Guides / By Skiers Choice Marketing
[Music] [Applause] We are back at it. It’s the 2024 Pro Wakeboard Tour presented by Supra Boats, and we’re here in Indianapolis for stop number one, hosted by Indie Boat.
Alexa Score: I’m Alexa Score, joined by Parks Bonifay. Parks, what do we need to know from last season? Parks Bonifay: It was a crazy season last year, a wild one to witness. If you missed it, here’s what went down in 2023. Injuries played a big role last year. Nick Raa and Cory Tunison, between those two, they’ve won every overall championship for the last five years. Their rivalry is thick, but they were injured off and on all last year. Gunther Oka was also injured all last season. He’s back riding cable and boat. Then we also have the personalities of La Familia with some characters. The Ditch Brothers, Sam Brown, MSI Perer Ready, and the one who took down the overall Championship, Tyler High. Everyone’s healthy, 2024 is a new year. It’s on; it’s going to be one to watch. Do not miss this.
Parks: Like you said, we’ve got all the characters, all the heavy hitters back and healthy. We are already setting the stage for an insane Pro Wakeboard final today. Let’s see what happened in semis. [Music] Athlete 1: Yeah, it was a little breezy out there for sure. Second pass, I had to keep in mind the wind was coming at me more. Stoked though. Athlete 2: It was pretty challenging out there. I got some bubbles, but I still stood up and did what I wanted. Just played it safe and put some points down. Athlete 3: Probably some of the toughest conditions I’ve ridden in. It was super windy. Tried to make the most of it. Happy to put down a mostly full stand-up run. Can’t complain. Athlete 4: I’ve been saying it for a long time now; it’s not just a couple of guys that can win these things; it’s a lot of people. Going down to semifinals and quarterfinals was crazy. Confident with how I did. We got seven in, so now it’s just a waiting game.
Alexa: The course is pretty good. You can manage really well since you only have seven tricks. All the La Familia boys in one heat—that’s kind of a bummer, but it’s going to be insane. I’m just happy I put seven down. I’m out here riding with everyone in the second round. We’ll see what everyone else does. Maybe I make it through, maybe I don’t. Regardless, still hitting the biz tonight. You know what it is. Athlete 5: I miss this. I miss hanging out with all the homies and being in the bib. It’s nice to be back. Not the exact run I was hoping for, but I’m stoked to make it to semis. The first round was gnarly. Unfortunately, got to leave this one up to the judges. Upsets happening left and right. We’ll see what happens. Athlete 6: Didn’t have the run I wanted. It was pretty windy. Fell twice, but still got the run done. Felt like I was trick skiing at the end but got seven done. Think it’ll be enough to make the final. Now I need to shape up for the final. Had some weird falls this weekend, so time to get it together. Athlete 7: From what I’ve seen and heard, the riders are ready to leave it all on the water today. Cory Tunison, Tyler High in the top seed, Thomas Herman’s in the final looking to get his first win of his career. Packed crowd on the shoreline. Mosi Milliano is fired up to ride in this crowd. We are in for a heater today. Buckle up.
Alexa: The format for this contest is different from what these guys are used to. It’s a no-fall scenario. Jet, having gone down in the semifinals, rethought his strategy. Unfortunately, Frankie went down on his first pass. Robert and Jet got in several tricks through Pass 1 and 2, but Jet sneaked in a couple extra. He went with all his consistent tricks and ended up pulling it out with the win. Jet, how does it feel to win stop number one? Jet: It feels pretty good. Didn’t do too well in semis but came out and knew what I had to do. We’re hyped. Alexa: What’s it like being in front of a crowd like this? Jet: It’s awesome. One of my first times with a big crowd. Glad to see everyone loves the sport and we’re growing. Alexa: What are you looking forward to most this season? Jet: Working hard, always want to be first. Tough competition, lots of kids coming up. They’re getting really good. We’re excited. Alexa: Congratulations. We’re excited too. See you next stop. Jet: Thank you.
Alexa: Pro Waker finals are done, but we also have the best junior pro wakeboarders out here today. Let’s check out their finals runs right now. Athlete 8: Here we are, the junior pro wakeboard final underway. Max SAA on the water, the youngest in the event. Impressive to watch him battle through these conditions. Strong wind, but the little dude persevered, rounded out in third position. Impressive. Athlete 9: Noah Ballard, really consistent, fun to watch. Unique tricks. First in the first round, squeaked out by Shion in the second. Shion Takaiwa from Japan, fun to watch. Japanese riders are super stylish. Congrats to Shion for taking it down in the two-round format. Alexa: I’m here with the winner of the junior pro event, Shion Takaiwa. You’re such a stylish rider. Double grab Hill 7 was impressive. How are you feeling after that big win? Shion: I’m stoked to win. Thankful for everyone who helped me.
Last season was nothing short of spectacular. Despite numerous injuries, athletes such as Nick Rapa and Cory Tunison dominated and continued their long-standing rivalry. Gunther Oka spent most of last year recovering but returned with a strong performance. Other standout riders included the Ditch Brothers and Tyler Higham. Now that everyone is back and healthy, the 2024 season promises to be even more competitive.
Indianapolis provided the perfect backdrop for the first stop of the 2024 PWT. The venue buzzed with excitement as fans lined the shores. Despite breezy conditions, the athletes prepared to showcase their skills. The weather added an extra layer of challenge, making each performance even more impressive.
The semi finals were intense due to challenging winds, but the riders delivered incredible performances. Athletes shared their experiences of navigating the tough conditions, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining control and executing their tricks. Despite the obstacles, the semifinals set the stage for an exhilarating final.
The Pro Wakeboard Finals did not disappoint. Riders brought their best tricks and executed them flawlessly. Thomas Herman, the hometown favorite, stole the show with his remarkable run, earning his first-ever Pro Wakeboard Tour win. His strategy and execution were impeccable, securing his victory and thrilling the local crowd.
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The Pro Wakesurf Finals introduced a unique format, pushing riders to rethink their strategies. Jet took the win by focusing on consistent, reliable tricks. Despite fierce competition, his approach paid off. Interviews with Jet and other top performers provided insights into their preparation and excitement for the season ahead.
The Junior Pro Wakeboard Finals highlighted the sport’s rising stars. Young athletes like Max Saia and Noah Ballard showcased their skills, battling through challenging conditions. Shion Takaiwa from Japan emerged victorious, impressing everyone with his unique style and technical prowess.
Jamie Lina, a respected judge, offered insights into what the judges prioritize. Execution and cleanliness were key, especially given the tough conditions. Riders needed to land with authority and precision to score well. This behind-the-scenes look provided valuable tips for aspiring wakeboarders.
The final standings revealed some surprising results. Despite tough conditions, riders like Luca Kid and Shota Tezuka delivered strong performances, securing their spots on the podium. Thomas Herman’s victory in his home state was a highlight, adding a special touch to the event.
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The Indianapolis stop of the 2024 Pro Wakeboard Tour set a high bar for the rest of the season. Watch the full show above to relive the action. Stay tuned to ProWakeboardTour.com for updates and join us at the next stop for more unforgettable moments.
