The Water Ski Podcast

hosted by Matteo Luzzeri

EP100: Ski Talk with Dad


Welcome to the 100th episode of The Water Ski Podcast.

Originally recorded on February 9th, 2023, this is an interview with Fedele Luzzeri, my father.
After an initial attempt of recording this in April 2022, we decided to give it another go in 2023. The challenges of translating the subtitles to English in order for skiers around the world to enjoy was marginally made easier by AI. The rest was just multiple listens and work.
Dad's story into water skiing mostly follows a chronological order that listeners of The Water Ski Podcast are accustomed with, starting with the usual "How did you get into water skiing?" question.

I hope you all enjoy as much as dad and I had a good time recording this.
_________________________
This episode originally premiered live on
YouTube on December 15th, 2023. If your podcast provider does not show video with English subtitles, you can head over on YouTube and watch there.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP99: Ski Talk with Andrea Alessi (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for episode 99!

This is the second part of Matteo's interview with Andrea "Bubu" Alessi!
Bubu is a former Pro water skier from Italy, the 1993 World Jump Champion, and former coach of the Italian National Team. He is widely regarded as the most influential water skier in the history of the sport in Italy, due to his successes and contribution to the development of the sport. In this second part, Matteo and Bubu discuss the transition from skier to coach, including the importance and challenges of these identity changes. The two proceeded to explore Bubu's years sailing around the world, the birth of his daughter Mia, the challenges of being a good coach (including the mental side of skiing and coaching), and a bunch of other nuggets

Enjoy! Episode 100 will be released as soon as it is ready :)
_________________________
Matteo will soon be hosting an online class in sport psychology for waterski coaches and anyone who enjoys helping water skiers to improve. More details will be announced in upcoming weeks. For more information feel free to
write him

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP98: Ski Talk with Andrea Alessi (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast and Happy New Year!

Episode 98 is the first part of Matteo's interview with Andrea "Bubu" Alessi!
Bubu is a former Pro water skier from Italy, the 1993 World Jump Champion, and former coach of the Italian National Team. He is widely regarded as the most influential water skier in the history of the sport in Italy, due to his successes and contribution to the development of the sport. In this first part Matteo and Bubu discuss the early days, the first wins, and the journey that brought him to be one of the most recognizable faces and competitors for two decades.

Enjoy!
_________________________
Matteo will soon be hosting an online class in sport psychology for waterski coaches and anyone who enjoys helping water skiers to improve. More details will be announced in upcoming weeks. For more information feel free to
write him

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP96: Ski Talk with Dave Wingerter (Part 2)


Welcome back for Part 2 of Matteo's interview with Dave Wingerter!

Dave is the Vice President of Product Management and Global Brand Director at HO Sports Company. He is also a great skier who continues to train and test whenever he gets a chance. In this second part, Dave and Matteo dive deep into the role and responsibilities Dave has at HO Sports, including products that go beyond the Syndicate line. This sets the ground for interesting considerations about engineering and creativity, the beauty behind manufacturing, and some Dave's ideas for future projects.

Enjoy!
_________________________
Matteo will soon be hosting an online class in sport psychology for waterski coaches and anyone who enjoys helping water skiers to improve. More details will be announced in upcoming weeks. For more information feel free to
write him

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP95: Ski Talk with Dave Wingerter (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 95 with Dave Wingerter!

Dave is the Vice President of Product Management and Global Brand Director at HO Sports Company. He is also a great skier who continues to train and test whenever he gets a chance. In this first part, Matteo asked Dave about his beginnings in the sport and the key moments and choices that carved his path. Dave also delves into the circumstances that brought him to join HO Sports and the early days in a company that was going through a transition period.

Enjoy Part 1 and come back tomorrow for Part 2!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP94: Ski Talk with Chelsea Mills


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 94 with Chelsea Mills!

Chelsea is a professional water skier and mindset coach. She has had an unusual path into the sport, starting to practice it regularly at age 26 after a competitive and coaching career in collegiate and pro tennis. Sit back and enjoy this interview as Matteo asks Chelsea about her beginnings and days in tennis, and how the experiences in that sport helped her shape her current waterski career. Chelsea shared key moments in her athletic journey, some negative and some positive, leading up to the raise in pro skiing she has had in the last comple of years. Some of the highlights include her first Pro Tour win at the 2021 San Gervasio Pro Am and a tremendous score of 1 buoy at 10.25m (41off) at the Mc Skis Fall tournament.

Enjoy this interview and see you next week!

_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP93: Ski Talk with Zack Worden (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for part 2 of Matteo's interview with Zack Worden!

In this second part, Matteo explores Zack's career in Pro Jumping, starting from the first Pro Tour win to later successes, injuries, the struggles towards the end, and a reborn passion and appreciation for just flying down the lake as far as possible. The two friends also about John Worden's journey into Technical Control, how Zack learned from dad, and the continuation of this work by Zack and Jon Travers (see EP80) after John's passing. Matteo was also very curious to get Zack's opinion on a few former and current jumpers, opinions about style, and about his own style. Of course, all of these topics were intertwined with stories, derailing into other topics, and good laughs between two friends who enjoyed sitting down together for a great chat!

Enjoy Part 2 and see you next week ;-)

_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
Peace Love & Waterskiing, Corey Vaughn’s ski school and merchandise brand.
Use code "TWSP" at checkout for 10% off on all merchandise!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP92: Ski Talk with Zack Worden (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 92 with Zack Worden!

Zack is one of the most recognizable names in our sport. A Junior World Champion while still Under 14, an Under 21 World Champion at age 16, it is safe to say that Zack was a rising star from his early days. Join Matteo as he has a nice chat with Zack covering the first part of his skiing career, all the way to the first win in the Pro Tour!

Enjoy Part 1 and see you next week ;-)

_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
Peace Love & Waterskiing, Corey Vaughn’s ski school and merchandise brand.
Use code "TWSP" at checkout for 10% off on all merchandise!

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP91: Ski Talk with Felipe Miranda (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 91 with Felipe Miranda!

Felipe "Pipe" Miranda is a professional water skier and the 2013 and 2017 World Overall Champion. Tune in as Pipe explains Matteo his quest to obtain a World Title outside of his home country, with the resulting pressures, aspirations, and finally his second win in Overall at the World Champions in France in 2017. In this interview, Pipe also talks more about jump, which he considers his main single event, and the decision to push through with Overall until the 2023 Pan Am Games. This fun and thorough conversation ends with Matteo asking Pipe about his recent coaching experiences.

This interview was recorded at Pickos Ski School, a place dear to Pipe and his family. The importance of family and balance of life and skiing has always been an integral part of Pipe's life and athletic experience.

Enjoy and come back fore more episodes :)
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
Peace Love & Waterskiing, Corey Vaughn’s ski school and merchandise brand.
Use code "TWSP" at checkout for 10% off on all merchandise!

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP90: Ski Talk with Felipe Miranda (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 90 with Felipe Miranda!

Felipe "Pipe" Miranda is a professional water skier and the 2013 and 2017 World Overall Champion. Join in as Pipe walks Matteo through his beginnings in the sport and how the Chilean water ski scene grew as a result of the Miranda's journey to higher water ski performances. This interview was recorded at Pickos Ski School, a place dear to Pipe and his family. The importance of family and balance of life and skiing has always been an integral part of Pipe's life and athletic experience.

Enjoy Part 1 and come back next week for Part 2 ;)
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
Peace Love & Waterskiing, Corey Vaughn’s ski school and merchandise brand.
Use code "TWSP" at checkout for 10% off on all merchandise!

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP89: Ski Talk with Jacinta Carroll (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for the second part of Matteo's interview with Jacinta Carroll.

Jacinta is the current and 5-time World Jump Champion, the first female jumper to break both the 60m and 200ft barriers, and without a doubt the most dominant jumper of all time. In fact, Jacinta has won every event she has entered in the last 9 years! So, how does a champion like this come about? Who took part in the development and preparation? When did she start to be successful? Why hasn't she stopped improving? These are just some of the overarching questions Matteo seeks to answer in this interview. In this second part, Jacinta and Matteo talk about the history of the quest for the 200ft jump, the day it happened, the consequences of that performance, and what all of this meant to her and to the sport. Towards the end of the interview, the two discuss the current state of women's jumping and what role she could have in its growth.

Thank you for tuning in and see you next week!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP88: Ski Talk with Jacinta Carroll (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 88, which is the first part of Matteo's interview with Jacinta Carroll.

Jacinta is the current and 5-time World Jump Champion, the first female jumper to break both the 60m and 200ft barriers, and without a doubt the most dominant jumper of all time. In fact, Jacinta has won every event she has entered in the last 9 years! So, how does a champion like this come about? Who took part in the development and preparation? When did she start to be successful? Why hasn't she stopped improving? These are just some of the overarching questions Matteo seeks to answer in this interview. In this first part, Jacinta recounts the early years, the challenges, the joys and, importantly, the relationships that forged her into a jumping sensation. Among family and other key people, Jacinta talks about the late Ray Stokes, his influence on her beginnings, and the path he had in mind for her.

Enjoy this rich Part 1 and stick around for Part 2!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP87: Ski Talk with Lauren Morgan


Welcome back for another episode of The Water Ski Podcast!

This week, Matteo sits down with Lauren Morgan, one of the World's top jumpers and a PhD Candidate in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

In typical TWSP fashion, Matteo asked Lauren about her beginnings and early competitive days in the sport. Although not particularly into water skiing at first, Lauren got the competitive bug and quickly became one of the best skiers in her area, in the United States, and in the World. Currently, she is also pursuing a PhD, so host and guest share stories about the challenges of the academic life and juggling that with skiing at a high level.

