I count myself lucky as one of the few New Zealand water skiers who were able to meet Andy, even if was for just a few minutes on my way to Orlando airport last January. I am fortunate to know Aiden through his family from our local club in Cambridge NZ and his effort in picking me up and taking me to the airport via the lake to meet The Legend Andy Mapple will never be forgotten by this skier. Andy was busy and on a mission, but he took the time to say Hi. From little old NZ in my circle of water skiing friends Andy Mapple has always been the one we idolised during my 30 years+ on the water. Andys accomplishments never went unnoticed and his recent innovation and success has only contributed to providing more motivation on the water. Like many of you I cant explain the sadness I personally feel for the loss to his family, staff and close friends, but also the wider water skiing community. There are thousands of us from all around the world just shocked, stunned & saddened at what happened last weekend, yet we didn't personally know Andy. How do you explain that, except for the fact Andy Mapple gave so much to the sport we love, you could not help but feel a connection to him.
Summer is nearly here in NZ and this Kiwi will be wearing his Mapple Skis TShirt remembering a true icon of our beloved sport on the water.