The riders have arrived and are ready to battle at the 2014 AWT Pistol River Wave Bash. Day one saw light wind giving competitors an extra day of rest and the forecast looks promising for late Friday through the weekend. The no wind day gave everyone a chance to experience a jet boat ride up the Rogue River, just at the north end of the town of Gold Beach, Oregon, with Jerry's Rogue Jets. If speeding up the river and sliding through 360-degree banked turns is your thing then this is a must booking on your next trip to the Pistol River area.
Inn of the Beachcomber gives $1,500 cash prize: With no official title sponsor at this event Ted Eady, owner of the Inn of the Beachcomber in Gold Beach, has stepped up in a huge way offering $1,500.00 in prize money for the event. Ted is a huge part of making the Wave Bash a success every year and we thank him greatly. Please support the Inn of the Beachcomber on your next windsurfing road trip along the Oregon/California coast.
Quote from Head Judge Chris Freeman: 'It has been a long couple of weeks for the AWT riders and staff and we are yet to run a windy heat but the wait looks to be almost over. Pistol River normally delivers massive winds and waves but the machine is taking a break today on the first day of possible competition. Have a look at the stacked brackets in all divisions.
In the Pro Division we have three world champions including the current PWA World Champion Marcillio Browne, 2012 and 2013 AWT Champion Camille Juban and 2012 AWT Champion Nathan Mershon. Add to these the best wave riders in the US and an array of foreign talent including the frenetic Antoine Martin and Moroccan magician Boujmaa Guilloul. Don’t forget two time Aloha Classic AWT Champion Bernd Roediger and PWA Aloha Classic winner Levi Siver together with Ho’okipa master Morgan Noireaux.
Together these riders make up one of the toughest brackets ever put together for an AWT contest. In light of the depth of talent on display this weekend for the first time the Pro bracket will feature two repechage rounds (
2 and 4). To promote progressive riding riders winning in Round 1 and Round 3 will skip the next round while the others fight it out for the right to challenge. A lot of work has gone into improving all areas of judging in the off season and we are working to increase transparency and help riders improve their performance, the result is already being realized as a number of Amateur riders now recognizing what a difference jumping can make to their score card were seen practicing their Forwards yesterday, with some completing them for the first time.
Back from injury reigning Women’s Champion Ingrid Larouche will be fighting strong competition from rising teenage star Fiona Wylde and big wave magnet Sarah Hauser of New Caledonia. The Soccer World Cup might be starting today but be sure not to miss any of the AWT heats as there is going to be some insane action, huge upsets, massive crashes, tears and joy in the frigid Oregon waters this weekend.'
AWT website
