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WBWS Wake Open BY BUCKMAN FERGUSSON / PHOTO : PHIL SIRECH
The second ever Nautique Wake Open took place Apr il 16-18 in Waco, TX at Barefoot Ski Ranch with over 100 amateur and pro competitor s . Friday started a little chaotic as there was heavy rain during the night, making the entire site extremely muddy. The starting dock was moved to the other end of the lake closer to the entrance, tents were moved, and no one could drive down to the main site without getting stuck in the mud, but the rest of the day went smoothly, without any further delays. The weather was cloudy, but the rain held off and so did the wind, so every rider got to ride in great conditions for the rest of the day. Saturday was just as muddy as the day before, so a tractor was arranged to give competitors and fans “hay rides” to the main site, so that no one would get stuck in the mud. It was a beautiful day with excellent conditions and everyone rode really well. In Junior Pro Men, Australian Nic Rapa came out on top followed by James Loisel and Jason Soven, the younger brother to Bob and Phil Soven. In Pro Men, the finals included both Bob and Phil Soven. The last time these two were in a finals together was Wakestock 2013 in which Phil took 1st and Bob took 2nd. This time, however, they have to go up against the “Phenom” Harley Clifford, Austin Hair, J.D. Webb and Shota “Showtime” Tezuka, who took 2nd place at the first Nautique Wake Series event in Australia. Bob and Phil threw down very different but equally impressive runs as Bob opted for a run filled with style and amplitude while Phil’s run was very technical. In the end, it was the “Phenom” Harley Clifford who came out on top followed by J.D. Webb and Bob Soven. Phil Soven came in 4th, and was displeased to say the least. In Pro Women the defending Queen of Wake Champion Meagan Ethell took her first win of the season followed by the blue-haired Raimi Merritt in 2nd and Dallas Friday in 3rd. The World Champion Trick-Skier Erika Lang came in 4th place, matching her 4th place finish at Moomba Masters last month and it’s really amazing to see that Erika has made finals in her first two pro wakeboard competitions ever. We can’t wait to see what she does in the future. For more information about these riders and to see full contest results, visit www.thewakeboardsite.com
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You ride since a short time, what wakeboarding provided you? Wakeboard provided me the life I asked to god, whit good people around me. What is your best memory as wakeboader? Riding all day whit my friends in a sunny Sunday is my best memory as a wakeboarder. About it, how did you discover this sport? My dad itroducted wakeboard to me when I was 9. Any big fails? Lucky, none. Could you speak about Your new contracts and sponsors? I’m sponsored by Red Bull Brazil, Naga Cable Park and Marreco Wake School. What are your plans for this year? In the next month i’m moving to Orlando to improve my riding and I want to compete on the worlds. Thx for all your answers Pedro -. Any last words? See you guys soon thanks Unleashed for the opportunity to get this interview , as we say here in Brazil “eh noix”.
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© Hector Urzaiz Calpe
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In France, the FISE is the most anticipated extreme spor ts event of the year. It takes place in the scenic city of Montpellier a n d ga t h e r s a l a r g e r a n g e o f d i ff e re n t disciplines such as Bmx, Skateboard, Dir tbike, Fmx and so many more. But for u s r i d e r s , i t ’s t h e wa ke b o a r d i n g eve n t that we all look forward to exper iencing the mos t.
Each sport has its own park and the athletes can expect technical and fun obstacles from the FISE. As for the wakepark it’s the only time we get to ride a actual pool gap in France and the park is just insane! It has two system 2.0’s, side by side, and you have to consistently perform hard lines, both day and night, to make it to the final rounds. This year was once again a great experience for me. I’ve been competing at FISE for the last 4 years. I feel like I’ve been getting closer and closer to the level of the top riders that are here to play for the coveted podium positions. I love traveling and discovering new places. I often travel to Asia during the cold months which allows me to make progress in my riding. I believe my winter training could be the reason that I’ve been advancing in this event. The FISE setup is one of my favorites in France, not only for the competition, but also because I get to ride a park that is unique and completely crazy. It’s only once a year and we have to make the most of it! I realized that several of my friends and family were there to support me and I’m so grateful for their support. In addition I couldn’t have done it without my sponsors: ION, HUMANOID, BTR, Iwakeboard and Ozed. It’s thanks to them that I’ve gotten this far. This year, there were so many really talented riders that I’d never seen before, as well as all the top riders like Dom Hernler, Ben Leclair, Bob Soven, Aaron Gunn and many more. It’s always nice to see some of the top riders come from all 4 corners of the planet to Montpellier for this event.
Dominik Hernler
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© Phil Sirech
THIS YEAR, THERE WERE SO MANY R E A L LY TA L E N T E D R I D E R S T H AT I ’ D NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AS WELL AS ALL THE TOP RIDERS LIKE DOM HERNLER, B E N L E C L A I R , B O B S OV E N , A A R O N GUNN AND MANY MORE.
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Mat Muncey
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s t r e t c h y o ur
b o u n d ar i es BY HOW TO WAKE / PHOTOS BY MATT ROY
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T RI C K Y
QUI N N S I LVE R N A L E F OOT PL A N O N TH E WA L L O F WAKE CO MPO UN D GE ORGI A Photo : Tyler BlackmonÂ
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T H O S E 2 G U Y S F RO M B R AZ IL B R U N O M ART IN S L IM A AN D B R U N O U L O T T, O N H OW T O S H R ED A R AIN B OW AT N AG A C AB L E PAR K Photo : Fernando Guzi
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DAN N O T O N E O F T H E M O S T S T Y L IS H RIDER FROM UK, STALEFISH GRAB Photo : Max Hunt
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Photo : Phil Sirech UP: ANTOINE ALLAUX , STALEFISH GRAB AT LA SOURCE CABLE PARK FRANCE D OW N : S O P H I E H O G B E N R E G B AC K TAIL ON THE CANNON RAIL AT CAIRNS WAKEPARK AUSTRALIA Photo : Tom Cross
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S AM C AR N E ROL L T O S TAL EF IS H G R AB O R L AN DO F L O R IDA Photo : Bradle Rudlege
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