MOLDING THE FUTURE: RIDER EXPERIENCE SOUTH RECAP

Words & Photos: Kevco

Kicking off the inaugural event of the four-stop Malibu Rider Experience tour, wakeboarders of all levels descended into Freedom Wake Park, in Orlando, Florida on May 10-12 for three days of high-end riding and education.

With a mission to teach individuals and help grow the sport on all levels, The World Wakeboard Association stepped up big time, as the producer and sanctioning body of the Rider Experience. The agenda was laid back, yet productive in a fun environment. And the newly opened Freedom Wake Park delivered great conditions and proved itself as one of the best new venues in the world for wakeboarding.

“Freeride Friday” set the tone for the Rider Experience as 30 riders took turns in groups shredding behind the Malibu WAKESETTER 22 MXZ, which is also the official towboat of the Red Bull Wake Open. Glassy water and good vibes led to a day of shredding that was fun to be a part of. Sessions were also held on land with WWA officials, Malibu pro team riders. The Judge’s Experience explained what judges are looking for and how to create your best run in a contest. The Rider Development session explained the do’s and don’ts of becoming a successful wakeboarder, including advice on many topics such as conduct and social media management.

19-year-old Danny Groves landed his first-ever tantrum to blind that day and was psyched on the experience. “It was nice to connect with people and converse with other riders throughout the whole weekend,” Groves said. “I was super impressed with Malibu as a boat and fell in love with the wake behind the MXZ. After my first air, my eyes immediately lit up. Jimmy Trask taught me how to take my tantrum up higher and it was the best advice. Sticking my first tantrum to blind was the best feeling ever. I appreciate everyone on staff for lending their time to help me out. It went a long way.” Look for an extended interview with Danny coming soon on malibuboats.com.

Saturday was competition day for all age divisions and a Pro Card qualifier for aspiring professionals to become recognized as a top competitive wakeboarder. Malibu Pro Team riders Brian Grubb, Amber Wing, Phil Soven and Dallas Friday were the judges. Dante Digangi killed it all weekend, and scored his Pro Card.

Overall, it was a progressive contest atmosphere, with each rider allowed two runs, keeping their best score. All riders also improved their seeding for events later in the year including the WWA Nationals and Worlds.

“SURF GATE Sunday” capped off the Rider Experience, with participants able to test out SURF GATE by Malibu, the revolutionary innovation allowing for wakesurfing on both sides of an evenly weighted WAKESETTER. Music was pumping through the Rockford Fosgate system on Brian Grubb’s 22 MXZ and everyone was psyched to hang out and wind down with some slayshing. Special thanks to the WWA as well as Cobe and Tarah Mikacich of Freedom Wake Park for hosting an amazing event. Malibu Boats would also like to thank CTRL, CWB and Ronix for their support of the Rider Experience.

The next Malibu WWA Rider Experience will be held on June 7-9 at Mossdale Quarry Lakes in Lathrop, California hosted by Larson Marine. Go to http://wwariderexperience.com for more info and to register in the coming days.

Check out photo galleries from each day on the Malibu Boats Facebook page.

Tags: Malibu Boats |

First Rider Experience Kicks Off May 10-12 In Orlando!

RIDERS, PARENTS AND COACHES COME TOGETHER AT THE RIDER EXPERIENCE

The Malibu WWA Rider Experience is more than just a contest, it’s a time to connect with riders, parents and local volunteers to the sport of wakeboarding. On May 10-12, 2013 at Freedom Wake Park in Orlando, Florida, competitors and non-competitors will join to advance and progress, not just their own riding, judging and development, but also as a sport.

Freedom Wake Park in Orlando, Florida

As a portion of the Malibu WWA Rider Experience, the Rider Development is another tool to help riders, parents, coaches and volunteers better understand and become comfortable in our sport.

The Rider Development will be delivered partly by the WWA as well as a top profile athletes or industry leaders and will help a rider achieve their goals in the sport. Whether that rider wants to win Junior Boys or become a professional one day. We want to deliver to them the proper avenues to achieve a dream. This includes conduct at and around events and social media do’s and don’ts.

