“In spite of its rapid rise in the realm of spectator sports and shows, water skiing is, first and foremost, a family affair” “LET’S GO WATER SKIING” by Thomas C. Hardman and William D. Clifford of the American Water Ski Association
This week we caught up with the O'Connor family!
Paul, Joey, Mali (9) and Cal (7).
Paul and Joey are long time USA Water Ski members and professional athletes who are all about sharing their incredible passion and talent with their next generation. They are both members of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team along with their two kids. Paul is a full time stunt man and the #1 fan of his family, you can catch him stunt doubling for some of the biggest names in Hollywood and when he's not working you'll see him skiing alongside his family. He is an absolutely incredible skier, I really don't think there is much he can't do! He's won countless awards and received numerous accolades, from winning National Titles, to wowing audiences with Mobes and 720's effortlessly, yet still humility is all that you'll get when you meet this guy! Joey runs the kids program for the club as well and stars in the main show, showing off her beautiful swivel skills and strength when she's the center girl in a four tier pyramid! #GirlPower
Both kids Mali and Cal do their parts in the show as well, performing doubles, swivel, wakeboard, ballet and jump!
It was so inspiring to talk to this family, to just see and feel the love and passion they share for this sport, but most importantly for each other.
Paul, Joey, Mali (9) and Cal (7).
Paul and Joey are long time USA Water Ski members and professional athletes who are all about sharing their incredible passion and talent with their next generation. They are both members of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team along with their two kids. Paul is a full time stunt man and the #1 fan of his family, you can catch him stunt doubling for some of the biggest names in Hollywood and when he's not working you'll see him skiing alongside his family. He is an absolutely incredible skier, I really don't think there is much he can't do! He's won countless awards and received numerous accolades, from winning National Titles, to wowing audiences with Mobes and 720's effortlessly, yet still humility is all that you'll get when you meet this guy! Joey runs the kids program for the club as well and stars in the main show, showing off her beautiful swivel skills and strength when she's the center girl in a four tier pyramid! #GirlPower
Both kids Mali and Cal do their parts in the show as well, performing doubles, swivel, wakeboard, ballet and jump!
It was so inspiring to talk to this family, to just see and feel the love and passion they share for this sport, but most importantly for each other.
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Who got you involved with water skiing and wake sports?
Joey: My Dad and Mom signed our family up on the Oconto Skiing Patriots in Wisconsin when I was 8 and my brother was 6. We spent many summers playing on the Oconto River. Paul: My Mom signed me up for Spray Masters in Michigan and Kurt Bemman spent many hours pulling me. We signed our family up on the Cypress Gardens Team in 2012. |
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re on the water?
Joey: I mostly enjoy watching my kids do what they love on water and seeing their feeling of accomplishment when they make something they've been trying so long to get (Mali's toe turns and Cal's jump ride-overs.) I love holding my little girl on 4 tiers though, while climbing on Paul...just need to find a spot for Cal in there (some day!)
Paul: The Marshmallow bandits act
Mali explaining further: I'm doing doubles with my dad, my mom is attached behind him, while swiveling and she tows Cal behind her while he goes off a kicker jump. It takes our whole family and it's so fun!
Cal: Jumping
Mali: Doing doubles with my dad!
Joey: I mostly enjoy watching my kids do what they love on water and seeing their feeling of accomplishment when they make something they've been trying so long to get (Mali's toe turns and Cal's jump ride-overs.) I love holding my little girl on 4 tiers though, while climbing on Paul...just need to find a spot for Cal in there (some day!)
Paul: The Marshmallow bandits act
Mali explaining further: I'm doing doubles with my dad, my mom is attached behind him, while swiveling and she tows Cal behind her while he goes off a kicker jump. It takes our whole family and it's so fun!
Cal: Jumping
Mali: Doing doubles with my dad!
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What are your biggest accomplishments within this industry?
Joey: My biggest accomplishment is Mark Voisard asking Val Berglund and I to start a Cypress Gardens WIP Team (Work In Progress/Jr. Team.) It's funny how your views change after having kids and seeing where and what you get your joy from! I am not only a proud mom, but a proud wife. Although Paul is not able to risk his career by jumping these days, I will never forget his first time skiing "The Jawdropper" at State, as well as being a part of the first USA Waterski Show Team representing our country at worlds. Cal: I think I am the youngest person to make a ride over a 5 1/2 foot jump, and I made my second ride-over I tried. Mali: Toe Turns! |
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When did you become a member of USA Water Ski? (How long have you been members of USA Water Ski?)
