Oklahoma City, Okla. – The top amateur wake athletes from throughout the United States hit the waters of the Oklahoma River in the Oklahoma City, Okla. today for the first day of action at the 2009 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by ROCKSTAR.

The WWA Nationals is a five-day event featuring pro and amateur wakeboarders and wakeskaters, competing for U.S. national titles in 20 different divisions, separated by age and skill level.

Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by ROCKSTAR kicked off its first day with semifinal rounds for eight of the 20 divisions, where more than 60 riders battled it out on the water for a spot in their respective division’s finals, held tomorrow.

Several Oklahoma natives were among those advancing onto tomorrow’s finals, including Rachel Orgill, 12, of Edmond, OK and Ashley Gwartney, 21, from Jenks, OK. Gwartney and Orgill both lead their heats today in the Amatuer Women and Girls division, respectively.

Orgill, Gwartney and the other remaining finalists in the eight divisions will look to will battle it out in tomorrow’s finals, where a new U.S. national champion will be crowned in each of the eight divisions.

The WWA Nationals continue tomorrow, Thursday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event runs through Sunday, July 12.