(September 20, 2024) Merced, CA—Centurion Boats took great pride in being the title sponsor of the 2024 Raz’n Health Fitness Festival in Atwater, CA, hosted by MidState CrossFit. The event kicked off Friday with a ‘Salute to Service’ (S2S) day, organized in partnership with the non-profit organization, Knot on Call. This event was dedicated to celebrating local heroes with a day of relaxation and the experience of surfing the waves behind a Centurion Boat on Lake Yosemite in Merced, CA. Centurion Boats is deeply committed to honoring the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom.

The day at Lake Yosemite began on a high note with an inspiring flyover by MedFlight EMS organized by Danny Goranson who also helped coach the heroes behind the boat. Seventeen local heroes from the Merced area, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, MedFlight EMS, medical transport personnel, nurses, and military members, participated in this special day on the water. Thanks to the dedication of Knot on Call founders Derek Carlson and Mike O’Grady, along with their team member Jenna Leseberg and several local volunteers, all 17 heroes in attendance, including two Centurion Boats employees, had the opportunity to learn how to surf behind one of four Centurion boats out on the water that day.

“Building water sports boats with the World’s best waves and wakes and ride is what we do,” explained Amy Mauzy, VP of Marketing and Brand Direction at Centurion Boats. “Building water sports boats to honor American law enforcement, firefighters, frontline workers and military is our extreme privilege. Centurion’s Salute to Service is our way to shine a light on police, fire, medical and military service members who make the towed water sports lifestyle possible.”

This S2S event was especially meaningful to the Centurion family. Kenneth McCarthy and Michael Harris, employees in the Logistics Department at the Centurion Boats factory in Merced, CA, are both veterans of the United States Air Force and participated in the local S2S event.

Before joining Centurion, Kenneth McCarthy spent 20 years serving in the Air Force. His military journey began and ended at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, CA, with stops at Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco, Grand Forks in North Dakota, and K.I. Sawyer in Michigan along the way. Reflecting on his experience at the Merced S2S event, Kenneth said, “It was great being out on the water with everyone. I had a blast seeing all the participants enjoy themselves!”

McCarthy also noted, “It’s nice that as a company, we host these events. We see Amy and her team work with organizations across the country giving this same opportunity to military and first responders all over.”

Michael Harris served 6 years in the United States Air Force and was primarily stationed in Italy. At the local S2S event, it was the first time Harris surfed behind a Centurion.

“The camaraderie was the best part of the day. I’ve wake boarded before but it was my first time wake surfing and it was so much fun surfing behind a boat capable of a great surf wave,” Michael stated.

The pair noted, “It’s nice that as a company, Centurion and Supreme and Correct Craft are committed to serving first responders and military.”

The goal in sponsoring S2S events is to give back to those who make our water sports lifestyle possible through their dedication and sacrifice. This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Derek Carlson, Mike O’Grady, and the team at Knot on Call, who regularly host events of their own for first responders to unwind and enjoy themselves.

The weekend culminated with the Raz’n Health Fitness Festival at The Tarmac by Blaker Brewing. Alongside an array of activities, vendors, and seminars, the Centurion Boats booth showcased the impressive 2025 Ri265, drawing significant attention at the event.

Special thanks go out to the partners who helped make the day extraordinary for our heroes. The Orchard Bar and Grill in Chowchilla and Minturn Nut generously provided a tri-tip lunch to refuel the heroes for their afternoon on the water. Izzy Cookies donated sweet treats, ensuring our heroes felt appreciated and well-cared for throughout the day.

It is an honor at Centurion to give back and inspire gratitude toward those who make sacrifices for our freedom. To learn more about Centurion Boats Salute to Service and how you can support events like this through your boat purchase visit your local Centurion Boats dealer.

About Centurion Boats: Creating the World’s best waves, wakes and ride since 1976, Centurion is a towed water sports boat manufacturer built on innovation and commitment to excellence. As a Correct Craft Company, we are charged with “Making Lives Better”. We embody this phrase with the boats we build along with the lives we live on and off the water. Centurion Boats is the perfect ride every time. To learn more about Centurion Boats, visit http://www.centurionboats.com.

About We Wake Waves: As a Correct Craft company, we are called to the path of “Making Life Better” and we strive to exemplify that phrase at every opportunity. We want to wake waves of positive change in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world with our boats on or near the water. It could be as simple and seemingly small as teaching your child to wake surf or showing your significant other how to trailer a boat or as big as hosting an event that honors our service men and women. What’s Your Wave? How are you using your Centurion on, near, or relating to water to wake waves of positive change? We wake waves. Do you? Share your wave with us on social media using the hashtag #WeWakeWaves and visit www.centurionboats.com/we-wake-waves.com to learn more.

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 99 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com