This was a very fun chat with a driven and very self-aware water skier!

Enjoy it and see you next week :)
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP86: Ski Talk with Matt Rini (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for the second part of Matteo's interview with Matt Rini!

Matt is one of the most famous and sought after water ski coaches in the world. In this second part, Matteo digs deep into Matt's coaching method and philosophy. Starting from his general approach, Matt delineates what his keys are and explain how he has been applying them to his current students.

Enjoy and catch you next week :D
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP85: Ski Talk with Matt Rini (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 85 with Matt Rini!

Matt is one of the most famous and sought after water ski coaches in the world. In this first of two parts, Matt guides Matteo through his journey into water skiing. At first a summer passion, water skiing gradually became a passion and a sport in which Matt and his brother were pursuing excellence. Matt's story is also a good window onto the water ski scene in Central Florida in the Mid 80s and early 90s, a context ripe with water ski stories. Towards the end of the episode, Matt talks about his transition out of competitive skiing and into the early days of his coaching and ski school.

Part 2 will be straight coaching talk. Until then, enjoy :-)
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP84: Ski Talk with Becky Lathrop


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 84 with Becky Lathrop!

Becky is highly regarded as one of the best tournament drivers in the World. In this interview, Becky covers her early days into waters skiing, and how ski partners pushed, coached, and trusted her to be sitting in the driving seat. Once life brought her to West Palm Beach, the opportunities to drive various skiers and on different boats accelerated her process of becoming a versatile and reliable driver. Matteo asked Becky a lot of questions and curiosity about her thoughts and approach to driving, from minute details to the overarching consideration about what is good driving and what is fair driving. Regarding these points, Becky has been keeping up a driving Q&A, which she kindly decided to share with the listeners of the podcast.

This is a passionate chat about driving with a passionate driver who is truly committed to the sport of water skiing.

Enjoy it and see you next week :)
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

PLEASE NOTE: given the tragic circumstances that Ukraine is facing, including several members of the water ski community at large, any donation, sponsorship, or advertising revenue generate during the month of March 2022 will be immediately directed to efforts in helping the Ukrainian people.
You can
donate now via PayPal to Danylo Filchenko, who has been volunteering in his city of Dnipro to get anything is needed to protect and help.
You can also donate to
savelife.in.ua with EUR, USD, and BTC.

EP82: Ski Talk with Dorien Llewellyn (Part 2)


Here we are with the second part of Matteo's interview with Dorien Llewellyn!

In Part 1, Dorien went through his early years in the sport, balancing hockey and water skiing while being away from his family at a young age. In this episode, Dorien covers what the decision of committing entirely to water skiing brought to his life. Dorien is not afraid of talking about the great times and the sorrows, and opens up about some recent difficulties with burnout and how his support team helped him through this. Matteo also was eager to hear Dorien's side of the battle for the Overall World Record after hearing Joel's side. All in all, this is a great episode with a deeply tuned in athlete and person.

Enjoy it and catch you next week!
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP81: Ski Talk with Dorien Llewellyn (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 81 with Dorien Llewellyn!

Dorien is a professional water skier and the current World Champion in Tricks, just to cite his most recent success. Born and raised by water ski royalty, Dorien had the opportunity to foster his passion for skiing. And yet this didn't refrain him from pursuing another sport at a young age, thereby truly exploring through sacrifice what was going to be his path. Matteo spent a long time interviewing Dorien, and this first part covers those formative early and teenage years, that most certainly made him the skier and person he is today.

Enjoy Part 1 and see you next week ;-)
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP80: Ski Talk with Jon "JT" Travers (Part 2)


Welcome back for Episode 80, the second part of The Water Ski Podcast interview with Jon "JT" Travers!

JT is one of the best slalom skiers in the world, and a constant force to be reckoned with at any of the top tournaments worldwide. Akin to past guests of the show, JT's involvement in the sport of water skiing goes beyond his competitive side. In this second part, JT covers what it is like to experience his ski school and how it runs, including lessons he learned from his father Jack. He also covers in length the history and people that got him passionate about tech controlling, and the project of installing slalom courses around the world. Matteo also asked about Edge Bindings that JT created, including some of the motives to embark in that project. This is a really fun conversation, full of stories shared between two friends.

Enjoy and see you next week!
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP79: Ski Talk with Jon "JT" Travers (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for the first of a two-part interview with Jon "JT" Travers!

JT is one of the best slalom skiers in the world, and a constant force to be reckoned with at any of the top tournaments worldwide. Akin to past guests of the show, JT's involvement in the sport of water skiing goes beyond his competitive side. In this first part, Matteo digs deep with JT about growing up as Jack Travers' son, and the environment that he grew up in. JT covers it all in detail with a strong sense of gratitude while narrating the foundation that made him who he is today.

Enjoy and see you next week!
_________________________
This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP77: Ski Talk with Nicholas Benatti (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for the first episode of 2022 with Nicholas Benatti!

After covering his progression in tricks in part 1, Nicholas discusses the role of slalom in his skiing, and how this event became e more prominent part of his training throughout the years. Matteo and Nicholas go in fine details about slalom skiing and the events that led the now Italian Trick Record holder to get noticed among the six buoys. Nicholas also shares his ideas on how to change the current trick judging system and reflects on how important his role and that of other Italian skiers can be for the future generations.

Enjoy the episode!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Real Frequency College Consulting, a company founded by Evan Moore that helps students get ready for the challenging task of choosing and getting into college. Want to get into your favorite NCWSA program? Get 6% off by mentioning "TWSP" or "Matteo is the man" during your first free consultation!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP76: Ski Talk with Nicholas Benatti (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 76, this time with Nicholas Benatti!

Matteo and Nicholas started their ski journey together pretty much from day 1. Arguably, they know everything about each other as skier and friends. Yet, there is always something novel or interesting to (re)discover through a conversation in front of microphones.

In this first part, Nicholas goes through his tricks journey, which started early but really took off after a very significant event at the Open Nationals in 2009. Since then, the ascendance to significant podiums across Under 21 Europeans, World Games, Pro Tournaments, which culminated with breaking a 22-year-standing National Trick Record with 11250. Matteo and Nicholas dig deep through this one, and what emerges is the image of a humble and dedicated athlete who, by all means, has yet to express his full potential.

Enjoy and stick around for Part 2 next week!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Real Frequency College Consulting, a company founded by Evan Moore that helps students get ready for the challenging task of choosing and getting into college. Want to get into your favorite NCWSA program? Get 6% off by mentioning "TWSP" or "Matteo is the man" during your first free consultation!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP75: Ski Talk with Joel Poland (Part 2)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 75 with Joel Poland!

Joel is the current World Champion and World Record Holder in Overall. These two facts alone are enough to sanction him as the most dominant water skier on the scene today. Joel also has a strong following on social media, where he shares very entertaining content about his everyday life a water skier.

In this second part of the interview, Joel talks about the last two years, starting with a remarkable performance at the 2019 U21 World Championships, which brought him close to beat the World Overall Record. From there, the ascending of water skiing new shining star took exponential speed, culminating with winning the 2021 World Overall Championships by breaking the World Overall Record. Matteo spends also some time to ask Joel about his social media approach and some tips for younger skiers and their parents.

Enjoy Part 2 and stay in the look for a future episode involving Joel ;-)
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Real Frequency College Consulting, a company founded by Evan Moore that helps students get ready for the challenging task of choosing and getting into college. Want to get into your favorite NCWSA program? Get 6% off by mentioning "TWSP" or "Matteo is the man" during your first free consultation!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP74: Ski Talk with Joel Poland (Part 1)


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 74 with Joel Poland!

Joel is the current World Champion and World Record Holder in Overall. These two facts alone are enough to sanction him as the most dominant water skier on the scene today. Joel also has a strong following on social media, where he shares very entertaining content about his everyday life a water skier. In this first part of the interview, Matteo brought Joel back to his early days in the sport, covering beginnings to the first podiums and wins. The picture that arises is of a talented athlete who never lost the sight on the paramount importance of having fun on the water.

Enjoy and stick around for Part 2!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Real Frequency College Consulting, a company founded by Evan Moore that helps students get ready for the challenging task of choosing and getting into college. Want to get into your favorite NCWSA program? Get 6% off by mentioning "TWSP" or "Matteo is the man" during your first free consultation!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP72: More Ski Talk with Vincent Stadlbaur from TWBC


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 72!

The last few months have been quite busy for Matteo as he worked at ski school and took part of a few more tournaments than previous years.
This comeback episode is with no other than Vincent Stadlbaur from The Waterski Broadcasting Company.
Throughout the last few months, TWBC has continued to improve the quantity and quality of their broadcasts.
Matteo had a chance to sit down with Vincent and get the story of the last few months.

Sit back and enjoy this new episode!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP71: Ski Talk with Steffen Wild


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 71 with Steffen Wild!

Steffen is a former Pro water skier from Germany and owner of Wild Wake Park, a cable facility in Steinberg am See, Germany.
Recently, Steffen and his family have been skiing with Matteo in Italy, so it was the perfect opportunity to sit down and record live. Steffen had somewhat of an unconventional path to greatness in water skiing, although he was very good already at a young age. At the same time, his commitment to learn from others and organize his life around water skiing made him one of the most iconic jumpers of the 1980s and 1990s. Matteo was also very curious about his transition from pro water skiing to wakeboarding, and his business venture into cable ways, which has occupied his professional life since 1999.

