Wakesetter-head!

Malibu Boats (@MalibBoats) just received this great photo from Ryan Peak. Ryan is becoming one with the Malibu Wakesetter by cutting the "WS" logo into his hair. All of this is in preparation for the Boston INT Stop (@INTLeague) this weekend. Ryan trains and will be competing behind the VLX in an INT League Event. Ryan's uncle, Mark Portuondo, purchased this Wakesetter VLX wakeboard boat from longtime Malibu Dealer East Coast Flightcraft. Maybe Ryan is using his new hair cut to psych out the competition and give himself an edge. Either that or he just thought it would get his picture on the Malibu Boats web sites. Ha! Either way we're pulling for you Ryan! Good luck this weekend! Thanks for sharing!

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 | Wakesetter | Wakesetter VLX | INT League | Boston | competition | hair cut | Ryan Peak | East Coast Flightcraft | Mark Portuondo | wakeboard boats

Degasperi Earns Another World Slalom Title

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Slalom athlete, Thomas Degasperi (@TGas81) captured his second World Championship Title at the 2011 World Water Ski Championships in Dubna, Russia.

A past World Champion and silver medal Men’s Slalom winner, Team Malibu’s Thomas Degasperi was skiing towards a repeat at the 2011 World Water Ski Championships in Dubna, Russia. The Italian born slalom skier took the water in Russia with the confidence of his recent domination at the Global Invitational and his rigorous Malibu Response LXi training regimen as an advantage. Degasperi climbed to the top podium spot on July 23, 2011 with 3 buoys at 41’ becoming a 2-time World Champion Slalom Skier and the holder of the World title for 2011.

Additional Links
Malibu Response LXi Video

Going into the final round Degasperi was not even in the top three, but that didn’t seem to faze him. He stretched for every turn and in the end came out on top slicing past fellow pro Aaron Larkin by an entire buoy for a winning run of 3@41’(10.25m). Degasperi received his new World Champion Title on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Larkin and Nate Smith finished second and third respectively.

Lani Farmer, Team and Event Director for Malibu Boats, had this to say about the current World Champion. “We’re so proud of Thomas. The World Slalom Title could not be held by a better guy. He’s not only a wonderful skier, but he’s a great person and an unbelievable ambassador for Malibu Boats and the sport of slalom skiing. Great job Thomas!”

Skiing extremely well this year, Degasperi’s competitive performances seemed to be hinting to a new level in his skiing. He edged out the 2010 World Slalom Champion and his Malibu Boats teammate, Will Asher, at the Global Invitational. Degasperi took this confidence and skill into Worlds and came out with his second Men’s Slalom Title.

His training regimen also had a lot to do with Degasperi’s resurgence as a World Champion. During the summer Degasperi trains in his home town of Trento in Northern Italy with his Father Marco and the Italian Federation coach, Bubu Alessi. The other half of the year Degasperi trains behind the Malibu Response LXi at the Drew Ross Ski Academy in Orlando, FL. A fellow competitive slalom skier, Team Malibu member and good friend, Ross helps push Degasperi to be his best with the help of the LXi’s pull.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Thomas Degasperi | World Water Ski Championships | World Champion | World Slalom Champion | Response LXi | Dubna Russia | water skiing | tournament | competition | Worlds | ski boats | slalom skiing

$1500 up for Grabs in Big Air & Surf Event

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Dealer Cedar Port Marina is hosting their first ever Big Air and Surf Event in Disney, Oklahoma on May 21, 2011. A $15 entry fee gets you a shot at $1000 in prize money for the biggest air or $500 for the best surf session behind Malibu wakeboard boats.

Entries are open to all comers, but if you're not the competitive type come out to watch the action on May 21, 2011. You will also have the opportunity to test drive and/or ride behind the 2011 Malibu boats. A good time will be had by all!

Don't get filled up on the big air and big wakes at this event because you'll definitely want to hit the Grand Lake BBQ Festival in Langley, OK on the way home!

Email Jerry Cookson at Cedar Port Marina for more information on what is sure to be a fun and for one or two people a profitable event.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Cedar Port Marina | big air | wakesurfing | competition | $1500 | Grand Lake BBQ Festival | wakeboarding event | wakesurfing event | wakeboard boats |

Dallas Friday Dominated Abu Dahbi

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Factory Team Rider Dallas Friday captured victory at the Wakestock wakeboarding event in Abu Dahbi this past weekend. Santioned by the World Wakeboarding Associations (@TheWWA) and the first stop of this year’s Wakeboard World Series, Wakestock Abu Dahbi was a great way to kick of the wakeboarding season. Congratulations Dallas! Way to come out of the gate swinging in 2010!

Read more about the Wakestock Abu Dahbi event at WakeboardingMag.com.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Team Malibu | Wakestock | Abu Dahbi | World Series | The WWA | wakeboarding | Dallas Friday | competition | tournament |

Team Malibu's Asher and Degasperi Dominate Slalom at Worlds

The Malibu Boats family just watched the Water Ski Worlds Pro Men's Slalom Finals and Team Malibu Boats took gold and silver. Team Malibu's Will Asher is World Champion for a second time after his final run in Calgary at the Water Ski World competition. Will captured 3 buoys at 41 off (10.25m). He is joined on the podium by his Malibu Boats teammate and former World Champion Thomas Degasperi. Thomas secured silver with his run of 1 buoy at 41 off (10.25m). These two phenomenal skiers were the only competitors to reach the 41 off line length in the finals. All that training behind the Malibu Response LXi has paid off. Way to go Will and Thomas! We are so proud of you both!

We watched the finals live thanks to ESPN360.com and we were so excited we couldn't help, but tweet about the action. Another reason you should be following Malibu Boats on Twitter. Congrats Team Malibu!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Water Ski Worlds | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | Gold | Silver | World Champion | ski boat | Response LXi | ski tournament | competition | Calgary | skiing | slalom skiing