Wakeboarding

West Chester, OH. – For the first-time in its 23-year history Wakeboarding’s largest U.S. contest, the Nautique WWA National Championships presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, is being held in Ohio. Day one of the prestigious event saw 15 different divisions take to the Lake at Voice of America Park in West Chester as riders battled it out for the title of National Champion.

One of the most competitive divisions during day one came from the Junior Men, which saw 16 riders in three stacked heats. Separating himself from the talented pack was Justin Lee, who linked together a run that included a handful of big airs to post a division high-score of 85.00.

“We couldn’t be happier bringing Nationals to West Chester, Ohio for the first time,” said Chris Bischoff, competition director. “The venue is perfect for an event of this magnitude and the crowd saw some excellent riding today.”

Also dazzling the crowd today were the riders in Mens I and II. In division I, Curt Bernstein looks to be the early favorite after putting in a well-balanced run full of airs and stylish riding, while posting a score of 68.33 to take first in his heat. In division II, Nick Link looked equally impressive with a polished run that judges rewarded with a heat winning score of 70.00.

The Nautique WWA National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will continue through Sunday, Aug. 5. Tomorrow’s free event will run from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday will remain a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under); or $7 (adult) if purchased online.

Following Sunday’s finals fans can enjoy the Sony Big Air Contest. Featuring the top Pro Men riders, the athletes perform massive tricks that are rarely attempted in a traditional contest setting.

In addition to all the action on the water, on land the Nautique WWA National Championships features great food and music, athlete autograph signings, chances to win freebies, and shopping from the most cutting-edge brands offering water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions.

For information on the Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, visit www.kingofwake.com.

The Nautique WWA National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Peavey, Mona Vie, Fox, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, PCM Marine Engines and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.

Day One Results – Nautique WWA National Championships

Amateur Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 1 (Riders in Bold Advance)

1.  Austin Polterock               72.67
2.  Josh Hamon                       63.33
3. Cristobal Mendez             52.50
4. Craig Buss                           41.67
5. Seth Cathy                          36.67
6. Michael Fay                        26.67

Junior Boys Beginner (9 and Under) Semifinals Heat 1

1. Benjamin Brown               66.67
2. Kai Stidham                        60.00
3. Samuel Ringer                    51.67
4. Tyler Lewis                          31.67

Junior Boys Beginner (9 and Under) Semifinals Heat 2

1. Fynn Bullock                     73.33
2. Thomas Herman              65.00
3. Carter Mather                   58.33
4. Laird Stidham                     45.00

Junior Boys Semifinals Heat 1

1. Hunter Henderson          82.00
2. Kevin Duffy                        68.33
3. Tyler Worrall                     61.67
4. Rocker Steiner                  53.33

Girls (13 and Under) Semifinals Heat 1

1. Sofia Mendez                     61.67
2. Marla Fay                            51.67
3. Jessica Herman                  36.67

Boys Beginner Semifinals Heat 1

1. Ryan King                           71.00
2. Andy Birch                         63.33
3. Foster Marquardt            56.67
4. Peyton Bristow                 49.17
5. Tyler Brooks                       41.67
6. Justin Lewis                        31.67

Women’s Masters Semifinals Heat 1

1. Joy Manning                      62.00
2. Natalie Graham                 36.67

Veteran Women’s Semifinal Heat 1

1. Jodi Vermillion                  63.33
2. Kat Laird                              53.33
3. Paula Fay                             33.33

Adaptive Standings Semifinals Heat 1

1. Billy Tonis                           63.33

Masters Mens Semifinals Heat 1

1. Mark Dougherty               68.00
2.  Brent Anderson                60.00
3. Kevin Michael                    51.67
4. Ryan Kopp                          41.67
5. Steve Rokita                       15.00

Masters Mens Semifinals Heat 2

1. Tim Nilsen                          80.00
2. Matt Lever                          65.00
3. Joshua White                     48.33
4. Michael Hook                     38.33
5. Bill Boston                           20.00

Veterans (40 and Over) Semifinals Heat 1

1. Billy Garcia                         94.00
2.  Matt Vermillion                89.00
3. Ben Uncle                           82.33
4. Brian Kruer                         65.00
5. Michael Fay                        48.67
6. Steve Johnson                   40.67

Pro Veterans Semifinals Heat 1

1. Chad Reese                        70.00
2. Chad Lowe                          60.00

Junior Men Semifinals Heat 1

1. Chad Payton                       81.67
2. Ethan Rau                            68.33
3. Jonathan Abendroth         45.00
4. Jim Branton                        40.00
5. Zach Brown                        30.00
6. Cullen Rumford                  20.00

