Rusty Wins the 2008 Royer Rumble Double Up Invitational

May 19th, 2008

Lemoore, California

The first ever Royer Rumble was a huge event. Even for being out in the middle of the huge state of California, it drew a massive crowd. Six of the biggest names in wakeboarding, Andrew Adkison, Ricky Gonzalez, Randall Harris, Bryan Hutton, Rusty Malinoski and Shawn Murray took to the water to battle it out in the ultimate double contest with $15,000 prize money at stake. Our boy Rusty Malinoski took home the first place trophy, the Royer Rumble belt and being champion of the first ever 2008 Royer Rumble bragging rights.

The three-day Rumble was a pretty cool event. It started with the pre-party at the Tachi Hotel complete with Miller Chill (that tastes like adult Trix cereal) and autograph signings with Randall Harris, hometown boy Ricky G., Andrew Adkison, Shawn Murray, double up driver Zane Schwenk, Bryan Hutton, Nick and Julz Heaney.

The next day was the main event. Gates opened to the public at 5 pm and there was a line to the parking lot. All six of the riders showed up to sign more autographs for the under 21 youngins who couldn’t make it to the pre-party. All the riders were super stoked to take pics and sign posters for their throngs of fans, and then it was time to put on the game face.

All the guys were given 4 runs in the first round to try to advance. Andrew, Ricky G., and Rusty pulled out the tricks to make it to the finals. They all went big, Ricky threw a giant Pete Rose and Andrew won Biggest Face Plant. But Rusty took home the top prize with a Backside 7 and a Toe side 9. On day three Nick and Julz Heaney hosted a wakeboarding clinic for some of the fans who came to check out the Rumble.

A huge congratulations goes out to our boy Rusty who flew in the day of the event and owned it. I’ve got a feeling the rest of the year’s events are going to go down about the same. Check it out on the Daily Habit on Fuel TV.

For more on Rusty please check ou the Rusty's Team Page.