Colorado River News

Junior Men’s Champion Makes Cut at First Pro Stop

Orlando, Florida –- Canadian Kevin Henshaw is used to being on top in wakeboarding. The 19-year-old from Sidney, British Colombia, won the 2004 Junior X series, claiming the crown as the best junior men’s rider in the country. But in 2005, Henshaw has moved to the “big leagues” in wakeboarding trying to qualify in the Pro Men’s division. His first step was today as the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour kicked off its new season in Orlando, Florida.

Henshaw didn’t have to wait long for his shot; he was the third off the dock grouped in the first heat of the day. If anyone had any doubt that Henshaw was ready for the test, they didn’t after his run: All five judges scored Henshaw best in his heat giving him a perfect 100.0 score.

“I was a little nervous this morning. I really wanted to make it to the next round not only to ensure me a spot not only in this contest; I wanted a spot in the top 40,”said Henshaw, referring to the rest of the stops for 2005, to which only the top 40 are invited. Orlando is the only open contest of the year.

Henshaw’s next challenge comes Saturday when he joins the rest of today’s qualifiers in the quarterfinals along with top-tier riders who had byes today, including defending champion Parks Bonifay, who is looking for his fifth Indmar Performance award this year symbolizing the Tour champion.

Five other riders scored a perfect run today in their respective heats and moved on including former Pro Tour champion Erik Ruck, Shane Bonifay (Parks’ younger brother), Australia’s Josh Sanders, Tino Santori and Rusty Malinoski.

Day two of the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour continues tomorrow at the Orlando Watersports Complex with qualifying in the junior men’s division and wakeskating. For more information, go to www.prowakeboardtour.com.

The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour is a five-event circuit organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Florida. Powered by Indmar Marine Engines, the Pro Tour has the support of the following: SeaDoo watercraft, Verizon Wireless, Perfect Pass, Hyperlite, Infinity Marine Audio, Toyo Tires, KMC Wheels, Liquid Force, Gator Boards, CWB, J-Star, O’Brien, Double-Up, Billabong, Oakley, Reef, Body Glove, UGP, Epiphone Guitars, , Buywake.com, Love Sac, Capix Helmets, Indo Boards, Execute, Mikker.com, Wakeworld.com, Wakeboarder.com, Monster Towers, Say I Won’t, Ten-80 and One Percent Design.

Wake Boarding, published by World Publications, is the official magazine of the Pro Wakeboard Tour. Wake Boarding is the definitive source on all things wakeboarding, with expert coverage of professional instruction, gear, boats and the latest news.

Pro Men Qualifying (top 2 move on to quarterfinals)