World Wakeboard Association

Dominik Gührs, the 2011 WWA Wake Park World Series Champion and 2011 WWA Wake Park Worlds Champion grabs the cover of Unleashed International Wake. Congrats Dom! Read the rest of this entry »

December 21, 2011

From Abu Dhabi, UAE — The 21-year-old phenomenon from Germany, Dominik Guehrs, has accomplished the impossible. He has won the 2011 WWA Wake Park World Championships and the 2011 WWA Wake Park World Series overall championship; something that only American, Tom Fooshee, has previously achieved. Guehrs’ incredible triumph could not have happened in a more Cinderella fashion. Guehrs and fellow German, Freddy von Osten were tied just 15 points behind Fooshee coming into the 2011 WWA Wake Park World Championships hosted by Al Forsan International Sports Resort, December 7-10 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

It was an intense battle on the right-foot-forward cable (counter-clockwise) at Al Forsan, but riders were able to adapt to the cable and squeeze in some serious maneuvers. The new two pass format enabled riders to concentrate on quality of tricks, not quantity. Fooshee needed to finish in at least 2nd place to defend the WWA World Series title; however, in compelling form, Fooshee had two unfortunate falls on a switch Pete Rose 540 followed by an S-Mobe 540, which kept him off of the podium. The battle was left to Guehrs, von Osten, and Thai sensation, Daniel Grant; anyone could have taken the victory.

In an interview just days before claiming his championships, Guehrs stated “I have to win Worlds to win both (Wake Park Worlds & Wake Park World Series). (Winning Worlds) is what I will focus on.

“We have a changing of the guard.” States WWA President, Shannon Starling, “Each rider gave it 100%, and to see the young German win is something spectacular.”

Click here for 2011 WWA Wake Park World Championships final results

Click here for complete 2011 WWA Wake Park World Series Rankings

About Wake Park Worlds
The 2011 WWA Wake Park World Championships hosted by Al Forsan International Sports Resort (wakeparkworlds.com) is the final stop of the WWA Wake Park World Series 2011 season and the 1st “cable” wakeboard contest in the Middle-east.  Wake Park Worlds is open to all ages and abilities; 17 divisions in all. $50,000 USD is up for grabs, with $30,000 USD  cash paid onsite allocated to this single contest and an additional $20,000 USD allocated to the World Series overall champions. Click Here to see the Prize Money Breakdown. Make sure to stay up-to-date and interactive by following us on our Wake Park Worlds specific sites at:

 About the WWA
The WWA is the world’s premier provider of amateur and professional wakeboard events, sanctioning and rules, developed by riders, for riders. www.thewwa.com or contact rob@thewwa.com
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About Al Forsan
The Al Forsan International Sports resort aspires to be an internationally-recognized and top-rated world-class resort by leisure professionals, as well as companies and families. By consistently providing first-rate service and state-of-the-art facilities, it will establish itself as the major sports hub for regional and global events, setting new standards for international sports and leisure experiences. www.alforsan.com
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From Abu Dhabi, UAE — (December 10, 2011) 2011 has been the tightest points race in wakeboarding history and it isn’t over yet. New chapters are waiting to be written in Abu Dhabi, December 7-10 at the 2011 WWA Wake Park World Championships hosted by Al Forsan International Sports Resort. As the 1st ever World Wakeboard Association (WWA) wake park contest set in the Middle East nears, professional and amateur athletes from over 20 different countries will converge on Al Forsan’s state-of-the-art cable wake park facility; a massively overwhelming wakeboard and multi-sport oasis. Each athlete or “rider” will be looking to write their own chapter in this story by performing at the top of their game on the water and in the air in hopes of taking home the WWA Wake Park World Championship title in their division of competition.

Top riders such as Tom Fooshee (USA), Freddy von Osten (GER), Dominik Guehrs (GER), Daniel Grant (THAI), Denise De Hahn (NETH), and Maxine Sapulette (NETH) will amaze the world on the waters of Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi. Each rider with a compelling story, each rider with nothing to loss and world championship titles on the line. The stage has been set for an incredible championship.

This saga started at the first stop of the series hosted by Adrenaline Adventure in Winnipeg, Canada with Fooshee, the most decorated wake park rider ever, taking the win and an early lead; von Osten and Guehrs rounding out the top three. In August, von Osten’s upset win over Fooshee lead to taking the top spot on the WWA World Series Rankings at Protest Cable Call in the Netherlands. Fooshee lost the top ranking for the first time in wake park world series history. Brushing off his gear, Fooshee showed the world focus and commitment, and was able to regain his top ranking taking another first place at Telekom Extreme Playgrounds in Germany.

“For me personally, it would be one of the greatest moments in my whole carrier to take the World title back to Germany”. An excited Von Osten states “Abu Dhabi will be the best Event ever if I can take the win and the World Series title.”

Now enter Wake Park Worlds, Tom Fooshee in 1st; Freddy Von Osten and Dominik Gurhrs tied for 2nd; and Daniel Grant in 4th. With only a few points separating them Fooshee has a must win situation to hold on to both titles.

WWA President, Shannon Starling “The World Series has never been this close between 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd; I cannot wait to see who has the nerves to take it all.”

On the Pro Women’s side of the contest, Maxine Sapulette has not entered a contest in since last year.  2010 was the first time in the Pro Women’s division that Sapulette has not won the world championships. While at the top of her game, Sapulette fell under doctor’s orders not to wakeboard. She has since rebounded from her injury with phenomenal vision and would like nothing more than to regain the title.  Standing in her way right now is the 2010 leading woman Denise De Hahn.  This is another possible epic battle if Sapulette is ready. Read the rest of this entry »

The World Wakeboard Association sits down with one of the best wake park wakeboarders on the planet for a few questions. This is your chance to get inside the mind of the German rider, Dominik Gurhs.

WWA:  Are you more focused on winning the WWA World Series overall title or the Wake Park World Championship title?
DG:  I have to win Worlds to win both.  This is what I will focus on.

WWA:  Coming into the World Championship, will you change anything in your strategy with this course to secure a win?
DG:  It is hard as Fooshee is really good on the kickers and Von Osten is very good on rails, so must focus on my overall composition to win.

WWA:  Because the rails here are not as technical as some other events this year, has this changed your approach to the competition?
DG:  I think the rails will be very even and similar for everyone so I will focus on my strengths in flats and kickers.

WWA:  Other than the competition.  What is your favorite part of this event?
DG:  Beating my friends on the best karting track I have ever been on. Read the rest of this entry »

Dean Smith Back in Abu Dhabi from Wake Park Worlds on Vimeo.

Dean Smith gets back to Abu Dhabi; this time as a cable wakeboarder at the new cable park known as Al Forsan International Sports Resort.

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Al Forsan International Sports Resort has now released several different resort packages to cater to spectators and riders alike. “All day Riding Pass” will allow people to ride on both the right-foot-forward (Counter-clockwise), left-foot-forward (Clockwise), and 2-Tower cables; while the lunch voucher offers an affordable onsite option to fill your belly.

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