Wakeboard Nationals Kick Off with Amateur Divisions
Press Release
Date: 08-07-2008
Kenosha, Wis. - The top wakeboarders and wakeskaters in the country took the waters of Lake Andrea at Prairie Springs Park in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. today for the first of five days at the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink.
Eight of the 16 divisions battled it out on the water today in the opening-rounds of the contest to begin their journey toward winning a national title and earning a spot on the U.S. roster for the Wakeboard World Championships later this year.
The Amateur Women's Division kicked off the festivities today with Erica Dumeyer of Louisville, Ky. taking the top spot in the semifinals. Dumeyer will look to claim the national title tomorrow in her division's finals.
In the youngest division out on the water today, the Girls Division, seven talented female wakeboarders, ages 13 and under, hit the water for their semifinals with only the top-four riders advancing onto tomorrow’s finals. Meagan Ethell of Channahon, Ill. paced the her heat today and will be joined by Taylor McCullough, Tori Koch and Delanie Parker in the finals.
The Masters Women Division featured seven female rippers, ages 30 and over, with the top-four riders moving onto tomorrow's finals. Kat Laird from Yalaha, Fla. led her division today and will face off against Allison Blaha, Annie Haroldson and Elizabeth Freeman in tomorrow's finals.
Rounding out the women's riding, the Pro Women Wakeskate Division hit the water for their semifinals today with four shredders moving onto tomorrow's finals. Stephanie Wamsley out of Orlando, Fla. led her heat today with Jennifer GilanFarr, Elizabeth Talanksy and Lacey Menkin following, respectively. All four wakeskaters will go after the national title in the finals.
In the Masters Division, 10 riders, ages 30 to 39, took to the water today in two heats of five in the semifinals with only the top-two riders from each heat advancing onto tomorrow's finals. Jeff Barton of Moorestown, N.J. and Mike Vanpatten from Algonquin, Ill. both led their heats today and will be joined by Chris Full and Billy Garcia in tomorrow's finals.
Nine shredders from throughout the U.S. battled it out on the water today in the Amateur Wakeskate Division semifinals. More than half of the competition was sent home packing today, as only four riders advanced onto tomorrow's finals. Clark Becker, Justin Wells, Matt Haydon and local rider Nicholas Rex of Random Lake, Wis. will face off for the national title in tomorrow's finals.
Matt Vermillion and Faron Kelsh will face off in the Veterans Division finals tomorrow, after both advanced past the semifinals.
In the largest division featured today, the Men's I Division, 20 took to the water in two heats of seven and one heat of six in the semifinals with only the top-two riders from each advancing. Colt Leonard, Fabian Ashley, Clayton Ashley, Nick Whitt, Addison Reed and Nick Cankar will vie for the national title tomorrow in a six-man final.
The Nationals will continue tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 7 beginning at 10 a.m.
The Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is a five-day carnival of water-sports action. But not all the action takes place on the water. On land, fans will experience tons of great music and food; athlete autograph signings; chances to win free giveaways; and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. Admission is free and the event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to FUEL TV. For exact air dates, visit www.kingofwake.com.
FUEL TV is a 24/7 action-sports lifestyle network for wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and freestyle motocross. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003, and is seen in 25 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit Fuel.tv.
The Air Nautique by Correct Craft is the exclusive tow boat of the WWA Nationals. Celebrating more than 80 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a family-owned manufacturer of internationally acclaimed, competition-caliber water-ski and wakeboard boats, as well as boats for recreational enjoyment. Correct Craft Inc. is known for superior-quality products, cutting-edge technology and innovative hull designs.
Rockstar is the world's most powerful energy drink. Developed to improve the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in 10 flavors -- Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte -- at convenience stores and retail grocery outlets across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom.
WakeBoarding, published by Bonnier Corp., is the official magazine of the Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. WakeBoarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.
The Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla. The WWA Nationals have the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, PCM, Fox, Mona Vie, the U.S. Air Force, Hyperlite, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Oakley, Reef, Cire, wakeworld.com, wakeboarder.com and theliquidcircus.com.