Junior Men Semifinals Heat 2

1. Justin Lee                            85.00
2. Mac Schramm                   71.67
3. Robbie Culp                        53.33
4. Danny Collins                     43.33
5. Jordan Colleary                 30.00

Junior Men Semifinals Heat 3

1. Timothy Burnier               83.33
2. Juan Mendez                     66.67
3. Logan McCracken            56.67
4. Jamie McCauley               46.67
5. Maxwell Spencer             36.67

Men’s 1 Semifinals Heat 1

1. Lee Wagner                       66.67
2.  Cameron Steiner             58.33
3. Eric Blasiman                      50.00
4. Jordan Gensler                 43.44
5. Scott Morgan                     36.67
6. Corbin Blanton                  23.33

Mens 1 Semifinals Heat 2

1. Curt Bernstein                  68.33
2. Ben Herrema                     58.33
3. Michael Dever                   53.33
4. Ryan Gillen                         46.67
5. John Zdeblick                     42.50
6. Kevin Hutts                         38.33
7. Ben Hamlin                         31.67

Men’s II Semifinals Heat 1

1. Tom Pazerunas                 65.00
2. Brad Gearhart                   56.67
3. Andrew Hall                       45.00
4. Brian Brech                         40.33
5. Nick Cankar                        10.00

Men’s II Semifinals Heat 2

1. Nick Link                              70.00
2. Tim Pitschke                      61.67
3. Michael Vincz                    50.00
4. Gabe Fowler                      36.67
5. Rob Corum                         20.00

Knoxville, TN. – Déjà vu and nervous excitement were prevailing themes throughout the day at the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, with the season title once again came down to Phillip Soven and Harley Clifford’s performances in the final event of the year. The sport’s greatest rivalry lived up to the hype, with all-out final-round performances by both riders culminating in a narrow victory by Clifford, clinching another prestigious Pro Wakeboard Tour season championship for the world-class athlete.

The title is the second of Clifford’s young career and solidifies his position as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

“I couldn’t be more stoked to walk away with another Pro Tour championship today,” said Clifford. “The 2012 season has been one of the most competitive ever with so many talented riders on tour. Phil put the pressure on me all season long and I’m just happy to claim the crown.”

Stakes were also high in the Junior Pro Men’s division today with the MasterCraft Junior Pro Wakeboard Tour season title on the line, as well as the Overton’s Junior Pro series title up for grabs. Mike Dowdy put on a pro-worthy performance in the finals to clinch the win in Knoxville as well the season long titles. The victory puts Dowdy in prime position for a leap up to the big leagues in the near future.

The highly-competitive Women’s Pro division also took to the water at Volunteer Landing today and gave the thousands of fans lining the river plenty of reasons to cheer. In a neck-to-neck showdown, Aussie-phenom Hayley Smith edged out fellow countrywoman Amber Wing to claim top honors.

Following the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour divisional heats, fans were treated to the jaw-dropping Sony Big Air Contest and Rockstar Double Up.  Launching off the MasterCraft XStar’s massive wake, the top Men’s Pro athletes stuck gravity-defying tricks that are rarely pulled off in a traditional contest setting. The performances of the event came from Dean Smith who took first place in Big Air by sticking a backside 720 and Phillip Soven who wowed the crowd with a huge switch nose grab crow mobe to claim victory in the Double Up.

For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit: KingofWake.com

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by ROCKSTAR is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.

MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour Knoxville Results (Athletes in Bold Advance):

Men’s Pro Finals

1. Harley Clifford          92.50
2. Phillip Soven               89.00
3. Dean Smith                 80.67
4. Shota Tezuka              71.67
5. Steel Lafferty              68.50
6. Tony Carroll                65.83
7. Andrew Adkison        63.33
8. Phillip Aslinger           58.33
9. Rusty Malinoski          40.00
10. Bradley Smeele           30.00

Women’s Pro Finals

1. Hayley Smith             70.00
2. Amber Wing               66.00
3. Taylor McCullough     60.00
4. Mellissa Marquardt     53.33
5. Raimi Merritt              46.67
6. Meagan Ethell             35.00

Junior Pro Men Finals

1. Mike Dowdy              85.75 (Tie broken by most first place finishes)
2. Noah Flegel                 85.75
3. Tony Iacconi               76.50
4. Massi Piffaretti           74.00
5. Freddie Wayne           70.00
6. Parker Siegele             58.00

Junior Pro Men Semis Heat 2

1.  Massi Piffaretti           90.50
2.  Freddie Wayne           87.75
3. Mike Dowdy               86.25
4. Christian Primrose       73.50
5. Kennan Allen              48.50

