Team Malibu Alumni to be Honored by Hall of Fame

Past Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Team Athletes, champion barefooter Ron Scarpa (@RonScarpa) and champion kneeboarder Ted Bevelacqua (@MarketingYOUNet), will be recognized by the Water Ski Hall of Fame on April 30th.

Being part of the Malibu Boats Pro Team extends well beyond an athlete’s competitive years. Team Malibu Alumni like world champion Barefooter Ron Scarpa and 7-time national champion Kneeboarder Ted Bevelacqua have retired, but they will always be considered a big part of the Malibu Family. That is why their brothers and sisters at Malibu are proud to congratulate both of these world class athletes on the honors they will receive from the American Water Ski Educational Foundation Hall of Fame on April 30th. Scarpa is scheduled to be inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame, while Bevelacqua will be receiving the Award of Distinction. Malibu Boats is extremely pleased these two amazing athletes are being recognized for their water sports careers and contributions to the industry.

The Water Ski Hall of Fame honors and perpetuates the names and accomplishments of skiers, pioneers, and officials whose dedication and competitive achievements at National and International levels have brought lasting fame to the sport of water skiing. Scarpa will become the 61st inductee into the Water Ski Hall of Fame for his competitive barefooting accomplishments.

Scarpa is considered the most decorated U.S. men's barefoot water ski athlete of all time. He has won more Open Men national overall titles – 12 (plus one Open Pro Men national overall title) – than any other athlete in the history of barefoot water skiing. He also won four men's world overall titles, the most of any other athlete in barefooting. In addition to the world overall titles, Scarpa won five world tricks titles, four world slalom titles and two world jumping titles. He was selected USA Water Ski's Male Athlete of the Year in 1992. He joined the Malibu Team in 1997 and retired from competition in 2005. He continues to run the Malibu Response LXi at his Orlando barefoot water ski school, Ron Scarpa Watersports.

Longtime Malibu Boats employees Paul Singer and Dennis Kelley, who have grown up with this company as well as these honorees, will be in attendance at the AWSEF Hall of Fame ceremonies. They will be there to cheer for Scarpa and Bevelacqua for the contributions they have made to Malibu Boats and the industry.

When Singer, Malibu Boats Marketing Director, was asked about his upcoming trip to the Water Ski Hall of Fame Induction he said, “What an incredible honor it is to have followed the career of both of these friends and athletes.” Singer explained, “Ron Scarpa truly exemplifies what the Hall of Fame is all about. His incredible accolades and contribution to the sport is unparalleled but his integrity and effectiveness as an ambassador of the sport has been admirable. Ted put the sport of kneeboarding on the map and continues to impress crowds wherever he goes. Malibu congratulates both of these tremendous athletes and ambassadors for this prestigious honor.”

The Award of Distinction was created to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to water sports. Award recipients have included tournament skiers, innovators, industry leaders, officials and others responsible for landmark achievements in the development of water sports. Bevelacqua will receive this award for his competitive success as a professional kneeboarding as well as furthering the sport.

Bevelacqua was a 7-time national kneeboard champion. He became a part of Team Malibu in 1990 and even after retiring from competition, stayed on as a Sales Manager for Malibu Boats. Bevelacqua also designed the Trident Ted Bevelacqua Pro Model kneeboard and was the founder of Pro-Acqua kneeboard accessories. Bevelacqua runs his own marketing business and continues to be heavily involved in water sports. Congratulations Ron and Ted! Malibu Boats is always pulling for you!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Ron Scarpa | Ted Bevelacqua | Water Ski Hall of Fame | barefooting | barefoot water skiing | kneeboarding | water sports | Hall of Fame | honor | Paul Singer | Dennis Kelley | ski boats

Malibu Boats 2011 Backstage Pass

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) has updated the video that pulled back the curtain on the performance, innovation, construction and interior excellence that goes into their award-winning boats. The new video contains 2011 model footage as well as an in-depth look at Malibu Boats Illusion G3 Tower and accessory production. As the only water sports boat manufacturer to design and produce their towers in-house, Malibu Boats has some unique shots to share. The 2011 Backstage Pass video is available to view and share on Malibu Boats YouTube Channel.