Paul: 20 years, I was around 13 years old.
Joey: My first year was when I was 8 years old, so a few years ago hehe!
Mali and Cal: We joined Cypress Gardens Waterski Team as a family in 2012.
Where has water skiing taken you?
Joey: Paul and I traveled a bit before meeting each other. He skied in Germany, China and California and I skied in Germany for 4 years, Holland, Australia, California and Ecuador. We both skied at Tommy Bartlett's as well and I now work part time for Stars of Florida at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. It has taken us many more places than where we worked though, through the special friendships we've made. We can not wait for the day when we get to take Mali and Cal to where we met in Germany at Holiday Park!
Paul: 20 years, I was around 13 years old.
Joey: My first year was when I was 8 years old, so a few years ago hehe!
Mali and Cal: We joined Cypress Gardens Waterski Team as a family in 2012.
Where has water skiing taken you?
Joey: Paul and I traveled a bit before meeting each other. He skied in Germany, China and California and I skied in Germany for 4 years, Holland, Australia, California and Ecuador. We both skied at Tommy Bartlett's as well and I now work part time for Stars of Florida at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. It has taken us many more places than where we worked though, through the special friendships we've made. We can not wait for the day when we get to take Mali and Cal to where we met in Germany at Holiday Park!
Paul center, Joey left second tier. Holiday Park, Germany.
Why is water skiing important to your family?
Paul: It's the best being able to ski with Joey and the kids in a show, to be able to share something with my family that I love. Water skiing led me to see and experience things I never would have seen or done, it also led to meet my wife Joey and for that I will always be grateful for this sport. Joey: We both grew up on amateur waterski teams and appreciate our parents getting us involved and spending summers on the river/lake. There aren't many sports you can compete in with your entire family, it is so unique that way. We cherish the other families on our Cypress Gardens and Mad-City Teams who see the importance in this. Cal and Mali adore the many friendships they've made on The Cypress Gardens Team and love their time off the water almost as much as on the water. Mali: It brings everyone together, because we all love to do it. |
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Do you have any advice for people/families in our industry?
Joey: Take time to go out with the families you ski with on your team and do something other than water ski! One of our favorite times was going bowling with all 60 plus people. Our Cypress Gardens Team is definitely a mix of people from all over the US and a lot of us do not have family close by. We take time to celebrate each other's birthdays and go out as a "Ski Family." For a team that goes 12 months of the year-these times are so important in creating a bond.
Joey: Take time to go out with the families you ski with on your team and do something other than water ski! One of our favorite times was going bowling with all 60 plus people. Our Cypress Gardens Team is definitely a mix of people from all over the US and a lot of us do not have family close by. We take time to celebrate each other's birthdays and go out as a "Ski Family." For a team that goes 12 months of the year-these times are so important in creating a bond.
Thanks so much to the O'Connors for giving us a glimpse of their family and continuing to support USA Water Ski. It's awesome to see our members share their passions and teach future generations about this spectacular sport we all know and love!
USA Water Ski is the national governing body of towed water sports in the United States. We represent, connect, and advocate for boat owners, water skiers, wakeboarders, kneeboarders, show skiers, barefooters, skiers with disabilities, and more! We also organize competitions, help our members host events, and connect enthusiasts across the country. USA Water Ski is THE original social network for people that love life on the water!
USA Water Ski is the national governing body of towed water sports in the United States. We represent, connect, and advocate for boat owners, water skiers, wakeboarders, kneeboarders, show skiers, barefooters, skiers with disabilities, and more! We also organize competitions, help our members host events, and connect enthusiasts across the country. USA Water Ski is THE original social network for people that love life on the water!
ONE MORE THING...
If you, your family or ski club have an interest in being featured in our Membership Spotlight Blog please email stoolan@usawaterski.org with your story for a chance to be featured or shout us out on your social media posts by tagging #lifeonthewater! We have members all around the U.S and even around the world! We want to hear from you!
For the latest updates, events and awesome resources for EVERYTHING water skiing and wake sports, please check out or website below!
For the latest updates, events and awesome resources for EVERYTHING water skiing and wake sports, please check out or website below!
By joining USA Water Ski as a member, you become part of something bigger. We are recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and represent nine sport discipline organizations. We organize competitions and standardize a fair playing field for our athletes. In addition to competitions, we provide grassroots events aimed to educate and train beginning skiers. We know thousands of people that love to get on the water, and it is our goal to connect people across the nation who share a passion for life on the water.
Ski ya later!
-ST
Ski ya later!
-ST
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