Team Malibu's Chad Sharpe Explains Vlog Set-up

Watson, Smith, Sharpe from chad Sharpe on Vimeo.

We were hanging out on Twitter the other day keepin' an eye on the tweets from our friends and noticed a short one from Malibu Boats Pro Team Rider Chad Sharpe (@chadesharpe). Chad announced he was adding video to his blog in cooperation with Ronix Wakeboards. So we checked it out!

If you're into riding and following Chad and his buds, this is the blog for you. He is creating regular updates so you don't have to wait long between video posts. And these clips will definitely get you your riding fix until you can get back on the water. Once you do... you'll have a whole new set of tricks to attempt from watching Chad and the guys. Chad is so dedicated to his new vlog he edited and commented on this newest video post while on the plane to Fort Worth, TX where the first Pro Tour Stop is taking place today and tomorrow.

We shot Chad a tweet (@chadesharpe) to get the particulars on the set-up he is using to capture, edit and post his videos, just in case any of you riders out there want to do the same. He is shooting with "an old vx2000"(Sony HandyCam DCR vx2000) as he describes it. He is using MAC iMovie to edit and he is posting the videos to his Vimeo channel. "I'm working on getting a better camera and Final Cut," Chad informed us. He explained, "The quality is killing me right. Workin' on it."

Thanks for the info Chad. We'll keep our eyes on your vlog watching for more cool clips and the addition of your new equipment and software. Take care and good luck in Fort Worth this weekend.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Chad Sharpe | vlog | Ronix | vx2000 | iMovie | Final Cut | Wakesetter VLX | wakeboard boat

Wakeboarding Mag Interviews Team Malibu's Dallas Friday

Wakeboarding Magazine's Jennifer Ross interviewed Team Malibu Pro Rider Dallas Friday after her Wake Games victory. Here's a little bit of that article. Go to Wakeboarding Magazine Online to read the full interview.

Dallas Friday is back. After disappointing seasons in 2007 and 2008, the most decorated female wakeboarder ever was back atop the Pro Women's podium at the Air Nautique Wake Games. The win was Friday's first since the 2007 Tigé Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships, and she says she has finally fully recovered from the broken femur she suffered in Singapore during the final World Cup event of 2006. We talked to Friday about her return to her winning ways, the chase for the 2009 Queen of Wake and finally being healthy again.

How does it feel to be back on top? It's awesome to start the year off with a win. It was just motivating, and it just kind of sets the pace for the rest of the year. I've actually worked really hard, and it's a little frustrating sometimes, you know, riding so much and sets not always going as good as planned, but it's all worth it in the end. It pays off.

How do you think you were able to beat the rest of the girls? Honestly, it was really tight in the finals, the competition. I saw it like six different ways. There were actually other people I thought were entitled to first, second and third, too. But of course, I'm happy to be on top. The other girls were good for the conditions, and I just can't wait to compete with them the rest of the season. Hopefully, it stays competitive.


You broke your leg back in 2006 right? I broke it in October 2006.

Do you feel like the reason you were able to come back this season was because you've finally recovered from that injury? Yeah, that's the first part of it. But not just recovered from the injury, but to feel even stronger than I was before I broke my leg is just awesome and motivating for me. It's changed my mindset on being a professional athlete and really taking care of my body. I just got done with physical therapy, almost three years of it, and it was definitely a life-changing experience. I'm better because of it. It's made me a better rider and has me stretching and just taking care of my body better. I'm not taking things for granted.

Go to Wakeboarding Magazine Online to read the full interview.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Dallas Friday | Wakeboarding Magazine | Pro Wakeboarder | Female Rider

Malibu Boats Delivers Horton's Heroes Edition VLX

Cusomt-made Horton's Hero Hull Graphic
Originally uploaded by MalibuImages

Paul Singer VP of Sales and Marketing for Malibu Boats flew to the Loudon, TN plant to make this special boat presentation to Attila from Horton's Heroes. Attila took delivery of his brand new 2009 Wakesetter VLX and received a hero's welcome at Malibu Boats. This boat will be used to give joy, fresh air and excercise to combat wounded United States Veterans. That is what Horton's Heroes Inc is all about. The Malibu crew in Tennesse made signs, put up flags and organized a great welcome reception for Horton's Heroes. And they were proud to do this.