The “Malibu Boats Backstage Pass” was filmed to give viewers a 10-minute glimpse into the Malibu Difference. Performance, innovation, construction and interior details are described and shown through out this video. Watch this video and gain a better understanding of the World’s No. 1 selling water sports boat manufacturer, the Malibu people and the award-winning boats they create.

The Malibu Backstage Pass video demonstrates the power behind Malibu Boats performance. Amy Mauzy, PR Manager for Malibu Boats, explains Malibu’s custom hull options, big wake enhancement versatility, World Record slalom performance, handling characteristics and ride. Malibu’s National Promo Team Director, Dennis Kelley, also talks in detail about the research that goes into Malibu performance design.

“Versatility, handling, ride, wakes, it all comes together on the water and that’s where Malibu boats separate from the pack,” Mauzy concludes.

Paul Singer, Marketing Director, outlines the developments that have made Malibu Boats the innovation leader in the water sports industry. Singer describes a few of the industry firsts implemented by Malibu including the MaliView Dash and Entertainment System, frameless windshields, the new Illusion G3 tower with weightless fold-down and the engineered fin-saver swim platform.

Singer also goes into detail about Malibu’s proven production processes. He focuses on their meticulous gel coat preparation and application, the extra steps Malibu takes in lamination, the Malibu Fiberglass Engine Chassis System (FibECS) and the unibody construction that creates a Malibu boat’s quiet ride. Malibu Boats Production Manager, Reese Stansell weighs in on the company’s superior in-house production of components in additional to the boats, like the new G3 tower. Like many signature Malibu parts, this new industry-altering wakeboard tower is designed, created and assembled in-house at Malibu Boats to ensure quality.

“We don’t build boats this way because it’s easier or inexpensive. We do it because it’s the right way and gets us closer to our goal of building the best boat possible,” Singer explains.

This updated video gives you unrestricted access to factors that make the Malibu Difference. Enjoy!

Watch this new video from Malibu Boats learn more about the Malibu Difference.

Tags: Malibu Boats | video | Malibu Difference | factory tour | WaterSki Magazine | Paul Singer | Amy Mauzy | Dennis Kelley | Reese Stansell | performance | innovation | construction | interior excellence | Boat of the Year | Illusion G3 | G3 Accessories

New Video Your Backstage Pass to Malibu Difference

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) pulls back the curtain on the performance, innovation, construction and interior excellence that has netted them 8 consecutive Boat of the Year Awards in a new video just posted on WaterSki Magazine's web site.

This latest video from Malibu Boats was not shot merely as a factory tour, which Malibu encourages in-person Monday through Thursday 9am to 4pm. The “Malibu Boats Backstage Pass” was filmed to give viewers a 10-minute glimpse into the Malibu Difference. Performance, innovation, construction and interior details are described and shown through out this video. Watch this video and gain a better understanding of the World’s No. 1 selling water sports boat manufacturer, the Malibu people and the award-winning boats they create.

The Malibu Backstage Pass video demonstrates the power behind Malibu Boats performance. Amy Mauzy, Marketing Manager for Malibu Boats, explains Malibu’s custom hull options, big wake enhancement versatility, World Record slalom performance, handling characteristics and ride. Malibu’s National Promo Team Director, Dennis Kelley, also talks in detail about the research that goes into Malibu performance design.

“Versatility, handling, ride, wakes, it all comes together on the water and that’s where Malibu boats separate from the pack,” Mauzy concludes.

Paul Singer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, outlines the developments that have made Malibu Boats the innovation leader in the water sports industry. Singer describes a few of the industry firsts implemented by Malibu including the MaliView Dash and Entertainment System, frameless windshields, the new Illusion G3 tower with weightless fold-down and the engineered fin-saver swim platform.