Sit back and enjoy it!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.
Matteo and Marcus published some more technical videos comparing pro skiers! You can see them
here and here.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP69: Ski Talk with Bruce Reid


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast!
After a brief brake, Matteo is back with a new guest and a very rich episode!

Episode 69 is with Bruce Reid! Bruce is a former World Championship medalist, Pro Tour competitor, and orthopedic surgeon. Matteo connected with Bruce in October after joining a wok group within the IWWF Medical Committee. The goal of this group is to update on and off water protocols for concussion recognition and management, as well as spread awareness and education about brain injuries. The work captained by Bruce and with the involvement of several volunteers has led to a number of innovations in the sport when it comes to concussions.
You can visit the documentation and videos being produced at iwwf.sport/concussion
Another tool to be familiar with is the On Water Concussion Recognition Tool (OWCRT), a simple step-by-step early recognition tool we should all be familiar with.
Finally, another great app to download is Concussion Ed!

Sit back and enjoy this rich and very informative chat!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP65: Ski Talk with Thibaut Dailland


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 65 with Thibaut Dailland!

Thibaut is among the very best overall skiers… and slalom skiers … and trick skiers in the World! Thibaut is basically part of that modern breed of all-rounders which have been dominating the overall scene for the last 15 years. Matteo had a ton of questions for the Ivory Coast native, including his youth between Africa and France, skiing with his brother, the Worlds chase, current creativity in trick skiing, and much more!

This is a fun conversation between two friends who share a strong passion for water skiing and are stoked about it :)

Enjoy!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Real Frequency College Consulting, a company founded by Evan Moore that helps students get ready for the challenging task of choosing and getting into college. Want to get into your favorite NCWSA program? Get 6% off by mentioning "TWSP" or "Matteo is the man" during your first free consultation!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP63: Ski Talk with Erik Berghiller


This episode of The Water Ski Podcast is a long conversation with water ski innovator Erik Berghiller.

Erik is a Swedish water skier and creator of the OffCourse™, a new way to create a slalom course on the water. Matteo was extremely intrigued by the device since he first stumbled upon it online a few years back, and was really curious to hear Erik's story into water skiing. Not surprisingly, his story was extremely interesting and sheds light on what led Erik to come up with the OffCourse™.

Enjoy this chat and come back next week for another episode :)
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Real Frequency College Consulting, a company founded by Evan Moore that helps students get ready for the challenging task of choosing and getting into college.
Want to get into your favorite NCWSA program? Get 6% off by mentioning "TWSP" or "Matteo is the man" during your first free consultation!

This episode is also brought to you by
Ski or Die, Use code "TWSP" for 10% off at check out.
And, by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP62: Ski Talk with John Horton


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 62 with none other than John Horton!

John is a competitive skier and well-known in the water ski community as the founder and person behind BallOfSpray, without a doubt the most visited water ski website out there! Matteo was hyped to interview John for two main reasons. The first one, of course, was the website itself and John's opinions about the state of the sport. However, the second equally exciting reason was to get John's story. Often, the personal story can shine light on the athletic and professional outcomes an individual achieves. This was definitely the case with John Horton!
Finally, John and Trent Finlayson host a video cast called "Distance From Center", where they provide news on upcoming and current water ski events. Check it out!

Sit back and enjoy it!
_________________________
This episode is brought to you by Ski or Die, Elizabeth Montavon's new selection of apparel.
Hang tight for the launch on February 5th, and use early bird code "TWSP" at checkout for 10% off for two weeks!

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.
Matteo and Marcus published some more technical videos comparing pro skiers! You can see them
here and here.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP60: Ski Talk with Marina Mosti


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for Episode 60 with Marina Mosti!

Marina is a highly accomplished retired Pro Skier and among the very best Italian skiers of all time.

Matteo had to work hard to get this interview, as Marina is as modest as she was competitive on the water worldwide. With multiple accomplishments in all three disciplines, Marina was primarily known for her jump and trick skiing. Inevitably, that made her at any overall events, including the Worlds, the US Masters, Moomba Masters, and US Open to mention a few.

Sit back and enjoy this conversation, as Marina tells her story, the ups and downs of a career dedicated to be the very best water skier she could be. Marina also kindly shares her experiences as a coach, and her passion to pass on her knowledge and experience to younger skiers.
_________________________
Hey, want to get a head start to the ski season? I will be coaching at The Waterski Academy in Portugal on February 13-22. Feel free to shoot me an email if you want to learn more :)

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.
Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP59: Ski Talk with Nick Adams


Welcome back to The Water Ski Podcast for this 2021. The first episode of this year full of hope is with Nick Adams.

Nick is a Pro skier and coach from Melbourne, Australia, who has been and is a constant threat at any tournament he attends. Tune in as Matteo and Nick cover Nick's journey into water skiing, his first events, the importance of Moomba Masters, and more experiences training and competing around the world. Listen to some of the things he learned from highly respected names in the sport and how he conceives good coaching to be. Get a sense of some of the challenges Nick faced, a few adjustments he has made to his skiing preparation, and why he values brand and sport culture so much.

This is a very rich conversation between two friends!
Sit back and enjoy it!
________________________________________
Hey, want to get a head start to the ski season? I will be coaching at The Waterski Academy in Portugal on February 13-22. Feel free to shoot me an email if you want to learn more :)

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.
Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP56: Ski Talk with Claudio Köstenberger


Episode 56 of TWSP is a great long conversation with Claudio Köstenberger!

Claudio is among the top Jumpers in the World, a master story teller, and straight up genuine guy! In this episode Matteo gets to learn more about the very early skiing days of Claudio, followed by a recollection of Claudio's junior and collegiate days that saw the two of them following a very similar path. The second part of the episode is more topic-based in nature. Here, Claudio speaks his mind about what he deems is wrong with the Zero Off system for jump, the ongoing quest for success at the European Championships, the limbo of choosing between a life in Austria or in the United States, and his thoughts about the US Masters after his participation in them.

Sit tight for this one ;)

_________________________

Hey! Want to get some ski coaching? Download GiveGo, upload a ski pass, and look up Matteo for some direct coaching ;-)
__________________________

This episode is brought to you by The WhisperFin Pro, the new iteration of the famous WhisperFin created by Jay Poscente (JaySki).
Order your WhisperFin PRO at
FinWhispering.com and get family or friends Original WhisperFins for only $99 each, using promo code "TWSP".

This episode is also brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.
Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP55: Ski Talk with Elizabeth Montavon (Part 2)


Episode 55 of TWSP is the second part of Matteo's interview with Elizabeth Montavon.

Join in as Elizabeth covers her second place at the MasterCraft Pro, how she prepared for it, and what it meant to her. The majority of the episode consists of Matteo and Elizabeth chatting about the promotion of water skiing through content creation, particularly as it relates to social media. Make sure to check out Part 1 if you haven't :)

Enjoy!
_________________________

Hey! Want to get some ski coaching? Download GiveGo, upload a ski pass, and look up Matteo for some direct coaching ;-)
__________________________

This episode is brought to you by The WhisperFin Pro, the new iteration of the famous WhisperFin created by Jay Poscente (JaySki).
Order your WhisperFin PRO at
FinWhispering.com and get family or friends Original WhisperFins for only $99 each, using promo code "TWSP".

This episode is also brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.
Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

Take a few seconds to
write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP54: Ski Talk with Elizabeth Montavon (Part 1)


Episode 54 of TWSP is the first part of Matteo's interview with Elizabeth Montavon.

Tune in as Elizabeth narrates her early days of skiing and her focus on trick skiing, which carried through her collegiate days. Speaking of college, Elizabeth shares her struggles through that experience with Matteo, including some mental health issues she had to face and how a commitment to slalom skiing helped her through that. Such commitment involved a process of "catching up" work and a full trust in her coach, the famous Chet Raley. The episode finishes with some of the more recent Pro tournaments Elizabeth skied in this year.

Enjoy this one and stick around for Part 2!
_________________________

Hey! Want to get some ski coaching? Download GiveGo, upload a ski pass, and look up Matteo for some direct coaching ;-)
__________________________
Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

EP53: Ski Talk with Greg Desfond, Waterski Nation (Part 2)


Episode 53 of TWSP is the second part of Matteo's interview with Gregoire Desfond.

This first part cover Greg's early exposure to a fun summertime activity called water skiing, and the much later discovery that it is a sport, and quite an exciting one. Greg's story might be quite different from most guests, but it has that underlying common factor of experiencing a sport like no other.

After covering Greg's from being in skiing to become into it, in this second part we cover the genesis of Waterski Nation, some of the projects he carried out through his platform, and promotion of water skiing in general!

One of those projects is the Waterski Journal, a free online water ski magazine. Read the first and second issue by clicking on the appropriate links.

Enjoy!
_________________________

Hey! Want to get some ski coaching? Download GiveGo, upload a ski pass, and look up Matteo for some direct coaching ;-)
_________________________

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

EP52: Ski Talk with Greg Desfond, Waterski Nation (Part 1)


Episode 52 of TWSP is the first part of Matteo's interview with Gregoire Desfond.

This first part cover Greg's early exposure to a fun summertime activity called water skiing, and the much later discovery that it is a sport, and quite an exciting one. Greg's story might be quite different from most guests, but it has that underlying common factor of experiencing a sport like no other.

Stick around for Part 2, where Greg will share how the Waterski Nation idea arose, where some of the initiatives his passion for water skiing brought him to, and much more.