Junior Pro Men Semis Heat 1

1. Noah Flegel                 96.50
2. Tony Iacconi               82.00
3. Parker Siegele            76.50
4. Jacob Valdez               74.25
5. Gordon Harrison         70.75

Women’s Pro Semifinals Heat 2

1.  Amber Wing              65.00
2.  Mellissa Marquardt  56.67
3.  Meagan Ethell           50.00
4. Miku Asai                   45.00
5. Corrie Dyer                 35.00

Women’s Pro Semifinals Heat 1

1. Raimi Merritt            63.33
2. Hayley Smith             60.00
3. Taylor McCullough  51.67
4. Nicola Butler               47.33
5. Tarah Mikacich           40.00

Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 5

1. Harley Clifford          80.00
2. Shota Tezuka             71.67
3. Jimmy Lariche            61.67
4. Kyle Rattray               50.00

Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 4

1. Phillip Soven              80.00
2. Bradley Smeele          71.67
3. JD Webb                     66.67
4. Joey Bradley               56.67
5. Daniel Powers             46.67

Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 3

1. Andrew Adkison       73.33
2. Rusty Malinoski        68.33
3. Austin Hair                 60.00
4. Josh Palma                  50.00
5. AJ Racinelli                 40.00

Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 2

1. Steel Lafferty             81.67
2. Dean Smith                75.00
3. Danny Thollander       60.00
4. Zane Schwenk            48.33
5. Chad Sharpe               38.33

Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 1

1. Tony Carroll              75.00
2. Phillip Aslinger          61.67
3. Oliver Derome            51.67
4. Adam Errington          40.00
5. Aaron Rathy               31.67

6.      Kirby Liesmann          23.33

During the Malibu/RedBull Wake Open in Tampla Florida we had the opportunity to see the Malibu Boats SurfGate in action. The first take on wakesurf wake building that does not include moving ballast from one side to the other. I cannot wait to get a 2013 Malibu on the water for a few hours so we can test the SurfGate in a number of different combinations.

SurfGate Malibu Boats from Wakeboarder.com on Vimeo.

We were lucky enough to get out on the new SA450 and SA550 for a private demo of this new boat from Supra. I must say I was very impressed with the details. Getting a private demo with one of the Supra designers is just about as good as it is going to get for anyone. Take a look at the custom photos that we were able to grab during our ride.

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Supra Boats reveals amazing wakes, an aggressive look and a refined interior in the new SA350, SA450 and SA550 wake boat.

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(Maryville, TN) – This new ultimate wake boat from Supra performs above extreme wake sports expectations with amazing wakes, an aggressive look and a shockingly refined interior. The 22 foot 6 inch boat sports Supra’s new Barrage Front End that covers with comfort while projecting power. The Battle Prep Transom prepares you for action or just to get some R&R. The look from overhead is an elegant hourglass shape, while the vantage point from the water is complete intimidation. With 900 pounds of hard sub-floor Liquid Lead Ballast, the SA is not just making industry waves, it is set to swamp other wake boat offerings. You can even add 1,300 pounds of available Flex Ballast from the factory. Strap onto the Roswell Pro Edge Tower and prepare for your next personal best. The SA interior is the epitome of convenience and customization with a fiberglass floor with snap-out carpet. The intricate upholstery design is only matched by the plush feel  and durability of the NANO Block Technology (NBT) Vinyl surrounding multiple densities of foam. Hand-covered accents add to the performance look and the luxurious feel. The technologically advanced VISION Touch dash adds to the progressive vibe, while the familiarly comfortable convertible rear-facing seats take you back. “SA” can only mean “Shock and Awe”.

Supra Ride System (SRS)

Standard on the new SA350-550, the Supra Ride System integrates a host of performance features to maximize wakeboarding and wakesurfing performance. It all starts with the professional wakeboarder’s advantage Roswell Pro Edge tower on the 2013 SA350, SA450 and SA550. This dual-mount tower was designed exclusively to cap the industry’s most shocking wake boat. The Supra SA was designed from the water up with a beyond better approach to ride, wake and performance as well as luxury. It is only fitting that the Pro Edge wakeboard tower follow suit. It is difficult to distinguish where this rock solid tow point ends and where the SA’s elegantly sculpted deck begins. Finally a wake boat that incorporates the tower into the overall design of the boat for a perfectly balanced look. With smooth low-profile folding action and a patented CAM lock mechanism, the Supra SA350-550 Pro Edge Tower System is equal parts form and function. The integrated bimini, racks, speakers and interior lighting make it a complete package and they are standard.

