Waco, TX (September 29, 2018) – The 4X Wakesurf Boat of the Year, the Super Air Nautique G23 greeted the nation’s top amateur wakesurfers with perfect waves to open the 2018 Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships presented by GM Marine Engine Technology. Standouts in each division advanced through tough semifinal rounds of competition, with each competitor eager for a spot in the finals. After the first day of the event on the Brazos river, competitors and families celebrated the start to this monumental wakesurfing event by heading over to the all-new BSR Surf Resort with a Big Air Surf Demonstration from Rockstar Energy athletes like Clay Marzo, Eric Geiselman, Oliver Kurtz, and Nolan Rapoza on Friday evening.
“I am excited to kick-off the Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships with the groundbreaking new format today behind the G23,” said Nautique President Greg Meloon. “Waco, Texas will play host to the best wakesurfers from all over the country who are extremely eager to take home National Titles. It’s shaping up to be a fun weekend for everyone!”
The Girls division kicked off the day with stylish carves, with Canyon Slayden (TX) earning a 75.67 and locking in her spot in the finals. Keeping the competition fierce, Stella Tracy (OK) proved to be equally impressive with a variety of technical moves finishing second with 72.33.
In the Boys division Reed Cole-Tucker (NH) had an amazing opening ride with a heat-winning score of 80.00 displaying his true surf-style with clean floaters and a massive bottom turn to finish out his run. Cross Slayden (TX) followed closely behind throwing a body varial for a score of 65.00 in heat one. The two will be joined in Saturday’s final by Mason Butler (AR) who finished third with 55.00 and Owen Mehringer (TX) who placed fourth with 45.00. Nixon Butler (AR) took the win in heat two, smacking the lip for a final score of 68.33.
All eyes were on the water as the Jr. Women surfed their hearts out behind the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23. Ashley Inloes (FL) put herself on the map with a run full of 360s, and a clean shuv landing her a score of 83.33. Following closely behind her, Zoey Montgomery (TX) started off her run with a huge air heading through to Sunday’s final with a final score of 75.00.
The Jr. Men brought the heat to Texas with huge airs and spins behind the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23. Beaux Wildman (IN) took the heat throwing a B/S big spin for a winning score of 90.00. Bo Holley (TX) threw a mute F/S air for a final score of 70.00 taking second, followed by Tyler Stewart (MN) in third with a score of 58.33. Ian Kirk (MN) had a solid ride landing in fourth and advancing to the finals with a score of 51.67.
The Wake for Warriors crew made their way to Texas to compete in their first ever Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships. Stefan LeRoy (FL) had the crowd going wild with a stellar Adaptive Sitboarding performance sticking his 360s and a Superman for a final score of 83.33. Nate Hamilton (NC) took the Adaptive Standing division semifinal heat win with multiple carves and an ollie to seal the deal scoring 75.00. Taking second, Carter Hess (FL) had a consistent run making great use of the wave for a score of 63.33.
“It’s awesome to be out here in Texas competing at the Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships in the adaptive division. It’s great to be out on the water, because out there it doesn’t matter about our disability as water is a great equalizer,” commented Adaptive Sitboarding competitor, Stefan LeRoy. “We are excited to watch the pros and hopefully learn some tricks from their runs this weekend as well.”
The Veterans division closed out the day with Eric Grindland (MN) taking the win for heat one, throwing back to back shuvs for a score of 91.67, followed by Todd Witherell (WA) in second with 78.33 landing a big front side air. Looking quite stylish behind the infamous Super Air Nautique G23 surf wave, Scott Culp (FL) took the win for heat two with a switch big spin for a final score of 86.67, followed by Brent Dorey (CA) in second with 75.00.
“The Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships has become one of the greatest events of the season with competitors and families from across the U.S. competing for their chance at a National title. We’re excited for this expansion alongside Nautique Boats and GM Marine Engine Technology as we aim to grow and enhance the competitive side of wakesurfing,” said WWA Executive Director Corrie Wilson.
For a full list of results Click Here.
Day two of the 2018 Nautique USA National Wakesurf Championships presented by GM Marine Engine Technology begins at 10:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, September 29th featuring two Amateur division semifinal rounds, four Amateur division final founds, and the Pro Women and Men quarterfinals. Competitors are encouraged to attend the Beach Party and Dinner at BSR Surf Ranch beginning at 5pm C.T.
To view the daily schedule, Click Here.
# # #
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.