The 2024 Red Bull Double or Nothing has been a staple of the wake industry and a place that the fans have come to expect something that has never been done before. The event’s brainchild and spokesperson Parks Bonifay has made a career off of doing just that; Creativity and athleticism sprinkled in with a bit of adrenalin and fearlessness has been the recipe for victory at previous events and with the progression leap that wakeboarding took at last year’s event with the first and only triple flip behind a boat, the shore of Lake Ivanhoe in Orlando FL was packed with those looking to witness history, again.

In another lane of progression, the women were invited to compete alongside the men for the first time in the event’s history. During 2023 women participated in an exhibition to showcase women’s wakeboarding on the main stage, but this year the women have been throwing down hard enough to earn spots in the running order and take a swing at the belt. 

“My whole career has been advocating for the women to be on the main stage and seeing it happen here is so rewarding,” said Meagan Ethell, Red Bull athlete and one of the most dominant competitive forces the sport has ever seen.

 “Seeing the next generation represented with Guila Castelli is so exciting to see what is next for the women,” continued Ethelll who speaks like a seasoned veteran of the sport but who is only 27 herself. Proof of Castelli’s impact can be easily confirmed with a quick scroll through her Instagram page highlighting one NBD (never-been-done trick) after another. 

Landing an NBD (Never Been Done) in a venue like the Double or Nothing is such a thread in the fabric of the event that Red Bull allotted a $5k NBD bounty for a contest-first over the top of the $10k for the winner take all 1st prize. So with $15k on the line, Thomas Herman was 3rd off the dock and landed a nose-grabbed double back roll, backside 360 with as much height as one could hope for with a perfectly clean landing to take the maximum prize purse. 

“I didn’t want to show up and try the triple flip again, I wanted to mix it up,” said the first even back to back champion. He came with his A-game, matching his hair color to his custom flame graphic on his board. 

While Tyler Higham had landed this trick and released it in a legendary section in the movie Scumline, the trick had not been put down in the contest setting. Thomas got the luck of the draw going off the dock before Higham and put the pressure on with a very clean make.

Noteworthy, standout performances and efforts:

• Thomas Herman: Attempting an extra 180 on the trick that took the victory
• Tyler Higham: Perfectly grabbed and equally popped replica of the trick that Thomas landed, but landed hard and injured his ribs. 
• Meagan Ethell: Going for a KGB 5 that she had just landed as an NBD for the women weeks previously. She had a rough fall during training that almost took her out of the event, but she still threw down.
• Guilia Castelli: Wrapped BS 7 attempt with a fall, but landed a BS 5
• Parks Bonifay: Nearly landing a double half-cab roll as the oldest competitor in the field.
• Luca Kidd: First wrapped BS 1080 in a contest with a legit nose grab taking 2nd place
• Sam Brown: Nearly landed a double back mobe 540, which would have taken first.
• Nic Rapa: Double indy tantrum to blind landed clean for 3rd place.
• Kai Ditsch: Double backroll to blind attempt
• Trent Stuckey: A rider who dominates the cable scene who has improved recently on the boat, landing a BS 900 and going for BS 1080’s.

There is no better advocate for pushing the limits than Parks Bonifay and with the continued support of his sponsors, the sport is lucky to have the venue to put the best feet forward. How could the riders possibly improve upon the seemingly unreachable level that they are at now? If history is any indication, they will find a way and continue to blow minds. 

The post Thomas Herman Repeats at 2024 Red Bull Double or Nothing Powered by MasterCraft appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Read Next: Learn More About Thomas Herman’s Amazing Triple

More history will be made this year, as 7-time World Champion Meagan Ethell, who participated in exhibition runs last year, will officially compete. This will mark the first time a woman will be in the running for the $10,000, winner-take-all, grand prize. For Meagan, an Orlando local and major advocate for women’s equality in all sport, this means a great deal and she’s excited to get on the lake, and try to make history herself with some never-been-done tricks from behind a boat.

