The World Wakeboard Association (WWA) and Gravity Games H2O, presented by Vodafone, today welcomed the event as a new stop in the 2005 WWA Wakeboard World Series.
In its enduring search for an international wakeboarding champion, the 2005 WWA World Series tour will now take in Perth, Western Australia, as the host city of the world’s premier action sports, music and lifestyle festival, Gravity Games H2O.
The announcement makes the event one of the largest wakeboard contests in the world, with AUD$110,000 in prize money and a competitor list featuring the majority of the world’s best riders. An additional AUD$32,000 is up for grabs in the end of season World Series prize pool.
The contest will feature 24 male and 8 female riders who will push their skills to the limit, hitting wakeboard sliders and the wake of the official Gravity Games edition towboat, a Supra Launch 24 SSV.
Australian wakeboarders include current WWA World Series’ champion and three-time Australian Pro Tour champion, Daniel Watkins (Vic / Florida); current US Pro Tour champion, Josh Sanders (NSW/Florida); and Brett Eisenhauer (NSW / Florida). US superstars include Phillip ‘Froggy’ Soven; 2002 Wakeboard World Champion Erik Ruck; Gravity Games H2O defending champion and current World No. 3 Trevor Hansen; the stand-out rider of 2005, Danny Harf; and the Bonifay brothers (Parks and Shane).
Since the start of the 2005 WWA Wakeboard World Series, professional riders have been chasing the Series title. Holding the current No. 1 position is Rusty Malinoski from Canada. Daniel Watkins closely follows Rusty and is set to challenge for the No. 1 spot at the Gravity Games H2O. Brett Eisenhauer and Danny Harf are also Series contenders and will be looking for a share of the Series prize pool.
According to Matt Stockwell, wake sports manager for Gravity Games H2O, the WWA World Series is made up of the elite wakeboarding contests in the world and 2005 will be the second year of its association with Gravity Games H2O.
“The World Series and events like the Gravity Games H2O are reasons the sport of wakeboarding is so hot right now. The contest between Rusty and Daniel is going to be fantastic to watch – be sure to keep an eye out for them in the event finals!”
With a total prize pool of AUD$170,000, Gravity Games H2O will welcome 110 world-elite wakeboarders, kiteboarders, racers, skaters and riders from the United States, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, France, Sweden, South Africa, China, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Australia.
The wakeboarding contest will take place on the Swan River at McCallum Park, Victoria Park, alongside a new medal event, thundercats freestyle power-boating. A kiteboarding medal event, boasting international sanctioning as part of the Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) World Cup, will be contested on the Swan River at Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth.
Non-medal events include demonstrations in Freestyle Moto X and BMX, Skate and Inline Vert Ramp, performed on the Southern Hemisphere’s largest vert ramp (20ft high!).
Gravity Games H2O, presented by Vodafone, is FREE for spectators. Supporters include presenting partner Vodafone, together with Tourism Western Australia, EventsCorp, Drug Aware, Supra, Coca-Cola, Holiday Inn Burswood, Town of Victoria Park, Kiteboard Pro World Tour, 96fm, X-Press Magazine and Zebra.
