Quick Facts
Biography
Andrew Henry "Andy" Mapple OBE (3 November 1962 – 22 August 2015) was a British-American professional water skier. Competing professionally between 1981 and 2004, Mapple is regarded as the greatest slalom skier of all time. During his career he won 168 events and set or tied the world record on eleven occasions.
Biography
Mapple was born in Lytham to Roy and Janet Mapple and grew up in Warton. At age 13 Mapple first learned to water ski at Windermere, being taught by his older sister Susan. Mapple attended Carr Hill High School in Kirkham, and during his time there was allowed to leave for extended periods to train at Princes Water Ski Club and Thorpe Waterski under the tutelage of his first coach Paul Seaton - European Champion 1972, 1974 and 1975. After winning his first World Slalom title in 1981 aged 18, Mapple spent winters in Florida and summers at Thorpe Waterski until moving to Florida permanently in the mid 1980's.
Mapple retired at the end of the 2004 season.
During his career Mapple founded his own company, Mapple Waterskis. The company was dissolved, but Andy's design carries on via Square One out of Washington. In 1987 he married Deena Brush, a professional water skier also. The couple lived on Lake Butler and had two children, Michael and Elyssa.
Mapple died in Florida on 22 August 2015.
Achievements
| Major Championships | |
|---|---|
| Masters | 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 |
| U.S. National Championships | 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993 |
| World Championships | 1981, 1989, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 |
| World Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 October 1985 | 5.00 @ 10.75 m | tied Bob LaPoint's September 1984 record |
| 30 October 1988 | 1.00 @ 10.25 m | tied Michael Kjellander's record from previous day |
| 11 December 1988 | 2.00 @ 10.25 m | |
| 29 March 1989 | 3.00 @ 10.25 m | |
| 31 August 1991 | 3.25 @ 10.25 m | |
| 6 October 1991 | 3.50 @ 10.25 m | |
| 4 September 1994 | 4.00 @ 10.25 m | |
| 3 July 1996 | 4.25 @ 10.25 m | beaten by Jeff Rogers 30 August 1997 |
| 4 October 1998 | 1.00 @ 9.75 m | beaten by Chris Parrish 15 May 2005 |