MERCED, Calif. — Dominant wakeboarder Darin Shapiro has joined Team Malibu for the 2002 season. He will ride behind a Wakesetter VLX tow boat.

Shapiro is a six-time Pro Tour Champion, a two-time World Tour Champion, an X-Games Champion, a U.S. Open Champion and a Masters Champion. He joins a strong professional wakeboarding roster that includes Gerry Nunn, Dallas Friday, Brian Grubb and Chad Sharpe.

"Darin has always seemed like an extension of the Malibu team," said Lani Farmer, team director, in a press release from the Malibu. "He rode for other companies until now, but his relationship with our riders and his Pro-Malibu attitude always made him an honorary team member. We are so jazzed to have Darin as a genuine part of the team."