Parks Bonifay is the creator of Red Bull Double or Nothing and a certified legend. He’s recruited some of the best athletes in the sport to compete alongside Meagan on Saturday, September 7th. After last year’s showstopping Triple Flip, the athletes will be trying to go even bigger. 

Parks, an Orlando resident, has retired from competing for the most part, but makes the exception every year for this event. 

I came up with the concept for this event with Red Bull to push the sport of wakeboarding,” says Parks. “And the way last year went down with the first ever Triple Flip completed by Thoumas herman, riders are even more fired up. Anything can happen at Red Bull Double or Nothing and last year was proof.”

The event gets its name from the “double-up”, which is the moment when two wakes combine into one, growing more than three times the size of a usual wake. This allows the pros to get massive air, allowing for huge tricks, and risking huge crashes. 

Thomas Herman’s previously mentioned Triple Flip won last year’s event, earning him the winner-take-all $10,000 prize. Thomas will be returning this year, as will other former winners like Guenther Oka and Sam Brown. Judges include wake stars Brian Grubb, Jimmy LaRiche and Jamie Lopina.

This year’s competition also includes a Wild Card submission. From August 2 to August 25th, riders that are interested in competing can submit their best trick in an attempt to be selected for a spot in the contest. 

To see Meagan, Parks and nearly 20 of the best wakeboarders in the world in person, head to Gaston Edwards Park on Saturday, Sept. 7^th from 9am-5pm. The day will be complete with food trucks, family-friendly games, and an open area for some of the best views of the lake to witness the greatest show in all of wakeboarding.

Confirmed Red Bull Double or Nothing Athlete Roster 

• Sam Brown
• Guenther Oka
• Tyler Higham 
• Luca Kidd
• Kai Distch
• Ulf Distch
• Cory Teunnissan
• Fynn Bullock
• Thomas Herman
• Massi Piffaretti 
• Parks Bonifay
• Meagan Ethell 
• Wild Card

Follow redbull.com/us-en/events/double-or-nothing to stay updated about this year’s event! 

The post Meagan Ethell to Compete at 2024 Red Bull Double or Nothing appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Leading up to the weekend-plus of WWA competition, there was hype surrounding Nautique waterman Noah Flegel and his quest to compete in a total of 6 different divisions. Hype might not be the right word as it sometimes carries connotations of overpromise or undeservedness. “Very real anticipation for what Flegel is capable of,” might be a better way to say it. Smart money had him taking at least one or two of the foil and/or surf divisions and making the finals in most, but how would he stay on his game over 4 days of competing?

• Pro Wakeskate: 2nd place
• Pro Men Wakeboard: 6th place (made finals)
• Pro Men Foil: 1st place
• Pro Men Foil (straps): 1st place
• Pro Men Surf: 1st place
• Pro Men Skim: 3rd place

That totals 14 rides, 6 finals, 5 podiums and 3 wins at one event. 

Read Next: Check Out Last Years Nationals

Arguably the most competitive division was his own worst placing of the weekend, but could be the most impressive. Pro Men Wakeboard has been reaching a level that even the 2024 champion, and very good friend of Flegel, Cory Teunissen states, “it has really gotten out of control. I did 2 doubles, a BS 9, no falls and got 3rd in the qualifying heat.” 

Teunissen knows a thing or about what it takes to succeed in this environment, stay healthy, recover from injuries, and maintain the mental aspect to be in the top echelon. “For years it used to be 2 or 3 guys you could really count on taking out an event but now it is really the majority of the field. It has really tightened up, especially over the last couple of years. We are seeing the most polished and most technical display of wakeboarding the sport has ever seen and it is only going to grow to be even better.”

On the Pro Women Wakeboard side, the pre-event favorites were Zahra Kell and Meagan Ethell, but a concussion before the event put Kell’s status in question. Being in the hospital four days before leaving for Seattle, she decided to travel to the event and tone down her passes to avoid back edge catches. A testament to how deep her bag of tricks is, Kell had enough to take the win. A large part of that drive comes down to falling back in love with the sport. Her father/coach and legend in the wakeboarding community Scotty Kell sentimentally shared, “I’m soooo stoked to see that she is loving it. I love when I’m pulling her and it’s windy or rolly but she is smiling.” Surely seeing her smile at the top of the podium and being able to recover from the head knock had to stoke him out even more.

