Catching Up With Pro Legend Jaret Llewellyn

Team Nautique Skier Jaret Llewellyn is no stranger to professional water skiing. Jaret has been skiing since he was age 6 and became a professional skier at age 18. Since then, Jaret has had over 106 professional wins including 11 world records and 9 world titles. Jaret was recently named the 2007 IWSF Male Athlete of the Year and took the Jump title at the 2008 Moomba Masters. Keep reading to learn more about Jaret’s thoughts on the 2008 Moomba Masters and how he effectively balances his personal and professional commitments...

How does it feel to be the recent winner at the 2008 Moomba Masters?

It definitely feels great to start off the season with two wins, one at the New Zealand Pro Am and the other being the Moomba Masters. When you win an event it becomes obvious that all the hard work you had done leading up to the event was a good program. Moomba is always great to win because it is probably the most difficult place in the world to dial in, and coming out on top gives you great confidence. Getting a nice check also makes the long, long plane ride worth while!

What you do think contributed most to your success at this event?

Being in better shape at the end of the 2007 season and getting right back into the gym made a huge difference in my preparation for the start of the 2008 season. Over the last 6 years I have had all kinds of nagging injuries, which would not go away without taking time off totally. This sometimes gives you the feeling that you are behind the eight ball. Then you start to panic and it can disrupt the training program that you have mapped out for the season.

Talk a little bit about your new Nautique boat -- what do you like best about it?

I love my new Ski Nautique 206. It is pimped out! It is all red. I mean, the top deck, swim platform and the trailer is even red. It has a tower with kicking speakers and the engine is smoking hot! This is the hottest overall boat in the world! We are not always training our heads off; we like to party too! You might even say we throw the best children’s parties South Florida has ever seen with our 206!

You've been a success in the water skiing industry for many years --- What has kept you motivated?

I just love what I do! Yeah, the pain of training is hard, but it is all worth while when you get to travel the world and put all your hard work to the test. Meeting people and understanding cultures from all over the world has been a blessing and has taught me great values, I would not trade it for anything!

How do you balance your personal and professional commitments?

This is hard in our sport because it is not easy to make big money. Not being secure can lead to miscalculated planning and eat up time in your training which will lead to poor performances on the pro tour. Over the course of my career, I have become a good judge of character and have only picked companies that share the same values and objectives that I believe in. Without this alignment you could not have a personal life because too much focus would be on survival. My sponsors have been the key to my success and I would do anything for them. They are like family and that is what this sport is about!

Best conditions you've ridden in

I love training in Linz, Austria and Calgary (Predator Bay - 2009 Worlds Championships) because of the lifestyle that surrounds those clubs. People are unbelievable and the scenery is breathtaking.

Best moment at a contest/event

The 1992 Masters always jumps into my head. I was a rookie on tour and this was my first invite to the Masters. Standing on the dock with the big guns, I desperately wanted to prove to them and the rest of the water skiing world that I was here to stay. I broke the world record and could not wipe the smile off my face all weekend because I knew that the monkey was off my back!

Click here to view Jaret’s event schedule for the 2008 season and to learn more about his stellar performances.