Winners interviews

Guenther Oka

How do you feel after winning Wakefest’s 50k Shotoout?

It’s unreal. With this being my first professional boat win, it feels so crazy to have done it in this fashion. Winning the biggest prize purse on boat this year means so much and gives me tons of fuel to keep on pushing.

What made your run better than the others ?

I’m not sure considering I didn’t get to see half of the other boys ride haha. But I stood up all 4 tricks I had in mind and put down the grabs I was looking for as well.

What do you think of the public here at Wakefest ? Are you coming back next year ?

Without a doubt. This was the equivalent to the super bowl of boat wakeboarding. Literally riding through the arena of boats and people made the contest so exciting. Everyone, including the fans, put their heart and soul into coming out and cheering us on.

What is the next stop for you and what are your goals for the next of the 2019 season ?

I’m off to Washington for boat nationals and then right off to Portugal for the Tomar Pro. The year is far from over but I’m happy to keep the party going and end it on a high note.

Have you got a video project ? With other riders ?

Always working on something! I don’t want to give anything away but it’ll be going back to what I do best and working with my homie Taylor Hanley.

 Can you talk a bit about “Passing the Handle?”

For sure. Pass the Handle is an amazing day for the entire wakeboard community. It encourages pros and amateurs alike to go out and spread the sport of wakeboarding. We dedicate that day to go and get a first timer up on board and show them the love we all have seen for wake. It is a global movement that keeps the sport fresh and spreads it far and wide.

Anything else to add?

I want to give a massive shoutout to the crew at TNT watersports in Tennessee for hosting this insane event. They pull it together every year and it something that will keep this sport going for years to come. Also Red Bull, O’Neill, and Liquid Force Wake for their continued support.

Meagan Ethell

 How do you feel after winning Wakefest?

– Overall, my Wake Fest weekend was one to remember. Winning the contest was a nice bonus on top of the good times I had with everyone there. Also, being able to showcase our sport in front of such a large audience was one to remember.

What made your run better than the others?

– The conditions at Wakefest were challenging, and all the girls threw down despite those factors. I think what put me in advantage was being able to stay strong through it all. I was able to lace up some technical and stylish tricks, and I think that helped put the top spot in my favor.

What do you think of the public here at Wake Fest? Are you coming back next year?

The number of people that were at this event was mind-blowing. Depending on my schedule for next were, I would definitely like to come back. Hopefully, we can push for a better prize purse so more females want to attend the event. Also, it would be insane to create a female Shoot Out to give the pro women that sort of opportunity.

What is the next stop for you and what are your goals for the next of the 2019 season?

On Thursday, I leave to Seattle for Nationals. It’s a pretty busy season at the moment with constantly being on the move. For the rest of the season, I’m wanting to focus on my riding and pushing myself to do harder/different tricks.

Have you got a video project? With other riders?

I have not started creating a video project because I’ve been focused on my riding and progressing it, but that is something that I want to do in the near future. I’m hoping to do a Red Bull project soon and with that, I would release a video.

Can you talk a bit about “Passing the Handle?”

– Our Pass the Handle Day in TN was great. We got a few people out on the water and gave them a really great experience. It is always pretty rewarding to pass the handle to someone new and expose them to our amazing sport.

Results

Wakefest 2019 Shootout Winner
Guenther Oka – 50,000$

Pro Men Winners
1st Cory Teunissen – 7,500$
2nd Nic Rapa – 4,000$
3rd Mike Dowdy – 2,000$

Pro Women Winners
1st Meagan Ethell – 3,000$
2nd Tarah Mikacich – 2,500$
3rd Charli Shore – 2,000$

