CWC started off the event with an opening ceremony that will be one for the books. As all the rider’s representing their home countries hosted their nation’s flags in the air, an enormous fire was lit to display the start of everyone’s quest for a world title. Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte and WWA Executive Director, Corrie Wilson, wished all the athletes the best of luck as he ignited the Olympic type torch letting everyone know that the time has come and all their hard training throughout the year is about to pay off. Not only are individual world titles on the line, but new for 2016 are country titles. Each nationality will have the chance to also earn a world title based on how high their nation’s riders place in each division. By Monday evening we will all know who the 2016 WWA Wake Park World Champions are.
Today began with the future of the sport in the younger aged divisions, legends of the sport in the mature aged divisions and lastly professionals. Wakeboarders, wakeskaters, males and females all partook on the most advanced and well built course there is in wake park riding. CWC has supplied riders with the most progressive features so that the rider’s can show the best display of park riding of all time this weekend. Amateur traditional cable and Professional Wakeskate and Wakeboard Plaza was on today’s agenda as it delivered the most action packed riding ever seen at a wake park event.
Highlights of the day were Loic Deschaux from France absolutely slaying the technical course in the Boys (10-13) division here at CWC. Deschaux surprised everyone with his mobe 5 off the flats and his very impressive rail hits along with a heelside 9 off the kicker. “This is the most fun park I have ever ridden and when you have all the other boys out there riding at the highest level, it pushes you to ride your very best” says Loic. Winning his semi final heat, Deschaux along with Thailand’s Luke Carrick will be the top seeds in the final for the boys division.
Ukraine showed their strengths in the masters (30-39) division today with an impressive ride from Dymtro Massalov with a high score of 97.5. Along with Massalov, Filipino Marvin Tucio showed his country some love by making it through the tough cut to make it to the finals in Masters men. The Junior Women (14-18) gave the world a preview to see what the next generation of women’s wake park riding will be in the near future. Eira Janasson from Sweden blew everyone’s minds with how effortless her run was which included many difficult tricks.
As the sun went down and the moon was out, the lights came on behind the cable lake at the one of a kind “plaza” bilevel pool setup. The world’s best wakeboard rail riders and wakeskaters hit the greatest setup ever made for the sport under the lights at night. Andrew Pastura from the USA took the top spot in the plaza Wakeskate category as he performed a flawless backside 3 down the stair set and also linked up some flats tricks and rail hits in the 2nd pool at the end of the plaza setup. Following Pastura’s win was William Klang from Sweden in Pro Men’s Plaza Wakeboard. William won first place by impressing the judges with his backside 270 onto the handrail, frontside 360 into the hip on the 2nd pool and lastly his wall ride to 50/50 backside 180 out on the creeper ledge. The wakeboard podium finished out with Victor Salmon from Belgium in 2nd and the young Filipino sensation Raph Trinidad in 3rd.
There could have not been a better day to have for day one of the 2016 WWA Wake Park World Championships here at CWC in the Philippines. The entire CWC facility delivered the best riding we have ever seen and it’s only been one day. As the event continues on we will see the riding continue to blow minds. Expect tricks that have never been performed in an event to be seen this weekend as time continues on here at this prestigious event. Check the live feed on TheWWA.com that starts at 8 AM local time and 9 PM EST as the Professional and Features Divisions hit the water at the greatest WWA Wake Park World Championships of all time!
About Nautique Boat Company: Celebrating 91 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 200 has changed waterskiing with 19 world records, 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 Sport 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: The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sports sanctioning. 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. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the primary source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com