About US
Hi! We’re Rick and Kristy, just an ordinary couple who loves the peace and joy that comes from being near the water. Inspired by our own experiences, we’re here to share the magic of aquatic living with you. Let’s escape the hustle and bustle together and dive into the beauty of lakes, rivers, oceans and the experiences surrounding them!
MEET RICK
THRILL-SEEKER, avid skier, AND cancer survivor
I was born in Northern California. Being an only child, my family embraced the outdoors. Camping and boating were frequent activities. As my love for waterskiing grew, I attended the Marine World/Africa USA waterski show – this show captivated me. I continued to watch that show for years, thanks to an annual pass. It was there that I started to dream about learning to barefoot water ski and even considered show skiing. While show skiing never became a reality for me, I spent my 20s improving my skiing and attempting anything on the water. During this time, I also owned an original 440cc Kawasaki jet ski and entered a few races. Over the years, I transitioned through the various models (550, 650, x2, and x3) and loved it. My life on the water took a backseat as I raised my daughters, but I was able to maintain houseboat trips on Lake Powell each year with the family where I would continue to barefoot water ski.
In 2021, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer, that had metastasized to my liver. I went through a year of aggressive chemo, followed by surgery to remove the remaining tumors in my colon and liver. I was declared cancer-free on March 15, 2022! I would be lying if I didn’t think I was going to die or that I don’t worry that the cancer will come back. One thing I looked forward to after surgery/cancer was to be able to barefoot waterski at Lake Powell. I accomplished that five months after surgery!
MEET KRISTY
ADVENTURER, serenity-SEEKER, AND restless WATER-LOVER
I am an Arizona native. Being one of thirteen children (yes, you read that right!), Rick and I had completely different lives except for the lake life! My dad loved water skiing, so being the third oldest, I was bound to drive the boat. My dad could ski for hours (literally 2 hours straight!), so we would make a game out of testing his skill and try to get him to fall. Just like with my dad, when the younger siblings were in the boat, we would see how to throw them off the tube. It is a miracle that we all survived with no major injuries! These childhood experiences instilled a true love of the water in me…so I realized later. Without noticing it, many years later, I saw that all of my vacations centered around water – soaking up the sun and listening to the waves. While I have thrived working in a fast-paced environment, it has also put its toll on me and I crave my down time. Rick introduced me to Lake Powell and I am forever changed. I need the week away each year where we can leave life’s craziness at the dock and just be. Now, while I enjoy the serenity and peace the water brings, I do love cutting the waves on my jet skis - Sea Doos are my jam!
We’re always open to collaborations and partnerships that align with our values and mission. If you represent a brand, organization, or have ideas for collaboration, please email us at wondersofwaterexperiences@gmail.com.