Tassi is the founder of Horton’s Heroes, a organization he formed to support injured service personnel undergoing therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital; to try to bring some sense of normalcy to their lives; to show these men and women that people do care. Malibu Boats would like to reward Tassi for his dedication to United States Service Men and Women by drawing more attention to Horton’s Heroes through the use of the Malibu Boats digital and social media channels.

Monthly, beginning January 2010, Malibu Boats will feature a Malibu boat owner as a part of the My Life My Boat movement. Each month will begin with a new Malibu boat owner story added to the Malibu Boats Blog detailing the passions in these individuals’ lives. This blog post will accompany a national news release as well as photos displayed on Malibu Boats Flickr.com and/or video posted on Malibu’s YouTube Channel. Malibu Boats will fill the month with regular tweets about the My Life My Boat honoree along with facebook status and event updates. Malibu Boat has also carved out a section of their monthly e-newsletter to feature My Life My Boat feature boat owners. Malibu will also look for other ways to generate the maximum exposure for each My Life My Boat owner recognized.

Malibu dealers, partners, pro team members and employees are being given the opportunity to nominate boat owners they feel embody the Malibu Difference in the spirit of My Life My Boat. While Malibu Boats will not be able to honor every Malibu boat owner with My Life My Boat promotion, they hope to give as much back as they can to their family of owners through this movement.

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Take the Malibu Truth is on the Water Challenge

Truth on the Water Challenge InviteWhen a boat is on the water, boat dealers and manufacturers can’t hide behind false claims, sales tactics or inflated marketing budgets. An on-the-water demonstration offers a level of guaranteed truth that may not be certain in a dealership or at a boat show. For these reasons Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) has developed a custom event that can be initiated by you, the buyer, to gather the boats of your choosing in one location for a true side by side comparison. The Malibu Boats Truth is on the Water Challenge calls out competing boat dealers and encourages them to put their boat on the water for you, where it counts most. On the water you will benefit from a completely accurate picture of your water sports boat choices. Once you are in a Malibu boat on the water, the decision will be clear.

Additional Links
Truth is on the Water Invitation
2010 Malibu Boat Shows
Continuing coverage of Truth is on the Water on Delicious.com

Local Malibu Dealers are extending invitations, at your request, to competing water sports boat dealers to take the Truth is on the Water Challenge. Bring your family, your friends and your gear so you can accurately gauge the usability of these boats on the water. You pick the time, the place and the participants. Your Malibu dealer will create a custom invitation for you to deliver to the boat brands you would like to participate in this on-the-water assessment. If the competition accepts the challenge, you’ll have the opportunity to evaluate Malibu and the other guys side by side on performance, innovation, construction and interior accommodation. The Truth is on the Water Challenge will get your top brands together on a lake near you to answer all of your questions honestly.

Contact your local Malibu Boats dealer or visit your nearest 2010 boat show to set up your Truth is on the Water Challenge. This event will give you definitive answers to all of your water sports boat buying questions. Even if the competing boat dealers you have chosen don’t accept the challenge, take this opportunity to test drive a Malibu boat. The truth is on the water and Malibu Boats knows once you test their boats in a real-world boating situation you won’t own any other brand.

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Brian Grubb Featured in Billabong Commercial

Brian Grubb - You Know The Feeling from Jarrod Tallman on Vimeo.

Check out Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Wakeskater Brian Grubb (@BrianKGrubb) growing up in water sports! This is a Billabong commercial created by Jarrod Tallman currently airing on FuelTV. What a great ad! Congrats Grubby, Jarrod and Billabong! Really like this one!

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Swiss Malibu Team Video

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Switzerland Dealer, US Nautic, started the Swiss Malibu Team in late 2009 to expose wakeboarding to more of the Swiss people and bolster the competitive side of the sport in this region. This 10 person team consists of 3 girls and 7 boys all between the ages of 16 and 25. US Nautic is screening additional Swiss team member for 2010 who posses a talent for wakeboarding and can serve as positive role models in the sport. The Swiss Malibu Team has plans to participate in all 2010 Swiss wakeboard competitions and share wakeboarding with their countrymen every time they take the lake.

This video was shot on Lake Lugano near the Italian border. The Swiss Malibu Team rides behind a Wakesetter 23 LSV provided by US Nautic.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Malibu Boats 2010 Show Schedule

The Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) 2010 Boat Show Season is under way. Check out the 2010 Malibus at a show near you this winter. The 2010 Malibu Boats Show Schedule provides the information you need about shows in your area. Visit your local show and take advantage of Malibu Winter Blast Boat Show Savings.

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Celebrate Mardi Gras Early with Central Texas Water Sports

Celebrate Mardi Gras Early with Central Texas Water SportsIt's boat show time and Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Austin, Texas Dealer Central Texas Water Sports is kicking the 2010 show season off right with a Mardi Gras celebration in the booth.

come get your beads and check out the 2010 Malibu boats that will be in attendance with the all-new weightless Illusion G3 Tower, MaliView, Power Wedge and all the innovations that have earned Malibu the PowerBoat Magazine Boat of the Year Award eight years in a row.

Also get a blast of Malibu boat savings at Central Texas Water Sports Boat Show. CTWS is offering huge discounts and your choice of up to $3000 in options, FREE on new 2009 and 2010 Malibu boats!

The Austin Boat Show is Thursday, January 14th through Sunday, January 17th at the Austin Convention Center downtown. For more info, go to: www.austinboatshow.com.

If you are looking for a Malibu Boats boat show in a different area of North America visit the Malibu Boats 2010 Boat Schedule to find a boat show near you.

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Get a Blast of Malibu Boat Savings at the Shows this Winter

Malibu Winter Blast Boat Show Savings PostcardMalibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) discounts and your choice of up to $3000 in options, FREE!

The Malibu Winter Blast is pushing prices lower on all new 2009 and 2010 inventory and custom ordered Malibu boats January 1 through March 31, 2010. Add a custom option package valued at as much as $3000 and even the chill of winter won’t keep you from visiting your local Malibu Boats Dealer at the show. There has been no better time to buy a Malibu boat than during the 2010 boat show season. Visit malibuboats.com to locate your nearest Malibu boat show so you don’t miss The Winter Blast Boat Show Savings Event.

Additional Links
Winter Blast Images on Flickr
2010 Malibu Boat Shows
Continuing coverage of Malibu Boat Shows on Delicious.com

Malibu Boats in cooperation with their award-winning North American Dealer Network are creating the ultimate buying opportunity during the 2010 boat show season. Not only are they offering discounts on new 2009 and 2010 Malibu boats, in-stock or custom orders, Malibu is also giving you your choice of the most popular water sports boat options. Choose up to 4 options from a collection of Malibu Boats’ most ordered accessories. This is a free custom options package that could be worth as much as $3000.

Pick 2 of theses most popular options from Malibu Boats.
- Power Wedge (Counts as (2) Picks)
- MaliView 6.5” LCD Performance & Entertainment System
- One Pair of Alpha II Tower Speakers (2010 G3 Tower only)
- 2nd Set of Titan Swivel/Slide-off Combo Board Racks

Pick an additional 2 accessories from this group of popular Malibu Boats options.
- LED Transom Underwater Swim Light
- Colored Sport Dash
- Driver’s Seat Heater
- Pop Up Bow Light
- 2 Pair of Pop Up Cleats

Contact your local Malibu Boats dealer or visit your nearest boat show to experience the 2010 Malibu Boats line and learn more about Winter Blast Boat Show Savings. Remember these savings will blow by after March 31, 2009.

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