Singer also goes into detail about Malibu’s proven production processes. He focuses on their meticulous gel coat preparation and application, the extra steps Malibu takes in lamination, the Malibu Fiberglass Engine Chassis System (FibECS) and the unibody construction that creates a Malibu boat’s quiet ride. Malibu Boats Production Manager, Reese Stansell weighs in on the company’s superior in-house production of components in additional to the boats, like the new G3 tower. Like many signature Malibu parts, this new industry-altering wakeboard tower is designed, created and assembled in-house at Malibu Boats to ensure quality.

“We don’t build boats this way because it’s easier or inexpensive. We do it because it’s the right way and gets us closer to our goal of building the best boat possible,” Singer explains.

Mauzy concludes the video with a look inside the superior fit and finish of a Malibu boat. She specifically points out what makes the interior so comforting, strong and luxurious.

Watch this new video from Malibu Boats learn more about the Malibu Difference.

Tags: Malibu Boats | video | Malibu Difference | factory tour | WaterSki Magazine | Paul Singer | Amy Mauzy | Dennis Kelley | Reese Stansell | performance | innovation | construction | interior excellence | Boat of the Year

Holman Fam Chooses Malibu Boats Over Corvette Factory

David and Kelly Holman from Clarksville, TN called the Malibu Boats Factory (@MalibuBoats)in TN while traveling to see about a tour. The Holmans planned to stop in Kentucky at the Corvette Factory, but then realized the Malibu Factory was not far and decided a Malibu tour would be their first choice. Kerri Johns, who works in Customer Service and Warranty for Malibu Boats, took the call and encouraged David and Kelly to stop by the plant.

David, Kelly and their five children have always had a love for boats. They are between boats right now, but have thought for a long time that their next boat would be a Malibu. David explained to us how choosing the Malibu Factory tour over the Corvette Factory came about. "When we realized that the Malibu plant was only two hours further than the Corvette Factory, we thought we would call and see if a tour was possible." David continued, "Kerri was so pleasant and willing when I spoke to her. We knew then that the Malibu plant was the best choice and we were right."

Kerri met David and Kelly in the front office at the Malibu Boats Factory in Loudon, TN and they were off. One of the first things they did was check out the Malibu Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V at the factory. The Holmans told Kerri about their love for Corvettes and since they wouldn't have a chance to visit the museum she thought seeing the Corvette that runs on water would be fun for them. And as Kerri put it, "They killed two bird with one stone and got their Corvette fix."

Then Kerri and Dennis Kelley, Quality Assurance Manager for Malibu Boats, gave them the detailed Malibu Boats tour. They started with mold-prep and worked their way through gel coat, lamination, assembly, rigging, upholstery install, lake test, QC and detail, explaining each step thoroughly along the way.

We asked David what he enjoyed most about the Malibu Boats tour and he immediately replied, "The amount of detail and effort taken to make each boat and grasping the concept of how the gel coat goes on first and the shell of the boat is made from the outside in." David went on to say, "We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves more than we could have imagined. The staff at the plant was so kind and treated us as the most important people in the world. Everyone was so willing to answer our never-ending list of questions."

The last question we asked David was what he thought of Malibu Boats now that he and Kelly had a chance to take the tour. "The level of customer service and patience for explaining details exceeded our expectations and the tour affirmed that craftsmanship, detail and innovations have placed Malibu Boats at the top of our list." David answered.

Kerri told us, "Dennis and I had the best visit with the Holmans! Kelly even hugged me on her way out. This type of personal contact with customers is the absolute best part of my job!"

If you are interested in taking a tour at Malibu Boats Factory in Loudon, TN like the Holmans please call (865) 458-5478 or fill out the Malibu Boats Contact Us form online. Make sure to include your desired tour date and time in the comments section. We would love to see you at the Malibu Boats Factory.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Malibu Factory | factory tour | Tennessee | Loudon TN | Corvette Factory | David Holman | Kerri Johns | Dennis Kelley | Corvette Boat