One of those initiatives is the Waterski Journal, a free online water ski magazine. Read the first and second issue by clicking on the appropriate links.

Enjoy!


Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-)
If you are enjoying this podcast,
please consider a donation.
If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod.

Matteo recently discussed with Marcus some technical he has been working on for the FPM Podcast. You can check out the video
here.

EP51: Ski Talk with Stinne Søndergaard


Episode 51 of TWSP is with Stinne Søndergaard!

Stinne is a Danish water skier, former Pro Jumper, and Team Manager for the Danish Waterski Federation

Join the conversation as Matteo asks Stinne about her early days in skiing, the quick progression she had to the top, her decision to go to college in the US, and her current role with the Danish Waterski Federation. Matteo and Stinne have known each other for almost 20 years, so a lot of this interview includes shared events, including winning the 2010 Collegiate Nationals and pursuing a Ph.D in Sport Psychology. They also covered a bunch of other topics, including the importance of grassroots skiing, what skiing a World Cup was like, and the joys that come with giving youngsters a great experience on the water.

Enjoy!


Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP50b: Ski Talk with Matteo Luzzeri (Part 2)


As a way to celebrate 50 episodes since the beginning of TWSP in August 2019, this episode is the second part of an interview with Matteo Luzzeri.

Hosted by Freddie Winter, this two-part series features Matteo's turn in sharing his journey as a skier, coach, tournament organizer, sport psychology expert, and podcast host.

In Episode 50b, Matteo shares the circumstances that brought the organization of the San Gervasio Pro Am, the role this tournament had in revamping Pro water skiing in Europe, his ideas about the sport at the highest level, promoting and growing the sport, and the adventure that TWSP is turning out to be… and more!

Enjoy 50b ;-)


Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the PIGOSKI, the first water ski inspired like of apparel created by Pro skier Robert Pigozzi.
Get your favorite apparel item at
pigoski.com/thewaterskipodcast and show up at the lake with style!

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP50a: Ski Talk with Matteo Luzzeri (Part 1)


As a way to celebrate 50 episodes since the beginning of TWSP in August 2019, this episode is the first part of an interview with Matteo Luzzeri.

Hosted by Freddie Winter, this two-part series features Matteo's turn in sharing his journey as a skier, coach, tournament organizer, sport psychology expert, and podcast host.

In Episode 50a, Matteo shares the beginning of his passion for water skiing through dad, his ambitions as a junior skier, the decision to pursue studies and water skiing in the United States, and a whole lot more!

Enjoy, and see you next week for 50b ;-)


Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the PIGOSKI, the first water ski inspired like of apparel created by Pro skier Robert Pigozzi.
Get your favorite apparel item at
pigoski.com/thewaterskipodcast and show up at the lake with style!

This episode is also brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP48: Ski Talk with Giannina Bonnemann


Episode 48 of TWSP is with none other than Giannina Bonnemann!

Giannina is a professional water skier from Germany and among the very best overall skiers in the World.

Tune in as she shares her journey with Matteo, including some highlights from her Junior, Collegiate, and Pro experiences. Giannina is particularly well-known for her athleticism and conscientious approach to water ski training, and together with Matteo, she discusses what it takes to become the best skier one can be.

Enjoy this thorough conversation between two friends!


In order to promote the Water Ski Games on World Water Skiers (WWS), we decided to launch an event to all TWSP fans. Called "Anything But A Slalom Ski", the event uses the Zero Buoy Score system to encourage everyone to compete remotely. Please create a profile on WWS if you don't have one, follow the rules, and submit your round. The only additional rule is that you can't run the course on a slalom ski… Post your videos on Instagram and throw in the hashtag #anythingbutaslalomski

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP47: Ski Talk with Cole Grant


Welcome to this episode of TWSP featuring Cole Grant.

Cole is a highly respected water ski coach, currently working at Matt Rini's Ski School. Cole is also a great skier who, through hard work and perseverance, managed to revamp the Ragin Cajuns Water Ski Team at the University Of Louisiana during the early part of the 2010s.

Press play and enjoy this thorough chat among two friends, as Matteo asks Cole about his Junior years balancing three sports at once, how he decided to commit to water skiing, and how all of these experiences contributed to make him the coach he is now. Also, the two talk quite at lengths about coaching, what Cole believes good coaching to be, and a lot more :)

Enjoy!


In order to promote the Water Ski Games on World Water Skiers (WWS), we decided to launch an event to all TWSP fans. Called "Anything But A Slalom Ski", the event uses the Zero Buoy Score system to encourage everyone to compete remotely. Please create a profile on WWS if you don't have one, follow the rules, and submit your round. The only additional rule is that you can't run the course on a slalom ski… Post your videos on Instagram and throw in the hashtag #anythingbutaslalomski

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP46: Ski Talk with Matteo Ianni


This episode of The Water Ski Podcast is with Matteo Ianni. Matteo is a great water skier who was a rising star of the sport worldwide during his teenager years. Unfortunately, overtraining landed to a number of protrusions in his back that impeded him from continuing what could have been a stellar pro career.

Sit back as the Matteo talks about his early days as a skier, the early successes and his thirst for high-performance slalom skiing, as well as the injury and the struggle of discovering what the problem actually was. Further, the two Matteos discuss the current state of the sport, the overly permissive tolerances currently present in our sport, and what inspired the guest of this episode to contribute to what became the Water Ski Games.

Enjoy!

In order to promote the Water Ski Games on World Water Skiers (WWS), we decided to launch an event to all TWSP fans. Called "Anything But A Slalom Ski", the event uses the Zero Buoy Score system to encourage everyone to compete remotely. Please create a profile on WWS if you don't have one, follow the rules, and submit your round. The only additional rule is that you can't run the course on a slalom ski… Post your videos on Instagram and throw in the hashtag #anythingbutaslalomski

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP45: Ski Talk with Jeff Surdej


In episode 45 of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo (virtually) sits down with Jeff Surdej.

Jeff is a competitive water skier from Illinois, and the current president of both the National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) and the American Water Ski Association (AWSA). In this interview, Jeff guides Matteo through his early days as a competitive water skier, his first tournament experiences, collegiate water skiing, and the volunteering journey that brought Jeff to hold positions of high influence in the sport. Sit tight as Matteo asks Jeff a lot of questions about all of these topics and more :)

Enjoy!

Further, in order to promote the Water Ski Games on World Water Skiers (WWS), Matteo decided to launch an event to all TWSP fans. Called "Anything But A Slalom Ski", the event uses the Zero Buoy Score system to encourage everyone to compete remotely. Please create a profile on WWS if you don't have one, follow the rules, and submit your round. The only additional rule is that you can't run the course on a slalom ski… Post your videos on Instagram and throw in the hashtag #anythingbutaslalomski

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP44: Ski Talk with Daniel Zimmerman


This episode of The Water Ski Podcast is with Daniel Zimmerman.

Daniel is what someone who grew up in competitive water skiing might call a "recreational water skier". Daniel has been skiing for over 20 years and has skied in some amazing places, including Guatemala, Croatia, Greece, Jamaica, and Ireland. He tried the slalom course for the first time a few weeks ago and found it exciting. Matteo and Daniel sit down to talk about water skiing, from a slightly different perspective than episodes past.

Enjoy!

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP43: Ski Talk with Candido Moz


In this 43rd episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo chats with Candido Moz.

Candido is the current President of the IWWF Tournament Council, and widely regarded as the most knowledgeable judge in the sport. With more than 1,000 tournaments in his experience, including several World Championships and Pro Tournaments, Candido is the man to ask questions to.

Join in as Matteo and Candido discuss:
  • Candido's early days as a skier and what brought him to stop skiing and start judging
  • How he became an International Judge and a TC
  • How judging the 1991 World Championships shaped his judging career
  • The 2019 Malaysia Worlds and how the Worlds could be organized in such a site
  • Differences between Worlds and Pro Tournaments
  • The role of Ranking Lists
  • What brings about a World Record
  • How the Tournament Council elections work
  • Differences in judging and organization between E&A and PANAM regions
  • The importance of good driving for proper water skiing
  • … and much more

Follow Candido on Instagram and check out the IWWF Tournament Rulebook

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the H2OProShop the place to get all your water ski equipment with free shipping in the 48 states and great international shipping rates. Use the code "TWSP" at check out for a 10% off storewide ;-)
Get your ski gear at the store founded by skiers, run by skiers, made for skiers!


This episode is also brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP42: Ski Talk with Freddie Winter (Part 3)


This is the third and last part of Matteo's interview with Freddie Winter. Freddie is the current Masters Champion and the 2017 World Champion. He's one of those selected people who has run 10.25m, currently holding the European record with 1.5@9.75m. Freddie is also a super cool, opinionated, and genuine person, and it truly transpired in this interview.

Join in as Matteo and Freddie discuss:
  • Winning the 2017 World Championships and the work that led to that win
  • The role of Steve Glanfield in Freddie's skiing
  • His search for skis in the 2018 season, ending with D3 Skis in 2019
  • How his sponsorship with MasterCraft came about
  • The resurgence of Pro Skiing, driven by what has been happening in Europe
  • …and a lot more :)

Follow Freddie on Instagram, and check out this video of Freddie made by the mighty Adam Urquhart.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

Support the crowdfunding efforts to have The Waterski Broadcasting Company to webcast the 2020 US Nationals at Bennett's. Click here to donate what you can.

