Danny Harf Launches New Florida Grassroots Wakesurf Contests

ORLANDO – Presented by Nautiques of Orlando and four-time X-Games gold medalist and wakeboard legend Danny Harf, the Thigh High Surf Series launched this past Sunday, May 12, at the Orlando Watersports Complex with more than 30 athletes surfing behind the latest Nautique G23 with Harf at the helm.

This three-stop grassroots wakesurf contest series is a first for Central Florida, and caters to all ages and surfing abilities. Also, for the first time ever, amateur surfers are invited to Lake Ronix to close out what hopes to be an epic summer for the local wakesurf community. The next series stops are:

• Sunday, June 9from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Orlando Watersports Complex
• Sunday, September 22from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Ronix

“Our goal with the Thigh High Surf Series is to identify local novice and established surfers in the region and give them a platform to show off their skills and build confidence in competitions,” said Harf, adding that a key function of the series is to be a first wakesurf contest experience for locals. “Identifying and developing the future players in towed watersports is so important. With wakesurfing continuing to increase in popularity, it’s our job as industry veterans to mentor and groom the next generation. We need to teach them proper wake and boating etiquette, responsibilities as influential athletes and offer them a community to turn to, to keep the stoke alive.”

STOP ONE PODIUM FINISHERS

Girls & Boys Novice (10 and under):

• Chelsea Caywood (Lake Sawyer – Florida)
• Cooper Lewis (Medford Lakes – New Jersey)
• Kitt Smith (Table Rock Lake – Missouri)

Male & Female Novice (All Ages):

• Ashton Giglio (Lake Conway – Florida)
• Brandon Powell (Lake Desire – Florida)
• Zack Smith (Lake June – Florida)

Male & Female Intermediate (All Ages):

• Chelsea Miller (Lake Clay – Florida)
• Kendall Pasley (Clear Lake – Florida)
• Alisa Piper (Lake Placid – Florida)

Male & Female Advanced (All Ages):

• David Williams (Lake Carroll – Florida)
• Robby Allen (Lake Butler – Florida)
• Sean Caywood (Lake Sawyer – Florida)

Men’s & Women Masters (Ages 35+):

• Jaysin Smith (Table Rock Lake – Missouri)
• Francisco Cabezas (Port St. Lucie – Florida)
• David Soria (Lake Diaz – Florida)

Women’s Outlaw (All Ages):

• Allison Hansen (Clearwater Beach – Florida)
• Ashley Inloes (Lake Tibet – Florida)
• Kailey Grainger (Lake Tibet – Florida)

Men’s Outlaw (All Ages):

• Beaux Wildman (Lake Winona – Indiana)
• Drew Hansen (Clearwater Beach – Florida)
• Corey Howell (Satellite Beach – Florida)

INTERESTED COMPETITORS

The series seeks everyone from beginners to unknown surf prodigies, with seven divisions available: girls & boys novice (10 and under), male & female novice (all ages), male & female intermediate (all ages), male & female advanced (all ages), men’s & women masters (ages 35+), women’s outlaw (all ages)and men’s outlaw (all ages).

There are a few single stop tickets available for stops two and three. Registered surfers receive a free meal ticket as well as an event tee and swag from sponsors. This event is sanctioned by the World Wake Association (WWA), therefore all competitors also need to purchase a one-day or all-season WWA membership pass. Complete athlete information, including rules and a link to register for the contest, can be found at https://www.thighhighsurf.com/athlete-info.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

The contest format calls for the wave to open facing the shoreline, so spectators can catch the action, all-day with an ultimate view of the industry’s leading wave. Da Kine Poke will have a food truck onsite at stop two and the crew at Ride Dry. Drive Dry. will be grilling up their epic barbecue at stop three. Plus, all attendees have access to the Nautiques of Orlando VIP lounge where they can escape the sun and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages.

Sponsor and supporting partners include: Nautiques of Orlando, Nautique, Ronix, Performance Ski & Surf, Orlando Watersports Complex, WSIA, Wake Responsibly, Ride Dry. Drive Dry., SeaDek Marine Products, Next Level, Red Bull North America, Da Kine Poke and the WWA.

Towed Watersports Industry Announcer Danny “Dano the Mano” Amir said, “Having the support of industry staples behind the series, some boasting three decades or more in wake sports, is huge. These are the players that built our sport, and live and breath it day-in and day-out, working effortlessly to see it thrive.”

For more information, visit thighhighsurf.com. To register to compete or spectate at the event, visit the series’ Eventbrite page.

ABOUT NAUTIQUES OF ORLANDO

Central Florida’s premier dealer of Regal, Nautique, Supreme and Moomba Boats. Nautiques of Orlando has been named one of the Top 100 Dealers in North America for the past eight consecutive years by Boating Industry. Located at 2226 Paseo Ave. in Orlando, the dealership has a large inventory of used and preowned boats from a wide variety of manufacturers. The premium hometown dealership is one of the industry’s most educated and trained professional teams – boasting a hometown advantage with Nautique’s corporate headquarters right in their backyard. For more information, visit https://orlandonautiques.com/.