Take a trip through Southern California and you just might run into a weird phenomenon: three siblings who don’t bolt off in different directions every morning or spend all their free time bashing on one another, but instead hang out together like the closest of friends. The Marquardt clan consists of Charlie, 19; Tommy, 17; and the youngest member, Melissa. At 14 (as of Aug ’98) she can already do more tricks than most 21-year-old guys. According to Melissa, Charlie drives, Tommy instructs, and she just rides. Whatever the setup is, it seems to work.
Off the water, they are the most soft-spoken, quietly humorous group you could ever be around. If you didn’t ask them a question, they might not ever speak at all, but their riding speaks volumes.
Being the oldest in the family, who do you look to for inspiration?
Charlie: When Randy Harris is around, he’s the most inspirational rider around here. He’s taught me a lot.
What’s the deal with Canyon Lake? It seems that there’s some real tension between the skiers and the wakeboarders.
Tommy: They complain a lot about the boat wakes and have tried to shut down a couple of our tournaments. They’re just bummed because we’re having more fun.
I hear you’re going to Austin for your first shot at the Pro Tour. What’s your plan?
Melissa: I just want to go out and have fun and do what I usually do. I don’t really have a problem with it unless I get too nervous.
