Surf Cat

For the second year in a row, professional wakeboarders from around the world gathered in Wwestern Washington.

They are here for the 2019 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships in Monroe taking place between July 24 – 27.

Chopper 7 captured the action on the water earlier this week when the amateur wakeboarders competed for their titles.

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Today the pros took over the water. Among them is 15-year-old Zahra Kell from Australia.

“It’s nice to be out here with my role models. I always look up to all these girls,” said Kell. “It’s cool to be with them now. It’s an experience for sure.”

The competition which moves around the country returned to western Washington for the second year in a row.

Both the organizers and the athletes describe Lake Tye as an “ideal” venue.

“The climate is perfect but also the water, it’s smoot all the time here and never windy. I just think it’s great here.”

For 21-year-old pro wakeboarder and wakesurfer, Noah Flegel, he also thinks Monroe is a great spot for this now global competition.

“Having no other boats on the lake is a huge advantage,” said Flegal. “You want the most flat water you can get. As you can see behind us, it’s pretty darn flat. We are lucky to be out and ride in these conditions.”

The top prize for this event is worth at around $15,000.

Competitors come from as far as Japan and Italy and their ages range from 6 to 63.

© 2019 Cox Media Group.