Nearly a decade ago, Mike Suyderhoud, Terry Winter and Marcus Brown began developing an understanding of the way things work, they coined it West Coast Slalom. It grew from barely a myth, into a movement that has recharged the international waterski community.

Mike Suyderhoud
mike@mikesuyderhoud.com

5 Time World Champion
16 Time National Champion
National and International HALL OF FAME

Mike Suyderhoud has won more world gold medals than any man in the history of the sport of water-skiing. Mike's more than thirty years of professional coaching has provided a tremendous professional contribution to the growth and advancement of water skiing, including helping to develop and hone the skills of top skiers from all over the world.

Early in his career, Mike recognized the need for more research and development of better ski equipment. Over the past three decades, his energies and experience have been instrumental in shaping the technology of water-skiing and ski equipment. In addition to being a consultant the industry, Mike has written columns as well as feature-length articles for various national water-skiing magazines. As tribute to Mike's dedication to the sport of water-skiing, he was inducted into the Water Skiing Hall of Fame in 1987, during his first year of eligibility.

Marcus Brown
marcus@marcusbrown.net

I grew up in a small Northern California farming town. My parents were school teachers and always sought adventure in the summers with their truck, camper and boat. Waterskiing became an integral part of our family's activities. I entered my first tourney at age 9. It has now been 17 years since that first summer of tournament skiing, and I've seen a few challenges in that time.

I realize how unique waterskiing is not only because it is so physically challenging, but because of the genuine people involved. The people make the sport! Its not about the skiing alone!

On the competitive side, I've tied or broke a few National Records, placed top three at U.S. Team trials won a World Championship and recently won my first Major Title, the Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia. A huge reason for my success has to be the technique I've been working on for the past eight years: West Coast Slalom.

It was eight years ago when World Champion Mike Suyderhoud began coaching Terry Winter and I. What Mike taught was a new way to approach skiing. It was based on real-world physical principles: the same laws that allow us to walk, run, skate or ride a bike. Because this new way of skiing made sense, and because Terry and I are two of shortest guys on the Pro tour, we quickly adopted the ideas. We found that skiing was more simple than anyone had ever thought before. So, for the past eight years I have done professional Clinics on the road and at home, sharing all that I have to offer. The technique is evolving, and continues to evolve, but the main ideas remain, and I believe West Coast Slalom is the most efficient and beneficial way to ski...its not a style, its a technique. It involves the same movements used by alpine skiers and snowboarders, trick skiers, jumpers, skaters, and cyclists, to name a few. I have a unique approach to skiing and I do feel I have a great ability to connect with people. When conveying ideas through online forums and written words I may come across as narrow minded, but in reality I am open to listening to any point of view, which is very important as a coach. Only an open mind can grow!

As for education, I am finishing a B.S. in Civil Engineering at California State University, Chico this December 05'. I'm a member of Phi Kappa Phi honorary society as well as Tau Beta Pi honorary society. I was recognized for achieving a rank in the top 5% of all students nationwide and have been on the Dean's list at both Arizona State University (4.0 GPA) and Cal State, Chico. In addition to engineering, I have an interest in topics relating to biology, chemistry physics. I hope to one day design lakes that allow more people to enjoy this amazing sport, while preserving and hopefully enriching the surrounding natural environment.

Terry Winter
terrywinter1@mac.com

Born:
January 18, 1979

Height:
5' 9"

Weight:
150 lbs.

Residence:
Sacramento, CA

Began Skiing:
Age 6, 1985

First Tournament:
1987, Lake Don Pedro

Turned Pro:
1996

Current Ski:
66" Connely F1

Current Boat:
2004 MasterCraft Tournament Team 197 with Mini Tower

Training:
Cycling, yoga, mountain biking, cycling, weight training, and snow skiing.

Training Partners:
Mike Suyderhoud, Bret Muhlitner, Marcus Brown, Scott Papapietro, Jason Parades, my Dad and Kristin Hayes

Best Performance in Practice:
4 @ 41

Best Tournament Performance:
21/2 @ 41, 202 feet in jump

Why I ski for my Sponsors:
There's a few things I find important in choosing a sponsor... they need to have the best products in the industry, their people are honest and ethical, and they love the sport and want to support their team skiers.

Favorite Tournaments:
The Water Ski World Cup offers the most exciting competitions with all the best skiers in the world, challenging formats, and the most adrenaline producing crowds and atmospheres.

Favorite Book:
Lance Armstrong's, "It's Not About the Bike"

School:
Oregon State & Eastern Oregon Universities - I spend my winters studying what will make me a better athlete and coach Sports Psychology, Movement & Nutrition.