SOUL of SKIING, ep 5: Born to Buoy – Rob Hazelwood
Some stories are born on the water. Others are carved into it — with grit, setbacks, and the unwavering belief that simply being in and around the water is enough.
In “Born to Buoy”, Episode 5 of Soul of Skiing, we dive into the life and legacy of Rob Hazelwood, the latest force in a family lineage that reads like a hall of fame roster. From his earliest turns on the water at Hazelwood’s Ski World in Lincoln, UK, to standing on top of the podium at Lake 38 in 2024, Rob’s path has been anything but ordinary.
A British Legacy Runs Deep
Water skiing greatness runs in Rob’s veins. His uncle, Mike Hazelwood, was a multiple-time world champion. His cousin, Will Asher, also a 2-time World Champion, continues to redefine elite performance on the world stage. And let’s not forget — Rob hails from a British slalom dynasty that includes legends like Andy Mapple, Glen Campbell and Freddie Winter. That’s a heavy heritage to carry — but Rob wears it with quiet pride and an open heart.
From the moment he could stand on skis, Rob’s days were filled with laps around Hazelwood’s, chasing buoys, chasing brothers, and chasing a dream that seemed already written. But as you’ll see in this episode, nothing about Rob’s rise was handed to him.
Hope, Pain, and the Long Way Back
Rob’s journey hasn’t been all sunrises and spray. Injuries have repeatedly tested his resolve. A dislocated hip, though not featured in this story, once put his entire trajectory in question. But it was a torn right bicep — a brutal injury we did get to capture — that nearly closed the chapter for good.
For many, that would’ve been the end. For Rob, it was fuel.
With a quiet fire, he poured himself into rehab, training, coaching, and even filmmaking — building himself back not just physically, but mentally. The water never left his mind. And when he returned, he came back more grounded, more grateful, and somehow… even more dangerous.
🏆 The Breakthrough
In 2024, all the grit paid off. Lake 38 Pro-Am. Rob took his first-ever professional win, and it wasn’t just a victory — it was a statement. To everyone who had watched his slow, steady rise. To those who counted him out. And maybe most of all — to himself.
It was a glimpse of what happens when passion meets perseverance. When you stop trying to be someone else… and just let your weird, wonderful self shine.
⚡️A Legend in the Making (and the Life of the Party)
There’s something contagious about Rob’s energy — like someone bottled up the Energizer Bunny and gave him a slalom ski. He admits it himself: he can be a lot. Too much, sometimes. But that’s the magic.
He’s not trying to be the next Will, or Mike, or Mapple.
He’s trying to be Rob Hazelwood — flawed, fired up, and fully alive.
🎥 Watch Episode 5 Now
This is more than a story about buoys and boats. It’s about a young man who grew up in the shadow of greatness and had the courage to write his own script.
It’s about coming back from the brink and smiling while you do it.
It’s about the Soul of Skiing — and one of the sport’s most electric, resilient characters.
Rob’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robhazelwoo…
