Favorite discipline.

Overall. To most it’s considered 3 events, to me it’s one. What does that mean? When you win this event you are the only athlete that can claim that he/she is the most talented disciplined athlete.

Which tournament is your favorite ?

There is not just one. Since my first international event 24 years ago I have racked up a few events and it has been a blast. Not always easy, but that is what makes for good memories. Traveling the world, experiencing different cultures has been a blessing. Two events that are a must see; Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia and the US Masters, held at Callaway Gardens, Georgia, because of their location and history.

You are the 2007 World Champion; how does that feel, and do you think you can do it again in 2009 in Canada ?

Feels great to have something you dream of come together. I am really excited that the next World Championships are going to Calgary because Calgary is only one hour from where I was born. As a fairly competitive person, if I did not think I could not back it up then I better pack it in!

Which of your accomplishments was most satisfying ?

It was 1992 and my first invite to the US Masters. Breaking the World Record and shocking the top dogs on the dock was something I will never forget! 

Which of the disciplines is most difficult for you ?

For a midget you would think slalom, but tricks is the hardest event to train for. You can not neglect this event at all. When it comes to competing, tricks is a crap-shoot, you never know what’s going to happen! Must say training all three is a disaster on the body. And I would like to take my hat off to all the readers who are 3 event skiers!

Who are your training partners ?

Mostly Britta my wife, and now our son Dorien, he drives for us. We have lots of friends come and train, but what I look for in a training partner is someone who does not treat every set like the World Championships are tomorrow.

The difference in skiing in your 20’s vs. 30’s.

20’s was fitting to get to the top. 30’s took for granted where I was and focused on different goals. Have reevaluated my priorities and now I am fully motivated.

Are you still improving ?

I feel like I am still improving in all 3 events. Working on new products may sometimes not reflect your results but I feel stronger and smarter than yesterday. Just like a fine wine!

Tell me about your family ?

Britta is still skiing but more for enjoyment than competition. She has not been able to jump seriously for the last 4 years because of back and neck problems.  Dorien my son, is big into hockey for half the year and waterskiing for the other half. He slaloms and tricks but we have not let him go over the jump yet! He is a bit too competitive; I am wondering where he got that?

Do you still have the same passion and drive today as your first pro tournament ?

I believe my drive and passion maybe even stronger today than my first pro event, but my goals have changed over the years. I am a competitor and I don’t think that will ever change on or off the water.  I feel that I have grown a lot and over the years I have learned to pick and choose my battles. If you don’t do that, the sport will consume you. It is sad to see so many top athletes over the years step away from the sport because the sport sucked the life out of them. Financial situations are usually the contributing factor why they walk away. Also trying to work with the federations is too time consuming because inbreeding has been going on for far too long at the federation level which makes for an unstable environment!  

Any world records you are trying to attain ?

World Records do not mean much to me at the moment because IWSF and AWSA cannot govern their own rules and make proper decisions to fix the problems they face.  What I have witnessed over the last few years would shock the Sports World! There needs to be a major house cleaning! 

What do you do outside of skiing ?

Hockey was my first love growing up and now in the off season I play a few times a week in a beer league! Also I have been involved in coaching my son’s hockey teams for the last 5 years. So we pretty much live at the hockey rink. Good thing Britta likes hockey too!!!

Pros and Cons to being married to another professional skier.

Pros - she is a highly motivated person and I find myself just trying to keep up! She knows what is takes to be a top athlete, which is critical to knowing when to step in and when to back off. Cons - neither one of us will get rich from strapping on the skis!

In your opinion, what will help our sport ?

I think the future for our sport and other non network sports, is broadcasting via the web. We need to connect the waterskiing community to the Superstars of this sport. Bring out personalities! Sport is the body, but the athletes are the blood that gives life to this body! 

Secrets to your success ?

I don’t think I was the most talented, but I was always willing to work harder than the next guy. I like to plan things out, by setting goals and mapping the journey out, which has always excited me. It is the only way you can put yourself through so much pain to reach your goals! Long term goals are always more satisfying.

Goals for 2008 ?

Raise the bar in each event. Help organize the 2009 World Championships that will be held in Calgary. Keep on developing my personal web site, release a few more instructional videos, help coach my son’s hockey team, try to teach him a few things in skiing and stay healthy! That is all that comes to me at the moment…..

How much longer for Jaret ?

When I turned 30 I was asked that, and my response was “well the Olympics are in 4 years so I guess we will see how the body is doing and go from there.” Olympics did not happen, and the body has been hanging in there for the last 5 yeas. But I was getting tired of all the nagging injuries. I was blaming the injuries on my age and I was thinking of retiring, because the thought of not improving did not excite me. To stay in the game I had to make a huge commitment to my training program. Now I know it was not old age but the wrong training program. I am back on track and committed to compete at the 2009 Worlds Championships. Then we will see!

What will you will doing after you move on from your skiing career ?

I have been involved in producing instructional video and lifestyle DVDs which I could see my self expanding into. Web casting events is the future in sports. I also love coaching motivated driven individuals.