SURF EXPO Extends Malibu Momentum

With several new product launches, new website, a clean sweep of the WSIA Dealer Awards and top athlete honors at Wake Awards, Malibu Boats and Axis Wake Research noticed a surge of interest though the month of September. National Sales Director, Scott Davenport, is hearing an outpour of feedback through dealer networks and customer chatter. “People are responding well to the new 24 MXZ and everybody wants to get their hands onSURF GATE,” Davenport said. “Plus, Axis is continuing to impress, now offering the RECON edition which benefits a great cause.”

Also new this year, Malibu is promoting a special, limited edition 30th Anniversary package for the RESPONSE TXi, WAKESETTER 20 VTX and 23 LSV. There are a number of new things to talk about and the dealers are amping over the latest innovations. Minnesota Inboard finished the season off with a bang, winning “Retailer Of The Year” at the WSIA Leadership Awards on September 6. Owner Joe Mueller said, ”We are truly honored to win this award and this wouldn’t have been possible without our great crew and our amazing, loyal customers. We are in an ideal location, and sell a superior product. Our new state-of-the-art facility, scheduled to open in early 2013, will allow us to provide the best customer experience, while also enabling our dealership to grow.”

Other dealer awards went to Marine Outfitters for Best Retail Promotion and Boulder Boats for Breakout Retailer Of The Year.

Find your local dealer here: malibuboats.com/dealer-locator

Play with the all-new Build A Boat feature here: malibuboats.com/boats

Malibu’s Scott Davenport and Chase Mastel of Minnesota Inboard

Christina Litjens of Boulder Boats & Malibu’s Chris Loomis

Booth at SURF EXPO

30th Anniversary Edition

Axis RECON Edition

WAKESETTER 24 MXZ

Amber Wing wins “Best Womens Rider”

Raph Derome wins “Best Wakeboarder”

Tags: Malibu Boats |

Malibu and Axis Make Big Impact At Surf Expo

(photo: BillDoster.com)

Surf Expo is undoubtedly the industry's biggest weekend of the year. In 2011, Malibu Boats dug deep with intentions to make a big impact. With the launch of two new models, the Wakesetter 22 MXZ and Response TXi, all eyes were on the boats and the team was psyched to show them off.

The trade show kicked off with a bang on Thursday morning, with our booth featuring a sparkling metallic, dark blue/white MXZ and a metallic Charcoal/Reuben Axis A22. Besides talk of the perfect wakes, plush amenities and the spacious bow on the MXZ, anticipation was creeping for the 8th Annual Wake Awards that evening. Malibu went big, securing an 80-person VIP list and coming on board as a title sponsor.

Excitement set in early, during the WSIA Industry awards, where Malibu won "Best Ad Campaign." Ad creative and photography was a big focus this year, and it was an honor to take home this coveted award. Special thanks to Larry Meddock of the WSIA and our incredible photographer, Tom King. Also, congrats to Chessie Marine for their hard work resulting in the "Break Out Dealer Of The Year" award as well as Tommy's Slalom shop for winning top honors as "Retailer Of The Year." "Best Promotion" went to Active Watersports, which made a clean sweep for all three retailer awards going to Malibu dealers!

Friday's action was shared between the trade show and Malibu's on-water demo day in Windermere, just minutes from Surf Expo. Team rider Brian Grubb brought his all-black 23 LSV, which is still one of the most appealing boats on the water today. Over 20 dealers showed up from places all over the world like Argentina and Poland to get a first glimpse of the new MXZ and TXi. Eddie Trogdon, an active INT League member was on hand and we also saw appearances from owners like David Henderson and his son Hunter, (8), who just took first place in the Junior Boys division at the WWA World Championships.

The Response TXi already made its mark at the Malibu Open in August, but here, the dealers got a chance to take it for a spin, including Mark Watts from Liquid Sports in Orlando as well as Tommy Phillips from Tommy's Slalom Shop in Denver, Colorado. Tommy was impressed with his continuing tests of the Response TXi. "The TXi handles like a dream, has no wake at 15 and 22 off and very little fluff," Tommy said. "All the skiers at our ski school think it's their favorite boat of all time and I would agree. The drivers seat feels secure and you have command of the boat. There is no glare off the dash like other boats and the simplicity of the operating system is a big plus."