The Rider Development is free to enter for registered competitors and non-competitors alike.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

#MalibuRiderExperience

FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013
• Freeride Fridays; come ride with Malibu Boats Pro Riders
• Judges Experience; open to everyone that wants to learn more about judging
• Rider Development; learn how to brand yourself as a wakeboarder

SATURDAY
• WWA Regional Championships – Semi Finals and Finals; compete with regional riders for your chance to win the WWA Regionals & get a seeding for WWA Wakeboard US National Championships
• WWA Pro Card Qualifier; aspiring pro riders qualify their annual pro card (www.WWAProCard.com)
• Social Function; come hang out and grab some grub with other riders and Malibu Boats pro riders

SUNDAY
• Wakesurf Experience. Try out SURF GATE by Malibu, open to competitors and non-competitors

Tags: Malibu Boats |

The Rider Experience Is For Everyone: Competitors & Non-Competitors

Get involved at the Rider Experience, even if you aren’t competing.

This is more than just a contest, it’s a time to connect with riders, parents and local volunteers to the sport of wakeboarding. On May 10-12, 2013 at Freedom Wake Park in Orlando, FL competitors and non-competitors will join to advance and progress, not just their own riding, judging and development, but also wakeboarding as a sport.

The 0ne-hour Judge’s Experience seminar on the afternoon of May 10 will feature top WWA officials explaining everything from how judging works to what judges are looking for in a contest. It will also help riders and parents set up good competition runs to better your overall tournament experience. This is a great opportunity to enlist parents and other volunteers to shadow judge the event while encouraging them to assist at other events in their area. The ultimate goal is to give people a level of comfort with the sport to become more involved in their own wakeboard community.

Come join us May 10-12, 2013 for the Judge’s Experience at Freedom Wake Park in Orlando, FL.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!

Tags: Malibu Boats |

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.

Tags: Malibu Boats |

Freedom Wake Park Opens In Orlando!

COBE & TARAH MIKACICH ANNOUNCE NEW SITE FOR WAKEBOARDING & WAKESURFING LESSONS

After running a highly successful private coaching program for several years, Cobe and Tarah Mikacich have opened up a new location for wakeboarding in Orlando called Freedom Wake Park.

Cobe, one of the sport’s best ambassadors, has been working on this location for five months, and has been diligent with permits and regulations, because he knew this was the best venue. “It’s been a lot of work, but it feels good to know we have found the best spot for our students.” Cobe said. “This site offers perfect conditions for wakeboarding and wakesurfing and we have plans to set up a System 2.0 cableway with rails.”

It’s no secret that Cobe and Tarah have been training some of the best junior riders on the scene, as many of them are on the podium at King Of Wake events across the nation. “Developing junior riders has definitely been an area of focus for us,” Tarah said. “But we also help all kinds of riders from all over the world — from first timers to people training for the Pro Tour. And with wakesurfing’s growth, we’re going to offer specialized wakesurfing camps and have fun with that side of the sport as well.”

With a Malibu WAKESETTER VLX and full gear lineup from O’Brien, Freedom Wake Park is fully operational, so be sure to contact them for any inquiries. Also supporting the park is Ten 80, SAYiWON’T, Shred Ready, Indo Board, Hangtyte, B4BC and Great Lakes Boat Top.

Freedom Wake Park

7200 Lake Ellenor Drive Orlando, FL 32809

407-257-4325

FreedomWakePark.com | Facebook.com/FreedomWakePark | Twitter.com/FreedomWakePark

Instagram.com/FreedomWakePark

Tags: Malibu Boats |

Malibu Boat Gone to the Dogs

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Orlando, FL Dealer Liquid Sports Marine sent us this photo over the weekend. They provided several great descriptions that were sure to earn it a place on Malibu Boats web sites.

Check out these K-9 Malibu enthusiast watching team rider Phil Soven getting huge air at a recent wakeboard contest!

Now that's a Mali-view!!

These bow riding bow-wows belong to the owners of Liquid Sports Marine, Mark and Teressa Watts. The black German Shepherd up front is Kaos. The other 2 are brother and sister named Bella and Jaxon. They are all German Shepherds and as you can see they love riding in the boat.

We just think the photo is "Ooooooooooutstanding!" Ha! Thanks for sharing Teressa and Mark.

If you capture or come across a cool Malibu Boats-related photo like this one let us know. We would love to post it on the Malibu Boats Blog and Flickr Channel. We will even Tweet about it on Twitter and add it to the ever-changing Malibu Boats Screen Saver. You can also submit your photo or video through our Malibu iPhone App.