View more photos of the Horton's Heroes Edition VLX on the Malibu Boats Flickr.com Channel.

Malibu Boats had a custom set of graphics made for the Horton's Heroes VLX that reflect just who this boat is for; our combat wounded and those soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

Thank you for all you do with Horton's Heroes, Attila! We look forward to adding you to the Malibu Boats Hero Wall. You are deffinately a Malibu Hero for helping and remembering the heroes of our country.

Malibu Wakesetter VLX Makes It 8 Straight

Malibu Wakesetter VLX Makes It 8 Straight
Originally uploaded by MalibuImages

The Malibu Boats 2009 Wakesetter VLX has earned the highest honor in the water sports boat industry, Boat of the Year. PowerBoat Magazine bestowed the honor on Malibu Boats for their achievement in design, performance and implementation surrounding the new Wakesetter VLX. This is Malibu's 8th straight Boat of the Year Awards over the last 8 years; a feat unmatched by any other boat manufacturer. This award increases the number in Malibu's Boat of the Year trophy case to 19 awards total.

Malibu Boats is extremely proud of this latest achievement, but once the pats on the back are spent, they get right back to "Pushing Limits". According to Malibu Boats engineers there are many more innovations and improvements to be designed. They are on to the next.

Malibu Boats in Israel on Sea of Galilee

Malibu Boats Lots at the Malibu Open for Kids in Israel
Originally uploaded by MalibuImages

Here is a picture from the Malibu Open for Kids in Israel Memorial Day Weekend. The event took place north of Israel at the Sea of Galilee. It was very successful! The kids were repotrted to have had a blast!

There will be more informaiton on this event posted in the next several days. We will keep you up-to-date.

The accompanying picture and the others on the Malibu Boats flickr.com channel were provided by Malibu Dealer Aqua Marine in Israel. Thank you for the photos Nava!

Team Malibu's Will Asher Wins Masters

We're so proud of you Will. We knew you could do it. Must be all that training behind your Malibu Response LXi. That and a whole mess a talent! Congratulations!

Team Malibu's Pro Slalom Skier William Asher took Men’s Slalom with 2@41-off at the 50th Masters over the weekend.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Will Asher |slalom | Masters |champion | ski boat |Response LXi

New Malibu Owners Giving Their 20 LSV an A+

We received this e-mail from a new Malibu boat owner today. Steve Doellman in his words, "Finally skied" behind his new Malibu Sunscape 20 LSV the other day and loved it. They gave it an "A+"!

The Doellman Family purchased their 20 LSV during the Malibu Rockin' Christmas Promotion from Stateamind Watersports in Hazelwood, MO. Here's what Steve wrote to us.

I am very happy to report that I am extremely pleased with the wakes. I wanted a Vdrive with a small ski wake and this boat is exactly what I wanted. I am amazed at the wakes. I have a friend with a 22 foot direct drive that I have been jealous of (his good ski wake) but he agrees that my wake is better (for skiing) than his boat. This exceeded my expectations. And I think the wake for wakeboarding is acceptable. Once again, that is what I was hoping for.

I remember WaterSki magazine said the wakes were “phenomenal”. I’m pretty much in agreement. With 3 people in the boat and limited gas in the tank, it was phenomenal. But still extremely good with more weight.

So I rate the boat A+. And I am a hard grader. I test drove other expensive models of “cross-over” boats from your competitors and was not satisfied at all. Mostly because I think they error on the side of a wakeboard boat, so the wake is “okay” for skiing. I wanted the opposite.

Just thought I would share the good news. And you can relay my story to others.

Also, I am amazed at the storage in this 20 foot boat. I am very happy that my kneeboards fit in storage area next to the engine. The ski well is adequate, and the wakeboards are on the racks, so everything is stored and out of the way. Perfect!! And the wife agrees with all of my comments.

Thank you so much for the e-mail, Steve. We are happy the boat is exceeding your expectations and we hope you have a great time in it this summer. Take care!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Stateamind Watersports | Doellman Family | Sunscape 20 LSV | waterskiing | kneeboarding | ski boat | wakeboard boat | phenominal wakes