Last day of September and the start of the best month of the year in my option, October! I mean of course October is my favorite, Saturday marks my 40th trip around the sun. But it also is because domestically weather is plenty warm enough to still ride, but without it being blistering hot and for those lucky enough, cool nights and mornings. And for those in the southern hemisphere, spring is here and summer is coming fast. And speaking of southern hemisphere, lets get down to the biggest wake event of the year in Australia, WWA Worlds!
Relentless Domination continues to live up to its name as our athletes slayed in Aus! Especially the ladies! Queen of Wake, Main Event Meagan Ethell did her thang and won her 8th, that’s right 8th world title this past weekend. I have been going back and forth with Meagan all year long and I firmly believe this was her best year ever in her career and possibly her life considering her and her fiancé, Guenther are getting eloped here very soon. So much to be stoked on with Meagan! Congrats on you 8th world title!
Shoutout to Euge de Armas on locking up silver at worlds! Euge has been on the podium several times this season and is also having one of her best seasons yet. And for her, there is still more between PanAm’s and China. So fired up for Euge as this is her first WWA Worlds Podium!
And the ladies just keep on Relentlessly Dominating as it was a full LF sweet for the WWA Nautique Wake Series Overall Podium. None other than Zahra Kell stood atop of the podium and got to claim the overall champ title after a Gold at Moomba, a silver at Masters, a gold at Nationals and a 4th at worlds. Zahra was on fire this year and deserves that top spot. And next to her with a silver again was Euge. And in bronze was Meagan Ethell. Congrats ladies, way to represent and push the level of riding this season!
Also want to give Zahra an extra shoutout as she won female rider of the year at the Australian Wake Awards. I mean to me this was a no brainer as Zahra had an unreal year and outright deserved this award. Congrats Zahra!
Onto the men, Jr Men that is. Our guy Federico Dal Lago (Nano) taking home the world title champ. Nano has been on one this season, kids has insane style and takes some tricks way into the flats. Keep your eye on him, because this is the next gen that will be a wrecking ball in pro men. Italy represented so well as not only did Nano nab the title, but in silver was another one of our LF Italian riders Mattia Del Fiandra! Congrats boys! Cannot wait to see you both in Pro next season!
Lastly, its really rare that there is a contest without a podium appearance by Guenther Oka, so of course the Swiss army knife nabbed himself a bronze in the straps foil division. This is a division to definitely keep your eye on as it will be growing more and more each season. Guenther and a few of the others are out right now shooting more 2025 foil gear for us. This time in the salt and without the tow of a boat. Keep your eyes peeled after the new year to see all the magic being made. Congrats Guenther!
Check back in with me next week when a new decade starts. Til the next episode!