E-mail blog@malibuboats.com with links and/or images. Also make sure to include the name of the person who took the shot and give us a short description of the photo's contents. If you do not know this information and you are only forwarding a link, we can track it down. Thanks!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Liquid Sports Marine | dogs | Phillip Soven | wakeboard boat | Orlando | Florida | Malibu Dealer | Fav Pic

Sharpe's Winter Wakeboard Rail Slide

Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Chad Sharpe (@ChadeSharpe) make the best of cold snap in Orlando with a sweet ramp and rail set-up. Even when the Malibu boat's put away boys find a way to play! Keep having fun Chad!

The video was shot by dasherfilms.com. "I was staying on Lake Hiawassee in Orlando before Surf Expo. It had been super cold and Chad Sharpe got inventive with a winch, a ramp and a floating dock. I walked over with my Canon 7D and shot the action." - Charles Dasher

Tags: Malibu Boats | Team Malibu | Chad Sharpe | Shawn | Dasher Films | Orlando | slider | boat dock | wakeboarding | Lake Hiawassee

Santa Sticks a Railey Behind a Malibu in Orlando

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Dealer, Liquid Sports Marine (@LiquidSportsFL) posted this sweet video on their YouTube Channel. At first it just looks like a blinged-out Wakesetter all decorated up for Christmas, but as the camera pans... you'll see why this video has the title Santa Railey. He's really doing one behind the boat. Over and over. Check it out! Merry Christmas!

If you wan to see some still shots of the Liquid Sports Christmas display go to the Malibu Boats Flickr site.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Liquid Sports | Santa | Christmas | wakeboarding | railey | Wakesetter | Malibu Dealer | Orlando | wakeboard boat | Santa Railey

Malibu Boats Dealer Earns Top Industry Honor

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Orlando, FL Dealer, Liquid Sports Marine (@LiquidSportsFL), has done it again. For the 5th consecutive year, Liquid Sports has accepted the prestigious Top 100 Dealers award from Boating Industry Magazine. Designated as one of the best boat sales and service dealerships in the U.S., Liquid Sports jumped 24 spots to #30 on the 2009 Top 100 list and received the Best-in-Class Award for the Most Improved Dealership. The top-30 ranking makes Liquid Sports Marine the top inboard/watersports dealer in Florida, and one of only 11 award recipients in one of the biggest boating states in the nation.

“To be named one of the top 100 marine dealers in the country is an incredible accomplishment, something our sales, service and event teams set their sights on every year,” says Mark Watts, who has owned Liquid Sports since 1996. “But to be named in the Top 30, ahead of many of the boat dealers we’ve always admired and patterned our business after, that was a special moment.”

The award is a welcome surprise during a devastating economic year for the Orlando retail boating market, something that isn’t lost on Watts.

“To respond to the recent consumer uncertainty, Liquid got back to what it does best,” he said. “We eliminated some brands, added others [Malibu Boats and Axis Wake Research], overhauled our service department, focused on the business and customer base we’re best adept at serving and re-branded the business -- all in the last 12 months. This award proves to us -- and our customers -- that you’ve got to keep moving forward, no matter the external factors affecting your business.”

The Top 100 accreditation is given to those dealers who excel at every significant dealership function, including sales programs, accounting practices, marketing plans, lead management, customer service, accounting and staff training.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Liquid Sports Marine | Orlando | Florida | Jacksonville | Boating Industry | Top+100+Dealers | Malibu Dealer | Boat Dealer | wakeboard boats | ski boats | family boats

Dallas Friday Wins Worlds & Queen of Wake Title

We were on the edge of our seat today, for the final day of competition at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships in Orlando, FL. We weren't there in person to witness the action, but thanks to the constant Twitter updates from @TheWWA we didn't have to be. @MalibuBoats followed the tweets all day until this one came across Tweet Deck.

@TheWWA: @thewwa Pro Women Finals: http://twitpic.com/fvqv0 (This link takes you to a picture of the final results. Team Malibu's Dallas Friday finished on top with 92.75 points.)

The WakeWorld.com recap reads "In the Pro Women division, Orlando's own Dallas Friday made a splash on her hometown waters today, winning her first world title since 2006 - the fourth of her career. England's Nicola Butler finished in second place, while Aussie Amber Wing took third."