The SA’s Liquid Lead Ballast, factory-option upgradable FLEX Ballast and wake-shaping SmartPlate let you create ideal wakes for every level of rider. Supra Liquid Lead is a subfloor ballast system that adds 900 pounds of trick-jacking tanked water weight to the SA350, SA450 and SA550 standard. These polyethylene hard tanks are not only beneath the floor and out-of-the-way, the three locations are optimized for the Supra SA’s pro rider hull design. The available Flex System, weighing in at 1,300 pounds of additional ballast, can raise the SA’s factory total to 2,200 lbs. And if that isn’t enough simply swap out the Flex sacks with bags of your choice at the quick connection points. Whether the SA’s ballast system is standard Liquid Lead, paired with factory Flex or upgraded even further, you can still keep your eye and a finger on it with VISION Touch. The Supra SmartPlate commands the flow of water moving past the hull and allows you to adjust the shape of the wake at the dash. The integrated Zero Off speed control and the unaffected wakes under the PURE Surf swim step deliver perfect pulls time after time. Harness all that powerful performance with the tap of your finger with the customizable rider profiles of the all-new VISION Touch system.

Performance

When referring to this boat, the SA is followed by the Indmar engine power designator 350, 450 or 550 depending on the power level of the engine you choose. Standard with the 345 Surf engine, the SA is available with the new LS3 or the Supercharged LSA. These pumped-up power plants are pushing a hull design optimized for ride and handling as well as wakes. The deep v of the hull at water entry and the customizable nature of the SmartPlate guarantee a smooth ride no matter what the water conditions. The specifically designed underwater gear plays a huge part in this performance. The new Precision Rudder plunges deeper in to the water for sure steering at all speeds while the new Supra Dorsal Fins keep the boat tracking straight. These fins also act as a rock solid pivot point for turns and the rack and pinion steering allows you to steer in and out of high speed turns with finger tips.

Refinement

The SA interior stuns with la look and feel befitting the finest luxury performance automobiles. On the inside the SA350, SA450 and SA550 offer the connivence and customization of a fiberglass floor with snap-out carpet. The intricate upholstery design is only matched with the plush feel of the NBT Vinyl surrounding multiple densities of foam. Hand-covered, color matched accents add to the performance look and the luxurious feel. Billet anodized dash inserts provide a look that is high-end with the durability and function to match. Impressively stout stainless steel grab handles show black insets branded with “Supra” while even more stainless elements adorn the interior.  The technologically advanced VISION Touch dash adds to the futuristic vibe, while the familiarly comfortable convertible rear-facing seats take you back.

The SA’s Barrage Bow intimidates with a look of elegant ferocity, but it’s all protection and comfort on the inside. The design of the Barrage front end makes room for a deep wide walk-through bow that exceeds your needs with beyond better levels of luxury, comfort and safety.

The Battle Prep Transom is where Supra Stars go to prepare for their next personal best performance. This area of the SA enlists you to enjoy rear-facing seats for use when the engine is off. Whether you’re taking a minute to visualize the victory of your next run, strapping on your stick or simply grabbing some R&R, Battle Prep has your back. This rear seating is made up of two independent seats tooled into the SA deck. Use them to sit briefly before your session or relax into the Syntec NBT Vinyl. There’s even a spot for the veteran rider of the boat to give you some last minute tips. Wage war on wakes with the Battle Prep Transom!

The Look

The look from overhead is an elegant hourglass shape, while the vantage point from the water is complete intimidation. The design for the SA was started at water level with pro wakes, but the look of the boat received just as much attention. This is one of the main reasons it is creating so much buzz now. The lines were purposefully rendered with the perfect mix of curves and straight edges to convey SA performance in one eye-shot on or off the water. There’s no other way to describe this new Supra than “Shock and Awe”.

Contact your local Supra Boats dealer and order your new SA350, SA450 or SA550 wake boat today.

About Supra Boats: The flagship wakeboard boat brand manufactured by Skier’s Choice, Supra Boats is the result of a quest for continual improvement in every aspect of boat building. Everything from interior refinement to ride, handling and wake performance to production processes to ownership experience is engineered to create a luxurious professional-level wake boat that challenges expectations. Like the name suggests, Supra heightens the wake boating lifestyle. Supra boats are beyond better. Skier’s Choice encourages all boating participants to learn and follow safe boating practices.

2013 Supra Boats Shock And Awe Intro from Wakeboarder.com on Vimeo.

2013 Supra Shock And Awe Intro 2 from Wakeboarder.com on Vimeo.