The Best Boat Rider is just that – the rider who crushes the game with boat riding that not only pushes the limits, but looks clean, effortless and fun, as well. These riders all have contest results and ground-breaking maneuvers under their belts, and anytime any of them drop an edit, everybody tunes in to see what’s gone down.
This year’s finalists in the Pro Men’s division are:
Sam Brown
The teen from Australia has been rising through the ranks consistently and this year he seemed unstoppable. Brown started the season with his first PWT victory and continued to perform at top level throughout the season earning third place overall for the year. He was an integral part of team Liquid Force who took top honors (and the big paycheck) at the PWT Team Challenge. Brown closed the year making the finals at the exclusive Parks Bonifay’s Red Bull Double Or Nothing invitational contest. He landed huge and technical double ups and ended up in a respectable third place, establishing himself as a podium regular amongst the elite pros.
Nic Rapa
Nic Rapa had an incredible year winning the Pro Wakeboard Tour Overall title for the third consecutive time. Probably one of the best contest riders around, Rapa rode consistently throughout the season rarely missing the podium and ended placing second at the 2021 World Wakeboard Championships.
Cory Teunissen
Cory Teunissen had a year to remember. The established pro from down-under had some ups and downs throughout the season, but the ups were absolutely remarkable. Teunissen took top honors at the prestigious WWA Nautique Wakeboard Nationals, and by the end of summer he had one of the biggest wins of his career. Cory made his country, his family and his mates proud by winning the 2021 World Wakeboard Championships, taking home the most coveted title of the year.
Guenther Oka
Guenther Oka never ceased to inspire. He’s been and continues to be one of the best all around riders in the world. This season Oka graced the podiums of the PWT Tour Stop, he won the US Masters, won the PWT Team Challenge, made the finals at Worlds, got second overall at the PWT, made the podium in Hamburg and in Italy, oh but that is in cable…
Massi Piffaretti
Massi Piffaretti is breaking the mold with his riding skills and charisma. A regular in the finals, he missed the podium at the Tour Stops but his biggest win of the year was at Park Bonifay’s Double Or Nothing Invitational contest. Piffaretti took the win at the hardest and gnarliest wake-contest to date, where the winner not only takes home the large cash purse but also earns the respect of his peers and legendary status. Throughout the season Massi continued to spread the love for the sport shooting videos, hanging with his fans and promoting the sport at Milan’s Red Bull Wake The City. His vision and groundbreaking collaborations like the Red Bull and Ronix RTX Boot he designed this year, are keeping our sport in the limelight of the ever expanding extreme sports arena.
Tyler Higham
Tyler Higham, last Year’s Boat Rider of The Year winner, continues to evolve. We saw the youngster from Oregon come so very close to winning at Parks Bonifay’s Double or Nothing Contest and then again at the 2021 World Wakeboard Championships. With incredible style, talent and courage, Higham makes the impossible look flawless.
