Coeur d'Alene High grad wins wakesurfing world championship

Hayden resident Adam Wheeler recently was crowned Masters Skimstyle World Champion at the World Series of Wakesurfing Championship held Oct. 2-4 in Winter Haven, Fla.

The professional wakesurfing competition culminates in crowning of a world champion, and includes multiple events throughout the year across the globe including events in U.S., Canada and Japan.  

Each athlete must compete in at least three competitions throughout the year to qualify, as well as finish in the top 5-10 in their respective division. There are divisions for juniors, amateurs, semi-pros, pros and masters.  

Each division is further split into a skimstyle and surfstyle division, as well as male and female divisions.  

Riders are judged on what is called a DRIVE system, which includes difficulty, risk, intensity, variety and execution.

In the competition, there are three judges in the boat. A rider will perform as many high-quality maneuvers as they can in two 45-second passes.

Wheeler, who grew up in Hayden and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High in 2002, competed in Arizona, Texas, and California this year to qualify. 

He was ranked No. 1 leading into Worlds. He had an undefeated season and was crowned Masters Skimstyle World Champion.  

Wheeler, a physical therapist in Spirit Lake, has done watersports for more than 20 years and started wakesurfing about 10 years ago. 

He played soccer at Coeur d'Alene High, as well as club soccer for the Sting.

Wheeler runs a wakesurf coaching business with his wife Caitlin (who also competes in the Women's Pro division) called Surfs Up North Idaho, and they have a 3-year-old daughter, Kiana.  

    Courtesy photo Adam Wheeler in action, wakesurfing.