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WATERSKI Magazine
Vonore, TN – If you were a team manager for the world's largest
wakeboard boat manufacturer and proprietor of the X-Series brand,
you would probably be looking for athletes that mirror the
company's commitment to excellence and insatiable desire for
success. If you were MasterCraft you would look no farther
than Pro Tour Rookie of The Year, Andrew Adkison. Adkison made his
first blip on the pro wakeboarding radar this summer on the first
leg of the Vans Triple Crown, sponsored by MasterCraft, in
Pensacola, Florida. He entered the nationally televised event
at the behest of some friends and to his surprise finished 12th
among the world's elite. Despite a realm of experience that
barely stretched beyond the INT, Adkison's strong showing in
Pensacola gave him the confidence he needed to make the transition
into professional wakeboarding on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard
Tour.
Having just missed the
finals in Pensacola, Adkison headed to Detroit for his first Pro
Tour stop and the X-Games qualifier. “I didn't even know there was
a qualifier for the X-Games before the event,” said Adkison.
“I was just excited because I got a chance to ride the course
before the competition. I was shocked and excited when I
qualified for the X-Games. It was a complete surprise.”
But the madness was
just beginning for Adkison. After an incredible showing in
the X-Games qualifier, the Detroit crowd and announcers really took
notice after he flawlessly linked together a gutsy series of tricks
that put him in fourth place, just behind names like Bonifay,
Shapiro and Murray. Did we mention that he also qualified for
the Gravity Games that weekend too?
While some riders only
fantasize about challenging the world's best wakeboarders, Adkison
was making his dream a reality. All summer he took at least 3
one-hour sets per day, practicing each of his hardest tricks 10 to
15 times in a row. He also spent a considerable amount of
time teaching clinics with Hyperlite and Shaun Murray on the Back
Yard Tour. That dedication to riding and his self-proclaimed
perfectionist attitude enables him to never repeat a trick in his
run, show diversity and stand up every time. As a result he
finished 12th in Indianapolis, 8th in Irvine, 10th at the X-Games,
14th at the Gravity Games, won the U.S. Open qualifying and
finished 9th overall, was named Pro Tour Rookie Of The Year, is the
highest ranked rookie in the World Cup standings and has been
invited to both the Australian and the New Zealand X-Games. The
media has also taken notice of Adkison, giving him plenty of ink in
magazines like WakeBoarding and on websites like
WakeWorld.com.
”Andrew is someone
we've been following for awhile,” said Rob May, Director of
Marketing. “He has unbelievable maturity and professionalism
for someone who is so young on the Tour. Being a part of our
team isn't just about winning, but giving back to the sport, the
fans and the consumers. Andrew really fits that bill.”
Prior to the start of
the season Adkison showed up at MasterCraft's annual photo shoot
and selflessly lent a hand carrying equipment and helping out where
help was needed. He repeatedly visited with the MasterCraft
crew at Pro Tour stops, came to the factory to take a tour and
helped dial in the new X-Star during the prototype phase. He
even participated in the company's 35th Anniversary Homecoming
celebration, entertaining the crowd and teaching clinics. All
before he was even invited to be a part of the MasterCraft
team.
”MasterCraft has
always impressed me,” said Adkison. “The first wakeboard boat
I ever rode behind was an X-Star. The boats are awesome and
besides that–it's a great company. After I visited the
factory I knew MasterCraft was hands-down the best and I want to
represent a company that I believe in.” That's precisely the
attitude, persistence, and enthusiasm that MasterCraft looks
for.
”He gets it, ” said
veteran MasterCraft team rider Zane Schwenk. “Andrew has done
his homework. He understands the relationship between the
manufacturer, the dealer, customers and the riders. He's
knows the business and what they value. That's going to make
him a great asset.”
MasterCraft has not
signed a male professional wakeboarder in 2 years, making Adkison a
textbook example of how to impress the world's leading wakeboard
boat manufacturer.
So what's next for the
Pro Tour Rookie of The Year? Adkison hopes to improve upon
the 2002 season by finishing in the Top 10 on tour, at the X-Games
and in the World Cup standings next year. Look for Adkison to
also make a splash at MasterCraft camps, clinics, boat shows and
reunions around the world.
For more information
on Andrew Adkison and all the MasterCraft Team skiers and riders
visit the NEW www.mastercraft.com and the NEW www.imastercraft.com
in the coming weeks.
