Waco, TX (September 29, 2018) – Today, many talented WWA amateur divisions hit the water in hopes of a National title behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 along with Pro Men and Women quarterfinal rounds. The exciting backdrop of downtown Waco created a top-of-the-line atmosphere, making way for flawless performances. The crowds enjoyed the show put on by the nation’s top wakesurf competitors while raising awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the Waco Oktoberfest a few steps down from the competition site. The evening Nautique Beach Party at BSR provided the opportunity for everyone to kick-back and enjoy each other’s company in a family-friendly atmosphere.
A high-energy Men’s semifinal round jump started the day with Shane Blanton (WI) earning a top score of 93.00, going big with an Alley Oop and a big spin. Austin Madry (TX) kept up the pace taking second place scoring 66.67 and keeping it technical with every trick, followed by Mitchell Inloes (FL) in third with 48.33.
The Girls final saw Canyon Slayden (TX) take the National title charging the beautiful wave behind the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 with several ollies for a final score of 91.67. Stella Tracy (OK) came out in second with consistent carves and floaters for a score of 75.00.
“It’s so exciting to have the Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships come to Texas and to also take the National title has made this the best weekend ever! I loved having my brother compete and it made it really fun to have my whole family cheering us on today,” said Girls National Champion Canyon Slayden.
Reed Cole-Tucker (NH) ripped his way to a National title in the Boys final with a massive indy F/S air to earn him a score of 88.00. Cross Slayden (TX) followed closely behind in second riding switch and throwing several ollies for a final score of 74.33, alongside Mason Butler (AR) in third with 65.00.
The Men’s Beginner finals kept the momentum going with division winner Walter Grassman (FL) displaying a versatile run with both F/S and B/S surfing for a winning score of 78.33 to secure his National title. Jr. Dishman (FL) came in second with some of his cleanest carves of the weekend to score 70.00, followed by Alex Salamacha (TX) with a final score of 61.67.
The Pro Women’s quarterfinals saw some all-time competition runs with Nautique athlete, Jodi Grassman (FL) taking the heat one win with an air B/S 360 and B/S big spin scoring 90.00. Jordan Wolfe (GA) came in second with 81.67, followed by Brianna Bostow (FL) in third with 61.67. Raya Walker (TN) had an amazing run, earning her a heat two win scoring 71.67 showing versatility on both skim and surf style boards. Madi Horta (CA) gave it her all with a switch Alley Oop for a second place score of 66.00, followed closely behind by Ashley Kidd(TX) in third scoring 64.83.
“I was super pumped about my run today, everything really came together for me out on the water and taking the heat win was an extra bonus. The crowds today were the best I’ve seen at competition in a while and all the bridges made for a super cool back drop as well,” commented Pro Women’s heat winner Raya Walker. “I’m stoked to see how the rest of the girls perform tomorrow!”
The Pro Men’s quarterfinals topped off the day with John Akerman (FL) taking heat one, scoring 93.00 with a big 360 shuv transfer and a Madonna. In second place, the multi-talented Aaron Witherell (WA) threw a switch B/S air reverse with a score of 86.67, followed by Drew Drennan (TX) in third with 70.00. Jacob Caster (MA) took the heat two win after throwing a huge 540 big spin and an air 360 scoring 85.67, followed by Connor Burns (AZ) in second with a score of 77.67 and Jake Breedlove (TX) in third with 63.33. Taking heat three was Parker Payne (TX) who put down a 540 B/S big spin and a switch 360 big spin in his run scoring 87.00, just ahead of Keenan Flegel (FL) in second with 84.00 throwing his signature judo air. Drew Danielo advancing to Sunday’s semifinals took third with a final score of 73.67.
For a full list of results Click Here.
Day three of the 2018 Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships presented by GM Marine Engine Technology begins at 9:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, September 30th featuring nine Amateur division final founds, and the Pro Women and Men semifinal and final rounds.
To view the daily schedule, Click Here.
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About Nautique Boat Company: Celebrating 94 years of excellence in the marine industry, Nautique is a subsidiary of Correct Craft and has been on the waters of the world with a passion for innovation since 1925. Nautique is known to push the envelope of possibility on the water, and our owners have come to expect nothing but the absolute best. The Ski Nautique has been reinvented as the lightest ski boat on the market, the G-Series has won numerous awards for wakeboard boat and wakesurf boat of the year while unlocking new possibilities in wakeboarding and wakesurfing, and our GS Series has given families endless days on the water without compromise. Through our Nautique Cares initiatives we’re dedicated to not only making a difference on the water, but to people in need around the world. The world’s best ski boat, world’s best wake boat, and a company that cares. To learn more visit Nautique.com.
About The WWA: Developed for riders by riders, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of towed boardsports. Since 1989 our mission and values remain true to the core of our community. Our position as the authority on competitive standards has been earned through consistent development; sanctioning and producing more than 6,000 worldwide events and counting. We are the only organization solely focused on the best interests of the sport, spearheading a collective movement on the journey to discover where wake takes you. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. For more information on the World Wake Association, check out TheWWA.com.