Tantrum Pride!

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) wakeboard boat owners, the Kappler Family, sent us an email with photos of their son Mitch sporting his new biographical Kappler Malibu kids shirt. He is wearing his "I See A Tantrum in My Future" shirt proudly! However instead of doing a Tantrum behind his Malibu wakeboard boat on Lake Gaston to celebrate, Mitch decided to throw a 360. Either way, you do us and that Malibu Boats t-shirt proud, Mitch! Keep riding!

Mitch's dad Brent sent us the following in an email:
I wanted to thank you very much for the Tantrum T's and send a picture of Mitch in his shirt. We really appreciate Malibu for thinking of him and having him be the inspiration for the new shirt. If you can offer them in adult sizes, that would be great. We've had many requests for them from adults who see a Tantrum in their future, as well.

Good point on the adult sized shirt, Brent! I bet that's in the works.

We're proud to have your family as part of the Malibu Family. Thanks for being Malibu Gear inspiration Mitch and keep up the awesome riding! Have fun!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Malibu Gear | Tantrum T-shirt | Mitch Kappler | wakeboard boat | INT | youth | t-shirt | wakeboarding | Tantrum | Back Roll

New Tantrum T Inspired by 9 Year Old INT Rider

The Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Gear web site is posting new clothing additions daily. This week Malibu has added a new youth t-shirt inspired by young INT League (@INTLeague) wakeboarder Mitch Kappler and his family. Owners of a Malibu wakeboard boat, the Kapplers ride behind Malibu Boats in and out of competitions.

We met Mitch back in 2008 at the age of 7 when he landed his first Back Roll behind a Malibu Boats Wakesetter VLX at USA Nationals. Since that time we have followed Mitch as he has progressed through the ranks of INT, an amateur water sports organization.

One of the most memorable posts we did about Mitch was titled "8 Year Old Throwing Tantrum Behind Malibu Boat." This blog post inspired Malibu Boats gear designers to develop a youth t-shirt featuring a youngster throwing a tantrum. No, not that kind; a Tantrum wakeboarding move. It only seemed right to model the shirt's design after Malibu's favorite Tantrum thrower and young wakeboarder, Mitch Kappler. So the artist sketched an action shot of Mitch and named the new youth t-shirt "The Kappler Malibu". The caption reads, "I See A Tantrum In My Future."

So when you buy your Kappler Malibu t-shirt think of Mitch. The first kid to be commemorated on a t-shirt for throwing a Tantrum. Take care Kapplers! We are proud to call your family a part of ours and we look forward to following Mitch as he has fun riding behind Malibu boats.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Malibu Gear | Tantrum T-shirt | Mitch Kappler | wakeboard boat | INT | youth | t-shirt | wakeboarding | Tantrum | Back Roll

Video of Team Malibu's Dallas Friday on Her Injury

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Factory Rider Dallas Friday suffered a season-ending injury at the 2010 Dallas/Fort Worth Pro Tour Stop. This video, captured by Wakeboarding Magazine (@WakeboardingMag), features Dallas describing her injury and where she goes from here.

Dallas is one of the strongest competitors we've ever encountered. There is no doubt, she will obliterate expectations when it come to her recovery.

We're thinking of you Dallas and never forget that Malibu Boats is pulling for you on and of the water! Get well soon!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Dallas Friday | injury | pro tour | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | recovery | Tantrum to Blind | Wakesetter VLX | Wakeboarding Mag | video

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