The season is officially fully underway!
I think it’s safe to say that the 2026 Summer of Wake has begun as LAO kicks off the non stop week after week events of wake.
LAO is the precursor to summer kickoff but for the traditionally cooler weathered event, they got some heat both on and off the water this past weekend as the sun was shining.
Rivers Hedrick got herself a 4 peat at LAO this past weekend! But honestly what is every bit as impressive as her victory if not even more, was her riding at this event. Although I was not a judge this year, but Rivers really pushed women’s wakeboarding to a new level and solidified herself safely to 1st place. The toeside backside 9 second trick is mind blowing. Not to mention her 180 sw. press was insanely heavy on the nose. Let’s also not leave out her 313 off the flats too! So impressive by all feats! Congrats Rivers!
The silver metal was hoisted by LF athletes in both the men’s and women’s podiums. Gavin Stuckey put down a super tech run in his first ride that really separated himself from the rest of the heat. I truly think that had he landed his double rewind in the 2nd run that he would have taken the gold. Congrats on 2nd Gavin!
And of course the girl who I think hasn’t missed a podium since she got injured in this event 2 years ago, Claudia Pagnini locked up a silver medal also! Cla had a super diverse run that featured a heavy hit on the corrugated rooftop transfer and also opting to hit the other corrugated to lander when others chose an air trick. Cla put on a show and made it obvious to me that she was right behind Rivers. Congrats Claudia!
Livestream was pretty all time as we had Nico on the dock giving up the freshest updates and interviews with the athletes, along with UK’s Matt Crowhurst as the main MC with pop in’s from Shane and Adam. And speaking of Nico, props to him as he showed all the young athletes out there what’s up by taking a qualifiers win and making it all the way to the top 8. Unc Nico!
Next up, the 2027 LF Park Shoot, Mundial de Wakeboard and Masters, so lots to come. Check back in here for more on that soon.
Til the next episode,
