Malibu WWA PRO CARD Qualifier At Freedom Wake Park In Orlando

New Format Legitimizes Pro Wakeboarders

Glass calm water and a huge wake set the stage at Freedom Wake Park in Orlando on April 13 for the first-ever Malibu WWA PRO CARD wakeboarding qualifier, a development project by the World Wakeboard Association designed to fuel the vitality of competitive wakeboarding long into the future.

With an opportunity to secure a spot as a legitimate professional competitive wakeboarder, 20 riders competed for 16 cards on the day. The heats were stacked and the wake behind the Malibu WAKESETTER 22 MXZ was banging. In the four-man final, camaraderie outweighed the riders’ competitive nature, but they all pushed each other to throw down.

Bryant Thomas, Chad Sharpe, Oli Derome, Brian Grubb & Dean Smith

19-year-old Mike Dowdy was the favorite coming into the event and he proved why, landing a backside 720, Moby Dick 540, toeside 900, nosegrab crow mobe 540 and more, including his signature heelside double grab (nose/stale) ole’ 720.

Mike Dowdy rides to victory and scores his PRO CARD.

That run put Dowdy in the top spot as winner of the first-ever Malibu WWA Pro Card Event. Dowdy was psyched on his result and appreciates the new structure created by the PRO CARD system.

“I think the PRO CARD is awesome,” Dowdy said. “Anyone who thinks they are, or can be a pro rider now has this opportunity to prove it. I was super stoked to come out with the win at the first event and the conditions were perfect. Everyone is killing it. All my friends were out here riding as well today and we are all having fun just pushing it and becoming better riders every day. There’s definitely a movement going on with this crew and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Finalists Ben Allbright, Stephen Pierce, Christian Primrose and Mike Dowdy

The Malibu WWA PRO CARD was the first of five events for 2013. The remaining regional events will consist of PRO CARD qualifiers and the “Rider Experience,” which will be events designed to help amateurs develop into pros. Check out more at http://wwariderexperience.com.

Tags: Malibu Boats |

VIDEO: Oli Derome On AllianceWake.com

Check out this sick edit of Oli Derome getting back into the swing behind Phil Soven’s WAKESETTER 22 MXZ.

CLICK HERE:

http://www.alliancewake.com/wake/getting-back-into-it-with-olivier-derome/

Tags: Malibu Boats |

New Video “TEMPO SHIFT” Makes A Splash Online

With a timed release on MalibuBoats.com, YouTube, Vimeo and Viddler, Malibu’s new video “TEMPO SHIFT” highlights all the action from our 2013 catalog shoot and more, including our Pro Team, new boats and SURF GATE! Click the image to view!



Tags: Malibu Boats |

Malibu Pro Team Shines In TransWorld Reader's Poll

After winning the Red Bull Wake Open overall title and scoring the cover of TransWorld WAKEBOARDING's October 2012 issue, Raphael Derome landed in 8th place. With a hit series on MTV called WakeBrothers and multiple wins on the King Of Wake Tour, Phillip Soven took the 9th spot. Olivier Derome, with a prime time part in Slingshot's team video, LIPSMACK, rounded out the Reader's Poll in 10th.

After Amber Wing signed with Malibu in March 2012, this former Queen Of Wake had another stellar season on tour. Her worldwide popularity, sick style and engagement through social media helped her land in the top spot for women. Dallas Friday proved her vitality in the sport once again by securing the 3rd spot.

In wakeskating, Brian Grubb took a respectable 2nd place. With multiple podium finishes, popular web videos and appearances around the globe, Grubb had another impressive season and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Sick Video Cut: Olivier Derome "LIPSMACK RESIDUE"

Olivier Derome Residue from Slingshot Sports Wake on Vimeo.

You are watching bonus footage of Olivier from the LIPSMACK film sessions. Download the entire Slingshot Team Feature Video, LIPSMACK for $9.99 on iTunes here.

BIG WINS! Masters, King Of Wake and more

53rd MASTERS WATERSKI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regina Jaquess: 1st Womens Slalom

Thomas Degasperi: 2nd Mens Slalom

Phillip Soven: 1st Mens Wake

Amber Wing: 3rd Womens Wake

Freddie Wayne: 2nd Jr. Men Wake

Thomas Degasperi & Regina Jaquess

TSR CABLESTOCK

May 3-6

Raphael Derome: 1st Place in Cable and Boat Events

tsrcablestock.com

CIE SPRING RIDE -- Lake Tulloch, California

May 4-6

Towed by: Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ

Best Trick: Phil Aslinger (Axis rider) -- huge HS back mobe

Biggest Air: Chad Sharpe -- Indy Glide

More Photos

VIDEO

MEXICO PRO SLALOM

May 6

Thomas Degasperi -- 1st (5 @ 41' off)

Nick Parsons -- 2nd

WWA BRAZILIAN WAKEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mundial Wakeboard 2012

May 4-6

Phil Soven -- 1st

2012 WAKE GAMES -- Orlando, Florida

April 11-14

Phil Soven -- 1st Pro Men

Oliver Derome lands wake-to-wake switch TS 1080!

2011 Malibu Boats Factory Pro Team

The Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Pro Team got together late last summer to film this short video. Riders Chad Sharpe (@ChadESharpe), Kevin Henshaw (@KevinHenshaw), Phillip Soven (@PhillipSoven) and Olivier Derome (@OliDerome) joined skiers Will Asher (@WillAsher), Thomas Degasperi and Drew Ross behind their 2011 Malibu Boats. This video will get your competitive juices flowing with "Bring on the Competition" from R&R in addtion to inspired performances by these Malibu boat owners. Check it out!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Team Malibu | Factory Pro Team | Chad Sharpe | Kevin Henshaw | Phillip Soven | Olivier Derome | Will Asher | Thomas Degasperi | Drew Ross | water skiing | wakeboarding | ski boats | wakeboard boats

SBC Reports Raph Derome as the Best on Rails

Canadian Malibu boat (@MalibuBoats) owner Raphael Derome joins his brother Olivier as one of the most promising wakeboarders moving up through the ranks right now. Specifically, Raph is being pointed out for his rail-shreddin expertise. SBC Wakeboard (@SBCWakeboard) made this bold statement yesterday and backed it up with a telling video. "Raph Derome: The Best Rail Rider In The World?"

Read the title, then watch the video and make up your own mind. Also remember that Raph has won the two biggest rails contests in the world this summer: the Nokia Fise and Red Bull Wake the line. We already know where we stand on this one and if Raph doesn't win Rail Rider of the Year at the Wake Awards, we're filling an official protest. A big thanks to Jonathan Ferguson and the Still Not Famous crew for the video. - Reposted from sbcwakeboard.com.

We'll keep you posted on the results for Rail Rider of the Year at the Wake Awards. It's hard not to agree with SBC, after seeing the video. Amazing! Malibu Boats is pulling for you Raph!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Raphael Derome | Olivier Derome | Team Malibu | rails | sliders | Canadian | SBC+Wakeboard | video | wakeboarding | Wake Awards