LAKE ALFRED, Fla. – The first Malibu WWA Rider Experience of the 2016 season took place this past weekend, May 13-15, at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. Riders and fans in attendance were greeted with sunny-blue skies, warm weather and a beautiful mountainous backdrop. The event also featured the second Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier of the season, which was won by Ryan Platt (Arizona) for the second year in a row behind the first-class wake of Malibu’s Wakesetter 25 LSV.
 
A record number of participants were on hand for the Malibu Rider Experience West, including athletes from five different Western states (Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, and Oregon) who were looking to fine tune their skills. Promising talented young riders on hand were able to hangout and land new tricks with the help of Malibu’s professional men and women riders, such as Oli Derome, Jeff Langley, Tarah Mikacich, Amber Wing and Chad Sharpe.
 
Rocker Steiner (Texas) claimed the win in the always-competitive Boys division. He may be small in size, but his strong riding style is comparative to the best. Just behind him were Alex Albin (California) and Maxim Sitnikov (California). Elle Christensen (Utah) used a set of clean inverts and grabs to nail the winning run in Jr. Women (10-18), edging out Alyssa Williams (California) and Lexi Gonzales (California).
 
Masters Men witnessed Tim Walters (California) dominate the competition with technical tricks, followed by Luke Fouriner (Arizona) and Jason Allison (California). Ashton Davis (Utah) won the Jr. Boys division, while Blake Landon (Utah) won the Boys Beginner.
 
In Jr. Men (14-18), Bryce Grey (Australia) emerged victorious over Gus Reed (Colorado) and Darin Delgado (California). The Women division provided plenty of action as Kaley McNay (Oregon) boosted her backroll to take the win ahead of Whitney White (Nevada).
 
Local Nevada talent battled it out for the top spot in Men I (19-24). However, it was Ryan Kloski that used an impressive run to edge out Joshua Johnson. In Men II (25-29), competition was close with Corbin Blanton (Wisconsin) taking a narrow victory over Tyler Clarke (California) and Kevin Hutts (Wisconsin).
 
One of the most exciting divisions of the day was Jr. Girls, which included Harmony Lawhon (California) laying down a run of diverse jumps, 180’s and ollies en route to the top of the charts. Her brother, Candan Lawhon (California), kept the successful family weekend alive by recording the Jr. Boys Beginner win.
 
The star-studded field of the Jr. Pro Men division was filled with talent from across the world, including United States, Australia, Canada, Korea, Japan and Great Britain. As the talented lineup of riders took the water, Clayton Holladay, Lewy Watt and Cobe France led their respective semifinal heats to earn their spot in the upcoming finals.
 
A standup run consisting of a heelside 720, nose grab crowmobe and batwing to blind by Lewy Watt (Australia) helped him steal the judges' attention and secure the Jr. Pro final victory. The runner-up position went to Cobe France (Australia) and Tyler Higham (USA) rounded out the podium in third.
 
Completing a weekend full of fun-filled events was Surf Gate Sunday that welcomed men and women of all ages to experience a fun laidback day in the sun behind Malibu's surf gate. The popular activity was a big hit, including many new faces, which were on hand for their first experience and thanks to Malibu's great surf wake there were no issues showcasing talent on the water.
 
The Rider Experience South and third Malibu WWA Pro Card Qualifier of the 2016 season is set to take place on the waters of Hyco Lake in Roxboro, North Carolina on June 3-5.
 
Pro Card Qualifier Final
1. Ryan Platt (Arizona) – 89.50
 
Jr. Pro Men (14-18) Final
1. Lewy Watt (AUS) – 83.33
2. Cobe France (AUS) – 78.33
3. Tyler Higham (USA) – 73.33
4. Clayton Holladay (USA) – 55.00
5. Coldan Thompson (CAN) – 53.33
6. Callan Starr (AUS) – 36.67
 
Jr. Men (14-18) Final
1. Bryce Grey (AUS) – 80.00
2. Gus Reed (CO) – 63.33
3. Darin Delgado (CA) – 56.67
4. Aaron Hannum (CO) – 45.00
5. Andy Birch (AZ) – 42.33
6. Braydan Sims (CA) – 39.33
7. Jordan Clark (CA) – 38.33
8. Matt Smith (CA) – 33.33
9. Tyler Martinez (CA) – 26.67
10. Crew Christensen (UT) – 20.00
 
