5 Questions With Raph Derome

After a banner year in 2012, Raph Derome found himself on two magazine covers and winning “Best Wakeboarder” and “Rider Of The Year” with TransWorld WAKEBOARDING and Alliance WAKEBOARD, respectively. He won many events all over the world, highlighted by his coveted, overall victory at the inaugural Red Bull Wake Open. Here is where Raph’s head is at coming into 2013.

1.) Now that it’s Spring of a new season, what is your perspective on last season and all of your success?

It was amazing. I had a lot of fun and it was great to be back riding and traveling. Everything has really motivated me to figure out my plan for this 2013 season.

2.) What are your goals behind your WAKESETTER 22 MXZ this season?

I would honestly just like to ride more and have fun behind my boat. I didn’t get to ride that much behind the boat last year with all the contests and traveling. And the year before, I had my elbow injury so hopefully, I can get out and ride a lot this year.

3.) You are a creative rider on all levels. What do you think can be some areas for progression behind the boat?

Hard to say. But I believe the best progression happens naturally.

4.) Your lifestyle seems to be a little cleaner than a lot of other pros, how to you resist the urge to fall into the rockstar lifestyle?

I don’t know, I do my own things. I guess I’m just not a rockstar.

5.) What advice would you give to young aspiring pros, and those just looking to have fun and learn a few tricks this year? What is the key to keeping the fire and passion for wakeboarding?

You need to just ride and appreciate the present. I meet a lot of people who have a strong desire to become pro. To have fun, they need to become pro. Once the dream doesn’t happen, they stop riding. But that’s not what it’s all about. When wakeboarding is not going well, people should do something else, like go skateboarding or pick up a guitar. But always give it another shot.

Tags: Malibu Boats |

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.) 

Boat Event Goes Big And Stylish -- Red Bull Wake Open

Red Bull Wake Open – Day One

Riders Go Big And Stylish For The Boat Event

Blue skies and calm waters set the stage to kick off the Red Bull Wake Open on Thursday, starting with the Boat event towed by a Malibu Wakesetter MXZ. Red Bull chose a scenic mining location north of Tampa, Florida with fresh, blue/green water and white sand beaches.

A new format was implemented, which gave riders two passes, and their best five-trick pass would be scored. With plenty of room to land five tricks comfortably, this format encouraged style, individualism and huge airs into the flats. One requirement changed this event in a big way; riders had to include one trick consisting of a 360 or less. We saw lots of stylish straight airs, backside 180’s and boned out 3’s, all way into the flats.

Arriving straight from Australia, just in time for the event, Harley Clifford was adapting well to the new format, starting out his finals run with a massive stalefish backside 360. “Yeah, the format was sick and it was cool to see everyone’s different airs. Rusty [Malinoski] was doing that rad melon to indy backside 180, and just everyone was mixing it up.”

Adam Errington also launched the biggest airs of the day, boosting a nose/indy backside 180, and a crazy heelside 360 rewind. All the riding was captured with the best high-speed action cameras in the world and the footage will air LIVE on NBC as part of the Red Bull Signature Series on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. EST.

The four-man final consisted of Harley, Rusty, Adam and Raphael Derome. Taking third, Raphael was really pumped considering this was a huge score to add to his odds of winning the coveted overall title with Big Air and Park events remaining. Rusty looked really strong all day and had an unfortunate crash on his huge stale roll to blind. That may have been the deal breaker that landed Rusty in second behind Harley Clifford’s five-trick banger pass and double up. Be sure to watch NBC on Saturday to see his epic run!

Harley was super pumped on the Boat event and has a great perspective on the remaining events, “This really pumped me up to try and do well in Big Air and Park, which is an environment I don’t normally compete in, but it’s going to be really fun.”

RESULTS

1. Harley Clifford  (AUS)

2. Rusty Malinoski  (CAN)

3. Raphael Derome  (CAN)

4. Adam Errington  (SCT)

For more information, visit www.redbullusa.com/wakeopen and follow @redbullTPA for real-time updates. All the action is open to the public from 4-8 p.m. with the Big Air competition at the Tampa Convention Center.

Tampa Convention Center

333 South Franklin Street

Big Air: Fri., July 13 (4:00pm-8:00pm)

Park: Sat., July 14 (12:00pm-3:00pm)

Wakesetter MXZ Driver: Brian Grubb

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... 

Innovative "BOAT" Format: Red Bull Wake Open

Wakeboarding's top contest organizers and pro riders got together to discuss a forward-thinking strategy for the BOAT format at Red Bull Wake Open. This event is one of three categories (BIG AIR, PARK) and will take place Thursday, July 12. The venue is closed to the public, but the footage will air on NBC from 1-3 p.m. EST on Sat., July 14 as part of the Red Bull Signature Series. 

Viewers can expect to be psyched on the production quality, as the sport's top filmers will be on the water, ground, and in the air with the best high-speed cameras in the world. Spectators (and boaters) are encouraged to come out for BIG AIR and PARK finals in downtown Tampa on Friday and Saturday (schedule below).

