10 Jul WWA Memories | 2019 Nautique Southeast Regatta
The picturesque waters and surrounding beauty of Lake Martin set the 2019 Nautique Southeast Regatta up to be an unforgettable weekend hosted by Nautique Boat Company, the World Wake Association (The WWA), and Russell Marine. Here are the WWA memories.
2019 Nautique Southeast Regatta
Nautique boat owners and the wake community came together at The Ridge Marina on Friday, June 28th to meet new owners, shake hands with old friends and fill the marina with the industry’s leading boats. The 6x Wakeboard Boat of the Year, the Super Air Nautique G23, pulled event attendees into a full day of family-friendly activities including private demos with Nautique Team athletes, educational sessions, and an all-discipline GromFest for the kids on Saturday. Saturday night kept the party going with a taste of the true south at the gorgeous Stables at Russell Crossroads for the Country-Western themed dinner and awards banquet. Sunday served as the perfect sendoff with more personalized time and memories made with the Nautique team.
“The first-ever Nautique Southeast Regatta was certainly one to remember. Nautiques of all ages filled Lake Martin for a great weekend on and off the water. Owners shared their passion for the worlds best towboats while being instructed by Team Nautique athletes throughout the days,” said Nautique President Greg Meloon. “A special thanks to all of the Nautique families that joined us for this inaugural event!”
High fives and smiles
The high energy weekend started off with a golf tournament at Willow Point Golf & Country Club overlooking Lake Martin. Russell Marine golf team took the win with a total score of 8 under par. Upon making their way to check-in at The Ridge Marina, families didn’t waste any time hitting the water for their first private demos with Nautique Team athletes like Cory Teunissen, Shaun Murray, and Jodi Grassman. Nautique President Greg Meloon welcomed the group during the evening Grill and Chill paired with the backdrop of an Alabama sunset.
High-fives and smiles were seen all around on Saturday as Nautique owners and families had the opportunity to shred behind the legendary Super Air Nautique G23 on the latest Hyperlite and O’Brien products. Boat crews made their ways to various Poker Run stops checking out the luminous Chimney Rock and keeping the stoke high with Rockstar Energy, Roswell Marine, and JL Audio. Experiencing one of the best days of the summer, families and new riders were dialing in new tricks and receiving first-class instruction from Nautique Team athletes. Young rippers up to age thirteen took to the waters for the GromFest, a fun contest of all disciplines and skill levels where they showcased their latest line of tricks.
Awards
Kane Ward threw down at the GromFest earning the Little Legend Award alongside Trace Cox whose friendly attitude earned him the Boat Buddy Award. Throwing down behind the Super Air Nautique G23 with all new grabs, Jackson Clifford took the Best New Trick Award of the weekend, followed by Coleman Clifford who took a massive digger earning the Best Crash Award. The New Shredder Award went to Evan Burleson who has been riding for about a year and landed a wake to wake on Lake Martin after his private sessions with the Nautique Pro athletes.
Showcasing a taste of Alabama’s homegrown southern hospitality, owners and families came decked out in their favorite Country Western attire to salute one another at the Stables at Russell Crossroads for Saturday’s banquet. Owners received awards based on their world-renowned Nautiques including The Zuelzke’s who took home the Oldest Nautique Award with their stunning 1964 Ski Nautique. Dylan, Dallas, and Devin traveled over 1000 miles and 19 hours to join us for this spectacular weekend, winning the award of Longest Journey traveled by a Nautique owner. Heith Comer took home the Best Rig Award with his 2018 Nautique GS22 and truck combination.
“I haven’t had this much fun in one day in a very long time! Everyone, and I do mean everyone, have been nothing but perfect hosts. Great planning by the entire team who put on this event, including the beautiful venue, boats, and weather,” said Nautique Southeast Regatta attendee Scott Branum.
Southwest Next
The Nautique Southeast Regatta represented what wake is all about with over 150 attendees making the Ridge Marina a gathering to meet new friends and shake familiar hands alongside the top brands in wake. Nautique Boats and The WWA will head west for the Nautique Southwest Regatta this September in Parker, Arizona.
Discover what wakeboard looked like back at the 1997 WWA Wakeboard Nationals.
About the WWA
It is the leading source for riders, events and competitive standards and the undisputed sanctioning and governing body for the sport. For 28 years the WWA has been the world’s premier provider of amateur and professional wakeboard events, sanctioning and rules; “developed by riders, for riders”. Since its inception in 1989, the WWA has empowered the sport of wakeboarding to progress and evolve naturally by providing various amateur and professional sanctioning programs, protecting its riders through extensive amateur and professional membership levels and allowing freedom and opportunities for organizers to grow the sport.