Jr. Women (10-18) Final
1. Elle Christensen (UT) – 58.33
2. Alyssa Williams (NV) – 46.67
3. Lexi Gonzales (CA) – 38.33
4. Zoe Luquette (NV) – 6.67
 
Men I (19-24) Final
1. Ryan Kloski (NV) – 70.00
2. Joshua Johnson (NV) – 13.33
 
Men II (25-29) Final
1. Corbin Blanton (WI) – 83.33
2. Tyler Clarke (CA) – 70.00
3. Kevin Hutts (WI) – 63.33
 
Women Final
1. Kaley McNay (OR) – 80.00
2. Whitney White (NV) – 45.00
 
Boys (10-13) Final
1. Rocker Steiner (TX) – 90.00
2. Alex Albin (CA) – 65.00
3. Maxim Sitnikov (USA) – 53.33
4. Ethan Martinez (CA) – 33.33
 
Boys Beginner (10-13) Final
1. Blake Landon (UT) – 80.00
 
Jr. Boys (9 & Under) Final
1. Ashton Davis (UT) – 71.67
 
Jr. Boys Beginner Final
1. Candan Lawhon (CA) – 60.00
2. Robbie Allison (CA) – 55.00
 
Jr. Girls (9 & Under) Final
1. Harmony Lawhon (CA) – 73.33
2. Sydney Sky Litjens (NV) – 65.00
3. Autumn Clarke (CA) – 51.67
 
Masters (30-39) Final
1. Tim Walters (CA) – 88.67
2. Luke Fournier (AZ) – 68.33
3. Jason Allison (CA) – 50.00
4. Joey Martinez (CA) – 28.33
5. Zebulon Jensen (NV) – 23.33
6. Curtis Cummard (AZ) – 17.67
 
Veterans Women (40 & Over) Final
1. Natalie Graham (Arizona) – 81.67
 
Veterans (40 & Over) Final
1. Darren Holsey (OR) – 85.00
2. Randy Murray (NV) – 75.00
3. Shawn O’Keefe (NV) – 61.67
4. Andy Freeman (NV) – 55.00
5. David Clarke (CA) – 53.33
6. Ben Slims (CA) – 47.00
7. Stuart Litgens (NV) – 36.67
8. Fred Birch (AZ) – 36.67
 
Women Wakeskate Final
1. Natalie Graham (AZ) – 81.67
 
Men Wakesurf Final
1. Shane Blanton (WI)
2. Eric Monteleone (NV)
3. David Barbera (NV)
 
Women Wakesurf Final
1. Tammi Cummard (AZ)
2. Gina Palumbo (NV)
3. Natalie Graham (AZ)

2016 Malibu WWA Rider Experience Dates
 
Rider Experience South/Pro Card Qualifier #3
Host Dealer: Promarine
Hyco Lake
Roxboro, North Carolina
June 3-5
 
Rider Experience Central/Pro Card Qualifier #4
Host Dealer: SMG Houston
3 Palms Action Sports Park
Houston, Texas
July 8-10
 
Rider Experience East/Pro Card Qualifier #5
Held in conjunction with Wootown Wakefest
Host Dealer: Eastcoast Flight Craft
Lake Quinsigamond
Worcester, Massachusetts
July 15-17
 
Rider Experience Canada/Pro Card Qualifier #6
Host Dealer: Aqua Sport Marine
Wow Lake
St. Zotique, QC, Canada
August 12-14
 
About Malibu Boats
Malibu Boats is the world's largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, known for leading the industry with major innovations, including the first onboard computer system in 1993, the ingenious Power Wedge hydrofoil in 2006 (completely redesigned in 2014), the industry's first wake-maximizing hull in 2000, and Surf Gate, the innovation that changed the face of wakesurfing forever, in 2012. Malibu markets the Wakesetter and Response models – as well as the Axis Wake Research brand – through a worldwide dealer network. With some 450 employees and three manufacturing facilities, in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water. (NASDAQ: MBUU)
 
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader inwake sports sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the primary source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out thewwa.com.