Aquaskier - Water Sports Resources - Interviews - Pro Waterskier Mike Champion Interview

Despite being plagued by numerous injuries and months of rehabilitation, Mike Champion has remained a great competitor with a very respectable record of achievements.

From his college days at the University of Alabama, where his men's team won the 1990 National Collegiate Title, to his many accomplishments around the globe, Mike has earned the respect of his fellow competitor's, that of someone who shouldn't be taken too lightly.

In the following interview, he shares his down-to-earth perspective with Aquaskier on competitive water skiing and some of the problems he's been challenged with along the way.

AQUASKIER

How does someone born in Arkansas end up living in Northern California?

MIKE

My father was in the military, and I was born at Fort Smith. We moved to Alabama, where I later attended school at the University of Alabama, and skied on the Waterski team, (our men's team won the National title in '90) then moved to Florida and worked at ski schools in West Palm Beach. Later I began working retail in the Waterski's and Waterski Boat industry, and was hired by a large firm based in Tempe, Arizona. Because tournament skiing was tough there I transferred to another location in SAC.

AQUASKIER
Where do you currently train?

MIKE

At Sunset Ranch in Galt, CA and some at Bell Acqua.

AQUASKIER

Who do you train with?

MIKE

A little in the spring with Jamie B.

AQUASKIER

I read about an injury you suffered a while back causing nerve damage to your leg.

How did it happen and have you taken any precautions to help prevent it from reoccurring?

MIKE

I injured the piriformis muscle in my leg in the gym doing plyos, which I don't do now. This caused atrophy in my right leg 3/4" reduction in size on my calve and a touch more in the thigh. After months of rehab and frustration, the week of the Orlando Tour stop, I hurt my L4-L5 disc from working out in the gym, trying to prevent (further injury), go figure. Now, 14 months later, it's still a touch numb and weak but the size is normal.

AQUASKIER

Are there any problem areas you are currently working on?

MIKE

Just getting dialed in on my F1 and learning how to ski again. I've been fighting on past Connelly models and forgot about technique, now I can think more about that.

AQUASKIER
How is your ski set up?
MIKE
F1 stock, back 2 holes, 6.82, .82, 2.47

AQUASKIER
What's it been like skiing against some of the best slalom skiers in the world?

MIKE

It's great until they realize you stand between them and a better finish and more money, and wind up being bad sportsman, bad for the sport or just plain jackasses to be around. Probably the only bad times I have are a result of negative contact with other competitors. Other than that it's great. These guys just need to realize that there is more to life than slalom skiing, and then they would be great to be around.

AQUASKIER

A lot of advances have been made in slalom ski's over the years. Do you think we will ever reach the limit on improvements?
MIKE

We've reached it!

AQUASKIER

Do you ever get to see any of your old college buddies and what do they think about your skiing success?

MIKE

Yes, most just ask are you still skiing? They all have lives, kids trying to make a living, so most that pop from the past simply ask if I'm still skiing, and when I tell them about the travel, the places I've been they are pretty much impressed, when I tell them about the money, and what it really means to travel, they laugh as if I told a big joke. It is all pretty funny!

AQUASKIER

What are your goals for the 2000 season?

MIKE

Try to find some confidence, try to win one, and try to keep my sponsors happy.

AQUASKIER

Any advice for those wanting to get started in competitive skiing?

MIKE
It's a road to nowhere, but it's a scenic route!

Mike is sponsored by Connelly, Proline, Ski Warm, Autoville of Roseville, Boarders-paradise.com, Malibu Boats and Power Bar.