‘Lougie Boiz’ riding high

A group of Harvey wakeboarders have been landing top spots in recent water sports competitions across the country.

The high-adrenaline sport consists of riding a board that is towed by a boat, all the while performing aerial manoeuvrers and mid-air tricks.

The team, which is sponsored by Malibu Boats and Liquid Elements, is made up of Anthony Vitalone, Jonathon Ietto, Jack Bennet and his younger brother Harry, all from Harvey.

The “Lougie Boiz” as they call themselves, started wakeboarding at Logue Brook Dam three years ago.

“We started as a bit of fun because we all work here at the caravan park, but then we decided to start competing seriously,” Jack said.

“It’s kind of a cross between snowboarding and skateboarding, but with waves and a rope.

It’s kind of a cross between snowboarding and skateboarding, but with waves and a rope.

“The comps involve two heats to showcase the best tricks, which are then ranked. It’s a bit like motocross.”

The boys say the sport requires a lot of balance and the aerial tricks are judged on execution and composition.

However, wakeboarding isn’t the only sport the quartet are making waves in.

Anthony and Jonathan are presently in the middle of Colts pre-season football training, playing for South Fremantle and Peel Thunder. And Jack is frequently competing in wakeboarding competitions.

The teenager recently returned from a three-day wakeboarding workshop in Sydney last month.

He took out first place in the Wakeboard Victoria Competition, and made it through to the junior men’s finals at the Australian Open contest.

His next competition is the State Titles and then the Nationals in March, which will be held on the Gold Coast.