This past weekend the top wake surfers headed to Waco, Texas to compete in the 2018 US Wakesurf Nationals. Nautique Boats had the G23 dialed in with a great wave for all competitors and the action started off hot on Friday morning and ran through the weekend.
It is amazing to see how fast these kids are progressing. From juniors all the way to pro's, the level of riding was high. 7 year old juniors throwing regular and switch body variels. Amateur riders throwing down big airs and 3 shuvs and the pro riders just blew the roof off of it with multiple 540 tricks going down in every single run.
A big highlight was watching the guys tear it up in the Adaptive division. Stefan Leroy went on to win his first US National Title with some 360's and his signature superman pose while on the wave. Carter Hess and Nate Hamilton battled it out in the adaptive stand division. Carter would edge Nate out for the title but both guys were ripping all weekend.
Parker Payne and Jodi Grassman had great runs all weekend and both took home a very respectable 2nd place in the pro divisions. Drew Danielo hung in for a 4th place overall finish. John Akerman was killing it as usual and just came up short in the semi finals.
When the competition was over it was fun to relax with all the riders and families at BSR Cable park and enjoy good food and great waves in the the Wave pool. A highlight at the wave pool was watching John Akerman crush the wave paddling in on his skim board. Congratulations to all the new US National Champs and to everyone who came out and rode this weekend in the event. The future of wakesurfing is bright and I can not wait to see what the 2019 season will bring.
Big Thank You to The WWA, Nautique Boats, Rockstar Energy and the city of Waco, TX for having us.
Congrats to all of the Phase 5 riders that competed at Nationals!
Words by: Drew Danielo
Girls Division:
Boys 12 & under:
Mens Beginner Division: 1st Place Wally Grassman on the Phase 5 Leeo
Mens 18-29: 1st Place Shane Blanton on is Phase 5 Hammerhead
Adaptive Sit Division: 1st Place Stefan Leroy on the Phase 5 Diamond
Adaptive Stand Division: 1st Place Carter Hess
2nd Place Nate Hamilton on his Phase 5 Hammerhead
Knoxville enjoying the cloud cover
Veterans Division: 2nd Place Eric Grindland on is Phase 5 Hammerhead
Womens Pro Division: 2nd Place Jodi Grassman on her Phase 5 Leeo
Mens Pro Division: 2nd place Parker Payne on his Phase 5 Phantom
Finding a little shade in the BSR wave pool
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