An East Kootenay rider has returned from the 2019 World Wake Surfing Championships as a World Champion.

Twelve-year old Dagen Duczek was one of eight riders in the Junior Division and laid down a solid run on day one, finishing first in his heat and advancing to the four-rider final Saturday afternoon at Pineview Reservoir near Ogden, Utah.

In the finals, Duczek stomped out an incredible run that included a number of technical tricks including a 360-shuv, backside 180, switch big, revert 360 and back big spin, making him the first Junior to land the back big in competition and propelling him to a first-place finish.

“It was amazing.  I was riding against some unbelievable riders and I knew I had to lay it down out there,” said Duczek.  “I’m so thankful to my brother for pushing me all season, my dad for driving me all summer, all my sponsors and family for believing in me and supporting me. I met so many great people. The surf community is like a family and it was an experience I will never forget. I can’t explain how it felt at the end of my run on Saturday.”

The Centurion Boats 2019 World Wake Surfing Championship featured 140 riders from 11 countries competing in 17 divisions over three days. To qualify for an invite, riders had to be ranked in the top eight in their respective divisions.

Duczek and his brother Ryder ride and train at Tie Lake, B.C. They are Phase 5 team riders and would like to acknowledge and thank the many local sponsors who have made their season possible including Rocky Mountain Agencies Ltd., Boston Pizza Cranbrook, Hockley Real Estate, Alfred Hummel Contractor Ltd., Just Liquid Sports, Hebditch Contracting Ltd., Rocky Mountain Appraisal, Snap-On Tools (Jeff Fancy Proprietor).

Lead image: Dagen Duczek (centre) took first place in the Junior Division at the 2019 World Wake Surfing Championship. Reed Cole-Tucker (right) of New Hampshire finished second and Afton Bank (left) of Minnesota took third. Photos submitted

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