MONROE, WA (July 27, 2018) – The remaining final rounds of amateur competition did not disappoint on day three of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships with several competition firsts seen on the water. The 5X Wakeboard and 4X Wakesurf Boat of the Year, the Super Air Nautique G23, continues to be the common denominator in the sport’s most impressive competitive performances as the crowd witnessed a thrilling Pro Men’s Quarterfinal. The shoreline came alive today, proving that the race for the National title is in full swing.
The Adaptive Standing final saw Aaron Cutler (FL) take his first-ever National title, charging the wake with his signature inverts to score 82.33. Jess Deemer (MI) came in close behind him with a second place finish score of 75.33, followed by Scott Leason (CA) in third place with score 71.33.
“It’s been so much fun competing in the WWA events this season,” commented adaptive wakeboarder, Aaron Cutler. “My goal over the next year is to bring adaptive wakeboarding to a whole new level and brings as many riders with me as I possibly can.”
Owning the top spot in heat one of the Pro Wakeskate division, Brian Grubb (USA) scored 89.33 will multiple wake to wake 360s followed by Reed Hansen (USA) in second with a 360 shove it moving into tomorrow’s final with a score of 86.67. The third spot went to James Balzer (CDN) with a final score of 76.33, followed by Coco Mendez (USA) with a score of 56.33.
Chase Shaw (UT) won the Men’s 1 title with two stand up passes in a timeless run with a melon moby dick that earned him 91.00. Following the lead Woody White (KY) placed second with a score of 85.67 and Kolby Blew (WA) rounded out the podium in third scoring 81.00. First place in the Men’s 1 division wasn’t the only triumph Chase Shaw rode away with this week, his massive front to fakie earned him the PCM Amateur Trick Award and $500 cash prize.
“It’s been so awesome to have the entire wakeboard community out here. Everyone showed up with the same purpose, to ride big and have fun,” said Men’s 1 champion, Chase Shaw. “The pros have been so involved, the family atmosphere has been on point, overall it’s been great.”
For the first time in recent history, the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships featured a collegiate division putting schools on the world stage of wake. Competitors competed in their respective age and gender divisions, to which points were awarded based on final placement for the top six riders. Western Washington University proved their top spot finish with unstoppable performances for a total of 334 team points, followed by Central Washington University with 195 team points.
The Jr. Pro Men brought the heat behind the industry-leading Super Air Nautique G23, with Semifinal runs that have the future of wakeboarding looking very bright. Thomas Herman (USA) put down a switch whirly and a skeezer for the win in heat one scoring 85.67. Coming in second, Bryce Grey (AUS) earned a score of 84.00 to join the crew in the final round. Tyler Worrall (USA) stole heat two with 82.67, followed by Benjamin Brown (USA) who scored 76.67 to advance to tomorrow’s final. Heat three went to Luca Kidd (GBR) with a crowmobe 540 and a H/S back mobe scoring 85.67 ahead of Sam Brown (80.67) in second with 85.67.
The Pro Women’s division kept the crowd energized with an intense battle for placement into Saturday’s final. Dallas Friday (USA) had a great run landing a wrapped KGB and batwing for 81.67 points followed by Zahra Kell (AUS) who scored 74.67. Nicola Butler (USA) won her heat with a huge KGB and moby dick to score 88.33, followed by Erika Lang (USA) who fought her way into the final with a massive grab H/S front flip scoring 74.00. Proving her reigning title, Meagan Ethell (USA) took the win for heat three with a roll to blind for a 90.00, followed by Amber Smith (AUS) with a 74.67.
The Pro Men’s Quarterfinal was an epic showdown, starting the day with twenty-six riders cut to sixteen making it through to Saturday’s semifinal. Conditions were all-time with riders taking the opportunity to throw hammer after hammer off the massive, perfectly shaped Super Air Nautique G23 wake. In heat one, Guenther Oka (USA) scored 89.00, showing true perfection with a T/S B/S 540 late indy grab. Parker Siegele (AUS) was on point with two stand up passes that included a roastbeef tantrum to blind for the heat two win with 84.33. Shota Tezuka (JPN) hit a H/S F/S 900 and a nose grab crowmobe 540 to score 88.00 taking the top spot in heat three.
In heat four, JD Webb (USA) landed a wrapped T/S B/S 720 and his own take on a H/S F/S 180 with one foot to score an 83.33. Nautique athlete, Tony Iacconi (AUS) proved he came out West to win, throwing a double half cab roll and a double indy T/S back roll to score 93.00. Winning heat six, Cory Teunissen (AUS) scored 85.67 after putting down a stylish nose grab B/S 720. Tyler Higham (USA) came away with the win in heat seven with a massive double half cab roll to earn a score of 77.67, and Harley Clifford (AUS) closed out the day with his signature tail grab KGB earning a score of 94.00 to take the win in heat eight.
For a full list of results from day three of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships presented by Rockstar Energy Click Here.
The fourth and final day of the 2018 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships begins at 11:30am PT on Saturday, July 28th with all professional Wakeboard and Wakeskate final rounds. Awards Ceremony to follow competition onsite.
To view the daily schedule, Click Here. This event is FREE for all spectators and families.
Dedicated to progressing the sport from the ground up, the Nautique Wake Series puts riders first, developing the stars of tomorrow and showcasing the top athletes of today with every major event held behind the Super Air Nautique G23. The Nautique Wake Series is the only event series that gives riders of all ages, gender and skill level the opportunity to compete at an elite level. level.
For more information on the Nautique Wake Series Click Here.
For more information on the 2018 WWA Wakeboard World Series Click Here.
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About Nautique Boat Company: Celebrating 93 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 has been reinvented as the lightest ski boat on the market, the G-Series has won numerous awards for wakeboard boat and wake surf boat of the year while unlocking new possibilities in wakeboarding and wake surfing, and our GS-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: RockstarEnergy.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 TheWWA.com.