Pro Skim slayer Jett Lambert continues to be unbeatable and staved off some heavy hitters to take the Eagle trophy. 

The post Storylines Abound at the 2024 WWA Nautique National Wakeboard and Wakesurf National Championships appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Where else can you find die-hard wakeboarding fans, with a boat tie-up en masse, mere feet from the world’s best boat riders vying for the largest prize purse available? The TNT Watersports Wakefest TN has become synonymous with the event that offers it all. What defines the event are standout performances with a lot on the line. 

After 19 years running, the crew at TNT Watersports with the support of Malibu Boats pulled hundreds of riders over two days in a setting that puts pure wakeboarding in front of thousands of spectators.

 “There is almost a cult-like following for this event,” shared Malibu Boats’ Rob Corum who is no stranger to wake events over the last 2 decades. “Without reliable cell service, everyone was present and engaged rather than getting clips for their social media,” said Corum. “It was just about being there in the moment.”

More about TNT Watersports Wakefest TN

The moment could not have been more profitable for Argentinian Ulf Ditsch. He has made a name for himself with charging ballsy technical maneuvers and taking them to the flats, upping the difficulty, amplitude and risk while making tricks look stylish and unique. Take a little bit of Shapiro, sprinkle in some Dean Smith, and you have something resembling the intensity that Ditsch rides with. Layer in the style focused La Familia influence of Massi Piffaretti, Sam Brown, Tyler Higham, Luca Kidd and his brother Kai Ditsch and you have a rider who is extremely difficult to take down in a format like the winner-take-all shootout. If Ditsch’s $25k win at last year’s shootout wasn’t motivation enough, this year’s $50k prize for first place was surely going to reveal his a-game. 

“If you ain’t first, you’re last” joked Corum as he pointed out how impressive Ditsch’s performance was in the losers-take-none Shootout on Friday. “His stalefish front to blind was unreal”, Corum said as Ditsch dropped the largest tricks of the weekend back-to-back-to-back-to-back. His signature Tootsie Roll, followed by a Backside 540, into a Cab 720, then finishing with the finale trick had Ditsch stating, “that feeling of landing that fourth trick in the line is unbeatable.” 

Interesting choice of words because when he is on, there are few that can beat him.

The rest of the competition included a more traditional two run format with riders being ranked in their division by placing and paid accordingly. Meagan Ethell added yet another 1st place finish to her illustrious collection and repeated her performance from last year, taking home $7,500. Former World Champ Bec Gange made a nice comeback to the podium with a 2nd place spot and up and comer Aussie rider Charli Russell scored her first podium finish, snagging 3rd.

On the Men’s side, Sam Brown took down the top spot, giving the crowd a view of his unique take on the sport. Guenther Oka continued his streak in his comeback year after a rough injury securing 2nd and Kai Ditsch rounded out the 3rd spot. 

Notable tricks of the weekend were the aforementioned Stale front to blind by the Ulf, Sam’s Crow 7, Guenther’s switch and regular Pete 5’s and Thomas Herman’s double back roll into the flats, as teased in his recent social media posts.

How would they top this next year for the 20th annual? Could there be an even larger purse? Word is that they are already getting plans together to up the ante. In Ditsch’s words, “It is by far the best event of the year, and not just because of the prize money!” Stay tuned.

The post Ditsch and Ethell Repeat at Wakefest TN appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Pass The Handle week starts Monday, July 15 and runs through Sunday, July 21, 2024.

This week, Pass The Handle encourages watersports enthusiasts everywhere to introduce new people of all ages to the excitement of water sports. From wakeboarding, water skiing, and wakesurfing;  to kneeboarding and tubing; to barefooting, wakeskating, and other fun on the water, this is the week to grow participation in the water sports so many  know and love.

