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 |

First-Ever Malibu Boats WWA Pro Card Qualifier Kicks Off April 13th

Wakeboarding’s Newest Contest Format Officially Categorizes Pro Riders

The first wakeboard event of its kind to truly designate professional riders from their amateur counterparts, the Malibu Boats WWA Pro Card program kicks off in the sport’s mecca, Orlando, on April 13. The one-day card qualifier, held at one of the sport’s newest and freshest venues, Freedom Wake Park, allows riders a chance to earn a 2013 WWA Malibu Pro Card and qualify to ride in any WWA Pro Men division contest anywhere in the world.

Plenty of amazing riding will be going down at Freedom, a new Orlando training complex and home site of pros Cobe and Tara Mikacich. Pulled by the all-new Malibu WAKESETTER 22 MXZ, the Pro Card Qualifier is expected to attract some of the region’s top-ranked Junior Men, including Mike Dowdy, Jacob Valdez, Gordon Harrison and others.

Click here for more info and registration!


About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sport sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Rider Experience and WWA Pro Card. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is the global leader in the sport of wake. The WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com.

Tags: Malibu Boats |