Placing third, Pierce Homsey put his arsenal on display with a blend of big technical tricks and style, standing up both passes in the final. Transitioning from the WWA Jr. Pro Men’s division, Japanese rider Mizuki Takahashi made a big statement with powerful, consistent riding that earned him a second place finish and his first WWA Pro Card. Calling Freedom Wake Park his second home, Takahashi’s performance was celebrated as a team win for the Freedom family with coaches, students and training partners cheering him on in every round.

Always a standout, Malibu and Rockstar team athlete Oli Derome is returning to action in 2017 after recovering from an injury that took him out last season. True to form, Derome threw down impressive runs in all three rounds building up to a grand finale going absolutely massive behind the Malibu Wakesetter to take home the win.

CLICK HERE for complete results from the Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #1.

“We had an amazing day at Freedom Wake Park with 9 riders earning their Pro Card for 2017. We saw a very high level of riding from each athlete proving that this season will be full of surprises with tough competition in every heat,” said WWA Executive Director Corrie Wilson.

The Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #1 served as the first stop of the six-event Pro Card series that travels across North America with the remaining five stops to take place in conjunction with the Malibu WWA Rider Experience. Pro Card events give riders an opportunity to qualify to compete as a professional each season clearly defining the world’s elite wakeboard athletes. Earning a WWA Pro Card enters riders into the WWA World Rankings, globally recognizing them as professional athletes. The top 15 ranked riders from 2016 retain their Pro Card for the 2017 season.

For a full list of rules visit TheWWA.com/ProCard.
2017 Malibu WWA Pro Card Events

Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #1 
Freedom Wake Park
Orlando, FL
April, 1

Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #2 
Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 6

Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #3 
Stumpy Creek Boat Landing, Lake Norman
Mooresville, North Carolina
June 17

Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #4 
Koppert Lake
Black Diamond, Washington
June 24

Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #5
Pleasant Prairie Rec Plex
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
July 15

Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #6
Head Lake Rotary Park
Haliburton, Ontario, Canada
July 22
                                                                                                  # # #

About Malibu: Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, owning over one-third of the worldwide market share. Malibu sells the Wakesetter, M235 and Response models — as well as the Axis Wake Research brand — through a global dealer network. With approximately 525 employees worldwide and three manufacturing facilities in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water. [NASDAQ: MBUU] | @malibuboats  |  #evolutionproseries | www.malibuboats.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 www.thewwa.com.

Freedom Wakepark has hosted the first WWA Pro Card event each season at the heart of wakeboarding in Orlando, Florida behind world-class Malibu boats. Located on a private lake, this premier site offers pristine riding conditions and a centralized location with access to everything Orlando has to offer.

“The WWA Pro Card Qualifier events are always exciting with riders going for broke to officially make the transition from amateur to pro. More and more talented riders are coming up each year to secure their spot among the best in the world and we can’t wait to see what everyone has been working on for this season,” said WWA Executive Director Corrie Wilson.

All riders must hold a current WWA Pro Card in order to register in the pro division at any wakeboard event. The top 15 riders on the 2016 WWA Wakeboard World Rankings list will retain their Pro Card for the 2017 season. All other riders must obtain their Pro Card at one of six qualifying events. For a full list of rules visit TheWWA.com/ProCard.

WHAT:                  2017 Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier #1.

WHEN:                  April 1^st, 2017

WHERE:               Freedom Wake Park – 7200 Lake Ellenore Dr. Orlando, FL 32824

Rider Check-in: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Rider Meeting: 9:30 a.m.
Preliminary Rounds: 10:00 a.m.

Number of Pro Cards to be awarded is based on total number of entries.

Registration for the 2017 WWA Malibu Pro Card Qualifier at Freedom Wake Park is now open and may be found here.

Entry Fee:  $100 USD ($50 Late Fee begins on Monday March 20th, 5:00 PM EST)

All riders must hold a current WWA Amateur $70 membership to compete. Riders awarded a WWA Pro Card may upgrade from a WWA Amateur membership to a WWA Pro membership. WWA Pro Membership is mandatory for a WWA Pro Card to be valid.

