SkiWithWade

A Chat with Childhood Bestie Kyle Tate

April 06, 2022 Season 2
SkiWithWade
A Chat with Childhood Bestie Kyle Tate
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Show Notes Transcript

SUMMARY:

There’s nothing like old friends and this episode of Ski with Wade is Exhibit A. When childhood bestie Kyle Tate stops by for a chat with Wade, it turns into a free-for-all full of vivid memories, pro tournament instant-replay moments, road trips, stories about a wide circle of legendary water ski competitors, and some serious life reflections as well. Enjoy this conversation, which provides a revealing 360-degree glimpse of the host and his childhood pal – a top-notch water skier, football player, and personality in his own right! 

 

 

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Click here check out previous episodes of Ski With Wade. And cruise over to my website for the latest cool merch, tour dates and much more!
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Wade’s Bio:

Wade Cox’s legendary professional ski career includes multiple Pro titles and tours. Throughout the 1990’s he was on top as the HO Skis and Pro Tour poster boy. More recently he is spreading his waterski knowledge as a coach, via SkiWithWade tours and through his podcast, “Ski with Wade.”

Links for merchandise, schedules and more about Wade:

Website:www.skiwithwade.com

@Instagram

@Facebook

YouTube Channel

Email: skiwithwade@gmail.com

Ho Sports Shop:https://skiwithwade.com/ho-sports-shop/

SUMMARY:

There’s nothing like old friends and this episode of Ski with Wade is Exhibit A. When childhood bestie Kyle Tate stops by for a chat with Wade, it turns into a free-for-all full of vivid memories, pro tournament instant-replay moments, road trips, stories about a wide circle of legendary water ski competitors and some serious life reflections as well. Enjoy this conversation, which provides a revealing 360-degree glimpse of the host and his childhood pal – a top-notch water skier, football player and personality in his own right! 

 

 

BLOG:

It doesn’t get much better than this: Sitting down to chat with my childhood bestie, Kyle Tate. He and I go back so far that we were barely into double digits, running slalom courses in our earliest days on a local lake in Arkansas. We’ve been in and out of each other’s lives ever since, which is so special. It’s been a privilege to watch Kyle compete at the highest levels and then come back to compete again (and again) in the world of water skiing (45+ World Champ in 2018). As if all that isn’t enough, he was also a standout college football quarterback who went on to get a law degree and raise a great family. 

 

Kyle and I first met on a lake in our native Arkansas. He was already a two-time national stand-out at 11 years old and then along comes this kid. Me – even younger than Kyle! I’ve got to say that it doesn’t hurt my feelings to hear him remember what he recognized after the first time he witnessed me out on the slalom course. “You were unbeatable,” says Kyle. Maybe he didn’t see the Hall of Fame in my future, but I guess he saw something!

 

Kyle and I share memories dating back to Bruce (now Kaitlin) Jenner, who came out and water skied back in the 1970s, just as he was coming off his Olympic decathlon gold medal. We also talk about the beloved 1980 lime-on-lime green MasterCraft my dad bought in 1980 for $9500 and Kyle’s decision to come down to Florida, train with me and stage a mighty post-football comeback when we were barely of drinking age. We had so many great times – driving boats for greats like Carl Roberge, hanging out at “The Pub,” hopping in the car after a tournament to drive home to Arkansas, music blaring all the way! And, oh yeah, they both also had a role in shaping a young phenom named Kristi Overton!

 

We also touch on some tough topics. I’m really proud of Kyle for speaking up about his experience as a young kid who was sexually victimized by a coach. Like so many other brave athletes who have broken the silence, this kind of openness is what makes change for generations of young athletes to come. You’re doing something really important, Kyle, by sharing your story.

 

Mostly, though, this episode is just an amazing hang. Before I knew it, an hour+ had passed and we still had lots more to say! I think my old friend summed it up best: Who you surround yourself with defines how well you can succeed in sports and in life. I wouldn’t be the same person – or athlete – without my friendship with Kyle. 

 

This was such a blast. We’ve got some more stories to share. They’re not quite ready for a family podcast, but stay tuned for a future episode featuring more laughs, memories and tales from our golden days out on the competitive water ski circuit. 

 

 

 

TOPICS COVERED: 

·       Day 1 through the eyes of his childhood bestie: Kyle recalls the first time he ever saw Wade Cox run a slalom course, at the tender ate of 10 years old. It was a jolt!

·       Kyle recollects the summer of 1980, when he tidily won slalom and overall nationals. He was cruising towards a record for the jump, too, but was stopped short when one of his good friends crashed before his run.

