Aug 12, 2012
Author: SBCWakeboard.com
Monster Energy Wakestock's final day featured a stacked field of over 30 of the planet's best wakeboarders and wakeskaters including several past Wakestock Champions and several young, up-and-coming talents battling it out for a combined $25,000 prize purse, WWA World Series points and the coveted Wakestock titles.
Every rider was excited to take advantage of the game changing wakes of the new G23 Super Air Nautique, including a shot at a special $5,000 Nautique award for landing a never-been-landed trick off the wake in a competition. Monster Energy and Wakestock had stepped it up with a custom coloured Nautique G23 complete with special Monster graphics inside and out to create one of the sickest looking boats ever.
Jimmy Lariche. Roth photo
Phil Soven. Roth photo
The day started with 16 of the top wakeboarders in the world battling it out in a 4 heat/4-man quarterfinal round, including defending champion Harley Clifford and past Wakestock champion Phil Soven. The field also included wakeboard heavy hitters JD Webb, Shane Bonifay, Jimmy Lariche, Dean Smith, Andrew Adkison and Daniel Powers. Canadians also riding on Sunday included past Wakestock champ Aaron Rathy, Olivier Derome, Kyle Rattray, Jess Polley, Christian Primrose, Robbie McMillin and Chris Sinkic.
With challenging conditions, Clifford was second off the dock in the 8-man final and threw down a run that included his signature Front Mobe 5, Nose Grab Crow Mobe 5, Toe 9 and Heel 7. Despite their best efforts, neither Aaron Rathy or Phil Soven could match Clifford’s run, allowing the Australian to continue his hot streak this year and defend his Wakestock title.
Harley Clifford. Roth photo
"I’m super pumped on defending my title at Wakestock,” said Clifford. “It was such an awesome weekend: this is event is always awesome, the partying was sick, the girls were awesome, and the crowd was awesome, so it was good times."
Aaron Rathy. Roth photo
Aaron Rathy continued his stellar performance record at Wakestock, adding another podium finish giving him the most Wakestock trophies in the history of the event.
“Doing the eight man final was pretty cool,” said Rathy. “There were a lot of young guys in there. Christian Primrose really rode well this weekend; it was cool to see him in the finals. He was the first one out and threw down with two stand up runs. Everyone rode well. The conditions weren't great, but the wake behind the Nautique G23 was really good. And the rails are always fun. It was a good contest. Harley went out with a bad seeding which is kind of rare. So he was 4th to last off the dock. But he killed it and set the bar and the rest of us just chased it.”
James Balzer. Roth photo
The Monster Energy Wakestock Pro Men’s Wakeskate presented by Nautique Boats and Rip Curl saw familiar faces in the final with the defending champ Brian Grubb and Canada’s own James Balzer. Everyone threw down solid runs and it was Balzer coming out on top to claim his first ever pro title. Grubb and 14-year old Austin Polterock placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
“It’s finally good to win a big contest and even better that it's Wakestock,” said Balzer. “It was a crazy weekend riding in rough water but it's still a contest out there. We pulled it together for the Finals getting some good riding in. It's always a battle out there and it's just sick to win."
Pro Men's Wakeskate Podium (Left to right): Austin Polterock, 3rd, James Balzer, 1st, Brian Grubb, 2nd. Roth photo
WWA World Series Pro Men's Wakeboard Podium (left to right): Phil Soven, 3rd, Harley Clifford, 1st, Aaron Rathy 2nd
MONSTER ENERGY WAKESTOCK WWA WAKEBOARD WORLD SERIES PRO MEN’S WAKEBOARD
Presented by Nautique and Rip Curl
Semi Final (top 2 advance)
Heat 1
1. Harley Clifford AUS 90.00
2. Olivier Derome CAN 76.67
3. Jimmy Lariche USA 63.33
4. Robbie McMillin CAN 45.00
Heat 2
1. Aaron Rathy CAN 66.67
2. Christian Primrose CAN 58.33
3. Kyle Rattray CAN 45.00
4. JD Webb USA 43.33
Heat 3
1. Andrew Adkison USA 56.67
2. Shane Boinfay USA 49.33
3. Danny Thollander USA 46.67
4. Chris Sinkic CAN 33.33
Heat 4
1. Phil Soven USA 75.00
2. Dean Smith AUS 65.00
3. Jess Polley CAN 60.00
4. Daniel Powers USA 51.67
Final
1. Harley Clifford AUS 93.33
2. Aaron Rathy CAN 88.33
3. Phil Soven USA 86.00
4. Dean Smith AUS 83.33
5. Olivier Derome CAN 68.33
6. Christian Primrose CAN 66.67
7. Shane Bonifay USA 61.67
8. Andrew Adkison USA 53.33
MONSTER ENERGY WAKESTOCK PRO MEN’S WAKESKATE
Presented by Nautique and Rip Curl
Semi-finals (top 2 advance)
Heat 1
1. James Balzer CAN 76.67
2. Dan Brown CAN 50.00
3. Dan Seguin CAN 30.00
4. Brady Hicks CAN 21.67
Heat 2
1. Brian Grubb USA 80.00
2. Austin Polterock USA 53.33
3. Tommy Bailey CAN 36.67
4. Aaron McKinney CAN 18.33
Final
1. James Balzer CAN 73.33
2. Brian Grubb USA 63.33
3. Austin Polterock USA 43.33
4. Dan Brown CAN 33.33
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