This episode is brought to you by the H2OProShop the place to get all your water ski equipment with free shipping in the 48 states and great international shipping rates. Use the code "TWSP" at check out for a 10% off storewide ;-)
Get your ski gear at the store founded by skiers, run by skiers, made for skiers!


This episode is also brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP41: Ski Talk with Freddie Winter (Part 2)


This is the second of a three-part series of Matteo's interview with Freddie Winter. Freddie is the current Masters Champion and the 2017 World Champion. He's one of those selected people who has run 10.25m, currently holding the European record with 1.5@9.75m. Freddie is also a super cool, opinionated, and genuine person, and it truly transpired in this interview.

Join in as Matteo and Freddie discuss:
  • Qualifying for the 2013 Worlds via the World Ranking List
  • Getting Third at 2013 Worlds after a run-off
  • The fallacies of water skiing from a technical and judging/driving perspective
  • The 2015 season, including the second Bronze at the Worlds
  • The hype of 2016 with great scores and the low of losing the season due to an injury
  • The increasing role of coaching in Freddie's life after that injury which brought him to work for Travis at The Boarding School
  • …and a lot more :)

Follow Freddie on Instagram, and check out this video of Freddie made by the mighty Adam Urquhart.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

Support the crowdfunding efforts to have The Waterski Broadcasting Company to webcast the 2020 US Nationals at Bennett's. Click here to donate what you can.

This episode is brought to you by the H2OProShop the place to get all your water ski equipment with free shipping in the 48 states and great international shipping rates. Use the code "TWSP" at check out for a 10% off storewide ;-)
Get your ski gear at the store founded by skiers, run by skiers, made for skiers!


This episode is also brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP40: Ski Talk with Freddie Winter (Part 1)


This is the first of a three-part series of Matteo's interview with Freddie Winter. Freddie is the current Masters Champion and the 2017 World Champion. He's one of those selected people who has run 10.25m, currently holding the European record with 1.5@9.75m. Freddie is also a super cool, opinionated, and genuine person, and it truly transpired in this interview.

Join in as Matteo and Freddie discuss:
  • The early days going to ski with his parents, and their role in his ever-growing passion
  • The ski scene in England and how that shaped Freddie's approach to the sport
  • Freddie's early influences
  • The experience of early competitions with his sister Amelia
  • Flow in water skiing and his first experience of it
  • The importance of preparation and the feeling of knowing he has done all he can before an event
  • Deciding to stay in England for College and the balancing act of school, work, and skiing
  • Winning the 2009 U21 Europeans and skiing Princes Pro Am as Pro a few days later
  • How not making it to 2011 Worlds changed his training regime
  • Running his first 10.75m at the Seaton Classic
  • …and a lot more :)

Follow Freddie on Instagram, and check out this video of Freddie made by the mighty Adam Urquhart.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the H2OProShop the place to get all your water ski equipment with free shipping in the 48 states and great international shipping rates. Use the code "TWSP" at check out for a 10% off storewide ;-)
Get your ski gear at the store founded by skiers, run by skiers, made for skiers!


This episode is also brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP39: Ski Talk with Trent Finlayson (Part 2)


This is the second part of Matteo's interview with Trent Finlayson. Trent is a pro skier, among the most respected slalom coaches in the scene, and was an integral part of WaterSki Mag for over a decade. Trent is also the current Senior World and Pan-Am Champion!

Join in as Matteo and Trent discuss:
  • Trent's move from Louisiana to Texas and his experiences in Florida
  • Trent's early days in the Pro Tour
  • Water Ski Magazine and Trent's years there
  • The strange co-occurrence of being a fan of and a competitor in water skiing
  • The story of Trent's WaterSki Mag cover
  • The shift to 55kmh and skiing the Pan-Am Championships with athletes he coaches
  • Differences between 55kmh and 58kmh
  • Winning the +35 World Championships
  • The Spraymakers Podcast

Follow Trent on Instagram and check out Spraymakers, the podcast he co-hosts with Chris Rossi, where they dissect slalom skiing for the rest of us to learn and improve :)

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP38: Ski Talk with Trent Finlayson (Part 1)


Welcome back for Episode 38 of TWSP.

This is the first part of an ongoing interview with Trent Finlayson. Trent is a pro skier, among the most respected slalom coaches in the scene, and was an integral part of WaterSki Mag for over a decade. Trent is also the current Senior World and Pan-Am Champion!

Join in as Matteo and Trent discuss Trent's early days in the sport, with particular emphasis on the key people that helped him along the first part of the journey.

Follow Trent on Instagram and check out Spraymakers, the podcast he co-hosts with Chris Rossi, where they dissect slalom skiing for the rest of us to learn and improve :)


Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

If you are interested in advertising on The Water Ski Podcast, please
reach out.

EP37: Ski Talk with Will Asher (Part 3)


Episode 37 concludes a 3-part interview with Will Asher.

Will is a 2-time World Champion, 5-times Masters Champion, and among the very best skiers of all time.

This is actually a second recording. The first recording session, which occurred via Skype, got damaged due to Matteo's computer failing. However, Will's audio was preserved. Parts of this first recording will be features exclusively on Water Ski Bits, so make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform!

In this third part, Will covers his journey at HO Skis, including what he has learned from the LaPoint brothers, the search and journey he underwent to understand ski shaping and design, and some recent adjustments he has made to his skiing. The interview concludes with Matteo using word association to further explore some key moments and people in Will's journey to this point.

Follow Will on Instagram, and watch his NCWSA Record of 3.5@41off. Also, check out "More Than a Skier", a FlowPoint TV episode with Will.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.


This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about the FlowPoint Method by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

EP36: Ski Talk with Will Asher (Part 2)


Welcome to Part 2 of Matteo's interview with Will Asher.

Will is a 2-time World Champion, 5-times Masters Champion, and among the very best skiers of all time.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about it by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

This is actually a second recording. The first recording session, which occurred via Skype, got damaged due to Matteo's computer failing. However, Will's audio was preserved. Parts of this first recording will be features exclusively on Water Ski Bits, so make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform!

In this second part, Will covers some key successes in his career, including the 2003 and 2005 Collegiate National Titles, the 2003 and 2009 World Championships, and the beginning of his journey with HO Skis.
Follow Will on Instagram, and watch his NCWSA Record of 3.5@41off. Also, check out "More Than a Skier", a FlowPoint TV episode with Will.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP35: Ski Talk with Will Asher (Part 1)


Episode 35 is the first of a three-part interview with Will Asher.

Will is a 2-time World Champion, 5-times Masters Champion, and among the very best skiers of all time.

This episode is brought to you by the FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about it by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

This is actually a second recording. The first recording session, which occurred via Skype, got damaged due to Matteo's computer failing. However, Will's audio was preserved. Parts of this first recording will be features exclusively on Water Ski Bits, so make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform!

In this first part, Matteo asks Will about his beginnings in the UK, early successes, people that influenced him along that part of the journey, and his transition to College.
Follow Will on Instagram, and watch his NCWSA Record of 3.5@41off. Also, check out "More Than a Skier", a FlowPoint TV episode with Will.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP34: The Waterski Broadcasting Company


Episode 34 is with Tony Lightfoot, John Waldron, and Vincent Stadlbaur, who together are The Waterski Broadcasting Company.

In this episode Matteo probes them to talk about the past, present, and future of water ski webcasting, which inevitably touched on how video can promote the sport of water skiing.
Follow Tony, John, Vino, and The Waterski Broadcasting Company on Instagram, and check out their impressive archive on YouTube.

This episode is brought to you by the
FlowPoint Method, a revolutionary and holist approach to water skiing created by Jenny LaBaw and Marcus Brown.
Learn more about it by going to
thewaterskipodcast.com/flowpointmethod

Thank you to everyone for the constant support to The Water Ski Podcast, it has been overwhelmingly encouraging ;-) Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP33: Ski Talk with Vincent Stadlbaur


This Ski Talk episode of The Water Ski Podcast is with Vincent Stadlbaur!

Vincent is a Swiss skier who currently resides in Clermont, FL. However, calling "Vino" simply a skier is reductive. Internationally ranked driver, webcast producer, photographer… Vino is a bit of a Leonardo Da Vinci, a true ambassador of water skiing worldwide.

Join Vincent and Matteo as they cover:
  • Vincent's early days in the sport as part of a 3rd generation of skiers
  • How his passion for photography started
  • Some of Vino's first shots and the famous Asher's photo at 9.75m at Alizée Cup
  • His insistence since young to drive the boat and his first experiences
  • Vincent's dad insistence on respecting the sport
  • The moment everything clicked and started driving the best skiers in the World
  • Vino's days at Film School and how the passion for webcast arose
  • The importance of content creation for the promotion of the sport
  • … and a ton more!

Follow Vino on Instagram, check out The Waterski Broadcasting Company, and take a look at the Swiss Waterski Resort.
Also, look at some of his video productions. My favorite one is Unleash

Thank you to everyone for the constant support to The Water Ski Podcast, it has been overwhelmingly encouraging ;-)

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP32: Ski Talk with Jennifer LaPoint


This episode of The Water Ski Podcast is with Jennifer LaPoint!

