Is this true ??!!

[DanE]

Nautique interview of Andy Mapple

 

 

What first inspired you to start Mapple skis?

For so long I have worked for other companies and been very fortunate to have those opportunities. I have learned so much throughout my career and while I was competing, I was very reserved about how I trained, what I did with skis, and was not as accessible as I could have been. By starting Mapple Skis, I am able to assemble a team, design skis, and share the passion I have for this sport and the skiers involved. Team Mapple is a complete company where skiers from around the world can get resources and services to help their skiing and passion.

 

You’ve also been doing some coaching at your facility correct?

We have a private facility with a man-made lake right in Orlando. We are setup to have ski testing, development and coaching available. A skier can book skiing at the lake by the ski ride, day, or week. It can be booked with any of our team members. However, when there, you never know who may show up for a few sets!

 

Coaching gives me the opportunity to share my beliefs in slalom, as well as share my experiences, as all of our team members can. Team Mapple coaching and ski setup is not exclusive to our skis. Yes, the skis are available to test, but helping a skier improve or have a better setup is just as important to us.

 

Who is on the Mapple Skis team?

Our team is growing. Right now our core is Deena, Chris Parrish, Nicole Arthur, Marion Mathieu, and myself. What I really enjoy is seeing our customers come and hang at the lake or R&D facility just to enjoy being around what we do. They are all my team and it is growing!

 

What are your plans for 2013?

To enjoy what we are doing and make a difference. 2013 will be our first real season and we have one first impression. We love this sport and we are appreciative to be a part of it.

 

How long has it been since you skied in a pro event?

I think my last pro event was 2005. I skied in an event early season that year in West Palm Beach. Getting old though you know and the memory is not what it used to be!!

 

We hear you may be competing in a couple of pro events this season; what inspired your return?

The ski company has inspired my skiing again. I am involved and living the sport again. I feel that with the company, I am actually skiing again and figuring out how to get things done and win! BUT if I feel we win, it will be our customers that I hope win the most. Getting back out there a “little” helps me connect with the skiing world first hand. This is a big inspiration to feed off others passion and continue to grow mine. Both tournaments will be pulled by the Ski Nautique 200 so the setup and timing are a perfect fit.

 

How has your training been going?

It hasn’t been too much. I took some time off after Thanksgiving and figured I would get going at the start of the year. Been a little busy lately, so skiing has been sporadic. I have days where I can put out a decent score, but not enough skiing base in the body to train each day right now! Skiing in these couple of 36mph events in Acapulco and Moomba is purely an opportunity I could not pass up. I am not in the same league as the pro skiers of today anymore, but I can tell you I will give my best, have very competitive feelings and enjoy every minute of it.

 

You are the most recognized name in skiing and have been involved in the most important innovations in the industry from the development of skis, to speed control, to boat design. Where do you see the sport going and what do you think the industry needs in order to grow from where we are now?

I can get very opinionated on this subject! I love the technical aspect of the industry; designing skis and working in R&D for Nautique and Zero Off are all part of my motivation. From a sport standpoint we need change in how events are run and organized. We have driven the cost of an event way too high; the rules have taken over too much! I would like to see the sport and industry be together more on identifying “who we are” and “where we are going”. That’s probably enough said right now on that!!

 

[MattP]

What do you believe to be false about it?

It was an interview published by Nautique.

[DanE]

I couldn´t find where it was originally published, let´s just say I found it on some other forum....

hrm...mmm...

[ToddL]

There are other water skiing forums???? ;-)

( @Horton )

[MattP]

Here is the orrgionel interview http://www.nautique.com/teamblog/?p=1590

[Skoot1123]

@mapple - Thank you for doing this interview!

 

Andy Mapple has a refreshing voice that this sport sincerely needs in order to grow this sport. Great to see that Nautique did this interview!

[The_MS]

If he goes top 5 at Moomba or another pro event, he will be out of the BD.

[MattP]

Under BD rules if you are 50 or over and want to ski pro events that will not hinder you BD eligibility.

Who is Eligible for the Nautique Big Dawg World Tour (NBDWT) / Entry information:

 

Skiers 35 and older who have not placed in the top 10 in the Open Division of a Pro Slalom Tournament (listed below) in the past 3 years, or who is over the age of 50. All skiers meeting the eligibility criteria above, and submit to the tournament registrar an (a) entry form, (b) proof of membership as required per the governing body of the host country and © advertised entry fee. Entries are limited to 50 in qualifiers, and will be accepted on a first come, first-serve basis. There will be a total of 40 skiers invited to NBDWT finals. Although skiers will be competing against other Men’s Divisions in this format, participation in the Nautique Big Dawg does not constitute Master Men (MM) qualifications.

[The_MS]

Good, it will be nice to see him at both 55 and 58K.

[Horton]

@DanE

Worst thread title ever

 

http://media.tumblr.com/fe497dd337d9af8479bb6398b9565d16/tumblr_inline_mg6n5ltl6X1rxe4lt.gif

[DanE]

@Horton, I will do whatever it takes to make you post that cute Panda