Stats
Age: 28
Height: 6'1
Weight: 185
Shoe Size: 12


Sponsors
Ho Sports
Malibu Boats. Malibuboats.com
Performance ski and Surf. Perfski.com
Oneill wetsuits. Oneill.com
Mix1. Mix1life.com


Home Lake: LAke Sawmill Florida, Hazelwood Ski World, England
Stance: RIGHT FOOT FORWARD
Best Pass: 1@43 Tournament
Boat of Choice: Malibu Response Lxi


Interview with Marcus Brown


MB: You had a near perfect season....you only lost a couple events.  Some people think you're a robot of some sort...is that true?
WA: Haha ya I updated the chip this season!  I love this sport and attack every set 100%, if that gets me on the podium great!  If not I’m sure the guys that did deserves the win.


MB: In 2002 (or was it 2003?) you exploded onto the pro scene at the MasterCraft Pro, Trophy Lakes....how nervous were you that first US event?
WA: The early days were easy, no pressure, I was more excited than nervous, I finally had the chance to ski with/ against my childhood heroes, standing on the dock with Andy Mapple, Wade Cox, Kris LaPoint, I will never forget that. In the final round I was last off the dock, just Andy and I left, he turned to me and said, “What are you doing here?” my reply, “I have no idea, just winging it!”  I had, and still have so much respect for their achievements, it’s a testament to their dedication and hard work.


MB: Dedication:  You have more than any other skier on Earth right now....What does that word mean to you?
WA: I love this sport, being dedicated is easy, I love skiing, I really enjoy the training, and the challenge, there is nothing I would rather be doing. I am passionate about everything I do, I want to be the best.


MB: What has been your greatest accomplishment?
WA: Outside of skiing, graduating college, getting a degree, and giving myself a future after skiing, I learned so much about myself, and what I want from life. In skiing I’m pleased that I set myself challenges and don't stop until I accomplish them, I have an inner passion that won’t let me quit, or go home early.  What you see at the lake is a fraction of my total preparation.


MB: Your biggest let down or disappointment?...maybe something you had in your fingertips and barely lost?...
WA: I entered a bike race last year, i trained hard, and felt really good for the first half, then pushed too hard in the final quater, and bonked. that was a really tough day for me.
I never get disappointed in skiing, if a don't achieve my goal on the weekend, i learn, move on, and try to fix the problem the next weekend. there is something to learn in every situation.


MB: Who were you're hero's growing up?  Who inspired you?
WA: Everyone inspired me, but especially my family, they taught me what being a champion meant, my Granny would show my uncles (Mike Hazelwood) training logs from the super star days. I grew up in a sporty family, watching my Dad play Rugby and Squash, he taught me to never quit, he still never quits, even when his nose turns purple.  Love you Dad!


MB: How many professional titles do you own?...will you ever catch the Smooth One?..aka Andy Mapple (165 titles?)
WA: That’s not even on my mind, I'm taking each year one by one, finding new challenges each year to keep me motivated, It’s not hard... 


MB: Why do you water ski?
WA: I ski because I love it, I love the people in the sport, so many personalities, I’m having a lot of fun right now!


MB: You win $20 million in the lottery....what do you do with it?
WA: I don’t think I would change much in my life, I would still ski, but I would have to funds to push to a whole different level, I have so many ideas that get squashed due to funds.  After all the sensible stuff, I would buy a Maserati, and a few weeks in Hawaii. 


MB: Off Season v.s. On season, what changes, can you get skiing out of your mind?
WA: Skiing is always on the mind, but i like to give myself sometime to completely step away, i lock my skis in my workshop and leave it locked for a few weeks. in this time i fill my life with the things i don't have time, or motivation for in the season, this is a very fun time.


MB: What’s your favorite off season activity?
WA: I like to do a variety of activities in the off season, I like biking, it gives me a lot of time to think.


MB: If you weren't skiing you would be?
WA: I would probably be playing Rugby or Squash, there are so many things I enjoy in life, I could be surfing, biking, running, snow skiing, I hope if I wasn't skiing, I would fill my life with other intense activities.


MB: Do you ski different on a Syndicate Product V.s. everything else?
WA: All the syndicate products allow me to ski the way I want to, I want a ski that will give me time in the course a ski that is happy to run early rhythmic passes, but on the other hand, can scrap if needed. The A1 has proven itself time and time again.


MB: What’s the best part of Team Syndicate?
WA: The Camaraderie, we spend so much time together, training, testing, thinking, we all have a deep understanding of our end goal.


MB: 1 handed gate V.s 2 Handed Gate?
WA: I am a die hard 2 handed gate guy, the 1 handed gate is a coached dream, their cash cow, the impossible dream.


MB: You Skied in College, how is a College tournament different from a Pro Tournament?
WA: College skiing is Raw, 99% of the skiers are there to have a good time, meet new people, and enjoy and amazing sport, we are so fortunate to have a college ski program in the US. Without doubt some of the best years of my life. Pro skiing is real life for me, there is a little more on the line every time I step on the start dock, I thrive off the challenge, standing on the start dock at the masters, knowing the conditions are less than perfect, but knowing i have prepared to the best of my ability, there are times I stand on the start dock and want to walk away, not face my fears, but that’s not an option, I like to jump in the deep end.


MB: What is the most rewarding experience you have had, and what made it so?
WA: I signed with Malibu in 2004, 2 weeks before the Malibu open in Sacramento, I remember sitting in the team dinner Saturday night of the open, not knowing anyone, just getting to know our team manager Lani Farmer, one of the guys asked who I was, and was I any good, Lani said I was the new slalom guy on the team, and I was in the final, trying hard to justify my signing. I went on to Win that event, with a new tournament record.  Knowing they took a risk signing me, then being able to win their event was a very special day for me. Thanks Lani!


MB: Give the readers one Quote to live by…
WA: “Only dead Fish swim with the stream.”


MB: What would you attempt, if you knew you could not fail?
WA: I would ask Katy Perry on a Date.