Jennifer is a former Pro Water Skier, investor, and entrepreneur. A member of the Water Ski Hall Of Fame, Jennifer held the World Slalom Record three times, being the first woman to ever run 11.25m. She also has a keen passion to promote the sport of water skiing, starting with the WOW tour in the

Join Matteo and Jennifer as the go over:
  • Jennifer's early days of skiing and early tournament experiences
  • Her upbringing as a multi-sport athlete of basketball and water skiing
  • Historical development of Worlds and Pro Tour
  • The shift from College Basketball at Georgia Tech to skiing for University of Central Florida
  • The stories of her World Records and the importance of sport psychology
  • Jennifer's injury and comeback
  • The creation and development of the Women Of Waterskiing (WOW) Tour
  • Her relationship with Kris LaPoint and the creation of Lapoint skis.
  • The App Compete and what brought Jennifer the inspiration for its creation.
  • …and more!!

Check out LaPoint Ski Park on Instagram, Lapoint Skis, and watch her AWSA Hall Of Fame video.
Also, check out the development of Compete at getcompete.com.

Thank you to everyone for the constant support to The Water Ski Podcast, it has been overwhelmingly encouraging ;-)

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP30: Ski Talk with Jaimee Bull


Episode 30 of The Water Ski Podcast is with Jaimee Bull!
Jaimee is one of the best skiers in the World. Under 21 World Slalom Champion and NCWSA National Champion and Record Holder, Jaimee is a Mechanical Engineering student at UL Lafayette, representing the Ragin' Cajuns and Canada in various tournaments worldwide.

Join Matteo and Jaimee as the go over:
  • Jaimee's early days of skiing
  • The influence of her brother Jaret in her skiing
  • Her first few tournaments
  • The journey to Junior Worlds
  • The experience of skiing for the Syndicate team
  • Jaimee's Bronze Medal at the 2017 Open Worlds
  • Jaimee's victory at the Under 21 World Championships
  • The NCWSA Women Slalom Record performance at the 2019 Collegiate Nationals
  • The state of Pro Women Skiing
  • …and more!!

Follow Jaimee on Instagram, check out her website, and watch her in action.
Also, check out her profile on HO Skis and WWS.

Thank you to everyone for the constant support to The Water Ski Podcast, it has been overwhelmingly encouraging ;-)

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP28: Learn (some more) Water Skiing with Coop Diddy


Coop Diddy is back!

This impromptu episode was recorded just a few days ago, after Coop bombarded Matteo with more questions about water ski intricacies. "We should have this conversation in front of the mic" Coop said, and within 3 minutes the two were recording.

By the way, have you checked out Water Ski Bits? Coop has a bit on there too ;-)

In this episode, Coop Diddy asks Matteo more specific questions about the water ski world, informed by the knowledge about the sport he has been acquiring :)

Follow this second episode as Coop and Matteo ramble and untangle:
  • A little update on how TWSP has been going since EP11
  • Trends of Top20 skiers in the World (see BOS post here)
  • What made Men Slalom so competitive in recent years
  • Deliberate practice and skiing in different conditions
  • Big Dawg and Senior categories, including former Pros making the switch
  • Jeff Rogers being the first guy to run 41off at 36mph and 34mph
  • Are 34mph and 36mph two different sports altogether?
  • Coop's first experience of riding in the boat for Matteo
  • Safety and funnies in water ski photo shooting
  • Shoutouts to Coop's fans Freddie Winter and Dane Mechler
  • The effects of COVID on the water ski community
  • …and more!!!

If you are new to the sport, hopefully you'll learn something out of this conversation.
If you are already an experienced and knowledgeable skier, you'll definitely find this discussion amusing and, possibly, resembling the ones you often have about trying to explain our sport to non-skiers.

Follow Coop on Instagram and let him know what you think about the episode ;-)

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP27: Ski Talk with Dane Mechler (Part 2)


Welcome to Part 2 of Dane Mechler's interview for The Water Ski Podcast!

Dane is a water ski sensation and literally a threat to every single event he partakes. Among the many accomplishments Dane has already accrued we find ad Under 21 and University World Championships.

Dane is currently ranked 8th in the IWWF Elite Ranking List, a proficiency and competitiveness he manages during his free time from a high-pressure finale position at Grant Thornton.

In this second part, Dane shares more recent events, particularly with regards to the 2019 season.

Join in as Dane and Matteo cover the following:
  • Dane's peculiar slalom technique, and what led to some those peculiarities
  • His days with Matteo and Keith Albritton in Tallahassee
  • The challenge of getting past the 2@41off hump
  • Being top seed at the 2019 Open Worlds at Malaysia.
  • How he followed that experience with California Pro Am
  • Dane's first Pro podium at the 2019 Malibu Open
  • Combining work and high-end skiing
  • The financial side of growing the sport of water skiing
  • …and a lot more
Follow Dane on Instagram, and watch some of the highlights of the 2016 University World Championships

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP26: Ski Talk with Dane Mechler (Part 1)


In this episode, Matteo sits down with Pro Skier Dane Mechler!

Dane is a water ski sensation and literally a threat to every single event he partakes. Among the many accomplishments Dane has already accrued we find ad Under 21 and University World Championships, and more that we will cover on Part 2 this Saturday.

Dane is currently ranked 8th in the IWWF Elite Ranking List, a proficiency and competitiveness he manages during his free time from a high-pressure finale position at Grant Thornton.

In this first part, Dane navigates his early days in skiing, facilitated by a great and long time friendship with Matteo.

Join them as they cover the following:
  • Dane's early days of skiing in Cincinnati and his dad's influence on his skiing
  • The relationship with his brother Mason and their joint ski journey
  • The early days at Pickos Ski School and Cory's influence on Dane's ski style
  • His first tournament experiences in the Midwest and at the National level
  • The Junior Worlds and the ensuing commitment to proper tournament preparation
  • Dane's collegiate days at The University of Louisiana
  • The path to victory at the Under 21 Worlds
  • The sensational win at the 2016 University Worlds in a run-off with Robert Pigozzi
  • …and a lot more
Follow Dane on Instagram, and watch some of the highlights of the 2016 University World Championships

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP25: Ski Talk with Harry Spavin and Ryan Gonzales, Ragin' Cajuns Water Ski Team


This episode of TWSP is with Harry Spavin and Ryan Gonzales, the Team Captain and Coach of the Ragin' Cajuns Water Ski Team!

Louisiana has a long and successful tradition of collegiate water skiing, with University of Louisiana Monroe and University of Louisiana at Lafayette having won almost all the NCWSA titles ever awarded.

This episode is a small window into the lives of two people who are continuing the tradition of the Ragin' Cajuns Water Ski Team. "Spav" is a great skier, current Team Captain, and the 2019 NCSWA Male Outstanding Leader of the Year, who led the Cajuns to their 7th National title. "Gonzo" has been the Coach of the Water Ski Team since 2011, and has been able through hard work and dedication to help this skier-run team reaching new heights.

Join Matteo, Spav, and Gonzo as they talk about:
  • Harry's early days of skiing and his journey to the University of Louisiana
  • How Ryan, not a skier, ended up coaching one of the best ski teams of all time
  • The inner workings of how the ski team runs
  • Some of the key people, donors, and alumni that allow the team to continue thriving
  • The process that brought the 2019 National Title back to Lafayette
  • and a LOT more :)

Follow the Ragin' Cajuns Water Ski Team on Facebook and Instagram, check out this article of their 2019 Championship by the University of Louisiana, and a video from the 2015 Championship.

Oh yeah, and follow Spav and Gonzo on Instagram too :)

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP24: Ski Talk with Corey Vaughn (Part 2)


Welcome to the second part of Corey Vaughn's interview for The Water Ski Podcast!

Corey is one of the best water skiers in the world and one of the few (ten) skiers to have run 10.25m (41off) in a tournament!

Corey continues from where he left off in Part 1 and shares some funny stories, challenging times, early struggles and subsequent improvements, and tells the story of how he came to run 10.25m in tournament

Enjoy this episode as Matteo and Corey cover the following:
  • Corey's move to West Palm Beach
  • Early struggles to get time on the water and Chet's mentorship
  • The days in Acapulco
  • The balance between competitiveness and enjoyment
  • His experiences with Andy Mapple and Kris LaPoint
  • The tournament in which he ran 41off
  • The balance between running a ski school and pursuing excellence in skiing
  • …and a lot more
Follow Corey on Instagram, check out his website and ski school! Oh, and his beautiful profile on RadaR Skis.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP23: Ski Talk with Corey Vaughn (Part 1)


Episode 23 is the first part of Matteo's interview with Corey Vaughn!

Corey is one of the best water skiers in the world and one of the few (ten) skiers to have run 10.25m (41off) in a tournament!

In this episode, Matteo prompts Corey to talk about his early days in skiing. Corey's story might start as the usual path most of us undertook in discovering water skiing, but quickly develops into one of the most interesting stories you have ever heard.

Enjoy this episode as Matteo and Corey cover the following:
  • Corey's early days in the sport at his grandparent's house
  • The summers spent skiing and having fun behind the boat
  • The challenge of regaining the innocence and worry-free attitude as a Pro Skier
  • The collegiate days at Clemson University
  • The immediate post-university days.
  • The great story of the weekend Corey became open rated
  • …and a lot more
Follow Corey on Instagram, check out his website and ski school! Oh, and his beautiful profile on RadaR Skis.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP22: Ski Talk with Thomas Degasperi


In this new episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo got to sit down with two-time World Slalom Champion Thomas "Tgas" Degasperi!

Arguably the best Italian water skier of all time, Thomas has been at the top of the sport for over 15 years. With 2 World titles, 7 European titles, 2 Moomba Masters, and 1 US Masters (among many other accolades), he belongs to anyone's all-time list of dominant skiers. Thomas' rivalry with Will Asher over the years has been compared to the one Andy Mapple and Wade Cox had before them. For instance, Thomas and Will won 2 World Championships each over the course of 8 years. Thomas is also one of two skiers in history to have won Moomba and US Masters in the same year, with the other one being Andy Mapple. Finally, Thomas also owns and operates Tgas Ski Club in Winter Garden, FL, where he helps skiers of any level improve their game.

