(Merced, CA) - She's gunning for the guys and now she has the power of Malibu's Wakesetter VLX behind her. Megan McNeil is the newest wakeboarding member of Team Malibu and she has big plans for her future.
At the age of 16, McNeil has set her goal for wakebarding beyond her grasp and the grasp of any other female in the history of the sport. She wants to ride with the big boys.
When asked about her goals as a pro McNeil had this to say, "As a pro rider, I want to have lots of fun, learn tons of tricks, and eventually ride at a high enough level to compete with the men."
In order to accomplish these goals McNeil jumped at the chance to align herself with the industry's most forward thinking tow boat builder, Malibu Boats. The similarities they share are unmistakable. Both strive to reach for seemingly impossible goals. One stretches to achieve as an athlete the other as a manufacturer, but both go all out.
"I love Malibu Boats and I always have," McNeill simply states. "When I lived in Seattle, I would beg my parents to buy me a Malibu. When the opportunity arose to join Team Malibu I jumped on it and I've loved it since."
These days, McNeil spends most of the year in Florida training. She is schooled by a group of hard core riders who call Orlando's famed Wakeboard Camp home. Kyle Schmidt, Lance Blackmore and Kurt Robertson teach Megan from the back of The Wakeboard Camp's Wakesetter VLX. And their instruction has definitely paid off.
"I ride behind a Malibu Wakesetter VLX everyday at The Wakeboard Camp. I would choose it over any other boat. I've really fallen in love with
the shape of the wake."
When she is not pushing herself as a rider, McNeill relaxes with other extreme activities. Her hobbies include motocross, snowboarding, long
boarding and she is even learning to surf. Her energy level gets as high as her riding does.
Malibu was first exposed to McNeill's high flying brand of tricks at a Malibu Just Ride Series stop.
"It was the most fun tournament I've done." McNeill raved. "It was real laid-back. The riders could go out and have fun without the stress."
She definitely captured the attention of Lani Farmer, Malibu's Event Director and Team Coordinator. After a meeting with McNeill, seeing her ride and getting an ear full of glowing personal references, Farmer had no choice but to sign her.
"Megan is Malibu through and through." Farmer explains. "She is unstoppable as a competitor and as a person she is exactly what we look for in an athlete representative."
When asked how she feels, now that she is part of the Malibu Team, McNeil responded, "I'm real excited... I look forward to the great boats
and the people behind it all. It feels like a family."
