Malibu Open Waterski Championships Set For June 21-22

For the fourth consecutive year, the RESPONSE TXi will tow the Malibu Open on Friday and Saturday June 21-22, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Veterans Park Lagoon. Make plans now to come check out all the action, including the WATERSKI Awards at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Summerfest will kick off at the same time nearby! More info at http://www.malibuopenfestival.com

Photo: BillDoster.com

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5 Questions With Raph Derome

After a banner year in 2012, Raph Derome found himself on two magazine covers and winning “Best Wakeboarder” and “Rider Of The Year” with TransWorld WAKEBOARDING and Alliance WAKEBOARD, respectively. He won many events all over the world, highlighted by his coveted, overall victory at the inaugural Red Bull Wake Open. Here is where Raph’s head is at coming into 2013.

1.) Now that it’s Spring of a new season, what is your perspective on last season and all of your success?

It was amazing. I had a lot of fun and it was great to be back riding and traveling. Everything has really motivated me to figure out my plan for this 2013 season.

2.) What are your goals behind your WAKESETTER 22 MXZ this season?

I would honestly just like to ride more and have fun behind my boat. I didn’t get to ride that much behind the boat last year with all the contests and traveling. And the year before, I had my elbow injury so hopefully, I can get out and ride a lot this year.

3.) You are a creative rider on all levels. What do you think can be some areas for progression behind the boat?

Hard to say. But I believe the best progression happens naturally.

4.) Your lifestyle seems to be a little cleaner than a lot of other pros, how to you resist the urge to fall into the rockstar lifestyle?

I don’t know, I do my own things. I guess I’m just not a rockstar.

5.) What advice would you give to young aspiring pros, and those just looking to have fun and learn a few tricks this year? What is the key to keeping the fire and passion for wakeboarding?

You need to just ride and appreciate the present. I meet a lot of people who have a strong desire to become pro. To have fun, they need to become pro. Once the dream doesn’t happen, they stop riding. But that’s not what it’s all about. When wakeboarding is not going well, people should do something else, like go skateboarding or pick up a guitar. But always give it another shot.

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THE MVP SPEAKS ABOUT SURF GATE FIRSTHAND

Interview with Tim Walters of Liquid Force (West Coast Sales)

What was your perspective on SURF GATE FIRSTHAND?
From my perspective, the event was a first class ticket with extraordinary hospitality from the crew at Malibu Boats. Being able to indulge in boating with a diverse group of people from a broad variety of action sports heritage was a treat. Furthermore, when the venue is at a private lake in Southern California’s Wine Country, you start to ask yourself how you made it on the short-list on invitees.”

What was your reaction to winning the MVP award? 
I was incredibly honored to be singled out among wake veterans and peers as someone who contributed to the success of this unique event. It was a very kind gesture to say the least.

What are your thoughts on SURF GATE after experiencing it firsthand?
The SURF GATE technology has really pushed wakesurfing’s creativity and performance when it comes to user-friendly waves. SURF GATE creates the longest, largest, cleanest wave I have ever ridden behind a boat. It was so good that I was able to surf up and down the wave on my wakeboard without a rope!

How will SURF GATE make an impact on your Liquid Force customers?
Since the boat can be weighted symmetrically, this makes it easier to drive, decreases wear on the drive train and no longer requires passengers to pile onto one side of the boat. They can also transition from wakeboarding to wakesurfing surfing in seconds, and change sides in a snap. This makes my job easier and adds to the enjoyment for all. WAKESETTER’s with SURF GATE are really a dream come true!

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Malibu WWA PRO CARD Qualifier At Freedom Wake Park In Orlando

New Format Legitimizes Pro Wakeboarders

Glass calm water and a huge wake set the stage at Freedom Wake Park in Orlando on April 13 for the first-ever Malibu WWA PRO CARD wakeboarding qualifier, a development project by the World Wakeboard Association designed to fuel the vitality of competitive wakeboarding long into the future.

With an opportunity to secure a spot as a legitimate professional competitive wakeboarder, 20 riders competed for 16 cards on the day. The heats were stacked and the wake behind the Malibu WAKESETTER 22 MXZ was banging. In the four-man final, camaraderie outweighed the riders’ competitive nature, but they all pushed each other to throw down.

Bryant Thomas, Chad Sharpe, Oli Derome, Brian Grubb & Dean Smith

19-year-old Mike Dowdy was the favorite coming into the event and he proved why, landing a backside 720, Moby Dick 540, toeside 900, nosegrab crow mobe 540 and more, including his signature heelside double grab (nose/stale) ole’ 720.

Mike Dowdy rides to victory and scores his PRO CARD.

That run put Dowdy in the top spot as winner of the first-ever Malibu WWA Pro Card Event. Dowdy was psyched on his result and appreciates the new structure created by the PRO CARD system.

“I think the PRO CARD is awesome,” Dowdy said. “Anyone who thinks they are, or can be a pro rider now has this opportunity to prove it. I was super stoked to come out with the win at the first event and the conditions were perfect. Everyone is killing it. All my friends were out here riding as well today and we are all having fun just pushing it and becoming better riders every day. There’s definitely a movement going on with this crew and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Finalists Ben Allbright, Stephen Pierce, Christian Primrose and Mike Dowdy

The Malibu WWA PRO CARD was the first of five events for 2013. The remaining regional events will consist of PRO CARD qualifiers and the “Rider Experience,” which will be events designed to help amateurs develop into pros. Check out more at http://wwariderexperience.com.

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MALIBU’S “SURF GATE FIRSTHAND” GIVES WAKESURFING A BIG PUSH

Industry Gurus Collaborate On And Off The Water

SURF GATE FIRSTHAND was a collaborative, on-water event hosted by Malibu Boats on April 8-9, 2013 to enhance and improve the activity of wakesurfing on all levels.

As the pioneer of the revolutionary SURF GATE system, Malibu’s staff conducted a day on the water with 20 wakesurfing participants and many more in attendance. The goal was to have fun while collaborating about the sport of wakesurfing and the products used to enhance the activity. Awards we’re handed out for “Best Transfer,” “Best Slam,” “MVP,” and “Most Improved.”

Spirits were up on the water and enthusiasm was running high on both days. Some people were experiencingSURF GATE for the first time and were impressed with the functionality. In the round-table discussion session, breakout groups came up with various ideas for competitions, and improving wakesurfing in every way possible.

All in all, there is no question that wakesurfing is a huge part of what is happening on the water these days, and this process proved invaluable to preserve the vitality of wakesurfing. Malibu is committed to creating the best environment for wakesurfing and to push the sport to levels that nobody thought were possible.

Malibu Boats CEO Jack Springer was impressed with the result of SURF GATE FIRSTHAND, “Remarkable! That’s what comes to my mind,” Springer said. “The concept was simple, yet this far exceeded any expectations we set. The participants were fantastic and I have not been around so many great attitudes at an event like this in a long time. The excitement was palpable, performances were extraordinary in trying conditions. Malibu is committed to producing the best boats for wakesurfing and we value the opinions of our industry experts. With SURF GATE FIRSTHAND, we wanted to get people behind our boats and have a great time while pushing the future of wakesurfing. I couldn’t be more pleased with the result and especially the enthusiasm from all who attended.”

Brian Grubb enjoys the sizable SURF GATE wave.

(L-R): Chad Borba (Best Slam), Sean Mattison (Most Improved), Josh Sleigh (Best Transfer), Tim Walters (MVP).

“Group 1″ docks their WAKESETTER 23 LSV after ripping SURF GATE.

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