“The WWA Wakeboard National Championships is the pinnacle event of the sport for U.S. athletes each season.” said WWA President Shannon Starling. “In recent years we have had to deal with a lower cap on entries typically due to time constraints, however, this year we decided to spread the event over two weekends and we have witnessed almost a 50% growth in participation. The sport is experiencing a rapid increase in new participants at each event and this is what growth looks like.”
A star-studded lineup was on hand as the Advanced Wakeboard division began their initial qualifying runs. Brandon Harris (OWC) started out the week with an impressive run by consistently nailing technical tricks in Heat 1, while Theo Koester (OWC) rode strong to emerge at the top of the charts in Heat 2. The third heat went to Nick Bowers (TSR), followed Spencer Baron (TSR) who hard-fought effort to secure the win in Heat 4. Jason Stuckey (OWC) and Riley Dillon (Roseland) proved there would be no shortage of action this week to advance in Heat 5 and Heat 6. The battle for the Championship is sure to heat up as the riders prepare to face off once more later in the week.
The Amateur Wakeskate division has the tendency to produce some of the closest competition at nearly any wake park event across the world. Sam Lacerte (Hydrous) carried the confidence all day to take the win in Heat 1 and Trent Stuckey (OWC) performed flawlessly with big air tricks to outduel his competition in Heat 2. Gavin Stuckey (OWC) and Maarten Van Vilet (Hydrous) used every inch of the courses obstacles to put in brilliant rides in Heat 3 and Heat 4, respectively.
The massive turnout in rider participation this year saw a total of seven heats held for the Novice Wakeboard division. Brian O’Neal (Hexagon) lead the way en route to an impressive run during Heat 1, while fellow rival Hayden Chambless (Hydrous) stole the glory and top placing position in Heat 2. Despite facing stiff competition throughout the day, Jake Flynn (Hexagon) managed to control Heat 3, followed by Taylor Oxford’s (OWC) inspiring ride to complete Heat 4. The riders held nothing back as they laid it all on the line to earn their transfer positions, however, Mattie Armer (Terminus) and Barrett Swope (Wake Nation) could not be stopped as they claimed the best scores of the day to win Heat 5 and Heat 6. When the seventh and final heat of the day took place, Michael Graupner (TSR) relied on creativity and various lines to capture the judges’ attention.
Last weekend the world’s best wakeboard riders competed for a chance to become National Champions behind the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 towboat at the Nautique WWA U.S. Wakeboard National Championships at Dallas Landing Park in Acworth, Georgia. This week carries over as a continuation and shifts to the wakepark discipline at the Nautique WWA Wakepark National Championships.
The second day of the Nautique WWA Wakepark National Championships is set to kick off at 8am EST on Friday, August 5 as amateur riders resume their respective qualifying heats and prepare to begin the first Features competition of the week. Join us at Orlando Watersports Complex through Sunday to witness the intense competition on the water along with on-site displays from Nautique boats, Rockstar Energy Drinks and more!
Click Here to view the points and rules for the 2016 Point Chase
As the organizer and sanctioning body of the 2016 Nautique WWA Wake Park National Championships presented by Rockstar Energy, the World Wakeboard Association would like to thank all of its partners for their support in making the event possible, including Nautique Boat Company and Rockstar Energy Drink.
Results
Nautique WWA Wake Park National Championships Presented by Rockstar Energy
Orlando Watersports Complex – Orlando, Florida
Thursday, August 4, 2016
To view the full results from Thursday Click Here
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 Rockstar: Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 25 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information, visit: www.RockstarEnergy.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