Follow Pass The Handle on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates throughout the week of events happening across the country. If you are participating, be sure to tag @PassTheHandle and utilize the #PassTheHandle hashtag for a chance to be featured on our channels! We also created a social media guide with helpful tips, sample captions, and example posts to support your #PassTheHandle efforts during the week.

Check out the video from PTH, produced with Zane Schwenk, and Watersports Industry Association. It’s just one of the many ways you can help new people enjoy the sports you love. 

The post Pass The Handle Week is Here! appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The highly-anticipated Finals Day at the 64^th Nautique Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament presented by GM Marine concluded with the world-record setting Ski Nautique and award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 pulling the world’s top water ski and wakeboard athletes to the coveted Masters Titles. The spectators of Robin Lake were treated to a display of unparalleled talent as their favorite athletes etched their names into waterski and wakeboard history. 

The Super Air Nautique G23 provided perfect passes for the Pro Women’s Wakeboard finalists. Meagan Ethell (USA) defended her Masters title and stood up her run with a flawless performance. This was Ethell’s 8th Master’s Title. Meagan was followed by Nautique team athlete Zahra Kell (AUS) and Eugenia de Armas (ARG), respectively. 

The Pro Men’s Wakeboard final showcased the creativity and innovation that define the sport at its highest level. The crowd went wild as the G23 pulled Massi Piffaretti (ITA) to his second consecutive Masters Title. Second place went to Nic Rapa (AUS), and the third spot on the podium went to Guenther Oka (USA). 

Read Next: Previous Nautique Masters by GM Results

Results for other towed watersports events can be found below.

The day began with Team Nautique athletes dominating all three spots on the Pro Women’s Trick podium. Anna Hunter (USA) claimed her 3^rd Masters title in the Pro Women’s Trick division, scoring 10,540 points. Neilly Ross (CAN) scored 10,300 points to take second, and Erika Lang (USA) took the final spot on the podium with 10,120 points. 

During the Pro Men’s Trick division, the Ski Nautique pulled Martin Labra (CHI) to his first Masters Title with a score of 11,810 points. Martin was followed by Matias Gonzalez (CHI) and Joel Poland (GBR), respectively. 

With more Masters Titles than any other woman in history, Nautique team athlete Regina Jaquess (USA) earned her 10^th Masters Title with 4 @ 11.25 M in the Pro Women’s Slalom division. “It’s an absolute honor to win my 10^th Masters Title behind the Ski Nautique as a Nautique athlete,” said Regina. “With 14 wins, Andy Mapple and Freddy Kreuger are tied with the most Masters Titles, so it’s an insane feeling to be so close to holding as many Masters Titles as these two legends.” Nautique team athlete Neilly Ross (CAN) secured second with Paige Rini (CAN) taking third. 

Pulled by the GM Marine powered Ski Nautique, Cole McCormick (CAN) was crowned champion of the Pro Men’s Slalom division running 5.5 @ 10.75 M. After Cole, it was Will Asher (GBR) skiing to second place, and Stephen Neveu (CAN) in third. 

During the Pro Women’s Jump final, Hanna Straltsova (USA) soared 52 M (171 ft) to victory. The Ski Nautique pulled Brittany Wharton (USA) to second and Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya (USA) to third.

This unforgettable day on the water got even better as the men hit the water for the Pro Men’s Jump division. Joel Poland (GBR) emerged victorious jumping and impressive 68.2 M (224 ft). Nautique team athlete Ryan Dodd (CAN) took the second spot on the podium, and Florian Parth (ITA) was third. 

Congratulations to all of the 64^th Nautique Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard competitors for their hard work and determination, and thank you to the fans, vendors, and sponsors for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. 

