The Games, part of the Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest, showcased some of the best talent in Wakeboarding, BMX and Skateboarding.
The World’s best wakeboarders hit the estuary waters to battle for $15,000 of prize money over the course of the weekend, including two time world champion Jeff Weatherall (NZ) and America’s supreme talent Trevor Hansen and Shawn Watson. Current world champion Dean Smith (NSW) was a special guest judge at the event as he recovers from a serious ankle injury that kept him from competing in Mandurah.
The heats on the Saturday began in perfect conditions however the field of 20 riders had to fight choppy waters as the southerly winds picked up in the afternoon. The impressive field also included two female riders, Amber Wing (NSW) and Marcey Wallstead (WA). Wing, the 2009 National Champion is now based out of Orlando and travels the world competing professionally. The talent shone through as 12 riders, including Trevor Hansen, Shawn Watson and Chris O’Shea progressed to Sunday’s finals. Also advancing through to the finals were WA local wakeboarders Kuri Wickliffe of Baldivis and Dylan Odorisio of Waroona.
Wickliffe was stoked to be up against some of his wakeboarding heroes in the competition.
“I have met a few of these guys before, but it is a real treat for me to be wakeboarding alongside them. This is the first international event I have ever been part of, and I think we have achieved a great level of exposure for our sport here in Mandurah this weekend,” said Wickliffe.
But it was 17 year old “child wakeboarding prodigy” Harley Clifford who took home the first place prize of $6,000, achieving an unbelievable score of 80.78 and wowing the judges and audience with every manoeuvre. Clifford, who has been described as the Tiger Woods of wakeboarding, spends his time between his hometown of Queensland and Orlando in the USA which is known as the wakeboarding mecca of the world.
“This is my first time to WA and it’s been great. This is definitely the best wakeboarding event in Australia and I’m really looking forward to heading back next year and taking the tough competition on again,” said Clifford.
Clifford has been wakeboarding at pro level for the last 5 years, and is so successful that he even has his own pro model board and a list of sponsors backing him. His win today will also land him cash bonuses in sponsorship incentives.
After the main competition on Sunday afternoon, the Double Up Big Air Competition was held in front of the eastern foreshore. PSA Ski Boats and Mastercraft did a wonderful job towing the competitors as they raised the bar to perform the biggest aerial manoeuvres. Again, Harley Clifford took home the first place prize of $1,500, proving why he is so well respected among his wakeboarding peers. Nipping closely at his heels were Brenton Priestly and Victoria’s freestyle rider Chris O’Shea.
The musical talent of some of WA’s best, including Abbe May, The Novocaines, Split Seconds, Emporors and Young Revelry were showcased across the weekend at the Eventscorp stage set up amidst the action.
The City of Mandurah’s Manager of Community Services, Tim Hartland expressed the City’s excitement at hosting some of the best wakeboarders in the world, as well as a high class field of skateboarders and BMX riders.
“The 2011 Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest and Mandurah Action Sports Games has been the biggest event of its kind in Mandurah and a massive undertaking for all the City of Mandurah staff and volunteers.”
“The CEO Mr Mark Newman and Mayor Paddi Creevey have expressed their excitement about the future of this format of event in Mandurah. The City will be working closely with event promoters, One Sports, to deliver an even bigger event in 2012,” said Mr Hartland.
Stay tuned for a full, behind-the-scenes wrap up of the event in Issue 6.
