The Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour entered its 28th season with a bang in Katy, Texas, just west of Houston. By taking over the brand new, private August Lakes development, riders and fans were treated to an epic lake ideal for a contest. Despite clouds, wind, and occasional spits of rain, the athletes still put down unbelievable runs, while loads of fans lined the shore to watch.
Here are five highlights that caught our eye at the first stop:
1. Nic Rapa returns to the PWT with a vengeance. Having lost the overall title in 2018 at the final stop due to injury, Rapa has come into the 2019 season more focused and determined than ever. With a new double indy tantrum in his bag of tricks, he took the top spot and got 2019 started with a bang.
2. Sean Silveira made serious work of defending his overall Pro Wakesurf Tour title from 2018. Continuing to progress his backside and switch riding, Silveira set himself apart from the competition and took a big step toward keeping his overall champion crown.
3. 2018 Rookie of the Year Tyler Higham wowed both the judges and the crowd in Katy, TX, and nearly made the podium. With a unique style to his riding, along with signature tricks, Higham continues to make his own mark on the PWT, and continues to threaten the riders at the top.
4. With a third place finish, Supra Boats team rider Shota Tezuka returned to the PWT podium for the first time since 2016. Tezuka has been training hard throughout the offseason, and it showed at this weekend's first stop. He's still riding the way that's made him a fan favorite - by going huge - but he's added tricks to his repertoire and thoroughly impressed the judges throughout the weekend.
5. Missing most of 2018 due to a knee injury, Italian Massi Piffaretti entered his first contest of the year and made it all the way to the finals. Known throughout the sport and around the world for his unique riding style, Piffaretti used creative grabs and one-of-a-kind tricks to propel him to one of his best finishes on the PWT.
6. We said we had five highlights, but there was one more special one in Katy. The man on the microphone for the weekend was none other than Dan-O the Man-O, AKA the Noise of the North, AKA Danny Amir. After several years away from the PWT, Dan-O made a triumphant return. And it was extra special for him because it marked his tenth season of announcing at least one PWT event.
