The 2009 Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding kicked off at the Penrith International Regatta Centre in front of a crowd of more than 40 000 painted and patriotic Aussies . The 2009 tour tow boat was changed to the Super Air Nautique 210 for the first time in 3 years and the official word from the riders is that this was the best individual tour stop in it' (TM)s entire history. All three of the past tour champions showed up to re-claim their crowns but as the results would eventually show, the changing of the guard has finally arrived. With the final eventually seeing 4 riders matched up from 4 different countries, 15 year old wakeboarding sensation Harley Clifford eventually gave the Aussie crowd what they desperately wanted when he edged out the U.S.A' (TM)s Junior Pro Tour champion Jimmy LaRiche to pocket the $4000 and move on to round two as the number 1 seeded rider.

The upset of the day was losing our 2007/2008 repeat champion Dean Smith to an injury he picked up only days before the commencement of this years tour. Other past champions Daniel Watkins and Jeff Weatherall both made it through to the top 16 head to head round but were some of the first riders to fall victim to the younger more energetic riders of the day. Last years WWAA Junior Series winner Ryliegh Pfitzner stepped up to the Pro Division this year and he also made his presence known giving one of the eventual finalists Brad Smeele (4^th) a real scare in the first round of top 16 head to head competition. Ryliegh' (TM)s absence in the Junior Series opened the door to a few new challengers this year and the final saw two QLD kids take the honours in Mitch Askew (1^st) and Brad Teunissen (2^nd) followed by Adelaide' (TM)s Mitch Daniel in 3^rd place. These results set the boys up for next weeks competition at Stoney Park in Port Macquarie feeling really confidant, but there is plenty of hungry talent nipping at their heals ready to bump them off the top spot on the podium. Lauren Bell and Bec Frangi placed 1^st and 2nd respectively in the junior women' (TM)s category.

The Pro Women's division also saw last years champion Amber Wing relegated to 3^rd position on the podium after Hayley Smith (2^nd) conceded the top spot by the smallest margin to the U.S.A' (TM)s Melissa Marquadt (1^st) in a final that once again elevated the level of women' (TM)s wakeboarding and set a strong precedent for the following two Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour Stops early next month.

The Pro Tour camp have loaded up the 210 and are scheduled to hit the water again in Stoney Park at Port Macquarie this Sun, the 1^st of February.

ROUND 1: 25 - 26 JAN 2009 Penrith Regatta Centre, NSW

ROUND 2: 31 - 1 FEB 2009 Stoney Park, NSW

ROUND 3: 6 - 7 FEB 2009 Nudgee, Brisbane, QLD