Midwest Coast Surf Club Video

Midwest Coast Surf Club from Spencer Combs on Vimeo.

We came across this great video from a Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Twitter follower the other day. Spencer Combs (@spencercombspix) is not only a photographer in the Minneapolis, MN area, he is also an avid wakesurfer and happens to own a 2006 Malibu iRide. We liked him right away, but not just because he's a Malibu boat owner who has a passion for water sports. Spencer, along with a group of his friends and relatives are working to make a difference in their community with the help of wakesurfing.

Spencer founded the Midwest Coast Surf Club to introduce inner city kids as well as other interested locals to the sport of wake surfing. With his wife Alex, his dad Andrew, his mom Dana, his brother Wes, the Capture Studios film crew, Craig, Brandon, Rob, Will, Troy, Jon, Stephen, Amanda, Matt, Ty and tons of others that just show up, Spencer and Midwest Coast Surf Club are on a mission. "Love our community through boating and teach people about the fun of wakesurfing in person as well as through videos and photos."

Spencer described his crew and their motivation this way, "We are a group of photographers and film makers, web designers, and SUPER nice loving people. We thought with our gifts we could really push the sport to the next level!"

Spencer and Capture Studios have won Photographer and Videographer of the Year respectively for the state of Minnesota. Spencer said, "...we are so excited to share our gift with the community and what better way than something we are passionate about!"

While you will catch a few glimpses of Spencer's iRide in this wake surfing video, the feature boat is a 2010 Malibu Wakesetter VLX supplied by Malibu Boats Dealer Minnesota Inboard.

When we asked Spencer why he chose Malibu for this video and as the official boat of the Midwest Coast Surf Club he had plenty to write in response. "It was a pretty easy choice to choose Malibu boats! I mean come on, Malibu boats are probably the sexiest boats on the market; not to mention you can get one of the best wakes EVER behind these boats. Once you drop that Wedge and fill up the ballast your wake is high and the sweet spot is nice and long, plus TONS of room inside for friends! It doesn't get much better than that! Plus the quality of the boat is above and beyond all the other boats we have ridden in!"

Right now the Midwest Coast Surf Club is in the planning stages for 2011 events and clinics as well as more videos! We definitely hope to see more from Spencer and the Midwest Coast Surf crew soon. Way to go MCSC! You're off to a great start. This video is sweet! Thanks for including Malibu Boats!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Midwest Coast Surf Club | Spencer Combs | photography | videography | wakesurfing | wakeboard boats | iRide | Wakesetter VLX | wakesurf boats | Minnesota Inboard | Minnesota

Kappler Family Malibu Factory Tour Thank You

The Kappler Family stopped by and took a Malibu Boats Factory Tour a couple of weeks ago and they sent us a great thank you email this morning. Thought we'd share...

My family and I wish to thank you for arranging a recent Malibu plant visit for us. While on our way to Little Rock, AR last month for a regional INT tournament, you made it possible for us to visit and tour the Loudon, TN plant. It was remarkable to us to see first hand just how Malibu boats are built and we learned a great deal about the boat building process. After meeting with Kerri Johns and the other Malibu employees, it was very apparent why so many Malibu boat owners refer to you as "family". Everyone we met was so gracious with their time and didn't hesitate to take a few minutes from their busy day to talk with us. Each employee seemed to truly enjoy their job and it was clear that each person took great pride in their work. I was amazed at the amount of individual hands on craftsmanship that goes into building each boat. It's no wonder Malibu boats are the best in the industry. They clearly have the best people in the industry.

From our family, to yours, thank you so much, again, for allowing us to come through the plant and meet the people that make up Malibu.

Best Regards,

The Kappler Family
Brent, Renee, Mitch and Jake

No need for thanks, Brent. We love giving Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Factory Tours. Kerri and the rest of the Malibu Fam in Tennessee told us they had a great time with you four. They hope to see you back again! Take care and tell the boys to keep practicing.

If you are interested in taking a tour at Malibu Boats Factory in Loudon, TN like the Kapplers 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 | Mitch Kappler | Brent Kappler | iRide | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | kids | Grommet | wakeboard competition | tantrum | scarecrow | front roll | back roll | 8-year-old | factory tour | Kerri Johns | Little Rock | INT | Tennessee

8-year-old Boarder Still Shreddin Behind a Malibu Boat

Mitch Kappler is 8 years old and loves to wakeboard. His family owns a Malibu iRide and since we received that first video of Mitch landing a back roll in competition at the age of seven, we have been hooked on this kid. We watched him land his first front roll earlier this year behind his family's Malibu boat. Brent, Mitch's dad, kept us updated on the runs Mitch threw down at the WWA Nationals and sent us a video of Mitch Throwing a Tantrum (wakeboard move) behind the iRide.

Yesterday the Malibu Boats Family had the chance to meet Mitch in person when he and his family stopped by the Tennessee Factory on the way to Little Rock, AR for the INT Eastern Regional Invitational. The Kappler Family took a tour with long-time Malibu employee Kerri Johns who works in Customer Service. Kerri said it was a lot of fun because of how excited the Kappler Family was to see the boats being built and just how pumped they are about Malibu Boats.

The tour also gave us a chance to catch up on the progress Mitch has been making with his riding over the past couple months. Mitch took 2nd place in the Jr. Boys division (9 and under) at the WWA Worlds tournament in Orlando back in August. Mitch ended up edging out the youngster who beat him at the INT Nationals in Texas, which had to feel pretty good.

According to Mitch's dad, Brent, "Mitch has a few more tournaments to compete in this year, but he's already starting to think about new tricks for next year."

We can't wait to see what's next! Keep photos and video coming. We love following Mitch's progress. And good luck in Little Rock, Mitch!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Mitch Kappler | Brent Kappler | iRide | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | kids | Grommet | wakeboard competition | tantrum | scarecrow | front roll | back roll | 8-year-old | factory tour | Kerri Johns | Little Rock | INT | Tennessee

8 Year Old Throwing Tantrum Behind Malibu Boat

No it's not that kind of Tantrum! This is video of 8-year-old Mitch Kappler perfecting some new wakeboard moves behind his Malibu iRide on Lake Gaston in North Carolina. You'll see Mitch land a Tantrum and a Scarecrow in this wakeboard video.

Mitch's dad, Brent, has been keeping us posted on the phenom's wakeboarding progress. Mitch is training for the WWA World Championships being held in Orlando later this month.

We have been following Mitch since his dad sent us video of him landing a back roll in competition at the age of 7. Then came video of a front roll, and now he's perfected the tantrum and the scarecrow. Mitch is coached by wakeboard pro, Adam Fields. And as far as we can tell he is doing a great job with this Grommet! Keep it up guys and keep Malibu Boats posted. And good luck in Orlando, Mitch!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Mitch Kappler | Brent Kappler | iRide | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | kids | Grommet | wakeboard competition | tantrum | scarecrow | front roll | back roll | 8-year-old | Adam Fields