This past weekend, the waterski community lost a legend. At the age of 52, Andy Mapple, the most renowned waterskier of all time, passed away. To summarize the career Andy Mapple had, would be to summarize his life. Every sport has a legend, and Andy Mapple achieved that level, many times over.
Career Highlights
11 time World Record Holder
6 World Championships
3 Senior World titles
14 U.S. Masters titles
14 Moomba Masters titles
12 time Pro Tour Champion
15 US Open Slalom titles
3 time World Cup Champion
His love and passion of the sport went far beyond the titles and the trophies. For everything he got out of the sport he put twice as much into it. From education into youth and disabled skiing programs, to equipment development, we the sport of waterskiing today would not be where it was if it was not for Andy.
In 2003 I traveled to the US Masters Tournament in Callaway Gardens, GA to see the legend. Andy Mapple was the only skier to run 41 off to score ahead of Jamie Beauchesne with 5@39 off and Chris Parrish scoring 2@39 off. I captured that moment both in my memories and on camera.