·       The time has come for Kyle to confide something openly that he has kept to himself for many years: A devastating period in which a coach serially sexually abused him. His parents helped him through at the time, but he believes it’s important for others to know about the pain when such incidents are sadly all too common.

·       Wade and Kyle’s friendship followed an arc that spanned from early championship ski competitions to Kyle’s hugely successful career as a high school quarterback.

·       Circling back in1988, Kyle reconnected with water skiing and Wade in Florida.

·       July 1988: Wade used his first paycheck from HO to buy a flat-screen TV and state-of-the-art speakers. There was lots of loud music, pub nights and great memories.

·       With Wade’s encouragement, Kyle made a comeback stand at the 1989 collegiate national championships against some stiff competition. It started the trajectory to other stand-out performances all the way up to becoming the 45+ Senior World Champion.  

·       One of the great memories? Wade and Kyle coaching a young Kristi Overton (Johnson), helping to shape a superstar champion in the making.

·       Kyle and Wade riff on equipment and how the best of the best have been known to do with nothing fancy and come out more than fine!  

·       Tales from skiing feats and some career highs in West Palm Beach (and memories of the photos that went with)!

·       All about Kyle’s collegiate football career and some of the most memorable highlights, including longstanding friendships and frat house hijinks!

·       Life (and late nights) for VIPs on the water ski pro circuit in the good old days when Wade and Kyle were in their late teens and early 20s. (Kids: Don’t try this at home!)

·       Wade and Kyle recall driving for Carl Roberge – NOT for the faint-hearted! He wasn’t messing around and would fire you if you didn’t do what he commanded!

·       Wrapping up with a quick take on Kyle’s son, “Little Pup” Cooper Tate and his amazing feats on the water – fueled by know-how passed down from his dad and indirectly from Wade as well!

 

QUOTES:

·       “The bottom line is that you were the man. You were unbeatable. It was unbelievable to watch the consistency, the mental toughness. Nobody could understand unless they actually saw (Wade in action).” (Kyle) 

·       “When you see somebody like (Wade), you see greatness. You just see it.” (Kyle)

·       “I’m not ashamed of (the sexual abuse) but it takes a while … My prayer is that this sport – and all the other Olympic or whatever sports your kids may be in – just be aware of what’s going on and that leadership is doing the right thing.” (Kyle)

·       “When you love something (like skiing) and it’s burning in you, you’ve got to put all that other crap behind you    and go for it.” (Kyle)

·       “I couldn’t have done it without Wade … (but) Collegiate Nationals was a pretty big win after all those years of not being in competition.” (Kyle)

·       “The development of how you got there and the years of what it took and people you put yourself around is what in the moment gives you that peace and flow to make it happen. If you’re not around those people and haven’t had those experiences, you can’t make it happen …But for (Wade) I never would have learned how to ski again.” (Kyle)

·       “(Running 39) was one of those transformational moments. You know, there will never be a first time except that time with you guys.” (Wade)

·       “I traveled the pro tour for about a year before law school and back then they did it right. The Saturday evening parties were unreal!” (Kyle)

·       “We were good boys most of the time, but we did get sidetracked a few times!” (Wade)

·       “To say we were in the presence of greatness (with Carl Roberge), well, we were drinking the Kool-Aid because we could watch him slalom. Insane!” (Wade)

·       “You only come across a certain amount of people in your life that change your life. You changed my life as a friend and I appreciate it.” (Kyle)

·       “I know it sounds silly and sentimental, but I always wanted to tell you that – as big a competitor as I am – for you to give me the opportunity to win the titles that I’ve won, every time … the first thought to come to my head was you.” (Kyle)

·       “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t be successful through water skiing. You might not make tons of money, but the people you meet and the connections you make … are unbelievable.” (Kyle)

 

Check Out this Week’s Sponsors

The Waterski Broadcasting Company: TWBC

 

Wade’s Bio:

Wade Cox’s legendary professional ski career includes multiple Pro titles and tours. Throughout the 1990’s he was on top as the HO Skis and Pro Tour poster boy. More recently he is spreading his waterski knowledge as a coach, via SkiWithWade tours and through his podcast, “Ski with Wade.”

 

Links for merchandise, schedules and more about Wade:

Website:www.skiwithwade.com

@Instagram

@Facebook

YouTube Channel

Email: skiwithwade@gmail.com

Ho Sports Shop:https://skiwithwade.com/ho-sports-shop/