About Nautique Boat Company

Nautique is celebrating its 99^th anniversary of delivering excellence in the marine industry. A subsidiary of Correct Craft, Nautique has been on the waters of the world with a passion for innovation since 1925. Delivering the very best waterski, wakeboard and wakesurf boats on the market, Nautique continues to drive progression with their award-winning technology and dedication to building the highest-quality boats imaginable. New technology, performance innovations and attention to detail are the cornerstones of what makes the Nautique brand the industry leader. Through the Nautique Cares initiative, employees and athletes dedicate themselves to not only making a difference on the water, but to extend their support 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 Correct Craft

Celebrating 99 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit correctcraft.com.

The post 2024 Nautique Masters by GM appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

A former competitive wakeboarder, Alexa Score is one of the busiest people you’ll ever meet. From her work as a producer and on-camera talent for three outdoor shows as well as working for the Minnesota Vikings and appearing in Zac Brown Band videos, she is living her best life—especially when you consider she has been battling chronic myeloid leukemia since the age of 16. We caught up with her about her life on the water and her efforts to help other childhood cancer victims through the Surf to Save Lives event benefitting St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital.

You grew up on Green Lake in Minnesota. How did you get involved in watersports and wakeboarding?

My family wasn’t really involved in watersports, but I got involved in the Little Crow Ski Team when I was nine. I was a swivel skier and even stood on the top of a 42-person pyramid. I have the bumps and bruises to prove it.

I got started wakeboarding when my older sister came home from college and started doing it on the lake with her friends. I started realizing I could be competitive when I won the women’s amateur national title at the WWA Nationals in 2011 when I’d really only competed a couple of times.

You were first diagnosed with leukemia at age 16. How did that change your life in general and your passion for wakeboarding?

There was a period of nine months where I struggled to get out of bed or do basic things like just walk down the stairs. Then when I turned 17, when I started feeling better, I graduated early from high school and said, “I’m moving to Orlando and nobody can stop me.” I found healing and passion in competitive wakeboarding and being on the water. I didn’t know how long I had to live and with my prognosis. I was literally riding the wave.

Are you now in remission?

I’m not in remission. I still take an oral chemo medication every day and see an oncologist every three months. I’m very fortunate—there are a lot of people under the same circumstances who can’t work and struggle on a daily basis.

What is your involvement with Surf to Save Lives?

I’ve been partnered with MasterCraft for three years now and this our second year doing the Surf to Save Lives event. From May 22 to October 1, all you have to do to participate is download the MasterCraft Connect app—it doesn’t matter what kind of boat you have. When you’re on the water participating in any kind of towed watersport—tubing, kneeboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing—for every minute you log on the app, MasterCraft will donate $1 to St. Jude’s [up to $75,000.] All you have to do is log in while doing something you love.

I attribute a lot of my success to the first pediatric doctor I had. The drug I’ve been taking since I was 17 to stay alive was new back then. Now, thanks to research, there are five drugs to help people like me. St. Jude’s is on the cutting edge of care and research to help kids who have cancer.

You no longer compete, but do you still get out on the water?

Watersports was my first passion and still is my number one passion. When I’m home in Minnesota during the season, I spend every free minute on the water (I just got my new MasterCraft XT24 yesterday) taking friends and family wakeboarding and wakesurfing. I also still swivel ski and foil. It’s all about having fun on the water and creating memories.

The post On Board With: Alexa Score appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

melin, the creators of the world’s most premium headwear, has announced a partnership with MasterCraft Boat Company, the best-selling towboat brand in the world. With this agreement, melin is the official headwear of MasterCraft and MasterCraft is the official towboat of melin. This partnership unites melin’s dedication to creating the most innovative and water-friendly headwear with MasterCraft’s legacy as the world-renowned innovator, designer and manufacturer of premium performance wake boats. With a shared commitment to pushing boundaries and elevating experiences, melin and MasterCraft will look to redefine the standards of luxury on the water.

“I will never forget when the Mastercraft X Star changed the game years ago and ever since I saw that pickle-fork front end I knew we eventually had to have one. My whole life, my favorite moments are always spent on the water with family and friends and this partnership with MasterCraft is such an honor and testament to our aligned passions,” said Brian McDonell, Co-Founder and President of melin. “We are so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to amplifying the fun, premium experiences and technical evolution of being out on the water together.”

