SAN FRANCISCO -- Getting out of the first round seems to be the key for Parks Bonifay in X Games wakeboarding. Once he gets his feet wet so to speak, Bonifay usually gets better with each run.

Such was the case Tuesday, as the 1996 X Games gold medalist returned to the top at the podium at X Games V. Bonifay, who in the eighth and final spot to get into the semifinals, progressively distanced himself from the rest of the field to easily win the gold medal in the finals.

Bonifay posted a final score of 68.44 to ease the sting of not even making it into the semifinals last year. Darin Shapiro, who took gold a year ago in San Diego, settled for silver in San Francisco Bay with a score of 62.56, while Brannan Johnson's first X Games medal was bronze.

"This victory means a lot more to me than the first one. Back in 1996, the X Games was an unknown contest, now it's one of the biggest of the year." -- Parks Bonifay Two-time wakeboarding gold medalist

"This victory means a lot more to me than the first one," said the 17-year-old Bonifay. "Back in 1996, the X Games was an unknown contest, now it's one of the biggest of the year." Maeghan Major, 15, added to her amazing first year as a professional with a gold medal in the women's competition. The Clermont, Fla., native unseated defending X Games champion Andrea Gayton, slipped to third behind another 15-year-old, silver-medalist Emily Copeland.

"I was pretty happy with my performance despite the rough conditions," Major said. " I just went all out and gave it my best." It was Major's first X Games, but it hardly showed. She was the only women's rider to successfully complete her double-up.

This was Major's second major win of her short career. She also won the Atlanta stop of the Pro Wakeboard Tour.

A crowd of approximately 4,500 packed Treasure Island, filling every seat in the stands and lining the shore. It was the largest turnout ever for wakeboarding at the X Games.

The choppy San Francisco Bay waters were of concern for many riders during practice, but they adjusted to the conditions in time for the judges.

"I was bobbing and weaving through the rollers," said Shapiro, comparing his path through the waves to a boxing match.

Bonifay put together a difficult run including a "911," "Pete Rose," "OHH" and "S-Bend." He also went the biggest of the four finalists and captured the title despite missing his double-up.

Bonifay, however, nearly landed his new half-cab double back roll on the double-up. It was the first time he tried the trick at the X Games.

Shapiro missed his patented "Skeezer," which basically cost him the repeat. He also missed his "Speedball" on the double-up.

Shapiro took the setback in stride, congratulating and hugging Parks after his run. Shaun Murray, another finalist, went a step further and playfully tossed Parks into the waters of San Francisco.

Bonifay, Shapiro, Johnson and Murray made up possibly the strongest final four field in X Games history. In fact, this was the first time that the top three seeds going in made the finals with Johnson, Murray, and Shapiro filling those spots.

Oddly enough, it was the No. 8 seeded Bonifay who took gold.

"I think a sea monster came up and grabbed me," said Johnson of his fall in the finals.

A couple surprises did take place in the quarterfinals with wildcard entry Chase Heavener advancing to the semifinals. Heavener fell twice in the semifinals to finish eighth -- a career-best finish.

Despite failing to advance, Zane Schwenk got huge ovation when he pulled a barefooting maneuver, skidding for about 30 feet on his back after almost falling on a trick.

ESPN X Games research and Dean Turcol contributed to this report.