Stats
Age:        55
Height:        6'1"
Weight:        200
Shoe Size:    13
Ski Setup:    Whatever we are developing at the time. Currently A2

Titles Held

5 time world champion
9 time national champion
2 time pro tour champ.


Records    

5 time world record holder

Interview with Marcus Brown

MB: Let's get this Q&A kicked off the right way.  You brought water skiing to the Big Screen in 1988...shredding the lake on 2 skis as a stuntman for John Candy (aka Chet Ripley) in "The Great Outdoors".  What was it like to hang out with Uncle Buck?  Could he even get up on skis?
BL: A very funny man. I had to go to make up every morning and sit between him and Dan Akroid (aka Roman) They would start telling jokes, knowing that I would start busting up, which would piss off the make up artist.  John really wanted to ski so that it would tie the whole sequence together. But the studio heads didn't want to risk him getting hurt. So he came to Danny Moore (Romans stunt double and boat driver) and I and asked if we would teach him how to ski. We had to sneak out early one morning with John, his body guard, and a bottle of Brandy (It was a very cold Oct. morning). We set up the boom, put him on a pair of jumpers, and he gave it his best. He got up a couple of times briefly, but his weak knees from old football injuries wouldn't cooperate. For the movie, we ended up sticking him on the swim platform of a MasterCraft holding the rope, and filmed him from the front seat. It worked great for the shots they needed to sell the shot.


MB: Why did you ever choose water skiing?  What got you into a sport that was relatively unknown in those early days?
BL: We got started in the early 60's when our dad bought a boat after watching a ski tournament, I believe up in Washington. It started out as weekend family outings to lakes and the Delta. We joined the Golden Gate Water Ski Club and started skiing local events. Once Kris turned 16 and got his driver’s license, we were basically cut loose on our own, and the rest, as they say, is history.


MB: Back in the good 'ole days when you were on SportsCenter every night, you're Nickname was Chairman of the Board.  Your technique was flawless.  Everyone tried to copy you...  Looking back on it all now, what played the biggest role in your success?
BL: First, I had my brother, who set a world record at the age of like 13, to learn from. There were no videos or books to learn from, so we just evolved our technique through practice. We also started working on skis at an early age, which taught us how to make skis work better. The other factor was that I was blessed with good athletic abilities. And I could focus very well, block out what wasn't relative, and not let conditions influence my performance.


MB: If you could time travel back to the beginning of your pro career, in 2011, and start all over....what would you do differently?
BL: I would make skiing more of a full time focus. I trained hard, but because it came so naturally to me, I didn't work as hard as I could have. I would also get more involved with other aspects, such as nutrition, off season training, and the mental side of training.


MB: What was the best event of your career and why?
BL: I don't think I can pick out one event that stands above the rest, although I am very proud of the 5 world championships. And of those, 1987 sticks in my mind. That was my last Worlds, and no one really expected much from me. But I went into it on a mission and put all of my energy towards that event. Andy was the favorite that year, and cleaning up on tour. I went into the finals trailing him, but I just had this feeling that this was my tournament. I ended up running into 39 to win it. It was one of my favorite memories.


MB: The Syndicate line owes you some credit.  You are the master shaper.  How has your involvement with Syndicate rekindled your fire to get back on the water?
BL: Getting involved with HO and the Syndicate line has been like a rebirth for me. Getting to work closely with pros like Will Asher and Marcus Brown, along with the rest of team Syndicate, has given me an incite on what the skiers of this generation need from a ski to perform to their max. I've been able to tap into my knowledge of ski design from the past and apply it to the new technology and materials available. The other thing that happened was about 2 years into the program, My brother Kris, after some urging, talked me into getting behind the boat, instead of spending all my time in the boat watching. All I can say is, WOW, I'm having more fun skiing now than I did as a pro. And it's given me the perspective of feeling what it is our team is looking for in our skis. I also get to spend more time with Kris, who has been a huge help with the R&D. Not to mention how much better it feels to get back to fighting weight again!


MB: Your biggest let down or disappointment, maybe something you had in your fingertips and barely lost?
1981 Worlds, the one that got away. It was the one that I was favored in and went into it believing anything less than first was a failure. But I had a mental lapse at 5 ball at 35 off, a pass I was cruising, and went inside 6. Ran the best run of the event in the finals, but I was too far behind to catch the leaders. Ended up on the podium with a 3rd place. If I hadn't had that one slight lapse, I really believe I would have won, which would have made it 6 in a row. But then again, if the dog hadn't stopped to poop, he would have caught the rabbit. The winner that year, You might of heard of him. (hint: initials are A.M.). His first of many.


MB: Who were you're hero's growing up?  Who Inspired you?
BL: My hero growing up was Chuck Stearns. He was the All American guy, and was as humble and soft spoken as anyone I've met. I was lucky to get to ski with him some as a youngster, and I wanted to be like him. I think it’s good for kids to have role models to inspire them. My other inspiration growing up was Kris. The fact that he was so good at such a young age gave me a goal to reach for. And it made us both better, having each other pushing the limits on the course.

 
MB: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully still working on ski design and still able to run a few passes now and then. Maybe coaching my kids, Kristian and Simone, as they work it down the line. Still enjoying the sport that gave so much to me.


MB: What’s in your refrigerator right now?
A lot healthier stuff than used to be. My wife is a great cook, and likes to use fresh ingredients as much as possible. And there is always a bottle of Univera Ageless Extra in there. One of the Univera products I started taking about a year and a half ago. Its all about cell repair. Without it, I don't think I would be skiing any more. It was huge part of me getting back on the water after many years off due to all the aches and pains. Probably see a few Diet Cokes in there, too. Hey, everyone is allowed one vice, right?


MB: If you were stuck on a deserted island with one person.....who would it be?
BL: Not sure, but SHE better be good looking with a great sense of humor!