Wakeology Team Rider Rob Mapp
We are proud to announce the newest member of the Wakeology Team, Rob Mapp! Rob is an experienced Wakeboarder and will bring a lot to the table for Wakeology. Rob will be managing the Wakeology Cable Team and tearing up a Cable Park on nearly a daily basis! Wakeology is proud to have such an accomplished rider join the team, without a doubt Rob Mapp will help Wakeology grow to new heights.
We sat down with Rob to pick his brain, the following is the result:
Wakeology: Why Wakeboarding?
Rob Mapp: I chose wakeboarding because I have never seen anyone fly thru the air on a board. I was always in the water doing some type of sport growing up, weather it was surfing or scuba diving, knee boarding, etc. I was blown away when I first saw what wakeboarding was. My first experience was at my home turf which is Ski Rixen of Deerfield Beach, FL... I saw a few fellas flying thru the air on wakeboards and I was just in awwww... I wanted to try it so badly, and that’s where my career began.
Wakeology: Favorite moments in your Wake career?
Rob Mapp: My favorite moments eh... That’s a tough one. I have traveled the world with wakeboard and have had many amazing experiences. So many to choose from, I have great memories of every place I have been to. Any time you can travel the world and do what you love, it is a special experience. It's hard to say which moment is my favorite, they all are my favorites.
Wakeology: Why did you choose Wakeology over other board companies?
Rob Mapp: I like Wakeology because they have a passion for their riders and the sport, as well as they are family oriented. They listen and take the advice that a rider has, and truly put those ideas it in to their products. Plus they are a new company working from the grassroots up, and I am excited to be a part of that growing experience.
Wakeology: How long have you been riding?
Rob Mapp: I have been riding since 1996, so roughly about 14 yrs. Wow that seems like forever when you say it. I am very fortunate to stay healthy and be in the game for that amount of time. It is definitely rare for riders to be able to ride at a high level for this long.
Wakeology: Where are you from/where do you live?
Rob Mapp: I am born and raised in Deerfield Beach, Florida. I still am currently living here. I have been all over the world and still choose to come back to my home town. I love Florida.
Wakeology: Who are some of your biggest influences?
Rob Mapp: Some of my big influences in my career I would have to say are Shaun Murray, Parks Bonifay, Darin Shapiro, Jeremy Kovak, Shannon Best, and of course my coach Jimmy Sposato. There are other riders that have influenced me, but there are too many to list for this interview. These guys are definitely pioneers of the sport and great motivators of wakeboarding in my younger days.
Wakeology: Who are your main riding buddies?
Rob Mapp: My close riding buddies right now I would have to say are Marc Shuster, Diego Shaw, and Donald Shelbrick.
Wakeology: When did you officially sign with Wakeology?
Rob Mapp: I officially signed with Wakeology around Christmas time 2009. Definitely an awesome Christmas gift. They have been awesome. We work together very well to accomplish great things for the future. I am looking forward to the journey with them.
Wakeology: What do you think you bring to the table as a Wakeology Team Rider?
Rob Mapp: I feel I can bring my knowledge, coaching ability, experiences and talent to the table with them.
Wakeology: Where do you see Wakeology going in the future and what do you plan on doing to helping the company grow?
Rob Mapp: I believe Wakeology will grow to a strong company as well as a competitor to other big companies. We have a lot of big things in the works that will be unveiled soon to the public. I can't let the cat out of the bag yet. You will just have to sit tight and wait. hahaha
Wakeology: What's your height and weight?
Rob Mapp: I'm 5'10" and 165 pounds.
Wakeology: Relationship Status?
Rob Mapp: I'm just doing my thing. I'm single.
Wakeology: What are some of the highlights of your career?
Rob Mapp: As far as contests are concerned, winning the U.S national championships a few times, a few tour championships, a few international tour championships, a World title and loads of memorable podiums.
Wakeology: What else do you do for fun?
Rob Mapp: Anything that's fun, I'm into! But for a quick go to list, it would have to be surfing, stunt riding motorcycles, snowboarding. Etc. Anything extreme!
Wakeology: What other sport helps the most with your wakeboarding?
Rob Mapp: They all do in different ways. Snowboarding and surfing helps me with my balance, fitness and the way I perceive style and certain tricks. Trampoline helps with air awareness and cardio.
Wakeology: Name the top three spots you've ever wakeboarded.
Rob Mapp: Hungary, Germany, Philippines and hopefully soon Turkey will also be in my top places to ride.
Wakeology: You have seen the new Wakeology Boards that will be coming out in April of this year, what do you think?
Rob Mapp: I am excited to ride the new 2010 Wakeology boards. They look like some sick shapes. We have also been working together designing a pro model for me, definitely a board that is going to be great on the water. I have taken different parts of great boards in the past that I have ridden and combined them into one. I am looking forward to the final product.
Wakeology: What's the coolest invention in wakeboarding?
Rob Mapp: I would have to say some of the sickest obstacles built on the water for us to play on. In the past there was no such thing, it's amazing how far the sport has come along. Whether its boat, cable, 2.0 system, redbull wake lab, etc. there are so many great things happening within the sport and I don’t see an end to the new innovative ideas in Wakeboarding.
Wakeology: What bindings do you ride?
Rob Mapp: I am waiting on my new 2010 Wakeology bindings that are coming in soon. They look so sick and comfortable.
Wakeology: What cable do you ride for?
Rob Mapp: I ride Deerfield Beach at Ski Rixen.
Wakeology: How fast do you ride?
Rob Mapp: About 20 ½ mph
Wakeology: What's your take on the current state of wakeboarding comps?
Rob Mapp: The WWA Cable wakeboard tour is awesome..! I love the direction it is going in and how we are combining international tour stops with US tour stops.
Wakeology: What new tricks are you working on right now?
Rob Mapp: I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but still hush hush for now. I enjoy watching Nick Davies and Tom Fooshee ride to amp me up to try new things. It's great to see those guys pushing the sport.
Wakeology: What are your goals for your wakeboarding career? How would you like to be remembered?
Rob Mapp: My goals have never changed from the day I started, put 100% in and most of all to have fun. I would have to say if I am remembered as a legend in the sport of cable wakeboarding, then my job is done. I can live with that.
Wakeology: What are your plans for 2010?
Rob Mapp: My plans for 2010...spend some time in US promoting the Wakeology product and the sport we love. I'll be doing as many events as I can this summer and will be involved in as many projects as I can that will benefit wakeboarding and the growth of Wakeology. And, of course, I'll be promoting my sponsors as hard as I can for all the support and love they give me to be able to enjoy my life doing what I love.
Wakeology: Whom would you like to thank?
Rob Mapp: I'd like to thank my parents for all their support, all my close friends around the world that have always supported me and helped me, and of course Wakeology and Ski Rixen of Deerfield Beach.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
