Orlando, FL (Oct 25, 2022) – Six collegiate teams competed in Red Bull Rivals, a wakeboarding competition hosted by 5x World Wakeboarding Champion Guenther Oka, at Orlando Watersport Complex on Saturday, October 8.
The University of Central Florida (UCF) won Best Overall individual Men’s A Gavin Giglio, Best Overall Individual Women Riki Tarr, Best Video, and Best Overall team score. Mississippi State (MS) won the School Spirit award, and team captain Doc Branscome won Best Belly Flop. Teams from the University of South Florida (USF), University of Florida (UF), Florida State University (FSU), and University of Miami (UM) also competed in the games.
Aktion Parks Director of Operations, Kellan Rudnicki, stated, “Collegiate Wakeboarding is a great community of passionate riders, and it’s amazing seeing how Red Bull’s involvement with Wake Rivals at OWC has come together to put on an incredible event each time.”
This year’s Red Bull Rivals featured multiple events and contests for the teams to compete in:
- Tag Team: Riders had to hit six features where the best single hit counts. The first rider executes on two-three features before letting go and allowing another teammate to get in the water. If the rider falls, they must return to the dock as quickly as possible. In the meantime, partners can jump on the cable to continue riding and gathering scores. The other teammate must execute their single best hit on the two-three remaining features.
- Kicker: Riders must cover the most water in a single trick. The bigger and better the tricks, the more points are earned.
Additionally, Red Bull Rivals featured a belly flop contest with 12 riders hosted by Parks Bonifay, “the God Father of Belly Flops,” a push-up contest, and a Red Bull chugging competition. A sunset after party closed the event with a celebration for the winning team and a watch party with Gunther Oka.
Knights Wake President, Riki Tarr, stated, “We are grateful to OWC for letting us represent UCF at Redbull Rivals. We are always stoked to see so many other college wake teams come from all over to compete in this sick event. Thank you Redbull and OWC for making it happen!”
(All Photo Credit to John Jeffries)
About Aktion Parks: Aktion Parks, a subsidiary of Correct Craft, delivers customers an active, watersports lifestyle that is safe, healthy, family friendly, and environmentally conscious. Aktion Parks owns and operates three of the world’s most recognized parks: Orlando Watersports Complex, Miami Watersports Complex, and Elite Cable Park. To learn more about Aktion Parks visit www.aktionparks.com.
About Correct Craft: Celebrating 97 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, Watershed Innovation and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com.