Join Matteo and Thomas as they talk about:
  • Thomas' early days in the sport and how his dad got exposed to water skiing
  • His youth and Junior competitive days
  • The breakthrough of getting 4th at the 2001 Worlds in Recetto
  • The decision of moving to Monroe, LA to pursue skiing and university
  • The move to Orlando
  • Thomas' first World title in Linz
  • The early days in the Pro Tour
  • The win at the US Masters.
  • …and a lot more

Follow Thomas, Tgas Ski Club, and Sci Nautico Trento on Instagram and check out his website!

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP21: Ski Talk with Manon Costard (Part 2)


The 21st episode of The Water Ski Podcast is the second part of the interview with the Manon Costard, the 2020 Moomba Masters Slalom Champion.

In this second part of the interview, Manon shares the excitement that followed her victory at the 2019 World Championships, and the late part of the 2019 season. Manon also shared something that happened to her in her youth, something that shouldn't have happened. We discussed the vulnerable position that young athletes can find themselves in, and what we can do as a community to help. This was not an easy conversation, but Manon shares and covers the topic in a very candid and respectful way, and her message is one that must be heard.

Join Matteo and Manon again as they discuss:
  • The first few days and weeks as a World Champion
  • The end of the 2019 season
  • The high level Pro Women skiing is reaching, particularly after the 2019 Malibu Open
  • The importance of coaching at a young age
  • Something that happened to her in her early teens and how vulnerable young athletes can be
  • The emotional experience of being taken advantage of and the importance of speaking to the victim
  • What Manon has learned from the experience
  • Her current social support system
  • Her win at the 2018 US Masters and how that contrasts to the World Championships.
  • …and a lot more

Follow Manon on Instagram and check out her website.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP20: Ski Talk with Manon Costard (Part 1)


The twentieth episode of The Water Ski Podcast is the first of a two-part interview with the 2019 World Slalom Champion Manon Costard.

Manon is the 28yo slalom sensation from France who is the current Slalom World Champion. A true fighter on the water, she can claim several successes including US Masters and several European Championships. Manon sits downs and opens up with Matteo on her skiing, skiing in general, some of the things she learned along the way, and how she sees the sport moving forward. Manon is also the Athlete Representative for the Europe&Africa Region of the IWWF and someone who wants to see the sport continuously improving.

Join Matteo and Manon as they discuss:
  • Manon's early years in the sport.
  • Her initial successes in tricks and how coaches elevated her skiing.
  • Manon's success in the Junior and Under 21 categories and her passion for jump
  • The transition to slalom, and the win at the 2011 European Championships
  • The move to the US for college, Pro Tour, and the decision to become a slalom specialist
  • The choice of becoming Pro full time
  • The 2016 San Gervasio Pro Am and winning on borrowed equipment
  • The win at the 2019 IWWF World Championships in Malaysia.
  • …and a TON more

Follow Manon on Instagram, check out her website, watch this Promo video by Vincent Stadlbaur on Manon, and stay tune for Part 2 next week, in which Manon shares more of her personal journey with Matteo.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP19: Ski Talk with Thomas Gustafson


In this new episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo interviews Thomas Gustafson

Thomas is a skier, a respected coach, and especially one of the best photographers in water ski and wakeboard history. With countless magazine covers and spreads, Thomas has grazed the eyes of water sports enthusiasts with some unique and spectacular shots. Thomas is also a keen coach. Working primarily in Italy, Sweden, and the United States, he has influenced over three generations of skiers, including the likes of Marco Riva, Oskar Vikström, Jakob Bogne, and Leonardo Boldini.

Join Matteo and Thomas as they discuss:
  • Thomas' early skiing experiences and successes
  • How coaching became a part of his experience while competing
  • The focus shift from jump and tricks to slalom due to injury
  • How he realized photography became a passion
  • Thomas' early days a photographer and those who helped him shoot
  • The first few shots that made it to publication
  • Some fun shooting stories
  • Thomas' advice on how to improve your photos
  • … and much more!

In addition to the episode, we also launched another Apple Podcast review contest! Thomas and I will raffle a winner on Instagram Live and the winner will get a print of a famous shot, autographed by Thomas.

Here are the rules:
  • Click on "Write a Review" in Apple Podcast
  • Rate and write a review telling us what you thought about Episode 19 with Thomas Gustafson
  • MAKE SURE to take a screenshot of your review before you submit it.
  • Submit the review
  • Send the screenshot to matteo@thewaterskipodcast.com
  • We'll raffle the shot on Wednesday, March 4th


Follow Thomas on Instagram and check out his website to see some of his work. In addition, Thomas organizes a cool water ski tour in Italy, brining guests to 10 different ski sites in the old country.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP18: Ski Talk with Mario Pigozzi



In this episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo interviews Mario Pigozzi.

Mario is the owner of Catalina Ski Lake in Boca China, Dominican Republic, and widely considered one of the best water ski drivers in the World. With numerous World Championships, Pan Am Games, Pan-American and Latin-American Championships, and tens of Pro Tournaments, Mario is one of the most experienced people behind the wheel. He is also Robert Pigozzi's dad and coach, one of the sensations of the Pro Men slalom scene.

Join Matteo and Mario as they touch on:
  • How Mario found out about water skiing
  • His early days working at a ski club in Africa and learning about the sport
  • The summers skiing at Jolly Ski in Italy
  • Mario's move to the DR and carrying on the passion about water skiing
  • The creation of Catalina Ski Lake and Robert's early days on the water
  • How his passion for driving pushed him to improve
  • The importance of driving all levels to become a good driver
  • What he believes good driving should be
  • … and much more!

Follow Mario and Catalina Ski Lake on Instagram.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.
Read the Transcript…

EP17: Ski Talk with Adam and Cory Pickos


Matteo sits down with two 2-time World Trick Champions Adam and Cory Pickos.

Cory is a IWWF and AWSA Hall of Fame skier and one of the innovators and legends of trick skiing, with 24 World Record, 2 World Titles, 10 US Masters and 10 US Open Titles. Adam, his son, also owns two World Gold Medals at home and a bunch of other accolades. It was an honor sitting with them to hear their favorite stories, pick their brain on trick skiing, and talk about the upcoming Junior World Championships to be hosted at their ski school in Santa Rosa Beach, FL in August.

Some of the things Matteo, Adam, and Cory talked about:
  • Cory's early days in water skiing with his dad in Wisconsin and the early rise to success
  • Cory's first World Title in 1981
  • Adam's early days in skiing and the role of Cory in his progression
  • Adam's first World Title in 2015
  • How the manage to maintain a healthy coach-athlete, father-son relationship
  • Their favorite part about trick skiing
  • Some of the tricks they struggled to learn along the way
  • The effects of being surrounded by friends and competitors at all time at ski school
  • Life at Cory Pickos Ski School in Santa Rosa Beach, FL
  • The organization of the 2020 Junior World Championships
  • … and much more!

In addition, a special episode of The Water Ski Podcast is now available on Swerve, a new social network for water skiers. To listen, create a profile on https://swerve.mn.co or download the Mighty Networks app and search for Swerve.
Watch the trick run that put Adam at the top of the 2015 World Championships, and check out this hand pass by Cory in 1987 with the famous Wake 720 front to front.
Follow Adam and Pickos Ski School on Instagram and check out his page on World Water Skiers.
Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!
If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP16: Ski Talk with Robert Pigozzi


For this episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo sits down with Dominican slalom sensation Robert Pigozzi

Robert is only 22yo and has already placed himself among the very elite of water skiing. Coached by his dad Mario (on the podcast soon), Claudio Benatti, and Matt Rini, Robert has managed to win some pro events, qualify to the US Masters for three years in a row, and finish 4th in the 2019 Elite World Ranking. Robert is a great character, and this interview recorded in Boca Chica is a good window into his life and ski journey.

Some of the things Matteo and Robert talked about:
  • Robert's early exposures to water skiing through his dad
  • His struggles as a kid to progress in the sport
  • How watching skiers like Matteo, Nicholas Benatti, and Gianmarco Pajni inspired Robert and gave him companionship
  • The development of the Catalina Ski lake
  • Robert's early successes in the Junior categories
  • The moments Robert realized he was good
  • Some milestones of the 2018 season
  • A thorough recount of his 2019 season, including winning the Pan Am Games and the consequences of this victory in his country
  • … and much more!

Follow Robert on Instagram and check out his page on World Water Skiers and on Team Nautique

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP15: Ski Talk with Keith Albritton


In this first 2020 episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo sits down with Keith Albritton.

Keith is an avid skier, internationally recognized driver, and owner of the famous Lake 38, where he has been organizing the Lake 38 Pro Am and other RC events. Matteo and Keith have been skiing together for over 5 years, and had a chance to help each other improve in their skiing.

Some of the things Matteo and Keith talked about:
  • Keith's early days in the sport
  • How he skied a course for the first time
  • The struggles of public water skiing in Tallahassee
  • The birth and development of Lake 38
  • Lake 38 Pro Am and gender-equal payout
  • Keith's experience as a Senior Drive
  • Ski Freeze or Die
  • … and much more!