With deep roots in wakeboarding, going back to literally day one, Tommy knows what his customers are looking for in boat design and he likes how the MXZ accommodates everyone. "The MXZ has great wakes for all levels," Tommy said. "Very rampy, clean and smooth! The bow space is maximized and we had four people comfortable up front and they could see all the action as Chad Sharpe put on a show. Deep storage allowed us to have ten people comfortably on board with lots of gear stowed. The auto pull up feature will turn new boat owners into pros at driving their family and friends."

The Auto Pull-Up feature Tommy speaks of is another unprecedented innovation from Malibu and Indmar, and implemented into the line by Danny Gasper, Malibu's Director of Product Design. It allows a rider or skier to record the rate of acceleration they prefer, and the driver just punches the throttle and you will get the same start every time.

The MXZ's Hi-Flow ballast pumps were also a hit. The hoses were enlarged to 1-1/8" with an 1100 GPH pump, which allows an increase in filling speed from 40-50 percent. The riders on hand were impressed with the wake without having to add any additional ballast. Phillip Soven actually got to take this gem home with him.

Dealers came into Saturday's trade show amping on the new boats, and it was a great plus to be able to have them share the on-water experience with others. Lani Farmer also attended the WSIA meeting on Sunday morning, where the board of directors discussed and voted on multiple issues affecting our waterways and industry.

Overall, the Malibu staff and dealers considered Surf Expo weekend a home run. The factory is busy churning out new orders and the sales team are getting geared up for boat show season. Look for new videos from demo day in a matter of days! For any questions, please email Kevin Michael at kevinmichael@maibuboats.com



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Tags: Malibu Boats | Wakesetter 22 MXZ | Response TXi | Wakeboard Boat | Brian Grubb | Phillip Soven | Chad Sharpe | Ski Boat | Hi Flow Ballast | Surf Expo | WWA World Championships | WSIA Awards

Malibu Boats Voted Manufacturer of the Year

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) was announced as the 2010 Water Sports Industry Manufacturer of the Year by the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) September 10th at the Wakeboarding Magazine Wake Awards at Surf Expo in Orlando, FL. This 2010 WSIA Leadership Award joins a 3rd consecutive NMMA CSI Award for Customer Service Excellence as well as 19 Boat of the Year Awards in the Malibu Boat trophy case.

Additional Links
Malibu Boats WSIA Award on YouTube
Malibu Boats WSIA Award on Flickr

Water sports retailers, dealers and operators overwhelmingly cast their votes for Malibu Boats as a manufacturer who continues to reinvent themselves with new product design and technology. Malibu Boats separated themselves from the pack with inspired innovations like the weightless fold-down Illusion G3, the acquisition of the Titan Wake Accessories and their bold move to bring tower production in-house. Other industry-altering firsts like the Patented Power Wedge, the MaliView Dash and Entertainment System and sport-specific hull design must have added up in the minds of voter. Couple these cutting edge products with Malibu’s recently released 2011 Sunscape and Wakesetter 247 LSVs as well as the new Malibu Touch Command (MTC) projective capacitive touch screen and Malibu was the obvious choice.

When asked about this latest award, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Malibu Boats, Paul Singer, had this to say. “I would like to thank the industry’s retailers for this honor! It’s a great feeling to be recognized as an originator of cutting-edge products, especially by those who know wakeboard boats best.”

WSIA honored the water sports industry's best retailers and manufacturers with a variety of 2010 Leadership Awards for outstanding efforts in advertising, promotions, and branding. Malibu Boats received the 2010 WSIA Manufacturer of the Year Award during the Wake Awards on Friday, September 10, 2010 at Surf Expo in Orlando, FL.

Visit your local Malibu Boats dealer to experience the Malibu Difference in the 2011 model line-up.