What we didn't realize is not only did Malibu's star female pro rider become the World Champion again today, Dallas also earned her first Queen of Wake title. Wake Girls (@WakeGirls) Clued us in on this piece of info and got an immediate RT (retweet) from @MalibuBoats.

@WakeGirls: Dallas Friday wins the 2009 Queen of Wake title. Congrats!

The 2009 Worlds served as the final event in both the King of Wake and Queen of Wake series. With today's win, Dallas Friday was launched to the top of the series overall point standings, earning Dallas her first Queen of Wake crown. She also earned a cash bonus and a year's worth of bragging rights.

We are unbelievably proud of your Dallas! Way to get the win! Both of them...

Visit WakeWorld.com to read the entire WWA Wakeboard World Championships recap article.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Dallas Friday | The WWA | Wakeboard Worlds | Orlando | Queen of Wake | pro rider | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | wakesetter VLX | Twitter

Malibu Boats Booth Swamped at Surf Expo

The Malibu Factory Crew was swamped at Surf Expo. And I'm not talking about the wake behind the 2010 Wakesetter VLX with the new Illusion G3 wakeboard tower showcased in the Malibu Boats booth. The Malibu boys were swamped with people!

According to Chris Crysdale, Malibu's National Sales Manager, "I think everyone who walked by our booth stopped, many of them twice." Chris explained, "The VLX was sick! they couldn't help it."

Even though they were busy, the Malibu Factory Crew was in their element and had a great time. Of course that was during the show... I don't know that the same enthusiasm was shared when they were setting up and tearing the booth down. But they did a great job! Check out these shots of the 2010 Malibu Wakesetter VLX in the booth.

All and all though Surf Expo was great!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Surf Expo | show booth | Wakesetter VLX | Malibu Factory Crew | Chris Crysdale | Orlando | wakeboard boat

Liquid Sports Dealing Malibu Boats in Orlando Area

Award-winning Florida boat retailer, Liquid Sports Marine, has added the world’s #1 selling and most innovative boat brand to its water sports boat offerings. A “Top 100” marine dealer, Liquid Sports, has become the exclusive representative for Malibu Boats in Central and Northern Florida.

“When it comes to unique innovation, incredible performance and value for the dollar in an inboard water sports boat, there is simply no better choice than Malibu,” says Liquid Sports Marine co-owner, Teressa Watts. “And with Central Florida the country’s epicenter for skiing and wakeboarding, this is a perfect fit for us. We’ve always admired Malibu’s complete dedication to building awesome products, and are so excited about offering them to our customer base and welcoming their passionate group of owners to our dealership for service, events and sales.”

When it came time to finding a dealer who could represent the 2010 Malibu line, one the company calls “its finest in 27 years,” Malibu Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Paul Singer claims he only had one phone call to make.

“Liquid Sports Marine has been the pre-eminent inboard and water sports boat dealer in Orlando for nearly 15 years,” said Singer. “The staff, store and customer base has the vibe, vitality and energy Malibu looks for in a retail environment, and we are energized about where they will take the brand. And for our existing Malibu boat owners, this is a great opportunity for them; we know they will fall in love with Liquid like we did.”

Visit Liquid Sports Marine to experience the 2010 Malibu Boats line. Check out ground-breaking innovations like the new Illusion G3 wakeboard tower with weightless low-clearance fold-down, the Patented Power Wedge, MaliView the 6.5” color LCD and more. Test drive a Malibu boat at Liquid Sports where they believe, “the truth is on the water.”

Liquid Sports Marine, with locations in Orlando and Jacksonville, has been voted one of the Top 100 dealers in the country for the last four years by marine industry trade magazine, Boating Industry. The 2008 Top 100 Dealer awards were handed out at a ceremony attended by nearly 400 of the industry’s top dealers and manufacturers in Las Vegas this past November. For more information about Liquid Sports Marine, call 407-281-7909, or go to http://www.liquidsportsmarine.com.

Orlando (main store)
8650 Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32817
1-888-815-2676
Fax: 407-281-1256

Jacksonville
10161 Atlantic Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32225
904-854-9100
Fax: 904-854-9104

Tags: Malibu Boats | Liquid Sports Marine | Orlando | Florida | Jacksonville | Boating Industry | Top+100+Dealers | Malibu Dealer | Boat Dealer | wakeboard boats | ski boats | family boats