As a part of this collaboration, melin will be towing their athletes and ambassadors behind their custom MasterCraft X24, offering world-class wakes and waves paired with premium comfort and finishes. Additionally, melin and MasterCraft have worked together to craft an elevated HYDRO Collection of collaborative headwear that will be available exclusively at MasterCraft boat dealers along with an ultra-limited hat for MasterCraft boat owners only. melin’s HYDRO Collection is built for the water, making it the perfect companion for anyone spending a day on the lake, river or ocean.

“We are excited to partner with melin to deliver premium, top-quality MasterCraft headwear to our customers and owners,” said Krista Schipner, Vice President of Marketing for MasterCraft. “As industry leaders, MasterCraft and melin share several core values and each strive to provide a product with premium quality, unparalleled comfort, and industry-leading performance, making this partnership a perfect match.”

The addition of MasterCraft Boat Company comes at an exciting time of melin’s growing list of partnerships and collaborations. Currently the official headwear of Aspen Skiing Company, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, along with recent collaborations with iconic brands such as Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Traeger Grills.  

About melin

melin is dedicated to crafting the world’s highest quality headwear. With a focus on materials, overlooked details, craftsmanship, and innovation, melin sets itself apart by delivering headwear that outperforms and redefines industry standards. melin is committed to elevating the headwear experience and providing enthusiasts with the perfect blend of performance and style for any adventure.

About MasterCraft

MasterCraft is a world-renowned innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of premium performance sport boats. Founded in 1968, MasterCraft has cultivated its iconic brand image through a rich history of industry-leading innovation, and more than five decades after the original MasterCraft made its debut, the company’s goal remains the same – to continue building the world’s best ski, wakeboard, wake surf, and luxury performance powerboats.

The post melin Announces Official Partnership With MasterCraft Boat Company appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Grom Quest Challenge Winner, Zoey Carroll, a wakeboarder from the USA, is a 2022 World Wake Association national champion in the age 10-13 girls’ division and now competes in the Junior Pro division. Carroll was selected from a worldwide pool of competitors, and is one of eight new “Stars of Tomorrow” that GoPro adds to its team.

Athletes selected range from 9 to 17 years old, and were selected through GoPro’s Grom Quest Challenge, a video-submission-based talent search designed to identify the next generation of top action sports athletes.

The eight newly signed athletes will receive monetary and equipment sponsorship from GoPro to help advance their professional careers and will be showcased on GoPro’s social channels to help grow their personal brands. They will also have the opportunity to meet and learn from GoPro’s world-class roster of established pro athletes.

“GoPro is committed to helping today’s top young action sports athletes realize their dream of going pro,” said Rick Loughery, GoPro’s Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications. “Through our Grom Quest Challenge, we’ve identified some of the most impressive young athletes in the world, and we’re excited to help them achieve their goals and showcase their talent to the world.”

Grom Quest Challenge winners include top young athletes from a wide range of action sports:

• Ned Hart: Surf | Age 17 | Australia. Ned is a highly decorated surfer having won the 2023 Young Gun Big Wave award, Tracks Magazine’s ‘Wave of 2023’ award and was a finalist for several Australian Surfing Awards in 2023.
• Ema Kawakami: Skate | Age 9 | Japan. Ema won the Japan Skateboarding Federation vertical contest in 2023 and the Wingram Cup 2023 Vertical Series Vol. 1 and holds the Guinness World Record for the most backside 540 skateboard tricks in one minute – eight tricks.
• Connor Stitt: BMX | Age 13 | USA. Connor set the record for the world’s youngest person to land a triple backflip on a bike.
• Duke Woodman: Freeride Ski | Age 12 | USA. Duke is the youngest member of Atomic’s North American Junior Freeride Team and went undefeated in his rookie International Freeskier & Snowboarder Association (IFSA) freeride season, having won all four of his regular season events.
• Zoey Carroll: Wakeboard | Age 12 | USA. Zoey is a 2022 World Wake Association national champion in the 10-13 girls’ division and now competes in the Junior Pro division.
• Axel Dominguez: Surf | Age 16 | France. Axel finished 4th in the European Championship and is currently ranked 17th in the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Surfing Championship.
• Finley Davies: Mountain Bike | Age 15 | United Kingdom. Finley took the wildcard win at the BikePark Wales + Red Bull Vanta Jam in 2023.
• Jaydin Smart: Motocross | Age 10 | USA. Jaydin is an elite rider and a three-time Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross national champion.