You can find more about Lake 38 at their Facebook page. Also, watch the legendary run off between John Travers and Will Asher at the first edition of the Lake 38 Pro Am in 2018.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP14: Ski Talk with Chris Parrish


In this Christmas episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo sits down with the one and only Chris Parrish!

Chris is among the very best skiers to ever attack the slalom course, with multiple Pro titles in his career and a three-time World Record Holder.

Some of the things Matteo and CP talked about:
  • CP's early steps in the sport
  • His early influences in the sport, including his dream of becoming a jumper
  • His breakthrough moments and early victories
  • The role of his dad in his skiing
  • Chris' approach to technique.
  • Key moments with Andy Mapple, Bob LaPoint, Lucky Lowe, Wade Cox, and others
  • What fuels his drive to continue to compete these days
  • … and much more!

Check out CP on the HO Syndicate website, and follow him on Instagram.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP13: Ski Talk with Erika Lang


In this episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo got to interview Erika Lang.

Erika is the current World Trick Record holder, set in October 2019 at Jack Traver's "Sunset Fall Classic" Tournament in October 2019, with a score of 11260. Erika is also a dual athlete, competing in the WWA Wakeboard Pro Tour.

Some of the things Matteo and Erika talked about:
  • Erika's beginning in the sport as a "distraction" from gymnastics
  • Her gradual transition to water skiing
  • How she went from a "big tricks" tricker to a "big run" tricker
  • Similarities and differences between wakeboarding and trick skiing
  • Her process for learning a new trick in skiing and how to implement it in a run
  • Erika's process to learn a new wakeboarding trick
  • Her World Record Run
  • Gender gap in trick skiing compared to wakeboarding
  • … and a LOT more!

You can watch Erika's World Record run here.

Also, check out her AWSA Page, World Water Skiers page, and follow her on Instagram.

Take a few seconds to write a review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it really helps :-) … and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP12: Ski Talk with Wade Cox


In this episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo sits down with the legendary Wade Cox.

Wade is an AWSA Hall of Fame inductee, 3 times US Masters Champion, and has 47 Pro Slalom titles in his career. Most water ski fans will remember his legendary battles with Andy Mapple that characterized the 1990s, making for one of the longest rivalries in the history of the sport. Join in the conversation as Wade shares his knowledge, his story, and his vision for what is next in his life and in the sport of water skiing.

Some of the things Matteo and Wade talked about:
  • Wade's early days as a skier
  • What sparked him to choose skiing over other sports
  • The early successes, including overall skiing achievements
  • How Carl Roberge inspired him to bring his skiing to the next level
  • The transition from college to full Pro
  • The importance of sound technique and equipment
  • The battles with Andy and other skiers
  • How he managed to compete at a high level in the 2000s despite injuries
  • … and a LOT more!

Wade is an integral part of the HO Syndicate team, and his 30+ involvement with the company is truly a rarity in our sport.

Also, check out his AWSA Hall of Fame tribute video and speech. And, a chat between Wade, Marcus Brown, and John Mommer about some of his tournament experiences :)

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP11: Learn Water Skiing with Coop Diddy


Welcome to this very alternative (and quite explicit) episode of The Water Ski Podcast

In this episode, Coop Diddy asks Matteo a lot of the questions people want to ask about skiing. A lot of people have tried water skiing on some combos at least once, and Coop is no exception. In fact, Coop even managed to "kick one off"!

Follow this entertaining episode as Coop and Matteo ramble and untangle:
  • Some basics about the slalom course
  • The idea of a reverse course
  • What "41 off" is off of and general rope lengths
  • Right vs. Left foot forward
  • Whether water skiing is an extreme sport
  • How to promote the sport
  • And a lot more!

If you are new to the sport, hopefully you'll learn something out of this conversation.
If you are already an experienced and knowledgeable skier, you'll definitely find this discussion amusing and, possibly, resembling the ones you often have about trying to explain our sport to non-skiers.

Follow Coop on Instagram and let him know what you think about the episode ;-)

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP10: Ski Talk with Marcus Brown


Welcome to the 10th episode of The Water Ski Podcast.

In this one, I talk with Marcus Brown. Marcus is a former professional skiers who had to stop skiing in the tour prematurely due to a back injury. This setback did not stop him from continuing to be involved in the sport of water skiing. He is in charge of Flow Point TV and the Flow Point podcast, through which he shares video and audio aimed at exposing our sport in all its beauty and complexity. Marcus is also the brain behind all the three version of the HO Freeride, a ski that changed the water sports market. Marcus also was on the engineering team that developed the current MasterCraft Pro Star, launched in 2014. But beyond all of this, Marcus is a genuine, passionate human being, and those who know him or go to meet him can understand the greatness of spirit with the man.

Some of the things Matteo and Marcus talked about:
  • Marcus' early days as a skier
  • His "firsts", including first time representing the United States and first injury
  • The role of his parents in his development and that of The Ridge
  • Marcus' involvement in some iconic water sport products in the last few years
  • How water skiing can grow again
  • The state of the pro tour before, during, and after his career
  • … and a TON more!


In October of 2019, Marcus was inducted in the Hall Of Fame of the National Collegiate Water Ski Association. You can read more about it at this link.

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP9: Ski Talk with Jay Bennett (Part 2)


This ninth episode of The Water Ski Podcast is the second of a two-part interview with Jay Bennett. Jay is a world-renown water ski coach, tournament organizer, and business owner. In this second part, Jay opens up about his coaching philosophy, a result of both experience and years of careful refining.

Some of the things Matteo and Jay discussed:
  • The start of Jay's coaching career
  • Coaching as a never-ending learning process
  • The challenges of coaching at the high level
  • His experiences at 2019 Worlds and Pan-Am Games
  • How Jay develops trust with an athlete
  • The challenges of stepping back when things are not working
  • Advise for new coaches

You can listen to Part 1 here.

In 2018, Jay was inducted in the Hall Of Fame of the National Collegiate Water Ski Association. Marcus Brown shot a great clip showing Jay's acceptance speech, and I invite you to check it out.

Also, keep up with what is going on at Bennett's through their website, Facebook, Instagram, and take a look at the 3 Event Store!

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP7: Ski Talk with Jay Bennett (Part 1)


This seventh episode of The Water Ski Podcast is the first of a two-part interview with Jay Bennett. Jay is a world-renown water ski coach, tournament organizer, and business owner.

Some of the things Matteo and Jay discussed:
  • Jay's first water ski experiences
  • The beginnings of Bennett's Ski School
  • The organization of big events, such as Nationals, Collegiate Nationals, and LA Night Jam
  • The former and current state of Professional Water Skiing
  • The role of collegiate skiing in promoting the sport
  • … and a TON more!

In 2018, Jay was inducted in the Hall Of Fame of the National Collegiate Water Ski Association. Marcus Brown shot a great clip showing Jay's acceptance speech, and I invite you to check it out.

Also, keep up with what is going on at Bennett's through their website, Facebook, Instagram, and take a look at the 3 Event Store!

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP5: Ski Talk with Brittany Greenwood


In this fifth episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo interviews Brittany Greenwood, a Registered Dietitian and Pro Jumper.

Some of the things Matteo and Brittany discussed:
  • Brittany's first experience at the Open Worlds
  • Recent breakthroughs in her jumping.
  • How she balances work and skiing.
  • Her job as a registered dietitian
  • Simple nutritional advise for skiers
  • … and more


Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP4: Ski Talk with Igor Morozov


In this fourth episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo interviews Igor Morozov, the winner of the Malibu Open Jump event.

Some of the things the two bearded men talked about on Sunday include:
  • Igor's win on his first jump the night before
  • How Igor started skiing and the early days
  • His ability to combine skiing with other passions
  • Living the life of a water skier vs. living a city life and struggle to find time to ski
  • How skiing in the US helped him improve as a jumper
  • The role of a coach in skiing
  • Tips on how to make jumping safer and more approachable
  • The current state of jumping at the pro level
  • … and more!

Igor is by far one of the most interesting characters in the world of water skiing. I enjoyed this conversation a lot and, had he not had to go and catch some waves to surf, we would have probably gone on for another two hours!

Here's a few links to relive the action of the 2019 Malibu Open (webcast provided by the Water Ski Broadcasting Company):

Also, here's a few links to dive into Igor's world:


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If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.

EP3: Ski Talk with Nick "The Yeti" Parsons



In this third episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo interviews Nick "The Yeti" Parsons during the California Pro Am.

Join in as Nick discusses the origins of his water ski passion, his understanding of ski design, some of his breakthroughs, and his obsession for other cultures.

Definitely one of the most colorful characters on Tour, Nick got personal in front of the microphone and shared some of his knowledge and experiences.

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and let's keep the momentum going!

If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider a donation.


Read the Transcript…

EP2: Ski Talk with Ashley Stevens, President of the Clemson Tigers Water Ski Team



In this second episode of The Water Ski Podcast, Matteo interviews Ashley Stevens, the President of the Clemson Tigers Water Ski Team. Some of the things they touch on in this interview include:
  • The structure and format of the Water Sports Club at Clemson University
  • How Collegiate Water Skiing works and why it is so much fun
  • Recent successes and challenges the Clemson Water Ski Team has been facing.
  • and some more

Keep up with the Clemson Tigers Water Ski Team by checking out their website:
https://www.clemsonwatersports.com

and consider a donation to their ski club:
https://cualumni.clemson.edu/give/water-ski

Also, you can check out their very well-managed Instagram account here:
https://www.instagram.com/clemsonski/

Read the Transcript…