Cole Kalkbrenner transitioned from wakeboarding to 3-event skiing at Missouri State University, and he never looked back.
Growing up wakeboarding, the transition to 3-event skiing was a natural one. Cole and several of his friends had the resources to start a 3-event team at Missouri State, so they did just that in 2003. While jump and trick were a more natural transition from wakeboarding, Cole had to learn how to slalom. Five years after starting the team, the entire men’s team was jumping over 120 feet, and chasing Iowa State University to Nationals. The first year Cole and team went to Nationals, they placed eighth overall!
Cole is still very close with his teammates from MO State. He continues to keep in touch with the current MO State team, and the team has qualified for National’s several times since their initial 2008 run.
Life after College
Flash forward to present day, and Cole’s entire life revolves around water skiing. Along with making lifelong friends with his collegiate teammates, Cole met his wife, Erin, at a ski tournament. Erin skied for Arizona State, and she has coached the U21 World team for Australia and New Zealand’s U17 team.
After college, Cole and Erin worked in St. Louis, until Erin was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2013. During this time, they ended up travelling to Stoney Park Watersports Complex in Australia, where Erin had previously worked. After their travels to Australia, Cole and Erin tried going back to work for a year. After that year, they sold their house and belongings, and now they are living every water skier’s dream managing Stoney Park’s water ski school. They live in Australia for 9 months each year and travel back to the U.S. for 3 months each summer.
In the U.S., Cole and Erin participate in as many ski tournaments as they can, including AWSA Nationals. In 2014, just a year after being diagnosed with cancer, Erin and Cole both had podium finishes at AWSA Nationals. Erin placed first overall and in jump, and Cole placed first in jump. This past year, Cole took first place in jump and third place overall at the 2017 Goode Water Ski National Championships. Erin placed first in jump and first overall.
Free Advice
I asked Cole what advice he has for collegiate skiers, and this piece of advice is pure gold not just for collegiate skiers but anyone who might be reading. Cole says “measure success on relationships and memories, not the number in your bank account.” Take a moment and read that again. Keep your ski friends close, and the rest will follow!
Thanks to Cole and Erin for calling me from Australia and letting me pick their brains! If you would like to be featured in an Alumni Spotlight, please email alumni@ncwsa.com.
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- Alumni Spotlight: Cole Kalkbrenner - February 23, 2018
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