The forecast delivered for day four at the 2013 AWT Pistol River Wave Bash presented by Starboard with 20-25 knot wind. The waves were small but there was enough to get through a full single elimination bracket for all the divisions. It was a long day at the beach but it was exciting to see what the riders could deliver in such challenging conditions.

THE PROS

The first round of pro heats was tough with no jumps counting and really the best waves breaking practically on the beach. Riders picking the best waves would get one or two hits before finishing with a slash or two right up onto the sand.

Gorge area riders Sean Aiken, Nathan Mershon and Casey Hauser (finished 5th) took advantage of their Oregon coast knowledge to advance to the semi finals along with Camille Juban, Kevin Pritchard, Levi Siver, Morgan Noireaux and Bernd Roediger.

The final was extended to 20-minutes with each rider’s best two wave rides and one jump counting for their score.  Kevin Pritchard was on fire making it insanely tough on the judges as he was scoring in every way possible. But in the end his scores were not enough to take down Juban, whose first jump was a nicely tweaked Push Loop. Then minutes later Juban threw down an even bigger and more tweaked Push Loop that may have been the highest scoring jump of the event. Juban was masterful at picking off the best waves of the heat, constantly getting several hits off the outer sandbar and then following the wave in for more critical hits on the beach break. Congratulations to Juban for sailing an amazing heat!

THE WOMEN

The 20-minute super final featured last years champion Ingrid Larouche against Fiona Wylde, Katie McAnena and Miho Tanaka.  For the past few event the battle between Larouche and Wylde for the top spot on the AWT Women’s podium has been fairly one sided with Larouche winning easily...but it looks like things have now changed. Larouche is sailing better than ever with an aggressive style and big Forward Loops that really impress the judges, but now Wylde has stepped up her game in a huge way with impressive wave hits and a smooth style. Wylde scored the biggest wave of the heat and ripped it apart but it wasn’t quite enough to take down Larouche who defended her title. Congrats to both for putting on an impressive 20-minute show for the crowd.

Comment from Ingrid Larouche : Fun event, as usual. Conditions were for sure not what you would normally expect from Pistol river with lighter Wind and smaller waves. But also not as cold!! Great and close competition on the women side! Lots of ripping ladies!!

THE AMATEUR

With 27 riders the Amateur fleet was the biggest in the competition. It was 20-minute final featuring Fiona Wylde, Casey Rehrer, Marc Bitoun and Jeff Albright. Both Rehrer and Bitoun were on fire in the final. Both caught plenty of set waves and cut them apart with super critical hits. The heat was very close and may have come down to the jumping with Bitoun’s Back Loop giving him the title over Rehrer’s Forward.

THE MASTERS

The Masters and Grand Masters fleet was mixed together giving everyone the ultimate competition experience. The 20-minute final came down to a battle between Dana Miller, Sean Aiken, Ferdinando Loffreda and Brian Caserio. Aiken sailed well for 2nd place but it wasn’t enough to take down Loffreda who was super impressive in the final. Loffreda is definitely in the drivers seat for the overall Master’s title winning both of the AWT’s first two events.

THE YOUTH

The youth final came down to a match up between Maui’s Casey Rehrer and Fiona Wylde from the Gorge. The wave riding skill of both has improved immensely since they joined the tour just a few years ago. Rehrer took the title sailing a strong heat landing a massive Forward Loop and some slashy wave rides.

Photos by Si Crowther and AmericanWindsurfingTour.com