2017 Pro Card Holders:

1. Mike Dowdy
2. Tony Iacconi
3. Cory Teunissen
4. Dean Smith
5. Harley Clifford
6. Rusty Malinoski
7. Austin Hair
8. Noah Flegel
9. Shota Tezuka
10. JD Webb
11. Massi Piffaretti
12. Phillip Soven
13. Nic Rapa
14. Tony Carroll
15. Steel Lafferty

Complete 2016 WWA World Rankings may be found here.

Malibu Boats dealers in each region will host WWA Pro Card Qualifier & Rider Experiences beginning in Orlando on April 1st, 2017.

# # #

About Malibu: Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, owning over one-third of the worldwide market share. Malibu sells the Wakesetter, M235 and Response models — as well as the Axis Wake Research brand — through a global dealer network. With approximately 525 employees worldwide and three manufacturing facilities in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water. [NASDAQ: MBUU] | @malibuboats  |  #evolutionproseries

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 www.thewwa.com.

In 2018, there will be a total of 5 WWA Wakeboard (Boat) Pro Card Qualifying events throughout the United States. Each Pro Card Qualifier will be open to all riders that do not currently hold a WWA Pro Card.

Throughout the season, as you compete at WWA Pro events you will be added to the rankings will then adjust up or down based on your results at each event. At the end of each year the Top 15 on the World Rankings will retain their WWA Pro Card for the following season. If you finish outside of the Top 15 then you will need to earn your WWA Pro Card at Pro Card Qualifying events the following season.

If you do not qualify at a WWA Pro Card qualifying event you can try again to earn your card at the next qualifying event. Each rider is not limited to the amount of attempts it may take to earn your WWA Pro Card.

For the full Pro Card Rules click here.

The WWA Pro Card qualifiers will be held at each of the 5 Malibu WWA Rider Experience events. These events will be held around the country, one in each of the regions which is clearly mapped out below.

Based on the 2017 WWA Membership database, each of the following regions will host a WWA Pro Card Qualifying event
 

Dates:
March 19, 2016

Host Dealer:

Event Location:
Freedom Wake Park, Orlando, FL

Nearest Airport:
Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Rider Check-in: 9 – 10 a.m.
Rider Meeting: 10 a.m.
Preliminary Rounds: 10:30 a.m.

Number of Pro Cards to be awarded is based on total number of entries.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE

Dates:
May 14, 2016

Host Dealer:

Event Location:
Lake Las Vegas

Host Hotel:
Hilton Lake Las Vegas
Click HERE to book
Rates: 1 KING OR 2 DOUBLES $109 through 4/12/16
The resort fee of $30 has been waived for us.

Nearest Airport:
MCCARRAN INT’L AIRPORT (LAS) – 25 MILES TO EVENT SITE

Dates:
June 4, 2016

Host Dealer:

Event Location:
Hyco Lake Park and Campground

Host Hotel:
Holiday Inn Express – 21 Miles from Event
2121 Riverside Dr
Danville, VA 24540
$104/Night through 5/2/16
(434) 793-4000
Click HERE to Book

Hampton Inn – 15 Miles from Event
920 Durham Rd
Roxboro, NC 27573
$124/Night through 5/2/16
(336) 599-8800
Click HERE to Book

Nearest Airport:
RALEIGH/DURHAM (RDU) – 43 miles to Event Site

]]> https://www.thewwa.com/malibu-wwa-pro-card-qualifier-4/ Fri, 22 Jan 2016 21:10:03 +0000 https://www.thewwa.com/?p=8524

Dates:
July 9, 2016

Host Dealer:

Event Location:
3 Palms Action Sports Park

Host Hotel:
Holiday Inn Express – 7 Miles from Event
2240 Stoneside
Conroe, TX 77303
$109/Night through 6/19/16
(936)788-5200
Click HERE to Book

Nearest Airport:
George Bush Int’l (IAH) – 35 Miles to Event
Houston Hobby (HOU) – 50 Miles to Event

in partnership with

Dates:
July 16

Host Dealer:

Event Location:
Lake Quinsigamond

Host Hotel:
Holiday Inn & Suites – 12 Miles from Event
265 Lakeside Ave
Marlborough, MA 01752
$135/Night through 6/17/16
(508) 481-3000
Click HERE to Book

Nearest Airports:
WORCESTER REGIONAL (ORH) – 6 Miles to Event
BOSTON LOGAN (BOS) – 25 Miles to Event