Wakeboard Tournament winners announced

BY Dave Dain

The weather and water conditions could not have been better for the riders participating in the Canyon Lake Wakeboard Club’s second tournament of the year. The event was held at the north ski area. Dave Clarke and Chris Hofmann shared the driving duties throughout the day.

The Minis were the first riders to kick off the day. It was a barn burner of a battle between five riders. Sawyer Clarke, Wyatt Brown and Charlotte Richie, who are veterans to the class, had their hands full with newcomers Harper Clarke and Hadlee Card. Just like the first round, the judges’ scorecards came back with the exact same scores for all riders. That made for a crowded top spot on the podium. The biggest battle of the day in the Minis was who got to ride with Wyatt Brown.

The Beginner Division was also a five-rider battle between Skyler Murphy, Mason Brown, Alondra Vogel, Rylee Moorhead and Hank Hauger. Remarkably, the Beginners ended in the same fashion as the Minis. Unable to determine an outright winner, the top spot on the podium was, once again, very crowded.

The WakeSkate Division proved to be one of the most competitive classes of the day, featuring a four-rider battle between Craig Brown, Dave Clarke, John Triolo and Tyler Clarke. The riders all did numerous surface tricks, making judging extremely close. Dave’s run impressed the judges the most, giving him the win. John Triolo finished a close second with Tyler taking the final spot on the podium.

Ava Hymas, Jovina Vogel, Samantha Triolo and Justice Barnes were next to hit the water in the Junior Novice Division. The battle was close between Ava, Jovina and Samantha, but there was still one rider to go. Justice’s run was packed with multiple big airs, giving him a decisive win. Jovina and Samantha rounded out the podium in second and third respectively.

The Novice Division featured a two-rider between Ethan Mitchell and Mercedes Hutt. Mercedes’s bag of tricks proved to be just a bit better than Ethan’s, giving her the win.

Once again, Reyna Barnes in the Women’s Division and Jason Vogel in the Vet’s Division went uncontested. Despite being uncontested, both riders gave it their all and put in a couple of the best runs of the day.

Bridgette Sisco, Crystal Hofmann and Anela Richie were the three competitors in the Women’s Master Division. Bridgette was the first off the dock and put in a smooth run that set the tone for the class. Crystal and Anela also put in equally great runs. In the end, Crystal outlasted the other riders to take the win. Bridgette followed close in second with Anela taking third.

Chris Hofmann and Craig Brown battled it out in the Master’s Division. Both riders were pretty-equally matched, but Chris’s run proved to be a bit better and edged out Craig for the win.

The Legend’s Division was the final division of the day. The battle was hotly contested between John Triolo and Dave Clarke. John put in a great ride with multiple surface tricks and wake to wake jumps. Dave followed up with equally great runs but his final trick, a wake to wake 180, proved to be a deciding factor giving him the win.

The final tournament of the year is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19. For more information, visit canyonlakewakeboardclub.com.