The panel discussed the current wake formats, what would look good on TV, and having a consistent format across multiple disciplines to put on the best show for a mainstream audience. The conclusion appeared in the following format:

• Each rider gets two opportunities (passes) at a five-trick run. 
• To push style elements, one of these tricks are required to be a 360 or less (360, 180, straight air). 
• At the end of two passes, each rider will get a double up of their choice (semis and finals only).
• Judges are looking for style, execution, diversity, amplitude and difficulty.

Malibu Wakesetter MXZ: Official Towboat

The 20 invited riders will battle it out through the following system:

Qualifying Round: 4 rounds of 5 riders (top 2 transfer)

Semis: 2 rounds of 4 riders (top 2 transfer)

Finals: 1 round of 4 riders


Judges: Rob Corum, Ryan Wolfe, Ben Greenwood

BIG AIR Event:

Friday, July 13 4-8 p.m.

PARK Event:

Saturday, July 14 12-3 p.m.

Tampa Convention Center

333 South Franklin Street

Tampa, FL 33602

INVITED RIDERS

(more to be included in Big Air and Park)

Shane Bonifay, Harley Clifford, Raphael Derome, Olivier Derome, Adam Errington, Tom Fooshee, Danny Harf, Randall Harris, Keith Lidberg, Steel Lafferty, Rusty Malinoski, Chris O'Shea, Daniel Powers, Aaron Rathy, Chad Sharpe, Dean Smith, Phil Soven, Shota Tezuka, JD Webb

Malibu Wakesetter MXZ Will Tow Red Bull Wake Open

The world’s best wakeboarders are amping over what could be the best event of the summer, if not ever, for the sport of wakeboarding. Tampa, Florida will host the Red Bull Wake Open, part of the Red Bull Signature Series, on July 12-14, showcasing three categories of competition: Boat, Big Air and Park.

Malibu Boats will be the official towboat of the Boat segment and has chosen team wakeskater Brian Grubb as the driver of the 22-foot, supercharged Wakesetter MXZ. As a judge on the King Of Wake Tour, Grubb is in tune with the top tier of today’s riding, and knows how a boat needs to deliver. “I just got to drive and ride behind the actual Red Bull Wake Open MXZ at Malibu’s 2013 catalog shoot and this boat is insane,” Grubb said. “This hull and the driver controls will allow us to jack up the wake and will inspire the best wake riding possible. I’m excited to see what will go down.”

Malibu Wakesetter MXZ

This rider-influenced format will involve two passes and the rider can throw out their lower-scoring pass. Then, the run will end with a double up of their choice. The Boat event will take place on Thursday, July 12 at Sunwest Harbourtowne (a.k.a. “Blue Lake #2”). This man-made quarry sits north of Tampa and will be a great spot for photos and video, with its aqua-marine, bright blue water. Malibu’s Director Of Marketing, Nick Skally, is psyched for the event and the opportunity to partner with a powerhouse like Red Bull, “We’ve always respected what Red Bull has done with their Signature Series and unique event formats like the Wake Open are a testament to their forward thinking, progressive nature.”  Skally continued, “So, when we were looking to partner with someone and tow an event, the Red Bull Wake Open was an obvious choice.”

With use of a helicopter and the best cameras in the world, the high-quality footage will be edited and featured on NBC with the other events from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Big Air will also be pre-recorded and the Park final will go down live. Malibu wishes the best of luck to team riders Phil Soven, Chad Sharpe, Olivier and Raphael Derome.

Boat Event: Invited Riders

(more to be included in Big Air and Park)

Shane Bonifay, Harley Clifford, Raphael Derome, Olivier Derome, Adam Errington, Tom Fooshee, Danny Harf, Randall Harris, Keith Lidberg, Steel Lafferty, Rusty Malinoski, Shaun Murray, Chris O'shea, Aaron Rathy, Erik Ruck, Chad Sharpe, Dean Smith, Phil Soven, Shota Tezuka, JD Webb

Schedule

Fri., July 13 (4:00pm-8:00pm)

Sat., July 14 (12:00pm-3:00pm)

Free admission; all ages

Boat Venue

Sunwest Harbourtowne                            

17251 Old Dixie Hwy

Hudson, FL 34667

727-863-1556

Park & Big Air Venue

Tampa Convention Center

333 South Franklin Street

Tampa, FL 33602

Twitter
@malibuboats

@redbullTPA

#wakeopen

Facebook

facebook.com/malibuboatsfan

facebook.com/redbull

Websites
malibuboats.com

redbullusa.com/wakeopen

CONTACTS

Malibu Boats

Kevin Michael kevinmichael@malibuboats.com

Red Bull

Whitney Gonzales whitney.gonzales@us.redbull.com

ABOUT THE RED BULL SIGNATURE SERIES
The Red Bull Signature Series is 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, visit www.redbullsignatureseries.com


ABOUT MALIBU BOATS
For thirty years, Malibu Boats have maxed out your experience on the water. Whether you wakeboard, ski or just want to hang out with family and friends, we have a boat for everyone and every budget. With meticulous attention to detail and development input from today's top pros, there's a reason why Malibu is the number one, best selling boat in the world. And owners will agree, there's just something way cool about the Malibu vibe that is unmatched    by any other experience. Visit malibuboats.com to check out the line and even build your own boat.