WBWS final round - Malibu Houston Pro event kicks off

by The WWA on 3 Oct 2015

2015 Malibu Houston Pro The WWA

The final round of the WBWS kicked off this morning in gorgeous Houston, Texas for the Malibu Houston Pro event at Bel Ray Action Sports Park. This morning we saw both wakesurf and wakeboard pro divisions hit the waters behind the Malibu Wakesetter 25 LSV equipped with Surf Gate.

With a great wave pushed out by the Malibu Surf Gate for the Women’s wakesurf finals, it was Jodi Grassman putting in a jaw dropping run with the Surfband behind the Malibu Surf Gate to take the win with Raleigh Hager and Stacia Bank grabbing the second and third.

“I love how the WWA incorporated wakesurf into the Malibu Houston Pro event,” said Grassman. “I’m stoked on how I rode with the rough conditions on the water and I hope more wakesurf competitions can be added to the series next year.”

2015 Malibu Houston Pro © The WWA

The day was highlighted by Noah Flegel, who put together a flawless run in the Pro Men’s Wakesurf Final. After qualifying with the top seed, Flegel managed to repeat the performance when it counted to secure first place in the final followed by Parker Payne in second and Grant Witherell in third.

“I had a blast riding today and to have made it into the finals with the highest score felt great,” said Flegel “It was an honor to be selected to compete here in Houston this weekend and to be a part of the diverse skim and surf styles out on the water.”

2015 Malibu Houston Pro © The WWA

After the awards were given out to the pro wakesurfers, the pro men and women wakeboarders geared up for their qualifying races. Once again the women were up first which saw Ashley Leugner taking the race win with Corrie Wilson, Jamie Lopina, Larisa Morales, Chloe Mills and Carolina Rodrigues all advancing to the semi-finals tomorrow where they will suit up next to the top six WBWS women who were already prequalified.

“My nerves were a little high before getting on the water today, but once I strapped my boots on they were gone and I was able to focus and hit all my makers for the win,” said Leugner. “I’m really looking forward to the rest of the weekend here in Houston as more and more fans keep joining the shoreline.”

2015 Malibu Houston Pro © The WWA

The intensity couldn’t be higher here at the Bel Ray Action Sports Park as the Pro Men hit the water for qualifying, with only the top four advancing. It was the young gun, Josh Twelker taking race one win with Stephen Pierce and Chad Sharpe grabbing the top spot in race two and three.

“It always feels good to start the weekend off with a clean run, said Sharpe.” “The fans here at the Malibu Houston Pro are awesome, I could hear them along the entire lake cheering me on. I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow behind the Malibu 25 LSV.”

Day two of the Malibu Houston Pro begins tomorrow with Pro Women wakeboard semi-finals, Pro Men wakeboard quarter finals and over at Hanger 9 the cable divisions begin. Look to see the crowds continue to build tomorrow as things begin to race up here in Houston, Texas.