VIDEO: New Raphael Derome Edit -- "RAPH"

RAPH from Liquid Force on Vimeo.

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.

RAPHAEL DEROME IS NAMED THE BEST WAKEBOARDER ON THE PLANET
The World’s Best Put to the Ultimate Test: Boat, Big Air, and Park

TAMPA - July 14, 2012 – Approximately 25,000 amazed spectators lined the Garrison Channel at the Tampa Convention Center, turning the downtown community into an amphitheater fit for 40 of the world’s top wakeboarders. The three-day event hosted riders from eight different countries and showcased talent in Boat, Big Air, and Park. The camaraderie of the competitors only brought out the best in flips, tricks, and jam-packed action. In the end, a podium of riders would round off the world’s best in wake.  Winners Harley Clifford (Boat) and Raphael Derome (Big Air and Park) took home top prizes and bragging rights, with Raphael Derome of Canada sweeping the competition by claiming the overall title. 

The riders weren’t the only ones creating a wake out on the water. Technology was key in the Big Air and Park portions of the competition. The new Sesitec System 2.0 lead the athletes through the course, launching riders fifty feet into the air off the kickers, which wowed audiences both in-person and live on NBC’s Red Bull Signature Series. In true wakeboarding fashion, Malibu boats pulled the top athletes through timed runs and overall performance, held at Sun West in Hudson, Florida. 

“This was a long time coming for wakeboarding.  Red Bull stepped up and made everyone in the sport realize this is what wakeboarding should be,” said wakeboard legend Parks Bonifay, who hosted the live event on site each day. 

The contagious applause of the audience spoke for itself. Red Bull Wake Open’s innovative format of competition pushed the pros to their limits and provided a platform in advancing the sport as a whole.   Among the three days and three disciplines, it was Raphael Derome’s overall elite style of riding that won over the judges. 

“It was a lot of pressure and there was no room for mistake, so I went all out.  I knew I needed doubles to win and I went for them.  I’m super stoked I won,” said overall champion Raphael Derome.  Red Bull Wake Open is all about wakeboarding as a sport that encompasses all three disciplines.  And when it comes to competition, each rider brings something different to the water, being an expert at one field of the sport over the other. 

 “I’ve always been trying to ride all three events; boat, cable and rails,” stated winner Raphael Derome.  “I love all three aspects, and to ride a contest that is actually rewarding that kind of riding is a really big opportunity for me.” 

The number of fans in attendance at the Tampa Convention Center and surrounding areas created an economic splash in the hosting community. As well, 17 local artists had the chance to shine in the Wake Art Project, using wakeboards as their canvas and following the theme, “what gives you wiiings?”  The winning Wake Art boards were presented to the top riders as commemorative trophies of their time at Red Bull Wake Open in Tampa. 

For media inquiries, please contact Whitney Gonzales at 512.705.6762 / whitney.gonzales@us.redbull.com. In addition to presenting sponsor Casio G’zOne Commando, the event included Malibu Boats as the official towboat of the Red Bull Wake Open.  B-roll and still photography is available to all media at www.RedBullContentPool.com. 

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ABOUT THE RED BULL SIGNATURE SERIES Watch Red Bull Wake Open Live on Saturday, July 14 at 1 pm ET / 10 am PT on NBC.  The event airs as part of the “Red Bull Signature Series," the most progressive and innovative wakeboarding, surfing, mountain biking, freestyle motocross and snowboarding events, showcased on custom courses from the inspiration of the athletes themselves. For more information, visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com. 

Photo Credit:
Red Bull Content Pool / RS: Robert Snow -or- CG: Chris Garrison -or- CP: Christian Pondella

Raphael Derome Wins Big Air At Red Bull Wake Open

Red Bull Wake Open - Big Air Finals
Downtown Tampa blew up tonight, as 20 of the world's best wakeboarders competed for the Big Air title at Red Bull Wake Open. 

Towed by two System 2.0 cableways, the riders threw down huge tricks off four different kickers and pushed the entire sport of wakeboarding in a progressive direction tonight. Canada's Raphael Derome took top honors, landing multiple double rolls and sealing the deal by stomping a switch heelside 1080.

Final Results:
1. Raphael Derome (Canada)
2. Brenton Priestly (Australia)
3. Raphael Derome  (Canada)
4. Daniel Grant (Thailand)

For more information, please visit www.redbullusa.com/wakeopen and follow @redbullTPA for real-time updates.

Watch Park finals LIVE on NBC -- Saturday 1-3 p.m. EST.

Public are encouraged to attend:

Tampa Convention Center
333 South Franklin Street

Event time:

Sat., July 14 (12 p.m. - 3 p.m.) 

Red Bull Wake Open BOAT Results

Red Bull Wake Open -- BOAT Event

Towed by Malibu Wakesetter MXZ  

1. Harley Clifford

2. Rusty Malinoski

3. Raphael Derome

4. Adam Errington

5t. Phil Soven

5t. Steel Lafferty

7t. Shane Bonifay

7t. Danny Harf

9t. JD Webb

9t. Daniel Powers

9t. Shota Tezuka

9t. Chris O’Shea

Full story and image gallery to come... 

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!

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