Rusty Malinoski has been a professional wakeboarder for more than 12 years, and while many in the sport have retired by his age, Malinoski, 32, said his CrossFit training has put him at the top of his game.
Wakeboarders often blow out their knees or suffer other injuries because of the high-impact nature of the sport. The man nicknamed “The Bone Crusher” has broken the same arm eight times, and he works hard to strengthen his 200-lb.-plus frame so he can keep riding.
“The time I’ve spent in the gym off the water is what’s kept me in this game for so long,” says Malinoski, the first wakeboarder to land a 1080 in competition.
Kyle Rattray, owner of Florida affiliate Clermont CrossFit, says founding partner Malinoski is a testament to the efficacy of CrossFit.
Rattray claims Malinoski is in better shape now than he was five years ago.
“If he’s in better shape, I don’t really know what he’s going to be capable of in four or five more years,” Rattray says.
Video by Sean Kilgus.
