For those who claim that everything’s bigger in Texas, the party surrounding the 2010 Corpus Christi Wakeboard Invitational was proof positive. Temperatures in the 90s and the beautiful Texas coast provided the perfect atmosphere for a party only Texas could throw! The stadium seating at the famous Corpus Christi Marina, along with luxury yachts, fishing boats and endless docks, all provided top-tier seating with amazing views of the action as the Texas Ski Ranch crew rocked the marina along with the some of the best wakeboarders in the country. The only distraction may have been all the pretty Texas girls soaking up the late-spring sunshine.
The site was inside the actual marina, so the water was protected from the usually strong coastal winds. Calm water provided perfect conditions for competitors to put on an explosive show and battle for the competition crown along with some of the largest cash prizes ($15,000) in Texas wakeboard history. Riders like Tom Fooshee, Gabe Lucas and Corpus Christi native Chad Douglas all proved that Texas is indeed a premier training ground for serious wakeboarders.
Riders competed in six rounds of competition, narrowing the field to eight for the semifinals and four for the finals on Sunday. Tom Fooshee and Gabe Lucas took their customary spots in the finals while the other two spots were filled by Austin Hair and Eric Deegan. In one of the toughest decisions of the weekend, Joey Bradley finished fifth, just missing the finals. The finals consisted of five turns each, allowing two kicker hits for each rider and giving them ten attempts in the round. The judges were looking at the riders four best hits and wanting to see a variety of spins and inverts. Like last year, Fooshee earned the last spot off the dock by qualifying highest in the semifinals. Just like last year, Tom waited for the final hit of the competition to secure the win and his second consecutive title. Tom landed a switch heelside 900 on the very last trick to win not only the tournament but also the J.U.D.Y. best trick award that earned him an extra $1000.
Finals Results
1. Tom Fooshee, New Braunfels, Texas
Switch HS 7, Whirley, Crow Mobe 5, Switch HS 9
2. Gabe Lucas, Seguin, Texas
Slim Chance, Wrapped KGB, HS BS 360, HS Off-Axis 540
3. Austin Hair, Orlando, Florida
Indy Tantrum to Blind, HS BS 540, Indy Off-Axis BS 360, HS 540 or Whirley
4. Eric Deegan, Houston, Texas
Whirley, TS Off-Axis 540, HS Off-Axis 540, Melon HS Front
5. Joey Bradley, Arlington, Texas
6. Logan Ferris, Canyon Lake, Texas
7. Chad Douglas, Corpus Christi, Texas
8. Rusty Scott, Dallas, Texas
Texas Ski Ranch and the Texas International Boat Show would like to thank the sponsors that made this year’s event possible: American Bank, Budweiser, Coca Cola, Master Craft, Gulf Coast Marine, Monster, Academy, Eddie Yaklin Ford, Michelob Ultra, NOV Power, Champion Toyota and Whataburger.
Texas Ski Ranch will host its next event at TSR on May 7-9. Cablestock is building up to be the biggest event ever at TSR with six different wake comps, a skateboard comp, bikini contest and Mickey Avalon headlining Saturday night. For more information go to texasskiranch.com/cablestock.
Photos: Swami