Outlaw Winners
1st Parker Swope
2nd Ben Brown
3rd Nic Brown

Advanced Winners 
1st Barrett Swope
2nd
3rd Tanner Ledford

Intermediate Winners 
1st Frank Adkins
2nd Condrey Hunt
3rd Spencer Sullivan

Women Winners 
1st Wolfe Jordan
2nd Brantley Mullins
3rd Natalie Miller

Jr Division 
1st River Mayo
2nd Gabe James
3rd Clayton Moriarity

Beginner Winners 
1st Colt Reid
2nd Carter James
3rd Cole Moriarty

-wakefest 2019-
-wakefest 2019-

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Recap

San Angelo

Hosted by the crew at Family Powersports, riders felt like rockstars behind the Malibu 25LSV and M235 all weekend long. Focused on rider development, the event began with Freeride Friday, giving competitors, family and friends the opportunity to hang out and learn from their favorite Malibu Pro athletes. Alongside Freeride Friday, Wake the Desert’s amateur wakesurf divisions hit the water laying down competition firsts and setting the pace for the rest of the weekend. Saturday’s WWA Regional Championships Central included all WWA amateur and Jr. Pro divisions along with Wake the Desert Outlaw semifinal rounds. The weekend wrapped up with Surf Gate Sunday where riders were able to experience the endless wave of Malibu’s world-class line of boats and take inspiration from today’s stars with the Wake the Desert Outlaw and Pro Wakesurf and Wakeboard Finals.

“We had a blast in Texas this weekend! It was great watching the next up and comers in wake interact with the Malibu Pro athletes and take inspiration from all of the talented riders who came to compete at the Malibu Rider Experience Central and Wake the Desert. We are so privileged to work with such great partners like Malibu Boats and Family Powersports, and we look forward to seeing everyone for the final U.S. stop in Virginia next weekend,” commented WWA Executive Director, Corrie Wilson.

Wakesurf

Friday set the pace for the amount of talent Lake Nasworthy would see throughout the weekend with Reese Hunt III (TX) bringing a unique longboard style to the wakesurf community throwing deep bottom turns and walking up and down the board for a final score of 76.67. The Junior Wakesurf division showcased nine tremendously talented rippers of which Stella Tracy (OK) came out on top with a super steady body varial for a score of 68.33 in the final round.

The smiles were contagious during Saturday’s WWA Regional Championships as riders threw down in front of their hometown crowd for a chance to represent the Central region at the upcoming WWA Wakeboard National Championships. In the Jr. Boy’s Beginner division, local Texan Kyle Bendele (TX) threw a huge H/S wake to wake indy grab to earn his first place finish and a score of 86.67. Alex Albin (CA) claimed the top spot in the Boys division throwing a tootsie roll for a first place score of 86.33. The Jr. Women’s division saw Ellie Patrick (TX) take the win with a H/S back roll and a melan grab for a score of 80.00. Ainsley Harper (TX) came in second throwing a fashion air for a score of 61.67, followed by Logan Vaughan (TX) in third scoring 55.00.

The Jr. Pro division brought some of the world’s best to Texas with Fynn Bullock-Womble (USA) taking home his first Jr Pro Series win. Laying down his unique style Fynn started off his run with a H/S B/S 720 followed by a cab 720 earning his first place finish and a score of 85.00. Thomas Herman (USA) landed a second place finish with a textbook KGB to score 76.00, followed by Bryce Grey (AUS) in third with a final score of 72.67.

Fynn Bullock-Womble | Jr. Pro Winning Run

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Wakeboard

Still grinning from a weekend of accomplishments, riders and families took to the water behind the Malibu 25LSV for the Surf Gate Sunday wakesurf experience before packing the shoreline for the Outlaw and Pro division finals of Wake the Desert. San Angelo local, Gentry Slayden (USA) came out on top in the Outlaw Women’s Wakesurf division with a winning score of 70.00. In the Pro Men’s Wakeurf division, Keenan Flegel (USA) took the win with a backside big spin and shuvs in every direction to complete his winning run for a score of 83.33, just ahead of his brother Noah Flegel (USA) who finished second with an 81.67.

Malibu Athlete Tarah Mikacich (USA) annihilated the wake of the Malibu M235 to take the win in the Outlaw Women’s Wakeboard division throwing a wrapped KGB to secure her final score of 65.00. Charli Shore (AUS) came in second throwing a tootsie roll for her final score of 56.67, followed by Dallas Friday (USA) in third.  Rockstar Energy athlete Tony Iacconi (AUS) made it out on top of an intense Outlaw Men’s Wakeboard final round sticking a front mobe 540 for a score of 90.00. Noah Flegel (USA) scored 81.67 in second putting down a super stylish melan back mobe, just ahead of Luca Kidd (GBR) in third with a score of 77.67.

Next stop

The Malibu WWA Rider Experience heads north to Spotsylvania, Virginia July 19 – 21 for the next round of the world’s most popular rider development series and the final WWA Wakeboard National Championship qualifier.

-WWA Rider Experience Central –
-WWA Rider Experience Central –

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