Harley claims third at Wakestock
Collingwood, ON - The final day at Wakestock was highlighted by sunny, hot weather and calm water, although an early morning thunderstorm threatened to put a damper on the day's festivities. Once the storm cleared, the day kicked into high gear as the world's best wakeboarders and wakeskaters took to the water of Collingwood Harbour to battle out the final rounds of the WWA World Series for an overall prize purse of $25,000 and the coveted Wakestock belts.
Wakestock Press Release
The action got under way in the Malibu Boats Pro Wakeskate Championships with a six-man semifinal. Leading the way into the final round was past Wakestock wakeskate champs, Stuart Shinn and Brian Grubb. They were also joined by Wakestock rookies Grant Roberts and local Ontario rider Dan Brown. In the end, it was Grubb walking away with the win; his 5th Wakestock title overall.
Up next was the Billabong Pro Wakeboard Championship, which saw a 16-man quarterfinal cut down to an eight-man semifinal. Canadians made a strong showing by filling up half of the field with Rusty Malinoski, Aaron Rathy, Olivier Derome and Raphael Derome all advancing.
The four-man final was comprised of the hottest riders in the world at the moment; Phillip Soven, the WWA World Series overall points leader, Aaron Rathy, the King of Wake overall points leader, Harley Clifford, the PWT overall points leader and Bob Soven, the Jr. Men's PWT point leader. Buoyed on by the hometown crowd, Aaron Rathy had two flawless passes, which included a Heelside Wrapped Back 7 and a Toeside Backside Off-axis 5 to take home the Wakestock title.
"This is unreal. I'm super stoked to win Wakestock," claims Rathy. "Especially considering how good everyone was riding here. The Wakestock crowd is so big and so close it really makes riding a lot of fun. Rusty [Malinoski] told me that I'm only the third Canadian ever to win along with him and Jeff Heer so it feels good to be in that company."
Wakestock is presented by Monster Energy in association with Billabong, Malibu Boats, Coors Light, Gordon Bar Marine, Paris Marine, SBC Skateboard Magazine and SBC Wakeboard Magazine.
Billabong Wakestock Pro Wakeboard Finals
1. Aaron Rathy, CAN
2. Phillip Soven, USA
3. Harley Clifford, AUS
4. Bob Soven, USA
Malibu Boats Wakestock Pro Wakeskate finals
1. Brian Grubb, USA
2. Grant Roberts, USA
3. Stuart Shinn, USA
4. Dan Brown, CAN
Wakestock is owned and produced by SBC Events Inc, an independent Canadian production company specializing in action sport & youth lifestyle marketing, in association with SBC Media Inc., publisher of leading action sports magazines SBC Skateboard, SBC Wakeboard, Snowboard Canada, SBC Surf, SBC Skier, Snowboard Women's Annual, SBC Ski & Snowboard Resort Guide, SBC Kiteboard, Windsport, SBC Action Sports Business magazines. "Wakestock" "Wakestock Festival" and "Wakestock Action Sports & Music Festival" are trademarks of SBC Media Inc. in Canada, the United States and/or other countries.