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.

Tags: Malibu Boats |

First-Ever Malibu Boats WWA Pro Card Qualifier Kicks Off April 13th

Wakeboarding’s Newest Contest Format Officially Categorizes Pro Riders

The first wakeboard event of its kind to truly designate professional riders from their amateur counterparts, the Malibu Boats WWA Pro Card program kicks off in the sport’s mecca, Orlando, on April 13. The one-day card qualifier, held at one of the sport’s newest and freshest venues, Freedom Wake Park, allows riders a chance to earn a 2013 WWA Malibu Pro Card and qualify to ride in any WWA Pro Men division contest anywhere in the world.

Plenty of amazing riding will be going down at Freedom, a new Orlando training complex and home site of pros Cobe and Tara Mikacich. Pulled by the all-new Malibu WAKESETTER 22 MXZ, the Pro Card Qualifier is expected to attract some of the region’s top-ranked Junior Men, including Mike Dowdy, Jacob Valdez, Gordon Harrison and others.

Click here for more info and registration!


About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sport sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Rider Experience and WWA Pro Card. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. The WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com.

Tags: Malibu Boats |

Good Day LA (Fox News) Features SURF GATE Wakesurfing!

Check out Brandon Chathem, customer of Paradise Watersports on Good Day LA. Notice the evenly-weighted WAKESETTER kicking up a wave that impressed the news crew! Build your own custom Malibu here: malibuboats.com/boats



Tags: Malibu Boats |

Wake Journal For 2013 Season

Wake Journal is back on a weekly schedule with Issue #92 released today! Check out this Pic Pocket with Dallas Friday and look for other coverage of Brian Grubb, Chad Sharpe and Malibu’s new MXZ Series ad. Subscribe for only $1.99 and get the full season delivered to your mobile device or tablet (39 issues). Congrats to Joey Meddock and James Krawczyk for killing it! Get it now at the link below:

http://wkjr.nl/app

Tags: Malibu Boats |

Red Bull Wake Open BOAT Results

Red Bull Wake Open -- BOAT Event

Towed by Malibu Wakesetter MXZ  

1. Harley Clifford

2. Rusty Malinoski

3. Raphael Derome

4. Adam Errington

5t. Phil Soven

5t. Steel Lafferty

7t. Shane Bonifay

7t. Danny Harf

9t. JD Webb

9t. Daniel Powers

9t. Shota Tezuka

9t. Chris O’Shea

Full story and image gallery to come... 

Malibu Wakesetter MXZ Will Tow Red Bull Wake Open

The world’s best wakeboarders are amping over what could be the best event of the summer, if not ever, for the sport of wakeboarding. Tampa, Florida will host the Red Bull Wake Open, part of the Red Bull Signature Series, on July 12-14, showcasing three categories of competition: Boat, Big Air and Park.

Malibu Boats will be the official towboat of the Boat segment and has chosen team wakeskater Brian Grubb as the driver of the 22-foot, supercharged Wakesetter MXZ. As a judge on the King Of Wake Tour, Grubb is in tune with the top tier of today’s riding, and knows how a boat needs to deliver. “I just got to drive and ride behind the actual Red Bull Wake Open MXZ at Malibu’s 2013 catalog shoot and this boat is insane,” Grubb said. “This hull and the driver controls will allow us to jack up the wake and will inspire the best wake riding possible. I’m excited to see what will go down.”

Malibu Wakesetter MXZ

This rider-influenced format will involve two passes and the rider can throw out their lower-scoring pass. Then, the run will end with a double up of their choice. The Boat event will take place on Thursday, July 12 at Sunwest Harbourtowne (a.k.a. “Blue Lake #2”). This man-made quarry sits north of Tampa and will be a great spot for photos and video, with its aqua-marine, bright blue water. Malibu’s Director Of Marketing, Nick Skally, is psyched for the event and the opportunity to partner with a powerhouse like Red Bull, “We’ve always respected what Red Bull has done with their Signature Series and unique event formats like the Wake Open are a testament to their forward thinking, progressive nature.”  Skally continued, “So, when we were looking to partner with someone and tow an event, the Red Bull Wake Open was an obvious choice.”

With use of a helicopter and the best cameras in the world, the high-quality footage will be edited and featured on NBC with the other events from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Big Air will also be pre-recorded and the Park final will go down live. Malibu wishes the best of luck to team riders Phil Soven, Chad Sharpe, Olivier and Raphael Derome.

Boat Event: Invited Riders

(more to be included in Big Air and Park)

Shane Bonifay, Harley Clifford, Raphael Derome, Olivier Derome, Adam Errington, Tom Fooshee, Danny Harf, Randall Harris, Keith Lidberg, Steel Lafferty, Rusty Malinoski, Shaun Murray, Chris O'shea, Aaron Rathy, Erik Ruck, Chad Sharpe, Dean Smith, Phil Soven, Shota Tezuka, JD Webb

Schedule

Fri., July 13 (4:00pm-8:00pm)

Sat., July 14 (12:00pm-3:00pm)

Free admission; all ages

Boat Venue

Sunwest Harbourtowne                            

17251 Old Dixie Hwy

Hudson, FL 34667

727-863-1556

Park & Big Air Venue

Tampa Convention Center

333 South Franklin Street

Tampa, FL 33602

Twitter
@malibuboats

@redbullTPA

#wakeopen

Facebook

facebook.com/malibuboatsfan

facebook.com/redbull

Websites
malibuboats.com

redbullusa.com/wakeopen

CONTACTS

Malibu Boats

Kevin Michael kevinmichael@malibuboats.com

Red Bull

Whitney Gonzales whitney.gonzales@us.redbull.com

ABOUT THE RED BULL SIGNATURE SERIES
The Red Bull Signature Series is the most progressive and innovative wakeboarding, surfing, mountain biking, freestyle motocross and snowboarding events, showcased on custom courses from the inspiration of the athletes themselves. For more, visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com


ABOUT MALIBU BOATS
For thirty years, Malibu Boats have maxed out your experience on the water. Whether you wakeboard, ski or just want to hang out with family and friends, we have a boat for everyone and every budget. With meticulous attention to detail and development input from today's top pros, there's a reason why Malibu is the number one, best selling boat in the world. And owners will agree, there's just something way cool about the Malibu vibe that is unmatched    by any other experience. Visit malibuboats.com to check out the line and even build your own boat.