Tags: Malibu Boats | WSIA | awards | leadership | Manufacturer of the Year | Surf Expo | Wakeboarding Mag | wakeboard boats | ski boats | wakeboard boat | Wake Awards

2010 Malibu Wakesetter VLX With Chad Sharpe

Wakeboarding Magazine posted this sweet video hosted by Team Malibu Boats Rider Chad Sharpe. The footage was shot at 2009 Surf Expo and focuses on the 2010 Wakesetter VLX and the changes you will see in the Malibu Boats line this year. Chad covers everything from the new Illusion G3 wakeboard tower to the new color-matched floor with snap out carpeting to the MaliView 6.5 color LCD to the Quad Ballast to the Patented Power Wedge.

Scroll down on this video page and Wakeboarding Magazine give you some insight into the 2010 Malibu Boats Wakesetter VLX with a 360-degree navigable shot of the boat's interior.

Malibu Boats (@malibuboats) found this information by following Chad Sharpe (@chadesharpe) and Wakeboarding Magazine (@wakeboardingmag) on Twitter. Visit Twitter and start following up-to-the-minute wakeboarding news today.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Chad Sharpe | Wakeboarding Mag | video | 2010 | Wakesetter VLX | 2010 boats | Surf Expo | 360 degrees

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

Malibu Riders Taking Home Wake Awards

Malibu Riders Dallas Friday, Brian Grubb & Matt Manzari took home huge Wake Award honors from Wakeboarding Magazine last week during Surf Expo in Orlando, FL. Dallas earned Best Rider and Grubby too Best Video Performance and Team Malibu Boats' Matt Manzari captured Wakeskate Move of the Year with a boardslide backside flip. Way to go Team!

Best Women's Rider
This female ripper kills it in all aspects including contests, exposure, photos, video sections and progressive riding. ’06 Winner: Dallas Friday / ’07 Winner: Amber Wing / ’08 Winner: Nicola Butler

5. Raimi Merritt
4. Melissa Marquardt
3. Nicola Butler
2. Amber Wing

And The Winner Is: Dallas Friday

Best Video Performance – Wakeskate
This is awarded to both the rider and producer, with consideration given to both the level of riding and filming/editing. This is a new category for 2007. ’07 Winner: Aaron Reed / DVS – N.A.R.L.A. / ’08 Winner: Danny Hampson Volume Wakeskate Videos

5. Ben Horan / Scene One / Fun Boots
4. Nick Taylor / Scene One / Fun Boots
3. Brandon Thomas / A.V.E. / Rewritten
2. Andrew Pastura / Scene One / Fun Boots

And The Winner Is: Brian Grubb (@BriankGrubb) / Billabong / Out of the Pond

Oakley’s Move Of The Year: Wakeskating
This award is for the single most impressive, sickest, innovative and progressive move pulled all year, with categories for wakeskating. The winner was chosen by the WAKEBOARDING Magazine. Wakeskate MOY Runners Up:

James Balzer - Toeside Wake-to-wake Kickflip
Russell Brightwell - 360 shove on Spillway Wall Ride
Russell Brightwell - Varial Flip
Travis Doran - Front Big
Justin Forest - Hard Flip
Brian Grubb - Bomb Drop Billabong Bus
Brian Grubb - Wake-to-wake Indy Back Big
Danny Hampson - Backside Big Spin
Reed Hansen - Wake-to-wake Heelside Frontside 540
Reed Hansen - Wake-to-wake Backside 540
Ben Horan - Backside Tail Slide to Backside Big Spin
Dieter Humpsch - Wake-to-Wake Frontside Flip
Kyle Hyams - Backside Big Spin Down Spillway
Chris Kallas - Wake-to-wake Backside Big Spin 360
Matt Manzari - Board Slide Varial Flip
Andrew Pastura - Backside 360 Kickflip
Andrew Pastura - Switch Grapeflip
Andrew Pastura - Switch Front Big Heel Flip
Grant Roberts - 360 Shove
Stu Shinn - Wake-to-wake Shove Catch Shove
Nick Taylor - Backside Big Spin
Nick Taylor - Switch Flats Backside Flip

And The Winner Is — Wakeskating: Matt Manzari, Boardslide backside flip

Visit WakeboardingMag.com for more information on the Wakeboarding Magazine Wake Awards.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Wakeboarding Mag | Dallas Friday | Matt Manzari | Brian Grubb | Team Malibu | Wake Awards | Surf Expo | pro riders | wakeboarding | wakeskating