Malibu Boats: Portuguese for Performance

The Riders Choice Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Wakesetter VLX was selected to pull yet another tournament abroad. This time the VLX graced the waters of the Brazilian Wakeboard Championships featured in this video. The video was created and posted by Rede Globo, Brazil's Premier Television Channel. The video and related article are in Portuguese. Luckily the language of wakeboarding is universal. check it out! Malibu Boats and the Wakesetter VLX, covering the World of Water Sports.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Brazil | wakeboarding | Wakesetter VLX | wakeboard boats | Portuguese | Rede Globo | video | tournament

10-yr-old Lands TS 5 and Whirlybird Behind Malibu

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) received an update from Brent Kappler today regarding his son Mitch. Of course we consider him our Mitch too! We even had a Malibu t-shirt designed after this kid. We have been following this young man since he was 7. You may remember the blog posts we wrote about Mitch landing his first back roll in competition at age 7 and his first front roll at age 8.

Today Mitch's dad let us know that Mitch will be competing at Wake Games this weekend. To prepare for this wakeboard competition Mitch has been working on a toe side 540 and a whirlybird. This short video shows Mitch nailing those two wakeboard tricks.

10 year old, Mitch Kappler is from Lake Gaston, NC and this video features him landing a toe side 540 and a whirlybird. Mitch is coached by Adam Fields of the AF Wakeschool and sponsored by Malibu Boats Dealer ProMarine Boats of Durham, NC and Liquid Force. He rides behind a Malibu boat.

We're pulling for you, Mitch! Good luck buddy!

Read more about Mitch Kappler and his family on the Malibu Boats Blog.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Mitch Kappler | Brent Kappler | Wake Games | wakeboarding | wakeboard boat | kids | Grommet | wakeboard competition | whirlybird | toe side 540 | front roll | back roll | 10-year-old | Adam Fields

Beach Family Fun!

These Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) awesome photos are of the Beach Family having a great time behind their 2002 Wakesetter VLX. Staring in most of the photos is 12 year old Tyson Beach, 9 year old brother Carl and family friend Daniel Nutt. The cliff photo is on Norris Lake Sharon/Tyson/Carl were jumping together)

Looks like a great time!!! Keep these great photos coming!

Thank you Scotty for sharing your photos with us and Kerri from our TN plant for sending them to us!!

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!

Swanson 2008 VTX

This Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) photo of Gary and Jill Swanson’s 2008 Wakesetter VTX were sent to us through our Malibu Boats iPhone App. It was shot by Gary Swanson in their driveway in Hemet, CA. Their boat was custom ordered through Paradise Watersports in Murrieta, Ca.

Thank you Gary for sharing these great photo’s with us!!

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!

Dallas Friday to Write for ESPN

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Factory Team Rider Dallas Friday will be writing for ESPN the Magazine. Dallas is one of 8 Professional Athletes they've dubbed the "Advice Squad". It is a new section in the magazine where readers' questions are posted with "Advice Squad" answers. Question topics range from relationships to fitness. Check out ESPN the Magazine "Advice Squad" issue June 14 2010.

Dallas answers these 3 questions:
My father is going bald. At what point should he shave his head?
What's the most painless way to break up with someone?
What's the best home-cooked meal to impress a significant other?

Can't wait to read what our girl has to say. Way to go Dallas!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Dallas Friday | ESPN | Advice Squad | ESPN the Magazine | wakeboarding | Malibu Team | writing | questions

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

Malibu Australia Just Ride Elite Camp Sign-ups

Brett Sands Watersports is presenting the Malibu Just Ride Elite Camp in early December this year up on the Murray River at Brett’s renowned school in New South Whales, Australia. Aussie Wakeboard Legend Chris O'Shea has teamed up with Brett and his longtime sponsor Malibu Boats for three x 5 day wakeboard camps in December 2009.

Chris O' Shea - A true icon for progression in the sport of wakeboarding - along with other guest Team Malibu riders will be coaching & riding at Brett Sands' Watersports Centre at Echuca/Moama over the course of the three week period.

David Thorpe, Marketing Manager of Malibu Boats said ”This is a great opportunity to link up two of our most highly regarded Team members and connect them into one event." The Just Ride Elite Camps will allow the rider the environment to challenge themselves and take his or hers riding to the next level." Thorpe added, "We hope the camp pushes riders into the professional ranks and helps further progress the sport of wakeboarding here in Australia."

There will be three action packed 5 day live in camps with Chris O. Riders will get 3 sets of riding each day behind the all new Malibu Wakesetter VLX along with a daily tramp session with one of the most elite and progressive riders in the sport.

Accommodation and lessons will all run from Sands' waterfront property, meals are also included in the camp. Riders will eat and breathe wakeboarding for each of the camps with O'Shea. There will only be 6 riders at each camp so spaces are limited. Riders will also be able to demo wakeboards while riding at Brett Sands Watersports, they will have a range of Hyperlite and Ronix wakeboards from the River Front Shop on Location at the camp to ride.

For further information about the Camp go to Brett Sands Watersports or to make a booking call them on 0354 82 1851.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Malibu Australia | New South Whales | Brett Sands Watersports | Chris O'Shea | wakeboarding | elite camp | wakeboard camp | Just Ride | Just Ride Camp

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

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

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

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