Wade Cox

Wade Cox is one of the most successful slalom skiers in the sport’s history. His legendary professional ski career spanned over 3 decades with Pro Titles coming in the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. His 47 Pro Slalom Titles included 2 Pro Tour Season Championships, finishing the year ranked #1 in the world each year, 33 US Pro Tour Titles, 10 World Cup Slalom Titles, 6 US National Slalom Titles, and 2 US Masters Slalom Titles. 

Originally from El Dorado, Arkansas, Wade learned to ski at age 4 from his dad, Larry, on Lake Greeson in Kirby, Arkansas.  Water skiing was a true family activity for the Cox family.  Larry served as Wade’s boat driver and coach, while Wade’s mom, Kathy operated the video camera at all practices and tournaments. Wade won the 1981 Junior Boys’ national slalom and overall titles, the 1983 Boys’ national slalom title, and the 1985 Junior Moomba Masters’ slalom, tricks, jumping and overall titles.  He had his sights on breaking the Boys’ national jumping record, but before he could reach his goal he suffered a severe leg injury while jumping at a spring tournament in 1985.  His leg had to be surgically repaired and his jumping career was over.  Despite missing the 1985 Water Ski National Championships, Wade returned to compete in Open Men slalom and tricks the following year.

He was inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (2012). Nowadays he continues to spread his waterski knowledge by way of his SkiWithWade Tour and being the Syndicate Team Coach providing key insight to the next generation of pro skiers.

“Competition is an incentive to improve”