The Grom Quest Challenge is an ongoing contest open to all sports and athletes around the world who are 17 years old or younger. Participants can submit their clips to the GoPro Grom Quest Awards Challenge via the GoPro Quik App or at GoPro.com/Awards. Learn more about the challenge here.

Grom Quest participants were asked to submit video clips of their best performances in their given sport. Submissions are made through GoPro’s Quik app and must be captured on a GoPro camera. The Grom Quest Challenge is ongoing and open to athletes around the world aged 17 and younger.

The post Young Wakeboarder Wins Spot on Team GoPro appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The Moomba Masters marks the official kickoff to the competitive season for world’s best boat riders. As the northern hemisphere looks forward to the warmer months on the water, invited athletes make the trek down under to the Yarra River in the city of Melbourne, Victoria. 2024 marked the 63rd year of the tournament that coincides with the Melbourne Moomba Festival where over 100,000 attendees enjoy parades, carnivals, concerts and of course, the top waterski and wakeboard athletes competing for the first large prize purse of the year.

Preseason favorites going into the Moomba Masters were predicated on a healthy and injury-free Nic Rapa, Cory Teuneissen and 2023’s Pro Wakeboard Tour overall winner Tyler Higham on the men’s side with Meagan Ethell and Zahra Kell on the women’s side. Knowing that the athletes put in the work in the gym and on the water over the course of the off-season, coming out of the gate with a strong showing helps to set the tone for the next few months of competition while making a statement to the other riders that you are a force to be reckoned with.

Unfortunately for Australian rider Cory Teuneissen, an injury kept him from putting down a run that typically vaults him into the finals. With five World Champion titles to his name, and a strong and focused work ethic, injuries from time to time are the only thing keeping him from the podium. 

Another Aussie known for his focus and dedication and making it difficult for other riders when he is in top form, Nic Rapa entered 2024 with somewhere in the range of 25 professional wins under his belt. When asked how he approached this season with his years of winning experience behind him, Rapa confidently stated “This year feels no different to other years. I feel if it’s not broken don’t fix it!” That over simplifies how much hard work he has put in over the years. Diving a little deeper he admits, “Obviously always honing my craft and sharpening my tools, but I think working hard and staying motivated is huge the older I get. Always trying to keep testing my resilience,  mental and physical, and more than anything just make sure I am loving what I am doing. Always.”

Nic’s finals run consisted of many of the tricks one comes to expect from him with solid double flips (including a double indy tantrum), grabbed mobe 5s and his signature backside 720 into the flats. Dropping a run like this in the first big contest of the year, with sometimes less-than-favorable riding conditions, in front of a packed shoreline, it is no fluke that he made it look effortless. 

One of the top storylines from the 2023 season was the reemerged powerhouse rider Zahra Kell in the pro women’s division. Kell had taken a few years off from competing only to return and dominate. This year, with the pressure on in the finals after Mary Morgan Howell started off with two standup passes, Kell impressed the judges enough to take the win. When one of those judges is one of women’s wakeboarding top athletes of all time, fellow Aussie and legend of the sport. Amber Wing, it certainly can’t make the nerves easier to manage. “The final was so close,” said Wing. “They all rode clean and strong. It was so great to see such strength in the women’s field. To see top placements go to Aussie heros Zahra and Nic was an absolute highlight of the Moomba Festival.”

The post Nic Rapa and Zahra Kell Take Podium at Moomba Masters appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.